You'll never regret a break or day trip to Liverpool as there's plenty to do in and around the city.
Liverpool is home to the most amount of museums, galleries and listed buildings outside of London. From Tate Liverpool to World Museum Liverpool, you can learn all about the city and visit some cool exhibitions.
If you're not interested in museums, don't worry, as Liverpool has several quirky attractions from Ghetto Golf to the Baltic Triangle. And if you've come to Liverpool for insight into the Fab Four, there's several Beatles attractions.
There's also lots o f things to do with the kids including Go Ape for the adrenaline junkies and family farms for the animal lovers.
In this guide, we've rounded up the best things to do in Liverpool, where to take the kids, fun and quirky attractions, things to do outdoors and free days out.
Best things to do in Liverpool
Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool first opened at the Royal Albert Dock in 1988. It is one of the most visited art galleries outside of London.
The art gallery has a collection of modern and contemporary art which is free to view. Displays and exhibitions often change, so repeat visits are a must.
Tate Liverpool website : https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool
Tate Liverpool prices : Entry is free. Booking is recommended, but tickets are available on the door. There are paid exhibitions.
Tate Liverpool opening hours: 10am to 5.50pm, open daily
Tate Liverpool address : Tate Liverpool, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 4BB
Radio City Tower
Completed in 1969, the building took five years to complete and offers striking views of the city from dizzying heights of 138 metres.
On clear days, Wirral, North Wales, Lancashire, Snowdonia and even Blackpool are visible.
You can read what happened when we went up the Radio City Tower and why we want to go back.
Radio City Tower website: http://stjohnsbeacon.co.uk/
Radio City Tower prices: Adult £7/Child (5 to 15) £5/65+ £6/Student £6/Family of 5 £21/Family of 6 £22.50/Under 5s free.
Radio City Tower opening hours: The Beacon is open Monday to Friday 11am until 5pm, Saturday 10.30am until 5.15pm and Sunday 11am until 5.15pm
Radio City address: 1 Houghton St, Liverpool L1 1RL
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral is among the city’s most popular attractions, revealing something new on each visit.
The building, which dominates Liverpool ’s skyline, is a treasure trove of fascinating features, many of which have a story of their own to tell.
Visitors will want to climb to the top of the cathedral which stands 154m above the River Mersey. It is open to the public most days and is accessible by two consecutive lifts followed by 108 stairs.
Liverpool Cathedral website: https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/visiting-us/the-tower-experience/
Liverpool Cathedral tower prices: Standard £6/Concession £5/Family of 5 £16
Liverpool Cathedral tower opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday 12pm to 4pm
Liverpool Cathedral address: St James Mt, Liverpool L1 7AZ
Shopping on Bold Street
The independent shopping centre of the city, no trip to Liverpool is complete without a visit to Bold Street.
If you love thrift shopping, Bold Street is the place for you. Vintage clothes can be found at COW, Pop Boutique, Soho's and Resurrection.
There's also quirky book stores, stationary shops and vinyl retailers.
World Museum Liverpool
The World Museum, located on William Brown Street, boasts extensive collections on archaeology and ethnology, as well as the natural and physical sciences. There's a number of special attractions, including a planetarium and its Natural History Centre.
One of the planetarium's most popular shows is the 'Chronicle of a Journey to Earth', which sends visitors through time and space, offering insight into the universe and the story of earth. Families can also enjoy the on-site aquarium and the Bug House which is home to Avril, the giant spider.
The World Museum website : https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/world-museum
The World Museum prices: Admission to the World Museum is free, except for special exhibitions.
The World Museum opening hours: The museum's opening hours are 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday. They are closed on Mondays, except bank holidays.
The World Museum address: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN
Things to do in Liverpool with kids:
The Ice Cream Farm
The Ice Cream Farm is home to more than 50 different flavours of ice cream. The family-friendly attraction also has a farm and different play areas, including the Honeycomb Canyon, Europe's largest indoor sand and water play, for all ages and weather conditions.
There's also an indoor soft play area, diggers and crazy golf.
The Ice Cream Farm website: https://www.theicecreamfarm.co.uk/
The Ice Cream Farm prices: Entry to the farm is free.
