Going to see Father Christmas in the grotto at Lewis's, mooching round the pet shops on Tib Street or buying a pair of Levis from the Underground Market - these were all highlights of a Mancunian childhood.
Growing up in Manchester also meant days out at Belle Vue, hanging round outside The Cliff hoping to get a glimpse of George Best or browsing the stalls at Afflecks Palace.
We asked Manchester Evening News readers for their favourite places and things to do as a kid.
And this is what you said...
Lewis's
Opened in 1877 Lewis's stood proudly on the corner of Piccadilly Gardens as one of the city’s first department stores.
It sold pretty much everything you could think of and even included included a full scale ballroom on the fifth floor.
But what sticks in a lot of people's minds is the store's amazing Santa's grotto and and the smell of coffee from Kardomah cafe.
Lewis's closed in 2001 and is now the huge Primark on Market Street.
Jean Gee wrote: "Lewis’s for Santa and his grotto, also the Kardomah Cafe loved to sit upstairs leaning on the copper balustrade watching what was happening downstairs .
"The smell of coffee being ground was unbelievable."
Sheila Robinson said: "Loved the smell of coffee from the Kardomah but unfortunately I got trapped in the rotating door when I was about four years old. I also loved the Christmas grotto in Lewis’s store."
Maria Finnegan: "We came down from Wythenshawe two Saturdays out of four, mum worked the other two but that was our treat. Kardomah and Lewis's and C&A happy days."
Andrea Connor: "Lewis's food hall with my Grandma for an individual trifle in a cardboard container and then listening to the busker outside who would sing Rambling Rose to her as her name was Rose."
Belle Vue
Over its 140 year history, Belle Vue zoo and fairground survived war, played host to everyone from The Clash to the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix - and played an indelible part in the childhoods of thousands.
At its peak, Belle Vue attracted more than two million visitors a year, but the zoo closed in 1977 due to financial difficulties.
However it left behind a lifetime of memories.
Jean Hough said: "Belle Vue zoo had everything. Amusement park, shows, dance clubs, massive reenactments of historical events and huge firework displays. Happy days."
Paul Burton: "Belle Vue was out of this world. Everything anyone could wish for, kid or adult."
Ian Jones: "Belle Vue zoo, although the camel house.....I can still smell it."
Carol Cookson: "Do you remember the log flume and the camel rides at Belle Vue zoo? Great times."
Market Centre
The Arndale's underground market was a subterranean shoppers' paradise.
A haven of indepdent businesses, in the 70s Punks flocked to Roxy, Stolen From Ivor was the first place in the north to sell Levi's jeans and in the late 80s, with the Hacienda and Madchester in full flow, Acid House ravers picked up their flares there.
The main entrance on Brown Street was concreted over in 1989.
Part what was the market is now the basement floor of Tesco on Market Street.
Belinda Bain Tomlinson wrote: "The underground market for double bleached denim & Levi 'seconds'.
Celine Knowles said: "The Underground market....the record stalls and Oasis for clothes."
Granada Studios
The Granada Studios tour was a staple of school trips in the 80s and 90s.
Once voted the region's top tourist attraction, it opened in a blaze of publicity in 1988, and at the height of it popularity attracted 5.25 million people from all over the world who wanted to see the Corrie set and its many other TV-related attractions.
Declining visitors meant the tour was scrapped for good in 2007, and the famed Quay Street studios, which broadcast its first show in 1956, was closed down in 2013, with operations moving to Media City.
But several readers also remembered afternoons stood outside the gates waiting to catch a glimpse of their TV idols.
Christine Gerezdi said: "We used to stand outside Granada Studios on Quay Street to get autographs, it was one of the newsreaders who told us about President Kennedy being shot."
Tim King wrote: "Granada studios Quay St waiting for Corrie stars until it moved to Salford Quays"
Afflecks
The place for all things alternative, Afflecks has been a haven for punks, goths, indie kids, ravers, emos and everyone else in-between ever since it opened in 1982.
The Northern Quarter emporium even counts Lady Gaga among its customers, the megastar having spent two hours shopping there when she played the Arena in 2014.
Launched by James and Elaine Walsh with an ethos of offering a safe environment for independent entrepreneurs to start out it,'s since been the launchpad for loads of businesses - and the place for a Saturday afternoon teenage hang-out.
Char Warner said: "Afflecks and getting stupid drunk on Urbis then all gathering in the emo coves when it rained."
Wendy Green wrote: "As a teen, I loved going to Afflecks and a shop called The Cave that sold Mod stuff upstairs and Goth stuff downstairs."
Allyson Dodd Langwine said: "Used to always be in Affleck's Palace. I did my work experience in the poster shop in the 1980s."
And Rachael Garside added: "Afflecks Palace used to get the flyers and put them on my bedroom wall, looked cool."
Tib Street pet shops
From pets to perms the ever-changing face of Tib Street reflects the ever-changing fortunes of the part of the city centre we now call the Northern Quarter.
Now lined with several trendy barbers, cafes and bars, Tib Street first made its name as the place for all things agricultural.
But, by the mid-20th Century it was home to Manchester's pet shops.
And many remember Saturday afternoons spent browsing the stores.
Lynn Trimble said: "My husband bought our first dog from Tib Street in 1977 for £2.50 just before my eldest son was born. She was a lovely little dog Jack Russell cross we called her Susie."
Carl England wrote: "Loved Tib Street. My mum said I could get an hamster from Tib St and I brought a rat home."
The Cliff
Now Manchester United's players train at state-of-the-art facilities away from the prying eyes of fans and journalists at Carrington in Cheshire.
But up until 1999 the first team was based at The Cliff, an unassuming sports ground in Lower Broughton, Salford.
It meant supporters could get a glimpse of their heroes such as George Best, Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona.
And a day autograph hunting outside the training ground gates was a fond childhood memory for many of you.
Denis Griffin said: "Cliff training ground where you could meet and chat to players no problems."
Jacqueline Steele Walkden wrote: "Sir Matt used to ruffle my hair like a grandad would and George Best had loads of time for us kids. Bobby Charlton never gave us a look in."
Which childhood memories from iconic Manchester venues do you treasure? Have your say in the comments section
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