Would think a trip to Stratford on Avon taking in Warwick castle would do the trick??

Chester, Liverpool the lakes should be beautifull if the roads are clear.

I second Stratford and Warwick Castle. We always take our American friends there (although we do live a bit closer than you).

Just make sure you have a good supply of warm and waterproof clothes they can borrow!

weather permitting the Darby Dales

The aviation viewing park at Manchester is always a good trip out. You might be able to combine it with a tour of Concorde and the other aircraft on display. There's always the Trafford Centre and Liverpool One if they're in to shopping although things are probably more expensive here than back home.

Darren

Liverpool for shopping - Liverpool 1, Chester, York?
Irene

Thanks for the helpful ideas. Please keep them coming. If I can give our friends lots of choices it makes my life easier. Spoke to them this morning. They are still keen on visiting the Lake District. Would you suggest (weather permitting obviously) any particular area within the 1 1/2 hours of Manchester and are there places to actually visit or is it purely the scenery. Sorry to ask what sounds like silly questions, but I really am not familiar with the area at all - I'm a Yorkshire lass who has crossed the Pennines to live in Manchester

The scenery is stunning especialy some of the lessor known lakes, but what about driving to lake windermere, you would get all the scenery you want plus you could go on a lake cruise from 3/4 hour to over 2 hours they run all year and its a lovely way to spend time seeing the scenery from a boat. Also the Honister slate mine is an interesting visit, especialy if you take the underground tour but as it is in Honister pass the weather would have a big bearing on what you could do.If you do go to the Lakes and are near Keswick the 3000BC Castlerigg stone circle there is worth a visit Hope you and your friends have a lovely time what ever you do.

Skipton and Ilkley. Skipton nice for a walk round - but would suggest a market day, there is the castle, canel and plenty of nice pubs for lunch. Ilkley pleasent walk round, the moors and the river.

York in all its glories - plus a trip to Harrogate for afternoon tea at Betty's.

Anywhere with history, the Americans LOVE history!

Howarth for an hour or three?
http://www.haworth-village.co.uk/haworth.html

To tempt you to a visit to Windermere
http://www.visitcumbria.com/amb/winderm.htm
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index/visiting/windermere.htm
http://www.lakedistrictletsgo.co.uk/townsvillagers/windermere/windermere_main.html

York definitely, and you can have afternoon tea in either Betty's or Little Betty's, no need to trek to Harrogate.

Patka

Some these suggestions are getting over the 1½ hour limit depending where you are in Manchester. My AA Routeplaner is saying the city centre is over 2 hours to either Stratford or the Lakes, obviously if you are south side then Stratford might be in range but the Lakes would be further and vice versa.

York is within range but parking is best done on the outskirts and use the P+R bus. Also very easy by train.

Chester is well within range but parking is bad, if you're south Manchester the train might be better.

Jodrell Bank is ideal since they sound as though they like scientific stuff http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/visitorcentre/ but Alderley Edge village is only famous for the people who live there - and they aren't famous in the States so your friends won't get it. It's also plagued by road works and diversions as they are building a new bypass. The "Edge" itself is a rocky outcrop above the village which has some scientific interest but is mostly known for wannabe witches gathering at Halloween! The traditional mix with Jodrell Bank is Moreton Hall http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-littlemoretonhall or Gawsworth Hall http://www.gawsworthhall.com/ but the bad news is that they don't open in January. So I'll suggest Quarry Bank Mill near Wilmslow as the other half of the day http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-quarrybankmillandstyalestate

Just about within range of the south and central Manchester is Conwy Castle in Wales. http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=55 Not only is the castle quite spectacular but the village itself is worth a wander around and has places to eat. Also possible by train but get off at Llandudno Junction - it has more trains and the 10 minute walk gives one the best views of the castle together with the historic suspension bridge in front of it. In fact if you go by car it's probably best to park in Llandudno Junction. And they will also have the novelty of touching on a foreign language (don't panic, everyone speaks English as well!).

If you do try Chester the p&r is good there as is most places now,p&r worth a thought if you are going to a strange town and don't know were to head for.The internet has directions to most and if you happen to be over 60 and have a bus pass the parking and the bus ride are free in most p&rides.

P+R bus rides are mostly free for over 60s if you have the right bus pass - visitors from Florida probably won't.

if you visit conwy and the castle,then i suggest you also,come and pay a visit to llandudno.the americans seem to love it here.
i drove to manchester,last monday & it took 1 hour 20 mins,so within the distance,you want to travel.
tracy

Wow, some truly super ideas. Even if we don't visit them whilst our American friends are here, we certainly have lots of ideas for days out for ourselves. Sadly I suspect the weather will have a big say in where we go, but with 4 days to fill and all these ideas I'm sure we can keep them occupied. Provisional itinerary is Friday (after a rest as they arrive at 7.30 am) a trip to the Imperial War Museum North (as requested). Saturday, probably into Manchester to the Science Museum and a look around the city itself. Sunday they are still hoping for the Lakes, so depending on the weather that's what we will do - Windermere and Ambleside. Monday maybe Skipton Market and Harrogate. (They've been before and visited York). If the Lakes are a no-go, Jodrell Bank is a possibility. Wales sounds fun but might be a bit too far - I'm north Manchester which adds time to the journey and like a lot of Americans our friends get impatient if things aren't immediate!!!

One other thing - has anyone visited Staircase House in Stockport? Seen it on the web and it looks interesting.

Take them to Old Trafford... they could go home and tell Malcolm Glazer what it looks like.