The Ice Cream Farm opening hours: The Ice Cream Farm is open daily, 10am until 6pm.
The Ice Cream address: The Ice Cream Farm, Newton Lane, Tattenhall, Cheshire, CH3 9NE
The Crocky Trail
As you arrive at the Crocky Trail you’ll be met by a series of gravity defying scary slides as well as the wheels of wonder including the spider trap and spinning disk.
Fired up and ready to go, make your way along the mile long Crocky Trail, which winds its way through fields and trees passing over the Crocky stream.
The Crocky Trail website: https://crockytrail.co.uk/
The Crocky Trail prices: Kids under 5 go free/ £15.50 Children ages 5 to 21/ £10.50 Adults (21 and over)/£7 Concessions/£5 Carers
The Crocky Trail opening hours: Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Every day throughout summer 10am to 5pm.
The Crocky Trail address: Crocky Trail, Guy Lane, Waverton, Chester, CH3 7PH
Go Ape Delamere
If you love the great outdoors then have head to Go Ape for a tree top adventure.
Get in touch with your inner Tarzan and your inner child by flying down the zip-wires, leap off the Tarzan Swing and tackle the crossings.
Go Ape Delamere website: https://goape.co.uk/locations/delamere
Go Ape Delamere prices: Cost varies depending on activities. Prices start at £20.
Go Ape Delamere opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm/Saturday to Sunday 10am to 3pm
Go Ape Delamere address: Go Ape, Delamere, Cheshire, CW8 2JD
Southport Model Railway Village
This family-run miniature attraction measures 1:18 scale, it is based on a typical Lancashire village and has a 500m railway winding through it.
Southport Model Railway Village website: https://www.southportmodelrailwayvillage.co.uk/
Southport Model Railway Village prices: Adult £6/Child £5.00/Senior citizens or students £5.50/ Carers rate (with ID) £3.50/Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £20
Southport Model Railway Village opening hours: Open weekend, bank holidays and school holidays until September 25, 10.30am to 5pm.
Southport Model Railway Village address: Lower Promenade, Kings Gardens, Southport PR8 1QX
Imagine That
The kids' play centre features arts and crafts, science workshops and an Imagination Village including a construction zone, shopping area, an American diner, theatre, pet rescue centre and much more.
Families can enjoy the Imagination Village and Construction Site, as well as the Slime Factory before heading to the science zone, where there are a range of interactive exhibits and science demonstrations.
Imagine That website: https://www.imaginethat.org.uk/
Imagine That prices: Child £14.95/Adult £7.95/Child Under 3 £12.95/Baby free
Imagine That opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.15pm
Imagine That address: Imagine That, 26-32 Faraday Road, Liverpool, L13 1EH
You can read the full list of things to do in Liverpool with kids here.
Fun things to do in Liverpool
Ghetto Golf
An adults only attractions, Ghetto Golf combines risqué golf with cocktails, music and street art. Try their 18-hole mini golf experience with a drink in hand.
Ghetto Golf website: https://www.ghettogolf.co.uk/
Ghetto Golf prices: Golf only £12.50. Several deals including cocktails also available
Ghetto Golf opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 2pm to 1am, Thursday: 12pm to 1am, Friday: 12pm to 1am, Saturday: 10:30am to 1am and Sunday: 11am to 1am
Ghetto Golf address: Stanhope Street, Cains Brewery Village, Liverpool, Merseyside, L8 5XJ
The Climbing Hangar
The Climbing Hangar is an all-ages bouldering centre which encourages everyone from newbies to experienced climbers to enjoy the sport.
The Climbing Hangar has a really simple and easy-to-follow system for working out your routes up the wall, with a colour coded system that allows you to step up the difficulty when you're ready.
You can read what happened when we visited The Climbing Hangar.
There are two locations in Merseyside. One near Sandhills and one on Speke Road.
The Climbing Hangar website: https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/locations
The Climbing Hangar Sandhills prices: Climbing sessions cost £11 for adults and £9 for children, with shoe hire included in your booking price.
