I live in the UK city named one of the best places to visit by the New York Times – here’s what it’s really like to be a local

I’M NOT surprised that Manchester was recently crowned one of the best places for Americans to visit this year.

Joining people like EgyptWith Hurghada, Maui in Hawaii and the Albanian Alps, Manchester was the only UK city to feature in the publication’s global list of 52 places to visit in 2024.

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This comes just weeks after Time Out named it one of the best cities in the world for 2024.

And that is one of the reasons why, following the pandemicI jumped on the bandwagon of escaping the big smoke to settle in this quieter and more accessible city, also known as “the capital of the North”.

From mills to music

While Manchester, like every other city, has a number of modern skyscrapers, it has also transformed its iconic red-brick structures into exciting new cultural sites.

Take the Mayfield Depot, for example – once a railway yard, this arts, music and culture hub is home to the popular Warehouse Project and is one of the best places to see a band or DJ in Manchester, in my opinion. opinion.

And of course I’m not the only one who thinks so, it was recently voted the best club in the world by DJTechReviews.

Diecast is another impressive warehouse transformation, which has the largest beer garden in the city – you’d never know that this sprawling entertainment space was once a metalworking shop and factory (apart from the huge vintage machines they kept by the front door). .

It has some impressive beers on its list, as well as some of the best pizza I’ve had in the city.

Other highlights for going out at night are the always colorful bars on Canal Street or the super cool clubs Hidden, Yes and Soup.

You can see why Manchester’s nightlife is known as one of the best in the country. The same can be said for live music.

Spawning indie rock legends like Joy Division, The Smiths, Oasis, Buzzcocks and Stone Roses, it’s no surprise that the northern city is still one of the country’s best places for concerts and shows.

And this will only get better with the UK’s biggest arena, Co-op Live, opening this month and with a capacity of 23,500, surpassing London’s main O2 arena.

If Manchester wasn’t on the music map before, it certainly is now.

Taste pleasures

Of course, Manchester has much more than its vibrant music scene.

The city’s gastronomic culture has grown a lot in recent years. Even food critics like Jay Rayner regularly celebrate what the city has to offer.

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One of my favorite places to dine is The Sparrows, a continental pasta and dumplings restaurant that’s hidden under some railway arches in the Green Quarter.

A standout dish is Spätzle, a special type of egg noodle that melts in your mouth.

Foodies can also try one of the 17 Michelin-listed restaurants, including Higher Ground, a British bistro focused on seasonal food and casual dining that impressed with unique dishes and attention to detail.

Another favorite is Climat, a rooftop wine restaurant that takes Manchester’s buzzing food scene to new heights with French vibes, fun yet tasty dishes, and panoramic views of the city.

If there’s one thing Mancs love, it’s a good drink, so it’s only natural that Manchester’s bars are thriving too.

The city’s gastronomic culture has grown in recent years

Lee Bell

Schofield’s Bar on Little Quay Street, awarded Best Bar in the UK two years running by the prestigious Class Bar Mag, has stylish vibes and five-star service from friendly bartenders who can jazz up any cocktail you fancy.

I also love that Manchester is following in London’s footsteps when it comes to good wine, with trendy outposts like Flawd, a natural wine wine bar located in New Islington marina, popping up all over the city.

I’ve spent many a summer night here, drinking orange wine down my neck while taking in the calming canal views.

Cultural corners

Most tourists in Manchester head to the Northern Quarter, which is home to individual shops and vintage stores, or two famous soccer stadiums – Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium.

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However, anyone looking for a bit more culture should definitely check out Aviva Studios.

Also known as Factory International, this £186 million arts venue, which I call the “Barbican of Manchester”, hosts regular shows. It is also now the permanent home of the biennial Manchester International Festival.

If the rain stops long enough (I discovered it doesn’t actually rain as much in Manchester as everyone says!), take a stroll along the Castlefield Viaduct.

Opened in the city last year and expected to be expanded soon, it is a transformation of an 1862 viaduct into a public garden, often compared to New York’s High Line.

If you are a visitor wanting to visit for more than one day, there are many hotels to go, flashy Lux offerings like Hotel Gotham on King Street to cozy boutique wonders like Forty-Seven on Peter Street.

A little further afield, there are the leafy neighborhoods of Didsbury and Chorlton to explore, with quaint streets lined with independent shops and cafes.

I always find these great places when I want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center for a bit.

Due to its excellent connections to the center of the country, getting to Manchester is easy.

Direct trains operate to Manchester from London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool and Leeds.

As part of The Sun’s new Best of British campaign, Coronation Street stars Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach have revealed their favorite hidden gems in Manchester.