There are plenty of options in Manchester when it comes to planning a date with your significant other. From bouldering dates to eating your way around the city, here are 10 things to do in Manchester for couples
1. Breakout Manchester
Breakout is Manchester’s popular live escape room experience. There’s a huge number of rooms to choose from, ranging in difficulty and theme, from western cowboys to zombie apocalypses. You’ll be given an hour to find clues and escape the room. The minimum amount of people to do a room is 2, so this is great for couples.
2. Picnic in the park
This one is a classic date idea. Who doesn’t like chilling in the park on a picnic blanket, with great food and great company? Conveniently, we’re having a heatwave in the UK at the moment, so grab your picnic blankets and get some sun! Some beautiful parks in Manchester include the Whitworth Park, Platt Fields Park, and Fletcher Moss.
3. Art galleries
Another idea for a quiet, relaxing activity is to take a stroll around an art gallery. Manchester has some beautiful galleries that are definitely worth a visit. The Whitworth is located right beside the University of Manchester and always has new exhibitions, along with a beautiful treetop café. The biggest gallery in Manchester is the Manchester Art Gallery, which has multiple floors and many rooms dedicated to different art periods.
4. Concert
Perhaps the opposite of a quiet art gallery date, a night out to a concert is a fun date idea. If you’re looking for the best live music venues in Manchester, check out our top picks. You could also go to the theatre to see a play or a musical.
5. Cinema
A trip to the cinema is fantastic for all occasions. It’s relatively cheap, and there’s a tonne of fantastic cinemas in Manchester, including the Odeon, the Printworks, HOME, Cineworld, and The Light. Whether you want to see a rom-com, the latest Marvel hit, or a horror movie, these cinemas have you covered.
6. Bowling
If you want to get a bit competitive while having a good time, bowling is perfect for you. The Dog Bowl is a fantastic ten-pin bowling venue, along with a retro arcade. There’s also bowling alleys at the Printworks and beside the Didsbury Cineworld, so you could go bowling before catching a movie.
7. Coffee
A classic coffee date is perfect for the couples who want to sit and talk over a hot drink. There seems to be a coffee shop everywhere you turn in Manchester, but if you’re looking for the best coffee shops close to the university campuses, click here to check out our favourites.
8. Dinner
Student life often means being on a strict budget, but sometimes it’s okay to splurge a bit on a nice meal. If you’re looking for the classic Sunday roast, check out our list. These restaurants and bars also offer international cuisine and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone.
9. Awesome Walls
For the more adventurous couples out there itching to stretch their legs after being cooped up during exam season, Awesome Walls could be perfect for you. There’s a brilliant selection of different walls ranging in difficulties and height, so even beginners can get to grips with rock climbing. It’s undoubtedly one of our favourite things to do in Manchester for couples.
10. Chester Zoo
Our final idea for couples in Manchester is Chester Zoo. Although it’s little further away than the other activities in this list, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you or your partner are animal lovers. Chester Zoo has an impressive range of animals, including rare and endangered species.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do over the summer break on a budget, check out our list of 10 free things to do in Manchester.
Last Updated on May 25, 2025
Published on July 18, 2022
