4 fun non-drinking activities to try in Manchester city centre
Manchester is such a fantastic city with so many different things to try, including so many fun and different things that don’t revolve around drinking! Whether you want to do something active with your friends, meet new people or eat some great food, we’ve got it all covered here. So, if you’re planning a weekend in Manchester, or you live in the city and want to try some new things, get ready to feel inspired!
1. Manchester run club
First up, we have Manchester Run Club, a running club based in the city that is designed for young people in their 20s and 30s to meet new people and enjoy a run together once a week on a Tuesday evening. This club is all about running as a group and enjoying getting to know people with similar interests. There are various different pacers, so whether you run a 4:30 kilometre, a 6:30 kilometre or anything in between, you can come along and enjoy it! Most weeks, there are between 150 and 200 people that go along, so you’ll always have someone to have a chat with and get to know.
The club changes where it starts around every 6 weeks, with all of their run clubs and the locations being available in the Strava app if you join their group. They’re linked to Manchester Young Professionals, so you can also find out about all the different networking events that they’re running. It’s also completely free, so throw on your womens gymwear and get ready to enjoy this lovely mid-week event!
2. The Makers Market
The Makers Market is a wonderful moving market that brings together local and independent businesses to sell their goods. These markets are on every weekend across Manchester and Cheshire, however, most weekends, there is at least one in the city centre, including Ancoats, the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields. Or, you could venture slightly out of the city and enjoy the maker's markets in Stockport, Prestwich, Chorlton, Sale, Media City and Didsbury which are all really close and easily reachable on public transport.
You’ll find so much variety at these fantastic markets, from houseplants to homemade candles, and handmade bags to stunning jewellery and vegan delights through to the most incredible array of baked goods. There are also plenty of delicious food trucks and food stalls, from Greek gyros to homemade pies and everything in between. This is such a lovely way to spend a weekend day with one of your friends or on your own, so make sure to head down and enjoy!
3. New Dawn pottery
If you’re looking for something to put your creativity to the test, head to New Dawn Pottery. You will need to book in advance because they only have a small number of spaces on specific dates. However, this is a wonderful ceramics studio in Ancoats where you can do all kinds of classes, whether you want to do a weekly pottery throwing course or a one-off afternoon event to enjoy with friends. This is something completely new and really fun, in such a nice and welcoming environment.
The wheel-thrown pottery classes are especially popular, and they cost £50 for a 2-hour class, where you get to learn all the basics and choose your favourite pot that you throw for it to get glazed and fired, which is included in the price. If you’re really good and love a few pieces, you can pay £5 per one to keep those too. The studio is just up past New Islington, so we love to go for a little brunch at Pollen and then head there after for such a wholesome day!
Castlefield Viaduct
Last but not least, we have Castlefield Viaduct. This is a National Trust park that was built on the viaduct that runs next to the tram lines to add greenery to the city. You don’t need to pre-book, it’s completely free to go and it's lovely to have a walk around and sit and enjoy the lovely park. We’d recommend that you choose a sunny day to go exploring, then either before or after, head to The Wharf just around the corner to enjoy some lunch in the stunning location by the canal. Castlefield Viaduct also occasionally hosts morning outdoor yoga classes in the summer, which is such a wonderful way to start your day in this unique and wonderful location!
Final thoughts
We could go on and on with the number of non-drinking activities, however, the ones above are quite unique to Manchester and help you to truly enjoy what the city has to offer. From fun, active events to creative experiences, these are great ways to spend your time and make new memories. Whether you want to meet new people or find activities to enjoy with friends, your options are endless in this fantastic city!
By Lucy Couser
Lucy is a freelance writer who finished her degree in creative writing in Manchester. She loves to talk and share her experiences with alcohol, top tips and healthier fun alternatives for the sober community. You can find her substack here!
