Things to Do Indoors on a Rainy Day in Manchester
Nov 25, 2025
Things to Do Indoors on a Rainy Day in Manchester
Nov 25, 2025
Written by, Richard Kennedy
John Rylands Library
John Rylands Library
John Rylands Library
Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. John Rylands Library is a neo-Gothic gem that will take you straight back in time. With its dramatic interiors, soaring ceilings, and ornate stained-glass windows, it has the feel of a cathedral dedicated to books. As you walk through the library, you start picking up the little things: the carved stone blocks and delicate inscriptions, and the light that filters down through coloured glass, giving the library’s stone floors a kaleidoscope feel. The reading room, a sanctuary of quiet in the otherwise bustling city centre, is for anyone looking to relax, read, sketch or just take in the view. It’s a space that feels like it should offer shelter from any drizzle outside; in fact, one would welcome a little rain on the windows to accent this particularly photogenic building with a touch of wonder.
Manchester Central Library
Manchester Central Library
Manchester Central Library
Address: St. Peters Square, Manchester, M2 5PD Hours: Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Bank Holidays Another indoor gem is the Manchester Central Library, renowned for its grand circular design and classical rotunda. There are also charming restored reading rooms that offer a peaceful place to study or reflect in silence. With its grand columns, elaborate detailing, and open floor plan, the library offers a respite from the rain while embracing the city’s rich cultural history. The library frequently hosts temporary exhibitions and literary events, so be sure to visit! Two hours spent here not only shelters you from the weather but also provides a palpable sense of history in the layers of its architectural development.
Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Address: St John’s, Lower Byrom St, Manchester, M3 4FP Hours: Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is perfect if you’re a fan of puzzles, tasks, and all-around group activity. Based on the hit TV show, participants make their way through themed zones, taking on mental and physical challenges. Every zone presents challenges in a new style of play, from interactive puzzles to hands-on observation, ensuring your visit is ever-changing. It’s a heart-racing, all-indoor excursion that offers laughs, strategy, and teamwork, perfect for groups but also an option for individual visitors looking to be paired with a team. The immersive setting and theatrical staff heighten the sense of adventure that has you immediately forgetting the rain outside.
Roxy Ball Room
Roxy Ball Room
Roxy Ball Room
Address: Arndale, Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 3AQ Hours: Monday – Friday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Sunday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Roxy Ball Room combines games with a lively bar culture for a bright buzz. With bowling, mini-golf, shuffleboard, and arcade games on offer, there’s something for everyone. The space itself is interactive and fun, from catching up with friends to going on a date to even just doing something different indoors. The neon lights, combined with lively music, set an energetic atmosphere, while the food and drink menu adds to your experience, allowing you to kick back and refuel between games. You could lose track of time in a place like this, where it rains outside and you forget about the weather.
Afflecks
Afflecks
Afflecks
Address: 52 Church St, Manchester, M4 1PW Afflecks is an indoor market that is something like a maze of creativity. Teeming with indie shops, vintage fashion and record stalls as well as some of the weirder items purveyed by local businesses, it’s a paradise for both those hunting treasure and any curious shopper. Rainy days are good for venturing through its technicoloured corridors, stumbling upon unique finds, and generally basking in some real character. You might find a handmade treasure, a rare vinyl record or a vintage fashion gem. Some pop-up events and performances bring extra buzz to your visit.