Guide to a Stopover in Manchester

If you have a flight booked that stops at Manchester Airport, you can ask your travel agent about booking a short stopover so that you can explore this beautiful city.

If a flight stops at an airport, usually it is free or only a nominal fee more to take a later connecting flight and stay in that city for a quick day or two. This is a great way to explore another city in your travels for much cheaper than it would be to travel there on a separate trip.

Manchester is perfectly suited to exploring on a quick stopover, and there are many interesting attractions situated close by to the airport that you can visit during your short stay here.

When you are on a stopover, it is a good idea to stay in a hotel that is near to the airport, such as the Park Inn Manchester, Victoria hotel. This means that when you need to leave again for your connecting flight you will not have far to go.

Rent a car, or take a bus and you can get pretty far around the area in a short time. Here are a few ideas of places nearby to the airport that you could explore in a day or less:

Manchester was a huge player in the industrial revolution and this large museum is dedicated to the development of science, industry and technology and the city’s contribution in those areas. Great for kids, but also interesting and informative for adults, it features many extensive displays themed on transport, such as locomotives, aircraft, and space vehicles, as well as exhibitions about hydro, electric, steam and gas power. You can also take a steam train ride around the outside of the resort!

The 6^th largest shopping centre in the UK, the largest food court in Europe, and the UK’s busiest cinema are all gathered at the Trafford Centre, a massive leisure complex outside of Manchester. This huge shopping centre has a very unique Rococo/late Baroque design and many different shops to choose from, if you fancy some retail therapy during your stopover in Manchester.

If the beautiful game is more your style, you will love visiting the home stadium of the Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford. It is the second largest in England, after Wembley Stadium. At the “Theatre of Dreams” you can learn more about the history of the club at the Museum & Tour Centre where 130 years of football memories are on display.

Europe’s largest concert venue, The M.E.N. Arena is host to many top-notch musical acts and big name sports events. Time your visit well, and you could be rocking out to a performance by a popular band during your stopover.

These are just a few ideas of what you could see on a quick stopover at Manchester airport. Enjoy Manchester; you’ll be glad you stopped by!