Home to a variety of attractions, including The Lowry, the Imperial War Museum North and The Quays, the city of Salford is just 10 minutes from the city center and sits on the banks of the River Irwell. It's also close to Old Trafford, the Manchester United football stadium. In Salford, you'll find more than 60 parks and open spaces to enjoy. 

If you're looking for luxury, head to this area of Manchester just west of the city center. It's filled with stores for well-known high-end fashion brands, like Armani, Mulberry and Oliver Sweeney, as well as restaurants and bars. It's also the location of attractions like the John Rylands Library and the People's History Museum.

Known as the “NQ” by locals, this neighborhood has tons of restaurants and quirky shops and is considered the center of the city's alternative and bohemian scene. This is the area where you'll find Afflecks, with its array of unusual and independent shops, along with record stores and vintage furniture and clothing purveyors. Try some fried chicken at Yard and Coop, hang out at The Bay Horse Tavern or try the vegan cuisine at V Revolution.  

Manchester is a pretty safe place to visit, but as with all major cities, you should keep your valuables out of sight to protect against pickpockets, muggers or "snatch and grabs" of phones, bags and jewelry. The most violent crimes occur in the city's Gay Village neighborhood. Picadilly Gardens also sees a high number of crimes, so take extra precaution in these areas. If you're taking taxis, make sure they are the licensed black cabs from a taxi rank. Terrorist attacks in Europe have also been on the rise; in 2017, 23 people died following a bombing at a concert at Manchester Arena. The U.S. Department of State advises signing up for STEP (the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to stay updated on security threats.