Family Railcard

For just £25 you can buy a Family & Friends Railcard (formerly known as Family Railcard) and save a third on most adult rail fares and 60% on child fares. Not only that, but it gives you a Days Out UK membership for only £4.95 (usually £14.99), great offers on food and hotels and many more discounts.

To use your Family and Friends Railcard on thetrainline.com, just select it from the ‘Railcards and other discounts’ drop down menu when you make your booking.

To buy a Family and Friends Railcard, find out about all the savings you can make with it, or to read the terms & conditions, please visit the Family and Friends website.

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Museum of Science and Industry MOSI – Loads to learn and do!

Find out all about Manchester’s scientific and industrial history and achievements at these brilliant galleries and collections. The museum’s six themes take you through science & technology, industry & innovation, energy, transport, people and communications. See the world’s first stored-program computer or steam engines in full working order! On Sundays and holidays you can meet historical characters who enhance this informative and exciting journey through Manchester’s industrial past-time, with plenty of other events taking place daily.

Info: www.msim.org.uk

Top Tip : Make sure you check out the museum’s What’s On guide for information on special events running at weekends and holidays, as well as the daily events.

Practical

Prices : Free entry

Travel : About 10 minutes walk from Manchester Victoria Station

Opening Times : Times: 10am – 5pm daily except Christmas

Food : Restaurant open 10.30 – 4.30pm daily

Wythenshawe Park – Cool outdoor activities, all under one sky …

Located just under 7 miles from the city centre, Wythenshawe Park is well worth the trip. The 109 hectares of open parkland are jam-packed with exhilirating outdoor activities that will appeal to all ages. From horseback riding and orienteering to crazy golf and pitch ‘n putt, you won’t get bored! Younger children will enjoy the play area and community farm, where they will get a chance to learn about the workings of a farm and experience animal encounters. With regular events taking place throughout the year, this really is a versatile family fun location.

Info: www.manchester.gov.uk

Top Tip : Don’t miss the annual firework and bonfire extravaganza happening later on in the year.

Practical

Prices : Free Entry

Location : Wythenshawe Park, Altrincham Road, Manchester, M23 0AB

Opening Times : Wythenshawe Hall is open on Saturdays, beginning of June to the end of September, 11am - 5pm.

Manchester City FC Experience (Museum & Stadium Tour) – Back of the net!

This major, award-winning attraction is sure to raise excitement levels, football fan or not. The day kicks off in the museum with a generous helping of Manchester City’s rich sporting history, including lots of interesting stories and the opportunity to try your hand at commentating. Next, an awe-inspiring behind-the-scenes tour will take you to all the best bits of a football stadium that are usually off-limits. You can literally follow in the footsteps of your favourite footballers when you visit their dressing room and walk the ‘Walk of Pride’. For true Manchester City lovers, official merchandise is available from the CityStore. Excuse the pun, but you’re going to score with this one.

Info: www.mcfc.co.uk

Top Tip : Stadium tours are available on match days up until three hours before kick-off and are a perfect way to build up to the game! Call 0870 062 1894 to check tour availability and book tickets.

Practical

Prices : FAMILY TICKET £25 (2 adults & 3 concessions*). See the Manchester City FC Musem & Stadium Tour prices here. For tickets, call 08700621894 (option 8) and have a credit or debit card handy.
(*Under 16’s, over 60’s, students with valid student ID cards)

Travel : 20 minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station or 15 mins from Ashburys station. Alternatively all of these bus routes serve the station: 53, 54, 185, 186, 216, 217, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, X36 and X37.

Location : City of Manchester Stadium, SportCity, M11 3FF

Tours : Mon-Sat: 10.30, 14.00 & 15.15; Sun/Bank Hol: 11.45 & 13.45

Food : The City Social Café is open Monday to Saturday 9.30 to 5.30pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm

Urbis – Something new every time

Urbis is Manchester’s exhibition centre focusing on city life and runs a range of fun family activities on Saturdays, Sundays, school holidays and bank holidays for young people of all ages. Designed to engage children in creative activities, these workshops are a great way to thoroughly entertain your kids while they learn new things. This Christmas, for example, CBeebies fans will be encouraged to design an accessory featuring their CBeebies favourite. With an ever-changing programme of events, Urbis is a great place to visit again and again, so make sure you check their website regularly.

Info: www.urbis.org.uk

Top Tip : Register with Urbis via their website to receive regular updates on exhibitions, events and competitions

Practical

Prices : Free Entry

Location : Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG

Travel : Urbis is located in Cathedral Gardens in Manchester City Centre, just next to Victoria Station and easily accessible by bus, train, tram, car or on foot.

Opening Hours : 10am - 6pm daily

Food : Cooked food and sandwiches available from ‘The Social’, open from 8am Mon - Fri, 10 am Sat & Sun

Chill Factore – Cool in the extreme

For super-cool parent status, take your family to this indoor ski and snowboard slope. None of the fake stuff here, it’s all real snow. In fact, this is the UK’s longest and widest indoor ski and snowboard slope and comes complete with qualified instructors and slopes for all levels. For a gentler option, try tubing or visit Santa in his very own ice castle located in the Snowplay area. The centre also houses an Alpine village with a climbing wall and plenty of scope for putting your feet up. So whether you’re looking for a family day out with a difference or a cheaper alternative to a weekend in the Alps, Chill Factore should do the trick.

Top Tip : Gloves are compulsory, so take them with you to avoid having to hire them.

Practical

Prices : FAMILY TICKET (2 adults & 2 juniors*) £48 before 6pm, £62 after 6pm. See more ChillFactore Prices here. Click here for the ChillFactore telephone numbers or call 0161 749 2222.
(*Under 18’s, over 65’s)

Location : Trafford Way, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Manchester

Travel : Just off Junction 10 of the M60

Opening Hours : Slopes open 10am Mon - Fri and 9am on Sat + Sun, closing at 11pm every night

Food : A whole range of cafes, bars and restaurants to stop you going hungry