Manchester is known for its eclectic mix of activities, and it is jam-packed full of hidden gems, bespoke restaurants, intriguing museums and a huge selection of bars to suit every taste. <br /><br />The city centre is home to the Northern Quarter, a trendy neighbourhood with some of the area's busiest music venues and quirky shops.<br /><br />Our vibrant city is the perfect spot to find something unique to do, so we visited some of the most interesting places in Manchester to give you a run-down of the top weird and wonderful things to do in our city-region: <br /><br />First on the list is Empire Exchange, a unique store on the edge of Piccadilly as you head into the Northern Quarter.<br /><br />The weird and wonderful store houses anything and everything you could imagine - from trinkets, to records and DVDs, to bizarre items such as a real traffic light.<br /><br />Entering Empire Exchange in Manchester is like stepping back in time, and in every nook and cranny lies something totally unique.<br /><br />The store often cuts deals with customers and exchanges goods rather than cash, so it’s a great place to give your old items a new lease of life.<br /><br />Next up is Antwerp Mansion, the building most famously known as a nightclub from 1922 until 2018 when it was shut down by the council.<br /><br />The house in Rusholme is said to be haunted by several ghosts, but there are still residents who live on the property despite these spooky claims.<br /><br />The haunted Victorian property now hosts ghost tours and music and arts events, so if you’re interested in checking it out, you can grab tickets online. <br /><br />If you’re taking a trip to Old Trafford, you might want to catch a glimpse of this next weird and wonderful attraction in Manchester.<br /><br />Gnome Island sits on the Salford side of Manchester Ship Canal, but is best viewed from the Trafford banks as this is the direction its unique visitors face.<br /><br />In 2017 the island welcomed its first guest - a single gnome called Gnorman - and since then an army of gnomes has arrived, but who places them there remains a bit of a mystery.<br /><br />There’s no shortage of bars in Manchester, but if you’re looking for a drinking venue with a twist, why not check out the weird and wonderful Washhouse in Shudehill?<br /><br />This cocktail bar can only be accessed by those who book in advance and may look like a laundrette from the outside, but inside lies a hidden bar where you can discover secret rooms, disco toilets and even an extra-large laundry chute slide!<br /><br />The drinks menu itself is full of interesting flavour combinations - and if you’re feeling brave you can try one which tastes like a chicken dinner.<br /><br />Since we are experiencing a heatwave and summer is well and truly here, Castlefield Viaduct National trust site is a unique way to enjoy a beautiful view of Manchester at this park in the sky.<br /><br />Built onto the viaduct next to Deansgate tram stop, this green space is full of plants and trees and gives an excellent insight into urban gardening.<br /><br />Finally, if history and culture are more your thing, check out the Portico Library hidden away on Moseley Street and Charlotte Street.<br /><br />The independent subscription library is one of the city's oldest buildings still being used for its original function, and has been operating since the early 1800s.<br /><br />This hidden gem now only occupies the top floor of the building and to get there you must make your way up a winding staircase hidden behind a side entrance. <br /><br />For more ideas on weird and wonderful things to do in Manchester, check out our other video reports and stay tuned for more insights into the unique things our city-region has to offer.