The Climbing Hangar Sandhills opening hours: Monday to Friday 6.30am to 10pm. Saturday to Sunday 9am to 8pm
The Climbing Hangar Sandhills address: 6 Birchall Street, Liverpool, L20 8PD
Mersey Ferry
Skip the bus and train and enjoy some incredible views of Liverpool's waterfront on the world-famous ferries. Services go from the Pier Head to Woodside and Seacombe.
Weekday Commuter Services operate between 7.20am to 9.50am and 17:00pm to 6.50pm. For Mersey Ferry prices click here.
Williamson Tunnels
You can go underground and see the Williamson Tunnels.
The 19th century philanthropist Joseph Williamson employed hundreds of men to create a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and passageways under Edge Hill. Guided tours are available.
Williamson Tunnels prices: Adults £5.00/Children £3.00/Concessions £4.00/Family £15.00
Williamson Tunnels opening hours: Open Friday to Sunday. 10.30am to 4pm.
Williams Tunnels address: The Old Stableyard, Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, Smithdown Ln, Liverpool L7 3EE
Baltic Triangle
The Baltic Triangle has been transformed from an industrial estate full of dilapidated warehouses into the city's thriving creative district.
Sitting just south of the city centre, the Baltic Triangle encompasses Liver Street in the north (where the entrance to John Lewis car park is located) to Hill Street.
This makes the venues on the opposite side of Parliament Street, including Ghetto Golf, Cains Brewery and the Baltic Market officially part of the Triangle as well.
Beatles things to do in Liverpool
The Beatles Story
This is the world’s largest permanent Beatles exhibition and attracts visitors from all over the world. Fans are transported through the Fab Four’s journey, from young hopefuls to global superstars.
It includes replicas of the Casbah, Mathew Street and The Cavern, with the band’s famous songs belted out at every twist and turn.
The Beatles Story prices: Adult (16+ years) £18.00/ Concession (senior and students) £14.00/ Child (5-15 years) £10.00/ Family (2 adults + 2 children) £47.00
The Beatles Story address: Britannia Vaults, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
The Beatles Story opening hours: Monday to Friday and Sunday 9am to 4pm. Saturday 9am to 5pm.
Cavern Club
The most famous Beatles venue in the city, this is where the band really cut their teeth during the rise of Mersey Beat in the 1960s. The original club closed in March 1973 and was filled in during construction work on the Merseyrail underground line.
It re-opened opposite in April 1984, having been built using many of the original bricks.
Cavern Club address: 10 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE
Cavern Club opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 11am to 12am. Thursday and Friday 11am to 1am. Saturday 11am to 2am. Sunday 11am to 12am
Magical Mystery Tour
If your time is precious, this two hour tour will take you via some of the key places on this list, showing you where the band members grew up, met and began their journey to stardom.
The Beatles guides will keep you entertained along the way, with plenty of Fab Four facts and music.
Magical Mystery Tour opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
Magical Mystery Tour prices: Adult £19.95/Under 16s £10/ Family (2 adults + 2 children) £50/ Group of 10 £179.55
Strawberry Fields
Tucked away on a road full of affluent house in Woolton, it’s hard to believe this is the site that inspired one of the Beatles greatest songs.
When John Lennon lived round the corner with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army children’s home and it’s believed John enjoyed going to garden parties held there each summer.
The original house was demolished and replaced with a smaller children’s home, but it closed in January 2005. Today, it is a church and prayer centre and its famous red gates were replaced with replicas in 2011.
Strawberry Fields address: Beaconsfield Rd, Liverpool L25 6EJ
Beatles Statues
Four life-size bronze statues can be found of Liverpool's waterfront. The sculpture was given to the city by the Cavern Club and depicts the band walking by the Mersey.
Free things to do in Liverpool
Sefton Park
Sefton Park is a Liverpool institution. Grade I listed, it is the largest of the region’s Victorian parks, notable for its boating lake and palm house, as well as being the location of many of Liverpool's biggest events throughout the year.
Address : Sefton Park, Liverpool L17
Central Library
The Picton Reading Room with its unusual acoustics looks like something straight out of Hogwarts while the renovated main building is a joy of contemporary architecture that has to be experienced at least once.
