The "Capital of the North" is a phrase normally used to describe Manchester.

Whether you visit Manchester for business or pleasure, there is plenty to see and do.

1. Football

Home to the famous Manchester United as well as rival team Manchester City, the city has plenty to offer football fans, although if you're planning an overnight stay on the evening of a home match, be sure to book your hotel in plenty of time so that the other 76,000 people visiting Old Trafford don't get there before you!

2. Nightlife

As you'd expect in a major city with a large student population, there is plenty of nightlife available if you have the energy. Things have changed a bit since Jimmy Savile first welded two record decks together for one of his first DJ gigs back in 1946. If you're into music history like this, be sure to visit the Band on the Wall venue in Manchester's Northern Quarter. This venue has changed with the times but has been hosting live music since 1862.

3. Manchester Ship Canal

This is an impressive 36 mile long canal that is over 100 years old. It turned Manchester from being landlocked into a major sea port in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The canal is still in private ownership but as the size of ocean going vessels has increased over the years, its importance as a freight route has declined, although with the modern emphasis on the user of greener forms of transport, there is new interest in using the canal for freight.

4. Music Venues

As you would expect from such a cultural city, Manchester has a diverse range of music venues. There are two symphony orchestras permanently based here as well as a chamber orchestra. Pop music fans are catered for at the large Manchester Evening News Arena, close to Victoria railway station. It is the largest such arena in Europe and hosts major concerts on a regular basis. Manchester has given rise to a large number of pop groups, including Oasis, New Order, the Buzzcocks and The Smiths.

5. Eating Out

If you fancy a change from your hotel's menu, you can find almost any cuisine in Manchester. There are restaurants offering everything from traditional British meals through to the expected Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek and Thai menus. Additionally, you can find Cajun, Caribbean, Japanese, Korean and many other national cuisines. So your taste buds will be excited whatever you choose.

6. Day Trips from Manchester

If you've got more time on your hands, there are plenty of day trips that you can take in the surrounding area. To familiarize yourself with the city, there are regular guided tours, run by registered Blue Badge Guides where you'll learn fascinating details about the city. If you or your children are interested in science, Jodrell Bank Observatory is close by and you can examine the Lovell Radio Telescope at first hand as well as watch the planets and check out the exhibits in the visitor centre.