When most people think of visiting the United Kingdom as a tourist the first places that spring to mind are London and Edinburgh but other areas should not be discounted. The North of England houses some of the best things to do and Manchester has a host of tourist attractions for you to visit but what makes the city different is there is a lot to keep youngsters entertained too.

The whole family will enjoy a visit to Manchester’s Delta Force paintball; just make sure you’ve brought plenty of soap with you on your travels. Those who prefer a bit more culture in their breaks might want to check out the variety of libraries in Manchester. The John Ryland's Library is steeped in history but still operates today. There is also a variety of museums including the Museum of Science and Industry which has galleries spread across five historic buildings and the Manchester Museum, home to an array of natural treasures.

An extra bonus is that museums are usually free to enter. Another place that is certainly free to entre but perhaps not traditionally classed as a tourist spot is Manchester’s famous Trafford Centre. Thousands of people flock to this shopping mecca with over 200 stores inside and 11,500 free parking spaces on site. It even provides entertainment and events including book signings; flash dances and sport on big screens to keep the men entertained and give you peace to shop.

If you manage to take in all that in one day you’ve earned a well deserved break so why not find a nice Manchester hotel and grab some food while you decide how to spend the rest of the evening. Manchester has an array of entertainment venues including one of the best known in Britain, the MEN Arena has a capacity of 23,000 and can cater for everything from big bands to live sport.

Of course there are also smaller less modern places to spend the evening. You could head to the Manchester Opera House which has been around since 1912. It was renovated in 2003 and now plays host to a variety of musicals, whether your tastes are more Hairspray or Phantom of the Opera this venue can cater for you. There is also The Lowry which is in Salford Quays, near to where Manchester United play their home games at Old Trafford, it is a short tram journey from the centre of the city.

The Lowry is noted as being one of the most dramatic buildings in Manchester and an architectural gem. Another place you might want to try is the Royal Exchange Theatre; it is an award winning venue which shows classics as well as more modern performances.

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.