Manchester is growing increasingly sophisticated with its revamped city centre and impressive collection of museums, galleries and unique city attractions. One of the most heavily visited is the Old Trafford football ground where fans come to see Manchester United memorabilia, while Chinatown, Concorde and several all-encompassing entertainments halls add to the appeal.

Chinatown
Manchester’s Chinatown near Piccadilly in the heart of the city is the place to come for some Asian dining, with some naturally good Chinese eateries, as well as Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean restaurants. Chinatown also has several very good Chinese supermarkets with items that cannot be had elsewhere in the UK, and there is also an arts centre with a variety of oriental works.

Concorde
The Concorde can be conveniently seen on your way in or when going out of Manchester as it is naturally located at the airport. The world’s only supersonic airliner, which was designed in the 1960s and flown from the 1970s up until the Paris air crash in 2000, is one of the few complete ones still remaining as most of the Concordes that flew were stripped down and the parts sold off. The aircraft at Manchester International Airport can be seen in the Aviation Viewing Park and you can take a guided tour or even get married on it. Phone: +44 1625 534 790.

Manchester’s green areas
Manchester has an abundance of green areas within the confines of the city and M60 ring road where you can relax or take part in some type of physical activity. The 100-acre Platt Fields Park in the city centre is one of the most popular and regularly hosts festivals and concerts, while the larger Heaton Park, to the north of the city, is dotted with lakes and is really scenic. Farther afield are the Chorlton Nature Reserve, Quarry Bank Mill and, the biggest of them all, the Peak District National Park.

Manchester Natural History Museum
While Manchester’s Natural History Museum is not quite as all-encompassing as that of London’s version, it does have some wonderful exhibits, including one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons in the world, and many preserved animals. The multi-level facility also features a huge collection of fish in the aquarium, many types of snakes and other reptiles, Egyptian mummified bodies and a giant whale skeleton in the main hall. Phone: +44 161 275 2634; website: www.museum.manchester.ac.uk.

Old Trafford Football Ground
Those who are into soccer in any way must pay a visit to the home of the world’s richest and most revered football club, Manchester United. A standard tour of the facility takes in the raised pitch, the stadium and the Manchester United Museum. The museum is naturally loaded with memorabilia over three floors and features some natty exhibits in the Legends Hall of Fame, the Club History room and the Trophy Room. You can also commentate on a pre-recorded game as well as taste some expensive grub in the onsite café. Phone: +44 870 442 1994; website: www.manutd.com/tour.

Printworks Leisure Complex
Located in Exchange square in the city centre, Manchester's Printworks Leisure Complex is perfect for the whole family on a rainy day, with its huge fitness centre, an array of trendy cafés and wine bars, and several class restaurants. In addition there are many other types of entertainment options including an IMAX cinema. The place is simply enormous and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Phone: +44 871 230 5556; website: www.theprintworks.com.

The Trafford Centre
Not to be confused with Manchester United’s ‘Old Trafford’, the Trafford Centre is a huge undercover shopping and entertainment complex just outside Manchester with some fantastic shopping, eating and entertainment. It is one of Europe's largest covered shopping centres featuring close to 300 outlets, including popular high street brands like Boots, Selfridges, and WH Smith. There are also many unique specialised boutiques in the Trafford Centre, quality restaurants, a state-of-the-art bowling alley and a huge cinema complex with a whopping 20 screens. Phone: +44 161 749 1717; website: www.traffordcentre.co.uk.

Urbis
Located in the cathedral gardens, the Urbis is an exhibition centre with a difference. With its all-glass, wedge-shaped design, the Urbis is the perfect place to show off contemporary art and includes some exciting hands-on exhibits, contemporary culture displays, themed exhibitions, and some wonderful urban gardening. The Urbis also holds many seasonal events and has a quality gift shop and café to boot. Phone: +44 161 605 8200

Check out some highbrow entertainment. You can do this at one of Manchester’s many active theatres including the renowned Palace Theatre and Bridgewater Hall. Also check out the revamped Salford Quays, which is loaded with exhibition centres and alfresco restaurants.

Cruise the City Centre. Take an Irwell & Mersey Packetboat Company boat where many popular sights are taken in along the River Irwell, the Manchester Ship Canal, and the attractive Salford Quays via a 50-minute guided tour.

Discern the Barton Swing Aqueduct. This is located in nearby Barton upon Irwell, Trafford Park, an important part of the Manchester canal network dating back to Victorian times Apart from admiring the engineering prowess of this steel leviathan, there are the walking and cycling opportunities.

Get among the stalls in Manchester's markets. Visit fruit ‘n veg stalls, where snacks and fresh fish can be had or opt for the total market experience with clothing, electronics, music, furniture, antiques, and general bric-a-brac.

Go sightseeing at the Gay Village. This serves Manchester’s large gay/lesbian community as well as heterosexuals. A redeveloped, lively area previously down-at-heels and drab, the Gay Village features huge restructured warehouses, worn viaducts, and market buildings that have been smartened up with terraced cafés, bars and clubs. The atmosphere is electric.

Visit St Ann's Church. This church is one of Sir Christopher Wren’s works in central Manchester that dates back to the early 1700s. Although not as grand as St Paul’s Cathedral, St Ann's Church is worth a look for its intricate stained-glass windows and fine grounds.

Taste some real ale at the Boddingtons Brewery. Boddingtons is located on Great Ducie Street in central Manchester. This fine brewery dates from the 1700s and you will be amazed by the smoothness of Boddingtons if you’re not a real beer drinker. The guided tour will also take you to the gift shop and a pub.

Tour Manchester United Football Club. The club is also widely known as Old Trafford and is where visitors discern the faces of yesteryear as well as today’s heroes in the Legends Hall of Fame. You may also catch a game in season if you are lucky enough to come by a ticket.

Walk about Manchester. Take a guided tour, the best way to get the most out of Manchester’s array of attractions if time is short. Join a walk with other visitors or book your own.