Manchester question
 

My son (5.5 years old) and I will have an afternoon free in Manchester. We are staying at the Ibis on Princess St/Charles St. Is there an area you would recommend for us to walk around or sightsee not too far from the hotel (ie, within a 1-mile radius)? we will arrive into Machester (from London) at 1:30pm and check-in at our hotel. We then are free until dinner time.

We plan to visit the Museum of Science and Industry on a separate day.

China town?
I looked for trampolining but most are to the north and west of you
walk along the canal?

From your hotel, you're a 10 minute walk into Albert Square walking straight back up hill, or walk back uphill to the first set of traffic lights, turn left onto Whitworth Street , past the Palace Theatre and HOME (art complex spelt in capital letters) to the lights at City Road. You could then choose to turn right and then left under the railway bridges , past the Hilton and you'll get to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). It's great for kids with lots to do and he'll love on the day you choose.

I'm assuming that at five and a half he won't be in to old buildings and museums of a more straightforward nature? If you choose the Albert Square route you're close to all the shopping (two hundred yards), you'll pass Chinatown (see the Arch) and you'll probably be ready for some lunch. Lots of choice depending on what you fancy either in Chinatown or on Deansgate, St. Ann's Square (lots of history) Barton Arcade (lovely Tapas Bar called Lunya).

Give me a clue on what he's into and I'll suggest.

Thank you. You are right, Rubicund, he's not into old buildings or historic things at this point. Is it interesting to walk along the canal as bilboburgler suggested? (I see that our Ibis is fairly close to the canal). Or perhaps Piccadilly Gardens? I think in general he is more interested in the hustle and bustle of the city (cars/buses/boats etc) but also like playgrounds. Mostly I am just looking for places for us to stretch our legs a bit after sitting on the train for 2 hours from London, and to have a sense of what Manchester is like. I am assuming Albert Sq is sort of the heart of the city?

It's been 8 years since I was in Manchester - which I loved - but walking along the canals did not seem great - not many boats and were then at least in rather derelict condition at places. Rubicund is as you probably know a Mancunian or Manchester residence or at least grew up there at least I believe.

Alberty Square isn't really the heart of the city, but it does house the spectacular Town Hall in Manchester. Unfortunately you can't go in at the moment as it's shut for renovation! Piccadilly isn't great, so avoid that for now and the canals through town are below the level of the streets in most places, so you don't see much.

From the Ibis, head to Albert Square and pass Chinatown on your right as I said in my first post. The Chinese Arch is worth seeing and a quick wander round the area will give you a feel for the Chinese part of the city. Once in Albert Square turn right down Cross Street towards Market Street, lots of shopping and hustle and bustle. Mind the trams! Then down to Deansgate and turn left. Lots of food outlets of varying quality to John Dalton St and back left into Albert Sq.

I'd listen to Rubicond

That Ibis has a good Indian restaurant in the same building -- although I can't imagine how a child that young might react to such cuisine if he hasn't had previous encounters. There are several general restaurants/pubs nearby on Oxford Road.
The walk between the hotel and Piccaddily station, especially along Canal, might interest a youngster because of its narrow streets along the mostly inactive waterway. A number of bistros spread out on the streets. This is also the Gay Village area, not that a kid will notice.
As others have indicated, the science and industry museum, full of machinery from Manchester's history in the centre of the Industrial Revolution, is heaven for gearheads of all ages. Also the new city trams might offer a ride he would like.

Agreed on the Indian restaurant Southam, it's called East z East. It has a bigger brother on Blackfriars Street off Deansgate, but it does depend on the young man's preferences. The canal does get the odd boat going along it, but not many and the bit of the canal between Princess Street and then close to Piccadilly station is fairly uninspiring and doesn't have much round it. If you walk the other way towards Castlefield, you end up at Castlefield Basin where there are several good quality food and drink places, excellent for people watching on a nice day.

This would be a good route for your MOSI visit, avoiding busy roads.

Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations