"My favourite big British city " a Manchester Travel Page by jayhawk2000

Manchester basked in a resurgent pride and prosperity after hosting the flawless 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Being the world's 2nd largest sporting event may sound like the Golden Globes of sport.

But after a spate of bloated, over-budget Millennium grand projects bruised the national ego (a wobbly bridge and empty £1billion tent on the Thames come to mind), the Games in a Jubilee year was Britain's chance to salvage its reputation.

Manchester reached for the ring and delivered the most glorious Games to date, inspiring London's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

In the past few years Manchester has given the world:

the superb MANCHESTER ART GALLERY after a lengthy refit and expansion;

a museum of city living called URBIS, surrounded by the new Cathedral Gardens, Printworks entertainment centre and Triangle shopping centre;

and the spectacular IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH designed by Daniel Libeskind, a collaborating architect for what will replace New York's World Trade Center.

2002 also saw the transformation of Piccadilly Station and Gardens into a world-class gateway, renovation of the main coach station, the opening of a visitors centre for the cathedral and a new runway at Manchester Airport (officially Britain's best airport).

The skyline is changing as well, maybe not always for the best, but there are a huge number of skyscrapers housing new flats, offices and hotels including some of the tallest buildings in Britain.

The energy and investment continues today, making my adopted hometown the best big city in Britain!

Oh yes, even when there are 'only' 360 shopping days until Christmas, it seems there are shops putting up the tinsel and playing carols. Yech.

However, for all Manchester's claims of fostering a cafe culture, it's really only in autumn and winter that the streets start to feel civilised and lively.

When the early nights draw in and you've got frost on the pumpkins, Manchester puts on a series of parties and markets, plus events like a Food Festival, Comedy Festival and a week of bonfires and funfairs from Halloween to Bonfire Night. The Christmas lighting up party at the Town Hall in mid November is always great fun, especially with the impressive fireworks gala set to music.

The fireworks herald the festive shopping season, when the city squares fill with a whole mess of markets from mid November to late December. More in my shopping tips.