Are you and your partner searching for a romantic, adventurous, and LGBTQ-friendly travel locality? Just in England is Manchester! This rainbow place offers a lot of fun stuff for gay, lesbian, trans, and queer couples to do. Whether it is the multicultural diversity and the colorful LGBTQ+ community of this city, Manchester is the best place for you and your girlfriend or boyfriend to spend time together.
Why Manchester is a Top LGBTQ+ Travel Destination
Manchester has been a very friendly and accommodating city towards the LGBTQ+ community for a long period of time. It became the modern gay rights movement of the UK in the year 1970 when the Gay Liberation Front was formed. Today, Manchester is a brilliantly constructed city model of development and tolerance, which has a broad spectrum of LGBTQ+ activities, from clubs and pubs to events and community organizations.
- The Gay Village
At the core of the Manchester LGBTQ+ community is the extraordinary Gay Village that is located right below the city center. This neighborhood is one of the most gay-friendly places you can find, complete with Gay Bars, Clubs, Restaurants, and Shops that provide you with an excellent way to spend your night out with your partner.
Some of the must-visit spots in the Gay Village include:
- Canal Street: It is the legendary street in the heart of the city, where one can find many gay bars and clubs that are different and have their regulars. Whether you are attracted by a place of tranquility or a place of wildness all night long, you will find it here.
- The Richmond Tea Rooms: This little cozy and rainbow-themed tea room is worth visiting for same-sex couples who can have their cup of tea, cake, and snacks while being in a nice and private atmosphere.
- Vanilla: This place, with its modern and fashionable design, tasty cocktails, and friendly staff, is perfect for your romantic evening out.
- Pride Events
Manchester participants also participate in some of the largest and the best Pride events in the UK, including the Manchester Pride Festival, which is held every August. This week-long event has a parade, live music, art shows, and much more, which is finally the reason that thousands of LGBTQ people from all over the world come together. If you and your partner seek a one-of-a-kind experience, then do not hesitate to coordinate your trip to Manchester with the pride season.
Unique and Romantic Adventure Travel Ideas for LGBTQ+ Couples
In addition to its thriving LGBTQ+ scene, Manchester offers a wide range of unique and romantic adventure travel ideas that are perfect for couples looking to explore the city together. Here are just a few of the many activities you and your partner can enjoy:
- Canal Cruises
Manchester is famous for the developed canal network, which is an original and poetic way of exploring the city. Relax and have a cruise on the historical Bridgewater Canal, savoring beautiful parks, historical buildings, and charming neighborhoods that stand along the canal banks. Many canal boat companies organize private tours with champagne and picnic baskets for the couples to make the experience a very special and romantic one.
- Food and Drink Tours
The Manchester food scene is a great place to try traditional British cuisine as well as taste international cuisines. Go through a food and drink tour with your partner to get a taste of some of the best food and drinks the city has to offer, such as craft beer and artisanal cheese, street food, and fine dining. Many tour businesses offer LGBTQ-inclusive choices with guides who are well aware of the most well-known places to eat and drink in the city.
- Walking Tours
Manchester has a long and rich history, and culture that features many interesting tourist sites and attractions. Take a walk with your partner to explore the city and to learn more about its rich history and present, with its industrial past to current arts and music scene. Lots of tour businesses provide LGBTQ-themed walking tours, displaying the LGBTQ history and culture of the city.
- Museums and Art Galleries
It is the place to be if you are looking for a world-class museum or gallery, as Manchester is full of tourist attractions that can offer couples a great deal of cultural and educational experiences that they can enjoy together. Some of the must-visit spots include:
- The Manchester Art Gallery: Art lovers would be delighted to learn that this museum displays among the most beautiful fine art and decorative pieces created by famous artists, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown.
- The People’s History Museum: This remarkable museum narrates the history of democracy and social justice in the UK, with displays on different topics, from the fight for women’s votes to the campaign for LGBTQ+ rights.
- The Whitworth: This much-acclaimed gallery is situated in a beautiful park location, providing a peaceful and hopeful environment for couples to spend time together. The gallery has a number of exhibitions that embrace the diversity of art, such as modern art and historic textiles and wallpapers.
Best Travel Times
Manchester is a good choice at any time of the year, as it offers a multitude of things to do and see at any time of the year. Yet, if you wish to get the most out of the city’s LGBTQ+ culture and go where the party is, plan your trip to coincide with one of the big events like the Manchester Pride Festival (in August) or Sparkle Weekend (in July).
Budgeting Tips
- Staying in a Vacation Rental or Airbnb
One of the smartest ways to get a lower cost of accommodation in Manchester is to go for a vacation rental or Airbnb rather than a classic hotel. Besides being a cheaper alternative, these options also tend to provide you with a more real and true experience, giving you the opportunity to live like a local and wander the many different neighborhoods of the city.
For a vacation rental or Airbnb accommodation, check for the Gay Village or other gay-friendly zones in the city like Northern Quarter and Ancoats. These townhouses provide a wide range of facilities, which are available at different costs, starting from small studios to large apartments with multiple rooms.
- Eating at Local Markets and Street Food Stalls
Manchester is famous for its huge selection of foods, which can be found at restaurants serving various cuisines and offer different prices. If it is pretty common to enjoy expensive restaurants and trendy bars, one of the ways to save on eating is to go to the local markets and buy food from the street food stalls.
The Altrincham Market, which is located outside the city center, is worth a visit for all foodies in Manchester. This vivacious market offers many kinds of handmade foodstuffs and beverages, including fresh produce and baked goods, artisanal beer, and street food. The prices are usually relatively reasonable, with most dishes falling into the £5-10 range.
- Taking Advantage of Free Attractions
This city is a place for the most high-quality museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions, many of which are free for visitors to enter. Through the use of those no-cost landmarks, you can save your money and still enjoy the best of the city.
- Using Public Transportation
The public transport system in the city is comprehensive, covering the whole city on buses, trams, and trains, and you can get to most places quickly and for a small amount of money.
If you intend to have a long-term stay and you plan to use public transport, get the System One Travelcard which comes with unlimited travel on buses, trams, and trains across Greater Manchester for a fixed price. Travel cards are available for different time periods, like one day, a week, or more, and can be bought at any Metrolink ticket machine or travel shop.
Accommodations
Manchester is known for its wide array of accommodations, which can be found in the form of luxurious hotels and cutesy bed and breakfasts. Some of the best options for LGBTQ+ couples include:
- The Principal Manchester: This hotel is a premier, urban property that is located within walking distance from the gay neighborhood. It provides luxurious rooms, a spa, and an attractive rooftop bar with a magnificent city view.
- Velvet Hotel: Our boutique hotel will be situated right in the Gay Village and features fashionably decorated rooms and suites with a romantic boudoir theme. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant that is frequented by the guests.
- The Abel Heywood: This pub and boutique hotel in the trendy Northern Quarter part of the city is decorated in a vintage-inspired way and provides cozy rooms with vintage-inspired decoration.
Conclusion
Manchester is a really great spot for LGBTQ+ couples to visit, having all kinds of romance, adventure, and culture in one package. Whether you’re into the colorful Gay Village or just want to explore all there is to see and do, this city is bound to satisfy your needs. So why wait? Start planning the trip you have always dreamed of to Manchester today, and join your loved one to create memories that will last a lifetime in one of the UK’s most multiculturally welcoming and inclusive cities.
