There’s another bank holiday looming and then the long, glorious stretch of summer – and helpfully, there’s a new tool in Greater Manchester to help you plan brilliant days out around the region.
You can now use a Metrolink Destination Generator which will design you your perfect day out.
You just give it an idea of what you fancy doing – like something foodie, or cultural, or musical, or sporting – and a rough borough you want to travel to, and away it goes.
You can choose free things, family-friendly things, outdoor things, to do on a weekday or weekend.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s aim is that it will help travellers stuck for ideas to get out and discover some fun days out around their local area, without needing to jump in the car or travel far.
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The Destination Generator will even tell you which stop to aim for and which tickets are the best value.
Renowned travel experts Lonely Planet named Manchester as one of its best ‘accessibility-friendly’ destinations to visit in 2023, with the city being the only UK location to make the guidebook’s annual Best in Travel list.
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Some of Lonely Planet’s recommendations, such as the Manchester Museum and Castlefield Viaduct, can be reached using Metrolink, but there are so many more hidden gems to be found across Greater Manchester.
National Trust gardeners – Castlefield Viaduct Planting – 10 June 2022
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Whether travelling a few stops or across the network, Metrolink is a convenient, value-for money and accessible way of getting around Greater Manchester.
“There are flexible and affordable ticketing options for all travellers, whether it’s paying as you go with contactless – never paying more than the daily cap, or making use of a one-day family travelcard which covers travel for two adults and up to three children.
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“Whatever the weather this summer, Metrolink can get you where you want to go, and if you’re stuck for ideas our Destination Generator will help you plan your trip.”
Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “There are a variety of attractions across Greater Manchester for visitors to explore on Metrolink, from East Lancashire Railway in Bury, IWM North in Trafford, The Lowry in Salford, and fantastic green space in places like Sale Water Park.
“We’re delighted to work in partnership with TfGM to highlight just how accessible the region is, and we hope the Destination Generator is a fun way for visitors to uncover more of the unexpected in Greater Manchester.”
Some of the days out in Greater Manchester to be discovered:
Oldham Way Walks
Spanning a whopping 40 miles, the Oldham Way is a popular challenge for keen walkers – but if you break it down into sections there’s something for everyone, even total novices.
There are seven recommended routes, some of which you can easily get to using the tram network.
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If you get the tram to Failsworth, you’ll find yourself along a gentle section of the Oldham Way that follows the Rochdale Canal towpath.
Nearest stop: Failsworth
Pottery Corner
Tucked in in the beautiful Chorlton is Pottery Corner, a creative studio and gallery where you can paint your own pottery.
Designed to let your creative streak run wild, the studio space also offers baby imprints, clay classes, parties, and special occasions.
It’s been under its current ownership for seven years and is well worth the journey across to Chorlton.
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Nearest stop: Chorlton
The East Lancashire Railway
Train fanatic or not, the East Lancashire Railway is always a popular day out.
Slicing its way through picturesque towns like Ramsbottom and Summerseat, plus miles and miles of stunning Lancashire scenery, there are loads of different days out on offer.
Along the way you can discover real ale bars, quaint tea rooms, quirky boutiques, markets, restaurants, cafés and more.
Nearest stop: Bury
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Museum of Transport
This hugely underrated museum just outside the city centre seems like an appropriate place to visit on public transport – it’s an absolute goldmine of public transport going all the way back to 1824.
There’s an 1890s horse-drawn bus, a full-size prototype Metrolink tram, and an old Beverley’s Beers van.
It’s a bargain too – adult tickets are £5 while under 16s can go free with any paying adult.
Nearest stop: Queens Road
Portland Basin Museum
Another hidden gem, this time over in Tameside, is the Portland Basin Museum, housed within a restored 19th-century Ashton Canal Warehouse.
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The waterside, newly-refurbished heritage centre celebrates the people, events and industries, which have shaped the history of Tameside over the past two hundred years.
You can even step back in time on a 1920s street, with the sights and sounds of bygone Tameside brought back to life.
Nearest stop: Ashton-Under-Lyne
Featured image: East Lancashire Railway
Things To Do
Thousands of FREE tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at AO Arena have been released
Thomas Melia
There are thousands of free tickets up for grabs to attend ‘The Big Night of Musicals’ in Manchester next year which features a variety of theatre classics.
The curtain has risen once again as returning favourite, The Big Night of Musicals, is coming to AO Arena for a fourth year.
Hosted once again by the one and only Jason Manford, this event contains segments from some of the world’s greatest theatre productions.
Fronted by The National Lottery, this showcase is a thank you to all players whose money has supported more than 20,000 theatre-related projects totalling £1.3 billion.
These funds have been used on many performing arts resources including restoring theatres and enabling hundreds of musical-related projects to commence.
This isn’t something to be missed out on as the bill is shaping up to be one of the event’s biggest to date featuring stars from the West End and some of the most notorious shows.
Attendees can expect to hear some familiar favourites in the likes of Bat Out of Hell, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, Mean Girls and more.
There’s even an exclusive preview of the upcoming theatre adaptation of a Disney superhero as snippets from ‘Hercules’ will be performed live.
Guests even have a chance to be in the same room as musical theatre legend Carrie Hope Fletcher as she takes on the role of Calamity Jane in the theatre show of the same name.
Dear Evan Hansen is also on the bill and if you aren’t free for the musical ensemble, it’s running at Palace Theatre Manchester from 18-22 February next year and tickets are available right now.
This event has a super varied lineup too, from throwback pop bangers to Wild West heroines, this night really caters to everyone.
In true musical style, there will be big, bold performances and, of course, lots of excellent surprises all set to make a fantastic night of live music at the AO Arena.
All National Lottery players have the chance to reserve up to four tickets, the only cost is proof they’ve purchased a product from the National Lottery and a £2 booking fee per ticket.
Tickets for the ‘Big Night of Musicals’ on 25 January are already on sale you can try your luck at grabbing some free seats HERE.
The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve
Thomas Melia
One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.
The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.
With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.
With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.
The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.
Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.
This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?
In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.
With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.
Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.
Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin CompstonVicky McClure leading the dance routines
This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.
The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.
This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.
So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?
Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.
Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!
Daisy Jackson -
26th May 2023 
