Planning Your Time

It's possible to see the main sights of Manchester or Liverpool in a day, but you'd have to take the museums at a gallop. In Manchester, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Imperial War Museum could easily absorb a day, as could the Albert Dock and waterfront area of Liverpool, where the Beatles Story, Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime, and International Slavery museums, as well as the new 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 buzzing nightlife of each city demands at least an overnight stay. 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.