A family weekend in Manchester: football, planes and street art

Sometimes, a weekend getaway feels like a distant dream, especially when you're juggling the routines of family life. But this time, we finally made it happen. The four of us packed up and headed out for a spontaneous adventure, and Manchester became our destination.

I had initially set my sights on Glasgow — a city I’ve wanted to explore since our summer holidays in Scotland nearly two years ago. However, looking at the train schedules, it seemed impossible to make the most of the short weekend. That's when my husband suggested Manchester — a city we hadn't visited before. Just a two-hour train ride from London (though our return journey was a bit chaotic with three trains and a nearly four-hour trek due to bank holiday closures!), we figured it would be the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.

We knew our daughter, a football fan, would love the National Football Museum, and we couldn't leave without indulging our son's passion for planes at the airport. Here’s how our weekend went:

Day 1 – Saturday

We arrived late on Friday evening, grabbed some food on the train, and then walked from the Manchester Piccadilly station to our hotel.

After a quick breakfast on Saturday, we booked tickets to visit Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium for a late afternoon tour (which we opted for instead of the National Football Museum).

Our first stop of the day was the Science + Industry Museum. On the way, we made a detour to Manchester Central Library, a stunning space with a rotunda library and books stacked all around, recommended by a friend.

The museum, which is free to enter, was a fantastic mix of old and new. I spent some time with our son in the textile gallery, which dives into Manchester’s industrial history, showcasing cotton manufacturing and old machinery. Meanwhile, my husband and daughter explored the “Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You” exhibition (a paid ticket for this temporary exhibit).

We also visited the gallery on Level 1, where there are hands-on experiments — perfect for kids and adults alike. There’s even a Power Up gaming arcade featuring over 150 consoles from the last five decades, but we decided to skip that rabbit hole!

After a family-friendly lunch in the museum's café, we ventured to the National Trust Castlefield Viaduct, a beautifully renovated aerial railway bridge now serving as a peaceful garden walk — to my delight! We could see the tram passing on the nearby railway bridge.

From there, we found our way though the tram system to Old Trafford Stadium. The tour was engaging, thanks in no small part to our energetic guide. We learned a lot, though as football isn’t my cup of tea, I was content with the history lesson.

Note: Book an earlier tour slot if you plan on visiting — there's also a museum to explore, and we found ourselves rushing through it due to the time constraints.

Our evening ended back in the city center with a quick dinner and a stop at Greengage Square, where the kids let off some steam, running around as if their lives depended on it! Bonus: we found a geocache, and I was pretty pleased with myself for discovering it (with my phone torch!) 😊

Day 2 – Sunday

Sunday morning, we planned our visit to the airport, specifically the Runway Visitor Park. But before joining my family, I sneaked out to see something architecturally interesting nearby: Aviva Studios by OMA. Even just 15 minutes of architectural exploration felt refreshing and reminded me of my love for architecture.

Once reunited, we hopped in an Uber (much quicker than public transport and cheaper than expected) to the Runway Visitor Park, located right by Manchester Airport’s runway. If you’re into planes or need a weekend activity with kids, this is a must-visit.

The park offers everything for aviation lovers: a close-up view of planes taking off (and landing or taxiing), a Concorde you can board, picnic tables, a playground, and even a commentary booth where a commentator shares live updates about the planes! It was fascinating — and something I never expected. We could’ve easily spent the whole day there, but we had a street art adventure waiting for us.

After grabbing a bite at the park’s cafeteria, we Ubered back to the city and walked through the Northern Quarter to explore the street art scene. I had researched a few murals I wanted to check out, and they didn’t disappoint.

Here are a few highlights (and feel free to send me any more references or artists I might have missed!):

• Mural on the car park core on Tib Street (opposite Afflecks)

• Painted old toilet block, benches, and planters on Stevenson Square by Hammo (a collab with Fred Aldous, an art shop (which I totally missed, an excuse to go back to Manchester!)

• ‘War Impact in Children’s Lives’ by Hyuro (Oak Street)

• Anthony Burgess mural by Tankpetrol (Oak Street)

• Bird mural by Mateus Bailon (Faraday Street x Dean Street)

• Bird mural by Fauna (near Newton Street x Hilton Street)

• Mural Cityscape under colourful sky (Rochdale Canal Tow Path)

We took a coffee break at Ancoats Coffee Co. before heading back to the hotel to rest up for dinner.

Dinner recommendation: Sushi Marvel

Located at 67 Bridge Street, Sushi Marvel offered a delicious coconut chicken ramen — a real treat (only sad thing: I had to leave some behind for my husband!).

Day 3 – Monday

On our last day, we checked out of the hotel and headed to Mayfield Park Playground, a hidden gem my son found on Google. This urban park is nestled along the River Medlock and features a fabulous playground with slides and bridges. It was the perfect spot to wrap up our weekend before catching our train back to London.

My take away:

Manchester is a compact, walkable city, especially within the city center, where you can easily explore on foot or hop on the tram. Just be prepared for the weather! Though we left a heatwave behind in London, Manchester’s temperatures were cooler, and we regretted not packing jackets. It was a little windy, so be sure to check the forecast before you go!

All in all, we had an unforgettable family weekend. If you haven’t been yet, I highly recommend it - especially for those looking for a mix of culture, sports and street art. So many more places to explore!

All photos @sengflo_designs and NO affiliate links