This U.K. City Is Making a Cultural Comeback-How to Plan a Perfect a Trip Now

"Few cities take music as seriously as Manchester. An epic chorus of artists and sounds have emerged from the streets of England's northern capital, from the soaring guitars of The Smiths and The Stone Roses to the upbeat synth-pop of New Order and Joy Division. And just as the city's most prodigious musical sons, Oasis, recently enjoyed a big comeback, so too did Manchester itself."

"Here, hundreds of millions of post-pandemic dollars have been pumped into local culture, and the results are showing in spectacular style. The new headline act is the space-age Co-op Live arena on the city's eastern flank, which opened in May 2024 and is now officially Britain's largest indoor venue. An echoless masterpiece, it was designed after consultation with an A-List of experts, ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Harry Styles."

Manchester has undergone major cultural investment since the pandemic, channeling hundreds of millions into venues, museums, and restaurants. The Co-op Live arena opened in May 2024 and became Britain's largest indoor venue, built as an echoless space designed with input from top artists. The AO Arena received a $60-plus million facelift, and the waterfront Aviva Studios emerged as a futuristic $325 million hub for music, theater, and visual arts. Free museums have reopened after renovations, including an expanded neo-Gothic Manchester Museum and the Power Hall of invention, which reopened in October 2025. The dining scene regained Michelin recognition, with restaurants such as Skof earning acclaim for seasonal British tasting menus.

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