Manchester, United Kingdom

Altrincham and Sale

Located in the southwest outskirts of the city, Altrincham is a pleasant suburb with tree-lined avenues and fashionable shops like Rackhams and Strada. To the east, Sale offers many attractions of its own, many that appeal to sport enthusiasts, such as Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club and Sale Water Park.

Bolton and Bury

Bolton and Bury, at the northern end of the city, are traditional Lancashire towns with their own distinct personalities. Bolton has a vibrant main street filled with excellent shops and entertainment venues such as the Albert Halls. The quaint Last Drop Village and the Pennine Moors are also nearby. Built around what was once a bustling hub of commerce, today Bury is known for having one of the biggest and best open air markets in northern England, the simply named, Bury Market. The locals here are proud of their history, and there are numerous historical attractions, such as the East Lancashire Railway, accessible to visitors.

Castlefield and Deansgate

The regeneration of the Castlefield Basin has added an extra dimension to the already highly popular shopping and entertainment area of Deansgate (King Street & St Ann's Square). In Castlefield, you can enjoy a meal at an excellent gastro-pub such as The Ox or drink at one of the ultra-fashionable waterfront bars like Dukes 92. For family entertainment, there are plenty of regular activities available. The Museum of Science & Industry is a good choice. Deansgate is home to some of the best shopping in Manchester including the famous Kendals department store, while King Street and St Ann's Square have exclusive shops such as Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani.

Chinatown

Manchester has one of the largest Chinese populations in the country, and Chinatown (located off of Portland Street) offers some superb restaurants. Try the nationally renowned Yang Sing, which specializes in Cantonese cuisine. The Chinese New Year Street Celebrations that take place here are a major annual event on the city's calendar.

City Centre

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombed Manchester in 1996, causing substantial damage to the city's infrastructure. The redevelopment has produced a shopping district large enough to compete with others in larger cities. Popular stores such as the largest Marks & Spencer in Europe and Exchange Square help to create a perfect environment for the avid consumer. The administrative hub of the city is located in the area around Albert Square to the west, where you'll find the grand Gothic architecture of the Town Hall. Culturally, the G-Mex Centre and Bridgewater Hall are the places where you can enjoy all kinds of events from rock concerts to classical music recitals.

Didsbury, Chorlton and Withington

Just a few miles south of the City Centre are some of the most fashionable and highly sought after residential areas in the city. The flourishing environment and superb eating, drinking and shopping create this demand.

Didsbury is home to some of the city's best restaurants. Try the lamb at the renowned Lime Tree. Or for something different, check out the Metropolitan, a pub with an impressive menu and beautiful, old-world decor. Chorlton has an equally cosmopolitan, slightly more bohemian character. You can enjoy urban café bar society on Wilbraham Road, with the Polar Bar, The Bar and Saints & Scholars all nearby. Withington is a place where students hang out, and it has a vibrant main street that includes some excellent shops and bars, including the popular Solomon Grundy.

Fallowfield, Rusholme and Whalley Range

Close to the southern edge of the City Centre, this area of Manchester is one of the most culturally diverse and is home to a large percentage of the city's massive student population. Fallowfield contains a number of University Residence Halls and the many lively pubs and bars such as the Orange Grove reflect this, while Platt Fields Park is an enjoyable, quiet place for local residents. Rusholme is famous for its large Asian community and the "Curry Mile" that boasts many delicious restaurants, like the Sangam and Tandoori Kitchen. Whalley Range is a place in transition, shaking off its old image with excellent restaurants and bars opening up and many young, wealthy residents moving in.

Gay Village

This neighborhood is located west of Piccadilly, and is centered on Canal Street. Although obviously orientated towards, and created for, the gay community, it has an excellent range of mixed bars, restaurants and clubs. Try the exclusive Turkish restaurant Efes Taverna for delicious food or Manchester's first multi-million pound club Essential.

Northern Quarter

This fashionable part of the city is located between Piccadilly and Ancoats and contains trendy shops and live music bars like Fat City Records and Dry Bar. There are also many fine old Victorian buildings housing small media businesses and alternative shops like Afflecks Palace.

Old Trafford and Salford

This area is home to the region's most famous sporting institutions. The Lancashire County Cricket Club and Manchester United can both be found here. This neighborhood has also been the subject of huge investment and redevelopment in recent years. The best example is Trafford Centre, a 600 million pound shopping complex that houses the only Selfridges & Co store outside London. Across the Manchester Ship Canal in Salford, The Lowry and Quays have brought a whole new sense of purpose to an area that was once in economic decline.

Oxford Road

This busy thoroughfare leads to the heart of Manchester and the city's three main universities. In addition to the many student-friendly bars, like Revolution, more traditional cultural pursuits are offered at the Manchester Museum and the Cornerhouse art cinema and gallery.

Rochdale, Oldham & Ashton

The northeastern sector of Manchester has in the past been virtually untouched by the overall economic and commercial redevelopment of the city, but it still contains many places of interest. Plan a day trip to the Portland Basin Museum or the Rochdale Pioneers Museum. The area also has the good fortune to be located close to the scenic foothills of the Pennines and northern Peak District, a place popular with tourists.

Stockport, Cheadle & Wilmslow

Southeast Manchester is known for its prosperity. Outlying affluent suburbs such as Bramhall and Prestbury are home to professional football players and wealthy businessmen attracted by the surrounding countryside. The good transportation lines link conveniently close to Manchester International Airport. Stockport itself is a busy town with a large central shopping complex and plenty of places to eat, drink and stay including the Britannia Hotel. Cheadle still has a very distinct village feel with a bustling main street attracting many independent shops, while Wilmslow is home to the "Cheshire Set," Stratstone of Wilmslow, Porsche and Ferrari car showrooms and many other expensive shops.