15 Great Things to Do in Liverpool

by Paul T
Last Update: 17 July 2023

What UK city is so famous that we could omit the name, give you three clues, and you'd still know the location to which we refer?

Before you guess, here are your three clues: Cilla, The Beatles, and The Mersey.
Yes, that’s right. It’s the one and only Liverpool. An iconic city with iconic names, Liverpool is a fantastic place to head for a fun and exciting family outing.
For a truly memorable day trip to Liverpool, get your visit planned to perfection. Here, you’ll discover 15 things to do in Liverpool for your next fun day in this unique, vibrant, and historic UK city.

1. The Beatles Story

What better way to start your tour of Liverpool than an introduction to the Fab Four, who put this city on the world stage?
The Beatles Story is a permanent exhibition at the Royal Albert Dock. This award-winning experience will take you through the Beatles’ timeline and their connection to the city where they first performed.

With replicas of some of their most well-known haunts, including the renowned music venue, The Cavern, this tour might make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time to the 1960s.

2. River Mersey Ferry Cruise

If you plan on staying in Liverpool overnight, get inspired by the famous Gerry and The Pacemakers song and take a 50-minute ride on the river.

This popular sightseeing cruise is the best way to take in the full view of the beautiful Liverpool skyline, so don’t forget to bring a camera.
The ferry journey is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and includes full commentary from a tour guide. The ferry departs from Liverpool Pier Head every hour during peak season.

3. Anfield Stadium Tour

Football fans shouldn’t miss a visit to Liverpool Football Club’s world-famous home ground, Anfield. The tour includes a walk up to the Kop, the perfect place to take your stadium and pitch photos.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes experience of a big matchday with a tour of the dressing rooms, tunnel and press room, plus a look at the vast collection of trophies.
The tour includes guided commentary via a headset, available in eleven languages as part of the Liverpool FC interactive museum.

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4. Take a Bus Tour

If you only have time for a single day out in Liverpool, buy a ticket to ride the red, open-top bus as it makes its way around the city. If the weather is your friend, sit on the top deck for a fantastic view of your surroundings.
The City Explorer Liverpool Bus Tour passes 14 top tourist attractions, including the Dock, two cathedrals (Liverpool and Metropolitan) and the Cavern Quarter.
The bonus feature of this bus tour is that your ticket is valid for 24 hours, giving you a chance to hop on and off. That’s perfect if you have small children who don’t want to walk their tiny legs around the city centre.

5. The Bombed-Out Church

During the 1941 Liverpool Blitz, St Luke’s church, suffered catastrophic damage from a bomb, leaving this beautiful building no more than a shell. For 60 years, the ruins of this once great church remained empty.
Since 2001, this historic building has had a new lease of life as a cultural centre. It now hosts events, art, music and theatre.
The “bombed-out church”, as it’s known locally, is an excellent stop on your tour if you are someone who loves both a cultural fix and grand architectural surroundings.

6. Tate Liverpool

For more high-end culture, head to Tate’s Liverpool gallery, which sits in the heart of the Albert Dock. As with all British art galleries, entry is free for the permanent collection, and you’ll only pay to see the guest exhibitions.
Tate Liverpool features a wide range of art, including works from Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Louise Bourgeois.
The art gallery has provisions for the visually impaired. Families have a special room for young children to play or watch a film.

7. Chinatown

Take a visit to the oldest Chinatown in Europe, and sample some of the most authentic (and delicious) Chinese cuisine you’ll find in the North of England.
At the entrance to Liverpool’s Chinatown is an impressive ceremonial arch (which comes directly from Shanghai), over 13 metres in height.
Of course, take note of the date you intend to visit Liverpool. Chinatown is a magical place to enjoy Chinese New Year and a fantastic way to get involved in the traditional festivities.

8. The Royal Albert Dock

Liverpool has a rich maritime history. The city has one of the busiest docks in the UK. It also played a central role in international trade for Britain during the Empire.
So, take a moment on your days out in Liverpool to explore the waterfront around the Royal Albert Dock.
Today, the Dock is a bustling and energetic part of the city with shops, cafes, museums, restaurants, and bars, plus plenty of events and entertainment, including live music in the summer months.

