For those who set eyes on Deansgate's John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. When John Rylands died in 1888, he was one of Manchester's most successful industrialists with a personal fortune of £2.75 million. The library was commissioned in 1890 by his wife, Enriqueta Rylands, in memory of her late husband. This world-class collection includes the oldest known piece of the New Testament, the St John Fragment. Other treasures of the vast, varied collection include magnificent illuminated medieval manuscripts and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Go behind the scenes at the world's fastest-growing football club. On the Stadium and Club Tour, a professional guide will lead an unforgettable and comprehensive tour of the club and Etihad Stadium, capturing the essence of Manchester City. The tour will showcase the pride, passion, and heritage of the football Club. It demonstrates how every aspect of the club, both on and off the pitch, contributes to making Manchester City the club it is today. Visitors can see how it feels to be grilled by the media in the press conference room hot seat, visit the inner sanctum of the City dressing room, and walk down the tunnel imagining the roar of 55,000 supporters cheering on their heroes. Finally, take in the view from new manager Pep Guardiola's seat in the dug-out; there's the opportunity to experience everything. Outside of the football season, the stadium hosts major national and international football events as well as summer concerts. Stadium tours are available, and the club has an excellent museum packed full of football memorabilia.

City Centre Cruises offers a relaxed way to see Manchester from the water, gliding along its historic canals past former mills, red-brick warehouses and modern waterfront developments. Trips range from simple sightseeing cruises to afternoon teas, Sunday lunches and evening buffet sailings, all taken at an easy pace that lets you soak in the city’s industrial heritage from a different angle.

The IWM North explores the impact of war and conflict on people’s lives, both historically and in the present day. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the building itself is a striking representation of a world fractured by conflict. At its opening, Libeskind described his vision as creating a space that 'emotionally moves the soul of the visitor toward a sometimes unexpected realisation'. Located on Trafford Wharf Road in Trafford Park, the museum overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal, an area that played a crucial industrial role during World War II and suffered heavy bombing in the 1940 Manchester Blitz.