What to do in Manchester while house and pet sitting

Famous for football, music and world-leading industrial heritage, Manchester has been a vibrant centre loved by many for centuries! Today’s Manchester is a bustling modern city, perfectly summed up by its emblem: a busy worker bee. 

If you really want to do Manchester justice, it's best to spend a few days here - and what better way to explore what the city has to offer than with an adorable four-pawed pal by your side? If you’re lucky enough to be pet sitting here, read our guide to what to do in Manchester while you're there.

Manchester attractions

If there's one thing that Manchester has plenty of, it's a plethora of attractions! We’ll be honest: this part of the UK is known for its rainy weather, so it’s good to know that many Manchester tourist attractions are indoors…

1. Manchester Art Gallery: housed in a spectacular 19th-century building, Manchester Art Gallery displays local and international art, from ancient to contemporary. Look out for temporary exhibitions and events, and take afternoon tea in its welcoming cafe.  

2. Manchester Museum: with a collection of over 4.5 million objects, there really is an exhibition to appeal to everyone at this impressive (and free) museum. Discover natural history, archaeology and earth sciences among other disciplines. The cafe is worth discovering, too…

3. Manchester Cathedral: take some time out from the busy city to visit Manchester’s late-medieval cathedral. The visitor centre will fill you in on the church’s history; however, the best thing to do is simply wander its awe-inspiring aisles.

4. Salford Quays and the Imperial War Museum North: this former industrial district has been regenerated into an arts and media hub. The thought-provoking Imperial War Museum with its dramatic architecture is a must-visit venue, and it’s also worth checking out the Lowry Centre, a theatre and exhibition venue.

Free things to do in Manchester

In Manchester on a budget? One of the best things to do in Manchester city centre is simply to take a walk through its different districts. From the stately Victorian squares to the vibrant LGBTQ+ community around Canal Street, Manchester has so many fabulous aspects to explore.

1. Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square: this awe-inspiring building is the heart of the city, and if anything illustrates Manchester’s wealthy industrial past, it’s the opulent Gothic Architecture of Albert Square. Visiting in December? You're in luck - that's when the Square is transformed into a mini winter wonderland for the annual Christmas market.

2. Heaton Park: the beautiful 600-acre park is so big, there’s even a tramway to take you around it! There are walking trails, lots of green spaces, a lake and ornamental gardens. Visit the Animal Centre or stop at one of the park’s cafes.

3. Chinatown: pass through the iconic arch and into the UK’s second-largest Chinatown. Stroll through the colourful streets, soaking in the atmosphere and loving the aromas from the restaurants and stalls.

4. Canal Street: explore the shops and cafes in this regenerated quarter. It’s especially lovely on a sunny day, with its busy pavement cafes. Canal Street is the centre of Manchester’s gay village, with a great choice of venues, bars, cafes and clubs.

Fun things to do in Manchester

If you’re looking for a unique day out, here are some of our favourite fun things to do in Manchester.

1. The Royal Exchange: this beautiful building houses a famous theatre, shops, restaurants and bars. Try to catch a show here, but if you can’t, at least come here for a coffee to experience this unique venue.

2. The Museum of Science & Industry: find out more about Manchester’s vital role in technology and industry in this brilliant museum. Exhibits range from locomotives to early computers.

3. The National Football Museum: even if you don’t support United or City, Manchester’s football museum is a must-visit for any football fan. The world’s largest football museum is four floors of homage to the beautiful game, housed in the Urbis building.

4. The Trafford Centre: less of a mall and more of an experience, the Trafford Centre is retail on an enormous scale. You’ll find all your favourite shops here, plus a massive food court, a cinema and the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, among other attractions.

What to do in Manchester with pets

There are some great days out for pets in and around Manchester. If you’re happy to drive, the city is on the edge of the Peak District, so there are plenty of countryside walks. Looking for a dog-friendly eatery? You're in luck - Manchester has a growing number of restaurants and bars that happily welcome four-legged patrons. 

