What to do in Manchester when it rains
The weather needn't spoil Manchester. Its galleries, museums and indoor markets are at their best on a grey day, with cafés on every corner.
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
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
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- St. Peter's Square St Peter's Square, Manchester M1 5AN, UK
- Manchester City Council Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB, UK
- National Trust - Castlefield Viaduct Castlefield Viaduct, Greater, Manchester M3 4LG, UK
- Hacienda 11- 5DD, The Hacienda, 15 Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5LN, UK
- Arch of Chinatown 46 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4FH, UK
- Heaton Chapel station Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4RL, UK
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- 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
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Dishoom Manchester 32 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT, UK
- ODEON Manchester Great Northern Unit 2, The Great Northern, 253 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN, UK
- YES 38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB, UK
- Ezra & Gil 20 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1FR, UK
- Moose 20 York St, Manchester M2 3BB, UK
- Bruncho 270 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4JB, 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
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.