40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

A true gem in Manchester’s cultural crown, the Science and Industry Museum celebrates its 41st birthday in September 2024. And, while the museum enters its fifth decade, it’s hard to believe that the historic site it occupies is almost 200 years old.

The Science and Industry Museum is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound regeneration to create a world-class venue for the future – however, there’s still a myriad of things to see, do and discover on your visit.

No matter how many times you’ve been to the museum, we love that there’s always something new to experience. Whether you want to discover objects from the museum’s collections, get hands-on with experiments and activities, or find out more about some of the ideas and icons who changed the world – you’ll find something for every mind and body at the Science and Industry Museum.

Journey through the city’s rich history of industrial innovation with the museum’s amazing objects and thundering textile machinery demonstrations. Meanwhile, catch one of the Explainer shows to find out more about the powerful intersection of industry and science in Manchester.

A fitting tribute for a world-leading scientific city, discover how Manchester shaped the modern world with the original Baby computer, which was built at the University of Manchester, and find out more about the Rolls-Royce motor company, which was (yes, you guessed it) founded in Manchester. There are even more amazing items to discover alongside inspiring shows and demonstrations.

Head to Experiment in the Interactive Gallery to get hands-on with creative activities and learn through play. From shadow puppetry and thermal camera fun to music making, we love that the museum makes learning exciting for even the littlest movers and shakers.

Discover more about some of Manchester’s trailblazers: British music industry icon, Tony Wilson; pioneering female journalist, Madeline Linford, and Isabel Hardwich, an electrical engineer and physicist who paved the way for women to follow careers in science and engineering.

Further must-see highlights include an incredible collection of objects from Professor Stephen Hawking’s office in the ‘Changing Highlights’ section of the Revolution Gallery. Meanwhile, check out the latest exhibition in the Special Exhibitions Gallery, currently Injecting Hope – a free exhibition examining the local and global response to COVID-19.

There’s much more to see, do and discover too. You could fill a whole weekend with the amount of adventure and creativity on offer at the Science and Industry Museum. Dive in.