Manchester’s best museums

This is the place to start exploring Manchester’s wonderful history

Explore some the top museums across Greater Manchester 

Author | Josh D

In Manchester, history is not confined to display cases. It pulses through old engine halls, walks beside protest marches, lingers in the shadows of underground tunnels and murmurs from the pages of Victorian journals. This is a city shaped by revolution and reinvention, and its museums remain central to that spirit.

Whether you are a parent hoping to spark a child’s imagination, a history enthusiast tracing the roots of a radical past, or simply looking for a rainy-day escape, Greater Manchester’s museums offer more than just objects and information. They provide a deeper connection to the ideas and events that forged the city’s character

Science and Industry Museum

Set on the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station, this expansive museum brings history to life with a wealth of interactive exhibits. Children can feel the thunder of Victorian steam engines, explore Manchester’s pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, and dive into five decades of gaming history in the lively ‘Power Up’ arcade zone.

National Football Museum

A footballing paradise for kids (and adults!) who love the beautiful game. Right in the city centre, this museum brings the magic of football to life with over 140,000 objects, from iconic shirts and boots to historic balls and trophies. Test your skills in interactive zones including a penalty shoot-out and Match of the Day studio experience. You will find and discover football history from across Europe and beyond.  

Amy W told us: "My kids are football daft and they loved this place. There's also something for everyone really."

People's History Museum

This engaging museum explores democracy, protest and the hard-won rights often taken for granted. Through bold, interactive galleries, it brings activism to life with suffragette-themed games, jukeboxes and digital storytelling. It is a lively and accessible introduction to history that children can get involved in and enjoy.

Old Trafford

Manchester United's iconic stadium is almost open all year round. If you visit on a non-matchday and enjoy a behind the scenes Stadium Tour, get a delicious bite to eat in the Red Cafe or pick up a souvenir in the Megastore. Worth a visit even if you're not a red! 

Working Class Movement Library

This remarkable collection in Salford brings together English language books, periodicals, pamphlets, archives and artefacts that trace the development of working-class political and cultural life during and after the Industrial Revolution. It offers a rare insight into the ideas, movements and everyday struggles that shaped modern Britain from the factory floor to the political arena.