Manchester, England — Activities
Manchester Culture
For the latest information on club nights, theater performances, gigs, cinema listings and restaurant reviews, check out the entertainment section of the Manchester Evening News (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk).
Theaters
The city boasts many top-notch theaters, including the Royal Exchange Theater, St Ann's Square (tel: (0161) 833 9833; www.royalexchange.co.uk), the Library Theater, St Peter's Square (tel: (0161) 236 7110; www.librarytheater.com) and the Opera House, Quay Street (tel: (0161) 828 1700).
Dance
Away from the city center, the Contact Theater, Devas Street, off Oxford Road (tel: (0161) 274 0600; www.contact-theater.org) and the Green Room, Whitworth Street West (tel: (0161) 615 0500; www.greenroomarts.org), are great places to see more experimental theater and dance performances.
Music
The impressive Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street is the home of the famous Hallé Orchestra and a great place to experience classical music performances.
Lower Mosley Street
Ttel: (0161) 907 9000.
Website: www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Comedy
There are some great comedy clubs dotted around the city, including the Frog and Bucket.
102 Oldham Street
Ttel: (0161) 236 9805.
Website: www.frogandbucket.com
Manchester Tours
It’s easy to pick up a free map from the Visitor Information Center and discover Manchester’s rich history for yourself on foot. But a lack of official guided trails and the amount of regeneration work underway throughout the city really make the services of a guide worth the money.
The Visitor Information Center (tel: 0871 222 8223; www.visitmanchester.com) organizes various different themed tours, from pub walks to canal cruises – check the website for details; places need to be booked in advance. Or visitors can also hire a personal tour with a Blue Badge guide and take advantage of their expert local knowledge – check the Visit Manchester website for contact details of individual guides.
When the walking gets too much, hop on the free Metroshuttle services that operate along three circular routes in the city, linking the main attractions as well as the city's four railway stations.
