A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Baltimore for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or Baltimore?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Baltimore can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Baltimore?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Baltimore. While Baltimore is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Baltimore and Manchester. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Baltimore?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Baltimore.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Baltimore can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Baltimore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Baltimore offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Manchester and Baltimore.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Baltimore has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its live music scene. However, Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Baltimore?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Baltimore both offer plenty of very good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Baltimore.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Manchester is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Baltimore are nice places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

It's common for backpackers to visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Students?

Manchester is well known for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

Is Manchester or Baltimore Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester and Baltimore both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Baltimore can get you to some places easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Is Manchester or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Baltimore is very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Manchester and Baltimore. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Manchester than in Baltimore. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

Families should spend more time in Baltimore than Manchester. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Baltimore, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Baltimore. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Manchester that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Baltimore if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Baltimore?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Baltimore, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Baltimore?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Baltimore, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic city of Manchester. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Baltimore, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Baltimore?

Manchester is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Baltimore is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Baltimore, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Baltimore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manchester is in Europe and Baltimore is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Baltimore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Baltimore and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Baltimore.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manchester Expensive? and Is Baltimore Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Baltimore, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Manchester or Baltimore?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Manchester or Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Baltimore. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

In the summer, Manchester is much colder than Baltimore. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Baltimore averages at about 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Baltimore. Manchester usually gets less rain in July than Baltimore. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Baltimore can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. Manchester is much warmer than Baltimore in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Baltimore. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Baltimore. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Baltimore. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Baltimore averages at about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Manchester