10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Greater Manchester That You Shouldn't Miss

Welcome to The John Rylands Library, one of the world's finest collections of rare books and manuscripts. The John Rylands Library is part of The University of Manchester. Please note that we open at 12noon on Mondays and Sundays

The Science and Industry Museum sits in the heart of Manchester, the world's first industrial city. It houses the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station and the world's first railway warehouse from 1830, which are located at the end of the museum site. On a visit to the museum, you will see amazing objects and learn about the men and women whose ideas changed the world forever. Daily demonstrations bring the museum's world class collection of textile and industrial machinery to life. There are interactive exhibits to explore and a regular programme of changing exhibitions to enjoy.

Portland Basin Museum is housed within the restored nineteenth century Ashton Canal Warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne. The museum combines a lively modern interior with a peaceful canal side setting. It is an exciting family friendly museum, with something for all the family.

From our historical collections to international contemporary art, we aim to bring fresh perspectives, encourage conversation and spark debate. Explore our collections of fine art, spanning six centuries and including many major modern and contemporary pieces. We are famous for 19th century British paintings, particularly our outstanding collection of Pre-Raphaelite works. Our decorative arts collections showcase the artistry, tastes and techniques of every era and culture, from ancient civilizations to today’s designer makers. Our collections of ceramics, silver, glass, furniture and costume are especially fine. We constantly renew and update our collections displays so you should discover something new every time you visit. And, we're free to visit!

Purpose-built to tell powerful stories of over a century of conflict, IWM North makes full use of its extraordinary exhibition space to deliver a moving and immersive experience.

Carved into the natural sandstone cliffs, the intriguing network of underground tunnels offers visitors an unparalleled insight into life in wartime Britain in the 1940's. Visitors have the opportunity of learning about the experiences of local people during the war from the displays in the tunnels and from the state-of -the-art audio-guides and to find mementos of the 1940's in our shop.

The world's biggest and best football museum is open seven days a week in Manchester city centre. Here, you will discover how football became the game of our lives, following the stories through fascinating objects and exhibitions. Unearth the game's origins, relive the FA Cup fairytales and explore the different aspects and issues that make the game such an integral part of our culture and society. Chart the fortunes of our national teams in our new display, England on the World Stage, and see the country's footballing crown jewels: the ball from the 1966 World Cup Final, Geoff Hurst's iconic shirt and the Jules Rimet Trophy, still gleaming in its new case! Get in the game with a host of fun interactive challenges, from penalty-taking and shot-stopping to match commentary, and check out the latest changing exhibitions on the ground floor and in our Score Gallery.