If you’re pet-sitting in this lively city, here are some of the best things to do in Manchester with a dog.

1. K9 Swim: yes, Manchester has a swimming pool for dogs! *moves there immediately* This incredible place offers hydrotherapy sessions for dogs, but you can also book the pool for a 15 or 30 minute fun swim with your furry friend. If your new dog pal is a water-loving pup, this is a must.

2. Betty & Butch: everyone’s hungry after a swim, so call into one of Manchester’s famous dog emporiums for some of their tasty natural treats. There are branches in Handforth and Chorlton, and they stock some great dog toys as well as food.

3. Clifton Country Park: head to Salford and enjoy this exciting parkland. Clifton Country Park has lakeside paths, woodland and meadows for walkies, and the cafe in the visitor centre welcomes dogs.

4. Sale Water Park: this 152-acre country park is a short drive from the city, and is a popular spot among local families and pet parents. The park has a lovely lakeside walk and there are a few dog-friendly pubs in the area to whet your whistle.

5. The Counter House: you and your furry companion can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner here at The Counter House in Ancoats. Dogs are allowed inside this bustling venue and humans will love the extensive menu.

Manchester is a short distance from another famous northern city, Liverpool. Find out what’s on in Liverpool for pet sitters in our helpful guide.

Best restaurants in Manchester: Food and drink

Manchester is a haven for foodies. Districts such as Chinatown and Rusholme’s Curry Mile serve fantastic global cuisine, while districts such as the Northern Quarter and Ancoats have become famous for their food scene.

Best restaurants in Manchester for lunch 

In need of a pit stop? Here are some of the best restaurants in Manchester for lunch.

1. Erst: this fashionable Ancoats restaurant has industrial-Scandi decor and serves gorgeous grilled food. Besides a great natural wine selection, Erst's menu is designed for sharing with small plates dishes that change regularly depending on seasonality.

2. Victoria Baths tea room: we’ve chosen this lunch venue for its incredible setting in the spectacular old Edwardian swimming pool and Turkish baths building. This incredible venue is only open on a couple of days each week, so check ahead!

3. GRUB: come here for delicious street food served in a beer garden environment. The lively venue runs Plant-Powered Sundays, when all the stalls go vegan for a day. The traders change weekly, so keep checking in to try new foods.

4. Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza: you’ll get great value, authentic pizzas at this popular Ancoats spot. It’s also dog-friendly, so bring your four-pawed dining companion with you.

5. Sugo Pasta Kitchen: this is another Ancoats Italian restaurant that’s great for lunch. The Southern Italian specialities are absolutely delicious and the menu changes regularly.

Best restaurants in Manchester for dinner

If you’re looking for a place for a fantastic dinner, here are some of the best restaurants in Manchester city centre.

1. Kala: this city centre favourite serves classic dishes, perfectly cooked. If you like a Sunday roast, this is definitely the place to come.

2. Mana: if you want to treat yourself, reserve a table at Manchester’s first Michelin-starred restaurant for some fine British cuisine.

3. Yuzu: this brilliant Japanese place is in Chinatown. Their traditional dumplings, gyoza, are delicious, and they have a selection of authentic Japanese beers to accompany the food.

4. Etci Mehmet: this Turkish place is one of the best halal restaurants in Manchester. Come here for their mouth-watering kebabs and a fantastic atmosphere. 

5. The Curry Mile: this isn’t a single restaurant: the Curry Mile is the name given to the Rusholme district that’s home to around 70 Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi restaurants. If you love a good curry, this is definitely the place to visit.

This was a whistle-stop tour through some of our favourite Manchester attractions. We could happily have carried on, as there’s so much to see in this welcoming northern city! Have a recommendation that we've not included on our list? Let our members know your favourite Mancunian hot spots and share your travel tips over on our Community Forum.

House and pet sitting in Manchester

Does Manchester sound like a good place to house or pet sit? Take a look at our house and pet sitting assignments to see what’s coming up in Manchester and Greater Manchester.