The Quays
4
About
Visit the Quays, Greater Manchester's stunning waterfront destination, and discover culture, history, heritage, shopping and sport within just one square mile. With an award-winning theatre, gallery and museum, discount shopping, stunning architecture, historical tours, cruises and sport, the Quays has everything you need for a great day out. When when the sun goes down, the quayside is beautifully lit, making it the ideal backdrop for an evening stroll, followed by dinner and drinks in one of the many bars and restaurants - plus the excellent accommodation on offer provides the perfect reason to turn your day visit into a short break. There is also a year-round programme of events, including food markets and public outdoor art installations.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.0
300 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
122
Average
22
Poor
10
Terrible
8
Lesley R
Manchester, UK108 contributions
Sept 2021
Chav city...
Absolutely awful, poorly signposted both inside and out, full of bellowing chavs and their squealing, screaming fractious infants, deeply unpleasant with the acoustics in this place. Do NOT go if you have the slightest noise sensitivity as it's a very unpleasant experience.
I arrived as the place opened and managed only 40 minutes before I had to make a run for it.
Still, some people must like it because as I left there were hordes of entitled pushy "bargain hunters" arriving and long queues for the carpark.
I would prefer to stab myself in the eyeballs than ever visit this place again..... never again.
Absolutely awful, poorly signposted both inside and out, full of bellowing chavs and their squealing, screaming fractious infants, deeply unpleasant with the acoustics in this place. Do NOT go if you have the slightest noise sensitivity as it's a very unpleasant experience.
I arrived as the place opened and managed only 40 minutes before I had to make a run for it.
Still, some people must like it because as I left there were hordes of entitled pushy "bargain hunters" arriving and long queues for the carpark.
I would prefer to stab myself in the eyeballs than ever visit this place again..... never again.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C J
1 contribution
Apr 2022
My granddaughter wanted to go on a tram to the Lowry but they weren't running again so I drove. It cost me £7.00 for parking for just over 4 hours...... extortionate to say the least, they should be ashamed of themselves. No wonder the shops are closing up and its quiet. I'd already spent a fortune on food and drink and other things. I don't know how they can justify charging so much, I won't be going again.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gucci_t
Cleethorpes, England, United Kingdom22 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
First time visit via coach trip, Acklams Coaches.
Amazing place besides the shopping outlet, museums, BBC/ITV hqs, water sports, bars and restaurants.
Penelopes Delhi for £4.50 lunch (4 items, sandwiches or raps, crisps, sweet and drink!).
Amazing place besides the shopping outlet, museums, BBC/ITV hqs, water sports, bars and restaurants.
Penelopes Delhi for £4.50 lunch (4 items, sandwiches or raps, crisps, sweet and drink!).
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gavin C
Manchester, UK9 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Maybe it used to be better. Ever since ive known it, many shops had be closed and empty. This was initially a designer outlet but failed. It now hosts more bars and foodcourts. Many of which are overpriced to cater for the ‘Media City’ workers nearby.
To be fair its worth a trip for Kargo MKT foodcourt, Lowry theathre and the Imperial War Museum North.
To be fair its worth a trip for Kargo MKT foodcourt, Lowry theathre and the Imperial War Museum North.
Written 28 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steven b
Oldham, UK1,032 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
A quick Sunday morning visit,i say quick as we were in & out in less than an hour.
We have been on many occasions over the years & it doesn't seem to get any better.
We were there for school shoes from the Clarke's outlet,once there via the many divisions,due to the many road works going on in the area.parking is easy enough,plenty of spaces in the multi story,then a quick lift or stair walk & your in.
We found Clarke's,but nothing took our eye on this trip,so we took our usual look around,i like Trespass,but didn't see anything & as for the rest of it,more empty than trading stores,such a shame,sure they must be able to get more traders in,which would make it a better place to visit,take a look at Cheshire oaks?..
So in less than an hour,i was paying £1.10 for the privilege & on our way home..
The Quays,you need to bring in the big names,then it'd make it a better place to visit...
We have been on many occasions over the years & it doesn't seem to get any better.
We were there for school shoes from the Clarke's outlet,once there via the many divisions,due to the many road works going on in the area.parking is easy enough,plenty of spaces in the multi story,then a quick lift or stair walk & your in.
We found Clarke's,but nothing took our eye on this trip,so we took our usual look around,i like Trespass,but didn't see anything & as for the rest of it,more empty than trading stores,such a shame,sure they must be able to get more traders in,which would make it a better place to visit,take a look at Cheshire oaks?..
So in less than an hour,i was paying £1.10 for the privilege & on our way home..
The Quays,you need to bring in the big names,then it'd make it a better place to visit...
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmblerRambler
Salford, UK42 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
I live nearby, and it's always nice to have a wander around the area, there's lot to see, and some great places to eat and drink at(when they're open!), especially in the summer or on a crisp winters day.
The only disappointment is The Lowry Outlet Mall, they really need to do something with this place, the amount of empty retail units makes me wonder how it affords to keep trading, I assume it's the food outlets that bring in the money.
Every time I go, there seem to be less and less shops open, with nobody replacing them, such a shame.
The only disappointment is The Lowry Outlet Mall, they really need to do something with this place, the amount of empty retail units makes me wonder how it affords to keep trading, I assume it's the food outlets that bring in the money.
Every time I go, there seem to be less and less shops open, with nobody replacing them, such a shame.
Written 24 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mark t
Bury, UK244 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Me and my wife went for a walk around the quays. It was a lovely Sunday morning and there was plenty of people around walking with children and dogs. There was even people swimming in the water.. Very clean and plenty of signage to show where you're going. Will return after lockdown and sample some of the nice bars that are here. Definitely would recommend a visit.
Written 1 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
Pittsburgh, PA126,454 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
The Quays is a nice walkable area. We used the hop on hop off bus tour. We got off and spent about 2 hours and had a nice walk and took in all the scenery.
Written 27 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bsandrs
Portsmouth, UK22,659 contributions
Jul 2019
Like Gunwharf Quays In Portsmouth and some of the old Docks in London, clearance of disused buildings has created a superb area for regeneration. The Salford Quays is a rebuild on a massive scale. Strong on Media and Culture plus sought after residential projects. Whilst the weather on the day we were there was not ideal, the area was packed because of Salford University graduation and this created a great atmosphere. Cafes and restaurants and even the “Blue Peter” garden
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkL2012
Hastings, UK178 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Salford Quays is a great place to walk along on a sunny Sunday. The star attractions are the Lowry and the Imperial War Museum, the others are pretty average. The market offered nothing particularly special but was pleasant and the outlet centre was the usual mixture of shops and restaurants that could have been anywhere.
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can park overnight at the Lowry Outlet, 12-24 hours is £16 and you can buy more time after that. Not sure if staying in local hotel gets discounted parking.
Written 20 July 2019
Do you have to book for CBBs? Also the opening times please
Written 10 March 2018
Is there any transport back into Manchester after and evening theatre show?
Written 28 August 2017
There is the metrolink tram you can get from Media City back to Manchester. I would recommend checking the tram times but usually trams run until midnight or thereabouts.
Written 28 August 2017
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