American Airlines can get you there with its daily, nonstop flight from JFK
Though tourists flock to London for the culture and Edinburgh for the history, it’s no wonder that Manchester ranks as the United Kingdom’s third most visited city, a unique and vibrant metropolis that offers the best of both. For a convenient, direct flight to Manchester, consider American Airlines’ daily nonstop Flight 210, departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8:25 p.m. and arriving in
Manchester at 8:45 a.m. the following morning. American flies the route with a Boeing 757 aircraft with 16 seats in Business Class and 166 seats in the Economy cabin. Manchester is known for its intense rivalries: with Birmingham for the title of “Capital of Northern England,” and with nearby Liverpool due to their fiercely competitive football clubs. Birmingham may win in terms of population, but Manchester easily comes out on top overall thanks to its many museums, historic sites and thoroughly modern cultural attractions. A relatively compact city of about 460,000 (2.6 million in the greater metropolitan area), Manchester makes for an exciting and easy getaway, handily accessed via one of the U.K.’s largest airports. Our weekend adventure began in the city center with a ride on the Wheel of Manchester, the 42-carriage Ferris wheel that opened in 2007. A more compact answer to the London Eye, the Wheel delivers unparalleled views of the city, rising 180 feet at its highest point. It’s a great place to get your bearings and understand the layout of the town.
After taking in this modern marvel, we ventured back to the medieval era with a visit to breathtaking Manchester Cathedral. The church dates to the 13th century, at least, though some estimates of the holy site go even earlier. It’s a spectacular example of the Gothic style, with a fascinating history to boot. Continuing on the historical tip, we meandered south to Castlefield, the site of the original Roman fort Mancunium, which gives the city its name. The area saw the construction of a series of canals in the 1760s to fuel the local cotton industry—and is now widely considered to be the sparking point of the Industrial Revolution. The Museum of Science and Industry, housed in a lovely Victorian rail station, gives a fairly comprehensive look at the city’s distinctive role in spreading the Machine Age
to the rest of the world.
All of this time travel had left us famished. We took in a quick pint at one of Manchester’s quirkiest drinking dens, Peveril of the Peak, on Great Bridgewater Street, before moving on to the Castle Hotel. The lively pub is known for its Manchester Egg, a tangy pickled egg served with black pudding—probably not for the squeamish.
Manchester.
Although Manchester has no shortage of attractions for science buffs interested in the likes of steam engines, there’s plenty to see and do for the rest of the family. The next day, we ventured north to lush Heaton Park, Manchester’s 600-acre greenspace, which boasts an 18-hole golf course, an animal farm, gorgeous English gardens and a museum. Closer to town, we discovered the stunning Imperial War Museum North, housed in a striking waterfront building designed by Daniel Libeskind. Another architectural gem sits nearby on Salford Quays: The Lowry, opened in 2000, is home to two theaters, a dance studio and a vast array of art galleries.
We gathered our thoughts with a quick drink at the Terrace Bar, one of the Lowry’s many pubs, then decided to do some shopping. A Manchester native had suggested we stop by Afflecks Palace, which turned out to be an eclectic collection of trendy boutiques on Church Street in the Northern Quarter.
All this sightseeing and shopping had left us hungry for some grub. We journeyed south to Manchester’s famous Curry Mile, a busy row of mainly Bangladeshi and Pakistani restaurants on Wilmslow Road. The eateries were packed and, surprisingly, open late, some serving until 4 a.m. to catch the nightlife crowd. Manchester may be known for its competitive nature, but we found the locals to be relaxed and generally more helpful that busy Londoners. Birmingham may wince, Liverpool may moan, but one thing’s for certain: For a charming and full weekend getaway, Manchester can’t be beat.
