Manchester is one of the UK’s most vibrant major cities and come rain or sunshine, it’s well worth exploring.

If you’re thinking about paying it a visit and wondering what’s on offer, here’s our guide of the top 10 things to do in Manchester…

• Listen to home grown artists and buy a vinyl or two at Piccadilly Records
• Soak up a little culture at the Manchester Art Gallery
• Pay a visit to city quays – home to Old Trafford and The Imperial War Museum
• Take a tour of Manchester City FC’s Etihad Stadium
• Check out ancient Egyptian artefacts at the Manchester Museum

• Try on some fancy dress at the quirky maze that is Afflecks Palace
• Take a relaxing narrow boat tour on the Manchester Shipping Canal
• Experience a SeaTREK at SEA LIFE Manchester
• Grab a bite to eat in Chinatown
• Do a spot of bar hopping in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter

If our top 10 things to do in Manchester has made you want to enjoy a day trip, but if you’d rather take a trip to Merseyside, check out our quick fire Liverpool city guide.

Images: GIDZY, NEIL HOWARD and MIKEY via Flickr