Planning Your Time

It's possible to see the main sights of Manchester or Liverpool in two days, but you'd have to take the museums at a real gallop. In Manchester, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Imperial War Museum North could easily absorb a day by themselves, as could the Albert Dock and waterfront area of Liverpool, where the Beatles Story's main venue, the Tate Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime and International Slavery museums, as well as the neighboring Museum of Liverpool, all vie for your attention. In Liverpool, an additional half day is needed to see the homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The excellent nightlife of each city demands at least an overnight stay at each. You can explore the Peak District on a day trip from Manchester in a pinch, but allow longer to visit the stately homes or to hike.