9. The Maritime Museum

One of Liverpool’s most well-known museums is the Maritime, an excellent way for you to explore some of Liverpool’s fascinating history. There is fun for all the family, with exhibitions that showcase life at sea.
Here, you’ll also learn about the history of one of the most famous maritime disasters, the Titanic, which has strong  connections to Liverpool (despite departing on its doomed voyage from Southampton).
The museum is open every day except Monday, and entry is free.

10. Liverpool World Museum

When visiting Liverpool, if you need a museum guaranteed to be a big hit with children of all ages, try the World Museum. It boasts an aquarium, planetarium and a new interactive Doctor Who exhibit.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Dinosaur lovers will be thrilled at the skeletons in the natural history section of the museum. On the other hand, history enthusiasts can check out the collections in the ancient Egypt gallery.
The museum is home to over 80,000 ancient artefacts and a world cultures collection comprising over 40,000 objects.

11. Wild Shore Liverpool

For older children (and anyone young at heart), the Wild Shore Aqua Park offers hours of joy in the form of inflatable slides, trampolines, pedalos, paddle boarding and mini boats.
This activity is seasonal, so it only opens from April onwards. Still, it will be perfect if you plan on visiting in the hot summer months and want a unique and sure fire way to cool down from city life.
The attraction is situated in Duke’s Dock, next to the Ferris wheel, and has toilets and changing facilities on site.

12. The Wheel of Liverpool

For an unbeatable photo of Liverpool, head to the giant Ferris wheel at Keel Wharf. This ten-minute ride will take you 60 metres above the city for a beautiful bird’s eye view.
The Ferris wheel has 42 capsules and has a VIP section for those looking for a more luxurious experience.
That VIP capsule features leather seating and a DVD player. You can even crack open the Champagne. Though, with a glass floor, it’s not one for the faint-hearted.

13. Shiverpool Ghost Tour

Shiverpool certainly wins our award for the best name of any ghost tour in the UK. But this enjoyable experience doesn’t stop at the title. On the contrary, these tours have a National Tourism Award.
The tour takes you past some of Liverpool’s most historic (and haunted) streets, with a tour guide who’ll provide a captivating story of some of Liverpool’s most intriguing tales.
The tour is available to visitors all year round, and the organisers offer private tours too. While Shiverpool is a family experience, it may be unsettling for very young children.

14. Experience the Cavern Club

The Beatles Story might have a replica of the Beatle’s first venue, but did you know you can still visit the real thing? The legendary 65-year old Cavern Club maintains its status as a historic venue and still hosts live music even today.
The club is open seven days a week, with live music each afternoon and evening. While the club is ticket-only, you can also visit the pub and restaurant at the same venue.
The centrally-located club is easy to find on Mathew Street.

15. The Liverpool and Metropolitan Cathedrals

Impressively, Liverpool has two cathedrals worth adding to your itinerary when finalising your plans to visit Liverpool. The Liverpool and the Metropolitan.
For breathtaking architecture, wonder at the Anglican, Liverpool Cathedral. It’s the largest in the UK and eighth-largest across Europe.
The cathedral, built between 1904 and 1978, provides a tower tour that will allow you to see the city from 500 feet above sea level.
If the weather is promising, try their Thursday Twilight experience, where you may be lucky enough to see a stunning, panoramic sunset from high above the city.
In contrast, the Metropolitan is the Catholic cathedral of Liverpool. This cathedral, built between 1962 and 1967, is a unique futuristic architecture, sometimes nicknamed the “Wigwam”.

Check Out These Fabulous Things to Do in Liverpool

With a rich history, world-renowned culture, and fantastic fun, Liverpool has something to offer for all the family.

Now’s the ideal time to sign up for our Keetoo app and get started planning your trip. Choose from the many wonderful things to do in Liverpool for a truly unforgettable family break.

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