Weird & Unusual Attractions in Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
1. The Pies of Peace
A peace monument shaped like two nuclear missiles about to launch, symbolizing the end of the Cold War. It's a unique mix of history and humor.
- Nuclear Humor: It combines the seriousness of nuclear war with playful, satirical sculptures.
- Peace Symbolism: It represents the end of a major global conflict and the hope for lasting peace.
- Interactive Experience: Visitors can push buttons inside the missiles to make sirens sound, adding an interactive element to this unusual attraction.
2. The Hidden Gem of Platt Fields Park: The Owlery
A hidden aviary in Platt Fields Park, home to a variety of owls. It's a unique opportunity to see these fascinating birds up close.
- Rare Owl Species: The Owlery houses many rare and exotic species, not commonly found in other aviaries.
- Interactive Encounters: Visitors can learn about owls and even participate in guided feeding sessions.
- Natural Habitat Experience: The Owlery recreates a natural habitat, providing an educational and immersive experience for visitors.
3. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOSI): The Ghost Train
A creepy, abandoned-looking ghost train in the basement of MOSI, offering a unique Halloween experience.
- Halloween Atmosphere: The Ghost Train provides a spooky, immersive Halloween environment.
- Science and Transportation: The Ghost Train is part of MOSI, which offers educational exhibits on science and transportation.
- Interactive Storytelling: The ghost train has an interactive storyline that changes each year, making it a unique experience for returning visitors.
4. The National Football Museum: The World's Worst Football Shirt
An exhibit dedicated to the world's ugliest football shirt. It's a funny and unusual twist on sports memorabilia.
- Unusual Memorabilia: The World's Worst Football Shirt is an entertaining addition to the more serious football exhibits.
- Interactive Voting: Visitors can vote for their own pick of the world's ugliest shirt, making it a participatory exhibit.
- Football Humor: It adds a touch of humor to the National Football Museum, breaking up the seriousness of sports history.
5. The People's History Museum: The Protesting Mannequin
A mannequin wearing a t-shirt that reads 'Make another bloody speech.' It represents the frustration and humor found in political protests.
- Political Satire: The Protesting Mannequin satirizes the politics of Manchester and the UK.
- Interactive Expression: Visitors can write their own protest messages on post-it notes and stick them to the mannequin.
- Educational Context: The mannequin is part of an exhibit that educates visitors about Manchester's political history and activism.
6. Manchester Craft and Design Centre: The Tiny Gallery
A gallery inside the Manchester Craft and Design Centre that showcases miniature artworks. It's a unique twist on traditional galleries.
- Miniature Art: The Tiny Gallery focuses on small, intricate artworks that require close attention to detail.
- Supporting Local Artists: The gallery showcases works by local artists, promoting the city's creative scene.
- Interactive Exploration: Visitors can view the artworks up close and even purchase some of the pieces on display.
7. The Whitworth Art Gallery: The Weeping Window
A moving art installation featuring poppies cascading from the gallery's facade. It commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers in World War I.
- Historical Commemoration: The Weeping Window honors the memory of fallen soldiers in a unique and moving way.
- Interactive Experience: Visitors can walk around the gallery and observe the poppies from different angles, creating a dynamic viewing experience.
- Artistic Expression: The installation is part of an exhibit that showcases the artistic talents of Paul Cummings and Tom Piper.
8. Chorlton Eagle: The Mysterious Mural
A mysterious mural depicting various scenes from Manchester's history and popular culture. It's a unique piece of street art that continues to grow over time.
- Changing Street Art: The Mysterious Mural is constantly being updated, adding new elements and stories to the scene.
- Local Cultural References: The mural features many local references that help tell the story of Manchester and its people.
- Community Collaboration: The mural is a collaborative effort between local artists, residents, and businesses in Chorlton.
9. The Northern Quarter: The Graffiti Walls
A collection of vibrant graffiti walls showcasing local and international street art. It's a unique blend of urban grit and artistic expression.
- Street Art Hub: The Graffiti Walls serve as a hub for street artists, attracting both local and international talent.
- Urban Exploration: Visitors can explore the Northern Quarter to discover new pieces of street art and hidden gems.
- Changing Art Scene: The Graffiti Walls are constantly changing, offering a fresh and evolving artistic experience for visitors.
10. The John Rylands Library: The Egyptian Mummy
An ancient Egyptian mummy housed in one of Manchester's most beautiful libraries. It's a unique blend of history and culture.
- Egyptian Artifact: The Egyptian Mummy offers a rare glimpse into ancient Egypt and its burial practices.
- Architectural Marvel: The John Rylands Library is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, making it a must-see attraction in Manchester.
- Knowledge and Discovery: Visitors can learn about the mummy, ancient Egypt, and the library's history during guided tours or exhibits.
11. The Gay Village: The Angel of the North
A replica of Antony Gormley's famous Angel of the North statue, located in Manchester's gay village. It symbolizes protection and unity.
- Iconic Art Replica: The replica brings a piece of iconic Northern England art to Manchester's LGBTQ+ community.
- Symbolic Representation: The Angel of the North symbolizes protection and unity, offering a welcoming presence to the LGBTQ+ community.
- Community Pride: The statue serves as a source of pride for Manchester's LGBTQ+ community and visitors alike.
12. The Old Wellington Brewery: The Haunted Pub
A haunted pub filled with ghostly tales and mysterious happenings. It's a unique blend of history, beer, and the supernatural.
- Supernatural Experience: The Haunted Pub offers a chilling and entertaining paranormal experience for visitors.
- Historical Brewery: The Old Wellington Brewery has a rich history dating back to the 18th century, making it an important part of Manchester's brewing heritage.
- Local Beer Selection: Visitors can enjoy a variety of local beers while exploring the pub's ghostly history.
13. The Midland Hotel: The Art Deco Architecture
A stunning Art Deco hotel designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It's a unique blend of elegance, history, and design.
- Architectural Masterpiece: The Midland Hotel is an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture, showcasing Mackintosh's unique style.
- Historical Significance: The hotel has played host to many famous figures throughout its history, including the Beatles and Winston Churchill.
- Modern Luxury: Today, the Midland Hotel offers luxury accommodations and dining experiences for visitors.
14. The Gay Village: The Canalside Bollards
Brightly colored bollards lining the canals in Manchester's gay village, each representing a different LGBTQ+ flag. It's a colorful and symbolic display.
- LGBTQ+ Pride: The Canalside Bollards represent the diversity and inclusivity of Manchester's LGBTQ+ community.
- Colorful Design: The bollards add a vibrant and eye-catching element to the cityscape, making them easily identifiable.
- Community Unity: The bollards serve as a visual reminder of the unity and solidarity within Manchester's LGBTQ+ community.
15. The National Football Museum: The World's Biggest Penalty Shootout
An interactive exhibit where visitors can take a penalty kick against a virtual goalkeeper. It's a fun and unique way to test football skills.
- Skill Testing: The World's Biggest Penalty Shootout allows visitors to put their footie skills to the test.
- Football Fun: It offers a fun and entertaining experience for football fans of all ages.
- Interactive Learning: The shootout is part of an educational exhibit that teaches visitors about the history and rules of football.