What to do in Manchester when it rains
Manchester turns a wet day into a good one — science and music heritage museums, buzzing food halls and big indoor shopping.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Manchester Museum Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Science and Industry Museum Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4JP, UK
- Manchester Art Gallery Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL, UK
- Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA, UK
- John Rylands Library 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, UK
- The Whitworth Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER, UK
- Museum of Illusions - Manchester 58-66 Market St, Manchester M1 1PW, UK
- Ordsall Hall 322 Ordsall Ln, Salford M5 3AN, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Manchester Art Gallery Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL, UK
- HOME Manchester 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN, UK
- John Rylands Library 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, UK
- Kim’s Kitchen, Gallery & Bar 49 Old Birley St, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RF, UK
- Castlefield Gallery 2 Hewitt St, Greater, Manchester M15 4GB, UK
- Castle Fine Art, Manchester 12-14 King St, Manchester M2 6AG, UK
- Alexandria Library (bookshop- not a library 247 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5LW, UK
- Smolensky Gallery 21 - 23 Quay St, Manchester M3 4AE, UK
Music heritage
Dive into the city's music heritage attractions — interactive, indoor and good fun.
Food halls
Settle into a food hall and work your way around the stalls while the rain blows over.
- Tesco Extra 737 Chester Rd, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M32 0QW, UK
- Afflecks 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, UK
- Manchester's Christmas Markets Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB, UK
- Tesco Extra Hyde Rd, Gorton, Manchester M18 8LD, UK
- Tesco Superstore Tesco Stores, Burnage Ln, Manchester M19 1TF, UK
- Longsight Market Dickenson Rd, Longsight, Manchester M13 0WG, UK
- Tesco Superstore Tesco Stores Ltd, Parrs Wood Ln, East Didsbury, Manchester M20 5NP, UK
- Tesco Superstore Tesco 990, 998 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3NN, UK
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- White City Retail Park Chester Rd, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RP, UK
- Great Northern 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN, UK
- No.1 Spinningfields 1 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3EB, UK
- Urban Exchange 100 Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 6DE, UK
- Hulme Retail Park Hulme Retail Park, Greenheys Ln W, Hulme, Manchester M15 5JR, UK
- Abayas Boutique | Luxury Abayas & Modestwear 7 Grandale St, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5WS, UK
- King Street King St, Manchester M2 7AZ, UK
- Brooks Bar Brook’s Bar, Moss Ln W, Stretford, Manchester M15 5PQ, UK
Indoor climbing
Burn off some energy at an indoor climbing centre.
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 32 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.