Make the most of an October day in Manchester — culture, coffee, and character in spades. Start with the neo-Gothic John Rylands Library and its jaw-dropping reading room, then choose your vibe: modern art at HOME or the Whitworth, science and engines at the Science and Industry Museum, or football nostalgia at the National Football Museum. Wander the Northern Quarter for street art, indie shops, and great brunch spots, dip into the Arndale for big-name shopping, and warm up with something tasty in Chinatown or the buzzing Corn Exchange. You might even pause for a canal-side stroll at Castlefield or a quick drink in one of the city’s historic pubs. Cool days, colourful streets, and cosy corners — Manchester does autumn brilliantly.