Manchester, England?

[Vudak]

Hi there, I'm off to the Manchester, England area for Thanksgiving and was just wondering: What is there to do?

So far I'm somewhat depressed that I'm nowhere near anything I've ever heard of before.  So what's good to see/do there that I haven't heard of?

I really want to grab a train ticket and head down to Duxford at least one day, but that's a looong way away.  I need some stuff to do in the Manchester area.  There's only so long you can sit in a bar.

Thanks,

[Mickey1992]

Originally posted by Vudak
There's only so long you can sit in a bar.

I know, it sucks.  Most close at midnight.  

[Furball]

why not try and get tickets to a united game? let you yanks watch a real sport for a change.

get train to london too, ive never been further north than wolverhampton.  damn glad too, they are all savages up there, further north you go the worse they get.

[Toad]

Palace Theater; saw the Roy Orbison story there, live cast for about $10. Simply outstanding.

Museum of Science and Industry has an Air and Space Hall that's pretty decent.

The Roman-founded town of Chester is just a short train ride away. Pretty colorful place with some interesting stuff to see.

[Furball]

dont forget you are pretty much within spitting distance of liverpool too.  well, everywhere pretty much within spitting distance i suppose to an american, i guess england is about the size of some of your states.

[cpxxx]

.Spent a very pleasant weekend in Manchester last year with my fiance.  
Don't mind Furball, he's a southern pansy.  The north of England is where the real English live and they are very friendly.  There is the museum of science and technology within walking distance of the city centre. It has a small but interesting aviation section.  If you want a proper museum then RAF museum Cosford is not too far down the motorway near Birmingham. Check out the RAF museum website.

In Manchester itself, check out the Curry mile. Lots and lots of Indian restaurants. Then there's the China town area.  You'll enjoy yourself. Just remember though, real English beer is always warm. So don't be surprised.

[Vudak]

Originally posted by Furball
why not try and get tickets to a united game? let you yanks watch a real sport for a change.

Actually, I was hoping to catch a hockey game somewhere in England...  I might have a chance to see a professional or two that way

Originally posted by Toad
The Roman-founded town of Chester is just a short train ride away. Pretty colorful place with some interesting stuff to see.

I'll definately try to check that out...  Does it have a recreated Roman town type deal?  Over here in New England we have a few Native American settlements recreated that can be interesting...  Would be cool to see first hand what the Romans were up to.

Originally posted by cpxxx
If you want a proper museum then RAF museum Cosford is not too far down the motorway near Birmingham. Check out the RAF museum website.

I'll try to find that...  Actually wouldn't mind hopping on a train and just touring the whole country...  If I can drive from Connecticut to Florida and back I think I can take it

[gatso]

Originally posted by Vudak
Actually, I was hoping to catch a hockey game somewhere in England...  I might have a chance to see a professional or two that way

(Manchester) Sale Sharks RFU are local, if you're there on a weekend and they are at home I would suggest grabbing tickets.  Hockey, ice or otherwise, isn't a well known or watched sport.

Fixture list, how to get there and ticket info here: http://www.salesharks.com/

Rugby crowds are very friendly, no segregation of fans like "soccer" needs  to have and the bars are usually pretty good although I can't vouch for Sale's as I've not maneged to get up there yet.  Well worth it, especially as Sale are playing rather well at the moment.

Cheers

Gatso

[Furball]

Originally posted by Vudak
Actually, I was hoping to catch a hockey game somewhere in England...  I might have a chance to see a professional or two that way
 

you know what seperates professional from amateur sports people?  

I only suggested it because you are going to the city with the most famous (and possibly richest) sports team in the world and it might be worthwhile getting tickets (if you can get them) while you are there.

Originally posted by Vudak

I'll try to find that...  Actually wouldn't mind hopping on a train and just touring the whole country...  If I can drive from Connecticut to Florida and back I think I can take it

You also have the RAF Museum Hendon, the Imperial War Museum, HMS Belfast, Cabinet War Rooms, Shuttleworth Collection (to name a few) all in and around London if you are going touring.

I would say that Duxford and the RAF museum are definately something you cant miss if you like aviation.

[Vudak]

Originally posted by Furball
you know what seperates professional from amateur sports people?  

 

I only mentioned that because the NHL is, well, in self-destruct world...  Yes amateur sports are great though, you go to an AHL (minor league) hockey game and you'll see people actually busting their butts trying their best in the hopes of getting bumped up some day.

All in all, I'm not a soccer fan though, even though I'm from a town where soccer is king.

[Furball]

Originally posted by Vudak

All in all, I'm not a soccer fan though, even though I'm from a town where soccer is king.

fair enough, i was under the impression you are the stereotypical american that hates football (soccer) but has never even watched it.

My way of thinking is, i HATE baseball and american football.  yet i would love to go to one of the games in the US just to sample the atmosphere and see what it is really like. Its hard to base opinions from a country which does not follow the sports.  You can't really understand the passion for the game unless you are actually there.

One of my life's ambitions is to go watch F.C. Barcelona in the Nou Camp with 100,000 screaming spaniards.

[Horn]

Originally posted by Furball
You can't really understand the passion for the game unless you are actually there.

 

Please explain cricket. Feel free to use an extra sheet of paper.

[Furball]

Originally posted by Horn
Please explain cricket. Feel free to use an extra sheet of paper.

i can explain cricket using just 4 letters...  unfortunately all you will see is 4 stars so i wont bother.

[Vudak]

Originally posted by Furball
fair enough, i was under the impression you are the stereotypical american that hates football (soccer) but has never even watched it.

My way of thinking is, i HATE baseball and american football.  yet i would love to go to one of the games in the US just to sample the atmosphere and see what it is really like. Its hard to base opinions from a country which does not follow the sports.  You can't really understand the passion for the game unless you are actually there.

One of my life's ambitions is to go watch F.C. Barcelona in the Nou Camp with 100,000 screaming spaniards.

Now THAT would be a cool thing to go to.  Kinda reminds me of the time I went to the Monreal Forum (The Montreal Canadian's old, and almost mythical hockey rink).  I think it was the 3rd to last home game before they shut it down?  Well anyway they were playing Pittsburgh, whatever game that was.

The place was packed .  Not 100'000 fan packed, but enough to fill every seat, the standing area, smoking section, etc.  Tremendous vibe.

Well anyway, I checked out the Rugby schedule and neither team will be home when I'm there, but maybe United will be.  If so, I'll check it out.  Now what colors should I wear to prevent being killed?

[Furball]

Old Trafford (united's ground) holds 67,000 if i remember correctly.

http://www.manutd.com/home/default.sps is their home page.

Red and white are their colours.

Incidentally a yank is trying to buy them out at the moment (Malcolm Glazer?) but the supporters are having none of it.







in fact, i dont know why im recommending it to you.... i'm a fan of probably their biggest rivals