Looking for museums and galleries in Manchester? This is a complete, scan-friendly list of places the public can visit across Manchester and Greater Manchester, organised by area (city centre first, then working outwards).
Each venue includes whether it’s free or ticketed, plus the address/postcode, best for, time needed and the easiest way to get there, so you can pick somewhere that fits your day (and your patience level!).
If you’re making a day of it, you can easily pair a museum visit with a walk, here are some of the Best Parks in Manchester Manchester to add on after.
Opening times and ticket prices change, so this list is based on venue information and local visitor resources – always double-check before you travel.
Manchester city centre + inner Manchester
Big hitters (the ones everyone should do at least once!)
Science and Industry Museum — Free (donations; some experiences/exhibitions may be ticketed)
Address: Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP
Opening times: Open daily from 10am – 5pm.
Best for: rainy days, hands-on science, big kid energy
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours
Transport: Deansgate/Castlefield tram; city centre car parks
Just around the corner, you’ll also find the PAC-MAN Live Experience at Arcade Arena and Chaos Karts Manchester – both are awesome if you want to turn your museum visit into a full-on day out.
Manchester Museum — Free (some special exhibitions may be ticketed)
Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with final entry at 4:30pm. Closed Monday.
Best for: families, dinosaurs, nature & ancient worlds
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours
Transport: Oxford Road corridor buses; limited parking nearby
Manchester Art Gallery — Free
Address: Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm. Closed Monday.
Best for: quick visits, city centre culture hit
Time needed: 45–90 mins
Transport: St Peter’s Square tram (easy)
The Whitworth — Free
Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm (extended hours on Thursdays until 9pm). Closed Monday.
Best for: art + park walk combo
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Transport: buses down Oxford Rd; some on-street parking nearby
People’s History Museum — Free (most visitors donate)
Address: Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER
Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, 10am – 5pm. Closed Tuesday.
Best for: social history, meaningful exhibits
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Transport: Spinningfields walk; car parks nearby
Specialist + “surprisingly good” in town
National Football Museum — Ticketed (free entry for City of Manchester residents with proof)
Address: Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG
Opening times: Open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm.
Best for: kids, football fans, proper interactive bits
Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
Transport: Victoria Station (train/tram)
Greater Manchester Police Museum — Free (check opening days)
Address: 57A Newton St, Manchester M1 1ET
Opening times: Open Tuesday’s 10:30am – 4pm (and some Thursday’s over school holidays)
Best for: quick visit, unusual history
Time needed: 30–60 mins
Transport: Piccadilly/Victoria easy
Pankhurst Centre — Pre-booked tickets are recommended via Eventbrite, costing £5 for a yearly pass or £6 on the door.
Address: Nelson St, Manchester M13 9WP
Opening times: Thursdays and Sundays from 11am – 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.
Best for: women’s history, “this matters” visits
Time needed: 60–90 mins
Transport: buses down Oxford Rd
Manchester Jewish Museum — Ticketed
Address: Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester M8 8LW
Opening times: Open seven days a week, from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm
Best for: culture + community history
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Transport: bus routes; some street parking
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House — Ticketed
Address: 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW
Opening times: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday from 11am – 4:30pm.
Best for: literature lovers, calm afternoons
Time needed: 60–90 mins
Transport: buses; limited parking nearby
Galleries & creative spaces (free, easy, very “Manchester”)
HOME — Free gallery spaces (cinema/theatre ticketed)
Address: 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
Opening times: Monday to Thursday: 10am – 11pm, Friday to Saturday: 10am – 12am, Sunday: 11am – 10:30pm.
Best for: modern exhibitions + coffee
Time needed: 45–90 mins
Transport: Deansgate/Castlefield tram
Castlefield Gallery — Free
Address: 2 Hewitt St, Manchester M15 4GB
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm – 5:30pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Best for: contemporary art, quick browse
Time needed: 30–60 mins
Transport: Deansgate area
esea contemporary — Free – REOPENING 21ST FEBRUARY 2026.
Address: 13 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 5 pm and Sunday from 12pm – 5pm. Closed Monday and Bank Holidays.
Best for: contemporary art, Northern Quarter wander
Time needed: 30–60 mins
Transport: walk from Piccadilly/Victoria
Manchester Craft and Design Centre — Free (workshops may be ticketed)
Address: 17 Oak St, Manchester M4 5JD
Opening times: Open to the public Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5.30pm and the 2nd Sunday of the month from 11am – 5pm.
Best for: handmade gifts + studios
Time needed: 45–90 mins
Transport: Northern Quarter walk
Heritage libraries (not “museums”, but honestly… don’t skip)
John Rylands Research Institute and Library — Free
Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Best for: “wow” architecture
Time needed: 30–60 mins
Transport: Deansgate area
Chetham’s Library — Ticketed tours from £6.50 (child – check availability)
Address: Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB
Opening times: Open Monday – Saturday. Closed Sunday. Various tours run from 11am.
