Free Things To Do

If you’re looking for a jam-packed day out with family and friends in Trafford, look no further than The Trafford Centre. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s way more than a shopping centre. It’s located in TraffordCity, a one-stop destination where you can eat, shop, play and be fully entertained every minute of the day which is perfect for doing with family or friends.

Shop in The Trafford Centre

Say The Trafford Centre to anyone and they already know what it is. Its shopping experience is famous across the UK. With more than 200 shops to explore, it’s enough to keep your feet busy.

Let The Trafford Centre take you on a trip around the world in one day. Starting at Kenji where you can browse Japanese inspired homewares, kitchenware and fashion accessories. Move onto Havaianas, the iconic Brazilian footwear brand that brings the beach to you with their beachy classics. Experience a little bit of Italy at Kiko Milano and let the experts guide you through indulgent cosmetics. Hop over to the US to get an iconic pair of Levi’s jeans and then come right back to the UK with Manchester designed Couture street clothing. It’s basically like taking your pals on holiday right? If not, then The Trafford Centre’s palm tree decor will definitely make you feel like you are.

Don’t worry, on your travels around the centre you can also stop off at all of your favourite high street stores! And don’t forget to go and check out the John Lewis Christmas displays during the festive time of year.

Food & Drink in The Trafford Centre

If the around the world shopping trip tired you out, you can recharge by taking your taste buds on a holiday instead. With more than 60 places to eat and drink, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

There are little-people friendly places like Bill’s, Frankie & Benny’s or Pizza Express. Or you could try Trafford Centre favourites Slim Chickens or The Great Potato. Make sure to swing by Dappledown Popcorn for fresh popcorn and candyfloss treats for an afternoon sugar boost. Wherever you choose, there will be something to keep all of the family happy.

If you’re looking for some more adult-friendly fun, there’s Est Est Est to serve you pasta, pizza, coffee and wine, which are the four things you definitely need to fuel your shopping trip. For those of you who are fancy-pants Oh You Pretty Things where you can sit back, relax and watch the world go by with a cocktail or glass of champagne. If champagne is your taste, then make sure you take your friends to Selfridges’ San Carlo Champagne Bar, where you’ll drink under the iconic chandelier sculpted in the Veneto region of Italy. Fancy that.

Want to know more about where to eat and drink in The Trafford Centre? Check out our top choices here.

Play in The Trafford Centre

It’s not just shopping in The Trafford Centre. When it comes to play, they take it VERY seriously with a huge range of friend and family activities.

Dive in the deep end and snorkel with sharks at Sea Life Manchester in their brand new snorkelling cage. The experience brings you closer than ever to some of the sea’s most famous fishies. In the Ocean Display, you’ll get to glide alongside stingrays and meet The Trafford Centre Sea Life’s King and Queen of the ocean – Cammy and Ernie, the giant green sea turtles. If you don’t fancy taking a dip with the 31 types of sea creatures, you can enjoy them on foot from their multiple aquarium zones.

Everything is awesome…when you’re at Lego Discovery Centre Manchester. The Trafford Centre is home to the UK’s only Lego VR experience and a multistorey Ninjago city adventure play area. You can also explore MINILAND – made up of over 1.5 million bricks – you can see the sights of Blackpool, Liverpool and of course Manchester, complete with working trams! You can also see the famous roller coasters of Alton Towers built from Lego and make them go. It’s absolutely unmissable.

It’s not all sea creatures and Lego bricks – you can have fun at a sci-fi adventure filled Laser Quest, putt your way through tropical tiki huts at Paradise Adventure Golf or have a go on Europe’s fastest dodgems at Namco Funscape. Basically whatever your chosen activity, The Trafford Centre will sort you out.

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