You’ve got some time to kill before meeting friends, before dinner, after work, or you simply just want to try something a bit different?? Well, here’s a list of my top recommendations for Manchester things to do when you’ve got an hour or so to kill:
1. Go all Strictly with a Dance class
La Suerte Dance School is the perfect place to explore the world of Latin dance and caters to all levels and abilities. I will warn you though, there are a number of stairs to climb to reach their 3rd floor studio on Charles Street, but you won’t regret it. You can drop into any of the open timetabled classes for a taster, or sign up for a course. Even if you have no rhythm, like I most definitely do not, the crew are always supportive and you’ll still enjoy having a good shake around to some pretty top playlists.
La Suerte Dance School, 3rd Floor, M1 7DF, 60 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DF
2. Jump Around
Driving around Trafford Industrial Park you’d never imagine an entire floorspace of over 100 trampolines lies behind one of the large metal warehouse units. Not just for kids, Jump Nation is an hour of bouncing that will have you feeling pretty great by the end of it. I’ve yet to come across anyone who doesn’t enjoy that air-borne feeling of complete weightlessness (or that moment of fear when you’ve gone too high and start panicking about how you’re going to calm it down). I would also recommend the fitness classes: one solid hour of high flying, high intensity, all-over body workout (you WILL feel the burn) and be sure to try the airbag before you leave.
Jump Nation, Textilose Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1WA
3. Lock yourself in an escape room
Not sure if being locked-in-an-unfamiliar-room-surrounded-by-objects-that-may-or-may-not-provide-clues-to-help-you-find-other-clues-that-may-eventually-lead-to-your-escape is supposed to be fun. That point where the thought of having your mugshot taken with a board that says ‘I nearly did it’ makes you want to jump up and down in frustration and scream thinking that may help solve the puzzles faster. When you even dress up in the detectives clothes hoping it will help your mind reconfigure itself and finally put to use all those hours spent watching CSI on the tele to good use. All of that emotion, brain power, frustration and clock watching makes Breakout escape rooms a highly intense sixty minute experience you’ll want to try over and over again.
Breakout, 14a Brazennose Street, Manchester, M2 6LW
4. Yoga on the roof
There are no shortage of yoga studios in Manchester, but Cariadyoga has decided to take this exercise to a new level. Literally. Classes are held high up on the roof of Barton Arcade, weather permitting. Eirian leads the class clear enough for beginners, but also ensures it’s substantial enough for regular yogies. The open air location is peaceful considering its slap bang in the middle of Deansgate. There’s something very calming about doing a workout with nothing but sky above you. It’s a great place to unwind, escape the city below and align your chakra.
#RooftopyogaMCR Barton Arcade, Manchester, M3 2BB
5. Board games and breakfast
The Northern Quarter is heralded as the hipster district of Manchester, packed with independent eateries and alternative boutiques. You can’t get more quirky than Ziferblat’s pay as you go café where for 6p a minute you can help yourselves to unlimited hot drinks, cereals, snack goods and there’s even a selection of freshly baked cakes. Laid out like an Old English library room, this is the ideal place to relax, meet friends, get some work done or tackle one of the many board games piled up on the dresser.
Ziferblat, 1st Floor, 23 Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1HW
6. Shoop shoop shoop
Manchester may be known as the rainiest city in the UK but we’re also one of the few to have a place that offers year-round snow. Chillfactore isn’t the cheapest place to spend an hour, but its worthwhile. If you’re an expert, buy a pass and show off your skills on the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope, or if you’re a beginner (like me) sign up to one of the classes and learn from one of the pro’s. I’ve tried the group snowboarding session and considering there was a number of us in the class, we had plenty of opportunity to test and put into practice what we’d learnt, as well as time at the end to have a right good play!
Chillfactore, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA
7. Bowling and burgers
Even the stars flock to All Stars. This well known venue on Deansgate has been one of our favourite places to eat and have a laugh for some time now. A family-friendly bowling alley until 6pm, when the lanes then become exclusively for adult use. I would never dream of visiting without booking in for a meal before hand though (it would be just too rude not to). Burger fuel is essential before a competitive evening of skilled split and gutter balls.
All Star Lanes, The Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
8. Tour the city
It doesn’t matter how long you may have lived in this Northern Powerhouse, the Manchester Guided Tours are sure to teach you a thing or two. Not knowing much about the City’s history, the Daily Discover tour I joined in June really opened my eyes as to how Manchester became what it is today. A team of highly knowledgeable guides are ready to show you the wonders of the architecture and the hidden gems of the city in
Manchester Guided Tours, info@manchesterguidedtours.com
9. Take to the water in the heart of the Quays
Wakeboarding, dinghy sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding… who would have thought all this could be done in the heart of Salford. The Helly Hansen Watersports Centre is fully equipped with top facilities and caters to all levels and abilities. I’ve even trialled the open water swimming sessions (a lot harder than I expected) and the expertise they offer is second to none. I can’t think of a better way to spend an hour than squeezing into a wetsuit and trying out one of the great water-based activities this centre has to offer. Do remember you’re in Manchester though… even if the sun’s out, chances are that waters going to be COLD.
Salford Watersports Centre, 15 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SQ
10. Schedule in some TLC time
I couldn’t not include some self indulgence in this list. When life gets too full on and you feel you haven’t had a spare moment to yourself that is the exact moment you need to stop and book yourself into a spa. Many of us don’t have time to take part in a full day of indulgence (although I always do my best to make time) so city centre spas like the Sienna Spa at the Radisson Edwardian are perfect for those of us wanting to squeeze in a massage when we find a spare hour. Decked out in crisp white and gold interiors, this underground spa is the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate your skin and muscles and forget about the city bustling above you. If you can stay longer than your treatment, there is a great pool and relaxation area (I’ve had some good quality naps here).
Sienna Spa & Health Club, Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester, Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP
And thats it! Any other great activities I could try??