Best for: history nerds, guided tours
Time needed: 60–90 mins
Transport: Victoria Station
South Manchester (Rusholme / Fallowfield / Platt Fields Park)
Platt Hall (Gallery of Costume) — Free (open for events & tours; booking often required)
Address: Platt Hall, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5LL
Opening times: Open on selected dates for events, drop-ins and tours.
Best for: families, fashion/costume lovers, a “something different” rainy-day plan
Time needed: 45–90 mins (longer if you join an activity)
Transport: buses along Wilmslow Road; easy to pair with a walk around Platt Fields Park
Tip: Some sessions are open to everyone and some are aimed at specific groups (so it’s worth checking the event details before you set off).
Salford & Salford Quays (including MediaCity-ish)
Heading to The Lowry or IWM North? Here’s a handy food stop nearby we visited: Prezzo Italian Salford Quays
Imperial War Museum North — Free (some special exhibitions may be ticketed)
Address: Trafford Wharf Rd, Manchester M17 1TZ
Opening times: Open daily from 10am – 5pm.
Best for: big emotional impact, families
Time: 1.5–3 hours
Transport: MediaCityUK/Salford Quays tram
The Lowry — Free gallery spaces (shows paid)
Address: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
Opening times: Tuesday-Friday 11am – 5pm and weekends from 10am – 5pm
Best for: art + food + waterside stroll
Time: 60–120 mins
Transport: Salford Quays tram
Salford Museum and Art Gallery — Free
Address: Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WU
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am – 4pm and Saturday to Sunday from 11:30am – 4pm. Closed Monday.
Best for: families + Victorian street
Time: 1–2.5 hours
Transport: buses; parking nearby
Working Class Movement Library — Free (research visits; check opening)
Address: 51 The Crescent, Salford M5 4WX
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday from 10am – 4pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Best for: researchers, local history deep dives
Time: 45–120 mins
Ordsall Hall — Free
Address: 31 Ordsall Ln, Salford M5 3AN
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm and Sunday’s 11:30am – 4pm. Closed Friday and Saturday.
Best for: families, heritage house fans
Time: 1–2 hours
Trafford (Trafford Park, Old Trafford, Altrincham area)
Old Trafford Tour & Museum — Ticketed
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 9:30am – 4pm and Friday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5pm. Closed during home matches.
Best for: football fans, visitors
Time: 75–120 mins
Transport: Old Trafford tram
If you’re doing the Old Trafford Tour, you might want to add lunch after – here’s my Cafe Football Old Trafford Review.
Dunham Massey — Ticketed (National Trust members free)
Address: Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 4SJ
Opening times for Park and Gardens: 10am – 4pm/5pm (check exact seasonal times)
Opening times for House: 12pm – 4pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Best for: half-day out, gardens + house
Time: 2–4 hours
Transport: car easiest; parking on-site
Waterside Arts — Mostly free exhibitions (events ticketed)
Address: 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale M33 7ZF
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm (extended hours on performance nights). Closed Sunday.
Best for: small exhibitions + easy local visit
Time: 45–90 mins
Transport: Sale tram
Stockport (Stockport town + Bramhall)
Hat Works Museum of Hatting — Free
Address: Wellington Rd S, Stockport SK3 0EU
Opening times: Thursday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm (last admission at 3:15pm). Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Best for: quirky, surprisingly fun
Time: 60–90 mins
Transport: Stockport station nearby
Staircase House — Ticketed
Address: 31 Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES
Opening times: Wednesday/Thursday 10am – 5pm, Friday 12pm – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm, and Sunday 11am – 4pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Best for: local history + pretty building
Time: 60–90 mins
Bramall Hall — Ticketed
Address: Bramhall Park, Stockport SK7 3NX
Opening times: Thursday to Sunday from 11am – 4:30pm (last admission 3:45pm).
Best for: family day out, heritage + park
Time: 1.5–3 hours
Stockport Air Raid Shelters — Ticketed
Address: 61 Chestergate, Stockport SK1 1NP
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday: 1pm – 5pm (last entry 4pm), Saturday: 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm) and Sunday: 11am – 4pm (last entry 3pm). Closed Monday.
Best for: teens, WW2 history
Time: 60–75 mins
Tameside (Ashton, Stalybridge, Mossley)
Portland Basin Museum — Free
Address: Portland Pl, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7NT
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am – 4pm. Closed on Mondays (except for bank holidays).
Best for: families, canalside wander
Time: 60–120 mins
Mossley Industrial Heritage Centre — Free / donation welcome (often volunteer-run hours)
Address: Queen St, Mossley OL5 9AH
Opening times: Wednesday to Friday from 2pm – 4pm and Saturday from 12pm – 2pm.
Best for: niche history, local gems
Time: 45–90 mins
Oldham (Oldham + Uppermill/Saddleworth)
Gallery Oldham — Free
Address: Greaves St, Oldham OL1 1AL
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Best for: quick cultural stop
Time: 30–75 mins
Saddleworth Museum and Gallery — Ticketed / donation-based (check current)
Address: High St, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6HS
Opening times: Open daily from 1pm – 4pm.
Best for: families, local history
Time: 60–120 mins
Rochdale (Rochdale + Newhey)
Touchstones Rochdale — Free – Currently closed for refurb work
Address: The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ
Best for: mixed collections + exhibitions
Time: 60–120 mins
Rochdale Pioneers Museum — Free / donation welcome
Address: 31 Toad Ln, Rochdale OL12 0NU
Opening times: Open every Wednesday to Friday (and every other Saturday) from 10:30am – 4pm.
Best for: social history + “how the world changed” vibes
Time: 45–90 mins
Ellenroad Engine House — Ticketed (often event/steam day based)
Address: Elizabethan Way, Newhey, Rochdale OL16 3NJ
Opening times: First Sunday of every month, from Sunday 5th April 2026.
Best for: engineering fans
Time: 1–2 hours
Fireground Museum — Ticketed
Address: Maclure Rd, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Opening times: Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am – 4pm
Best for: kids + “big vehicles” obsession
Time: 1–2 hours
Bury
Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre — Free (check exhibitions)
Address: Moss St, Bury BL9 0DF
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday from 10am – 4:30pm.
Best for: easy culture stop, exhibitions
Easiest way to get there: Bury town centre links + parking nearby
The Fusilier Museum — Ticketed
Address: Moss St, Bury BL9 0DF
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm. Closed Sunday.
Best for: military history lovers
Time needed: 60–120 mins
Bury Transport Museum — Ticketed (free with some ELR tickets)
Address: Castlecroft Goods Warehouse, Bolton St, Bury BL9 0LN
Opening times: Bury Transport Museum is open 10am – 4pm whenever public services (excluding Dining services) are running at the East Lancashire Railway.
Best for: transport fans, kids who love “big machines”
Time needed: 45–90 mins
Bolton
Bolton Museum — Free
Address: Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm (open at 9:30am on Wednesday) and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Best for: family-friendly museum day
Easiest way to get there: Bolton town centre links + parking nearby
Smithills Hall — Free
Address: Smithills Dean Rd, Bolton BL1 7NP
Opening times: Wednesday to Friday from 10am – 4pm and Sunday from 12pm – 4pm.
Best for: history lovers, family day out
Easiest way to get there: car easiest + on-site/nearby parking
Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum — Free – Currently closed for essential maintenance until further notice.
Address: Green Way (off Crompton Way), Bolton BL1 8UA
Bolton Steam Museum — Free / donations welcome
Address: Mornington Rd (off Chorley Old Rd), Bolton BL1 4EU
Opening times: Wednesdays and Sundays from 11am – 3pm. Special “Steam Days” run on bank holidays from 10am – 4pm.
Best for: engineering fans
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Wigan
Museum of Wigan Life — Free – RE-opens 21st February 2026.
Address: Library St, Wigan WN1 1NU
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday from 10am – 4pm and Saturday from 10am – 2pm.
Best for: local history, rainy day visit
Easiest way to get there: Wigan town centre links + parking nearby
Trencherfield Mill Engine — Currently closed for refurb, no date on reopening as of yet – keep checking Wigan Council notices.
Address: Wigan Pier Quarter, Heritage Way, Wigan WN3 4EF
Oldham
Gallery Oldham — Free
Address: Oldham Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm
Best for: a quick culture hit, changing exhibitions, rainy-day browsing
Easiest way to get there: Oldham town centre (easy to combine with shopping/food); parking nearby
Time needed: 30–75 mins
Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe Hall — Open on selected dates (monthly open days)
Address: Wythenshawe Park, Manchester M23 0AB
Opening times: typically one Sunday per month, 11am–4pm (unless otherwise advertised)
Best for: history lovers, a “proper local gem”, pairing with a park stroll
Easiest way to get there: located inside Wythenshawe Park — easiest by car or bus; the park’s main entrance is on Wythenshawe Road
Time needed: 60–120 mins (longer if you make a day of the park)
“Micro venues” & niche museums just outside the obvious hubs (still Greater Manchester)
Lancashire Mining Museum — Free (donations welcome)
Address: Higher Green Lane, Astley, Manchester M29 7JB
Opening times: Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm – 4pm.
Best for: industrial heritage, families, niche history
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Before you go
Whether you fancy a big city-centre classic or a smaller hidden gem, you’ve now got a solid list of museums and galleries across Manchester and Greater Manchester, with the practical bits (cost, time and how to get there) all in one place.
If you’ve got a favourite I should add, pop it in the comments… I’m always up for a new “why have I never been here?!” find.