Central Library address: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EW
Central Library opening hours: Monday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 12pm to 8pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm
Beaches in Merseyside
If there's one thing Merseyside certainly isn't short of, it's coastline.
Take a trip to Formby, West Kirby, New Brighton, Southport, Leasowe, Thurstaston... you're not short of destinations.
Top Instagram spots in Liverpool
We live in a picturesque part of the world and when you stop to soak that in, the results can be breathtaking.
From Telegraph Hill in Heswall to Everton Brow on the other side of the water, we have so many vantage points to choose from. North Wales, the city centre skyline, the Birkenhead docks, the Mersey itself. They're all here for the gazing.
Read the full list of the best free things to do in Liverpool here.
Quirky things to do in Liverpool
Casbah Coffee Club
If you’re looking for somewhere that is steeped in musical history, then you can’t get any more historic than Casbah Coffee Club. The venue remains unchanged from when the Beatles played there - before they were called The Beatles.
You can visit the Grade II listed heritage site to see the ceilings painted by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and see the original stage used by The Quarrymen. Tours of The Casbah are available by pre-arranged bookings only.
For more information, visit the website here.
Casbah Coffee Club, 8 Haymans Green, West Derby Village, L12 7JG
Fort Perch Rock
The Wirral fort was originally conceived early in the 19th century by Liverpool merchants who were concerned about a possible French invasion during the Napoleonic wars.
However building work didn't get under way until many years later and it was finally completed in 1829. It became known as the "Little Gibraltar of the Mersey."
The fort was decommissioned by the War Office in 1956 and passed through various hands until it was sold to the Darroch family, who are the current custodians.
It is home to a number of permanent maritime and aviation based museum displays.
Dafna's Cheesecake Factory
Dafna’s Cheesecake Factory has been a cornerstone of Smithdown Road since 1977.
Renowned across Liverpool for selling the best cheesecake in the city, the shop is still going strong. In October 2019, Anne Lev, 85, who to many of her loyal customers will always be ‘Dafna’, stepped down from behind the counter of her much-loved shop.
The story of Dafna's first began after Anne Lev travelled to Chicago in the 1960s, where she had "the most wonderful cheesecake" she had ever tasted.
Address: 240 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AH
Victoria Gallery & Museum - Dental School Collection
A grotesque collection of dentures and false teeth, a Victorian dentist’s chair and a Heath Robinson-style X-ray machine – this macabre display will either make you feel thankful for modern dentistry or put you off going to the dentist altogether.
Address : Victoria Gallery and Museum, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street.
See the full list of quirky things to do in Liverpool here.
Things to do in Liverpool outside
National Trust Formby
The beach and pinewoods at National Trust Formby is ideal for families, with a large car park, picnic areas and marked paths to the beach, dunes and woods.
Have a look out for the feeders in the trees and see how many red squirrels you can spot in the woods - you might even see some natterjacks and prehistoric footprints.
There is a charge for parking but if you are a National Trust member parking is free and you can always park away from the Reserve and walk in.
National Trust Formby address: Victoria Rd, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ
National Trust Formby price: Entry is free. Car parking is £7.50.
Croxteth Hall And Country Park - riding centre
Croxteth Park Riding Centre offer lessons for children and adults. Children aged five to 12 can take a 45 minute trail ride for £18 around the tracks of Croxteth Country Park. All novices are led and it is a good introduction to riding for children. Call 0151 220 9177 for more details.
Address : Croxteth Country Park, Croxteth Hall Lane, Croxteth.
Hilbre Island
Access to Hilbre Islands, Little Eye, Middle eye and Hilbre, is possible at low tide from the beach at West Kirby. Hilbre Island and the waters around the island are famously home to a colony of Grey Atlantic seals - up to 500 have been spotted on the West Hoyle sandbank in the summer months.
Make sure you check the tide times before you go out. Alternatively take a boat trip around the island and spot its famous landmarks including the old lifeboat station and the lighthouse.
Visitor Centre, Wirral Country Park, Station Road, Thurstaston - Visitor Centre is open 10am to 4.30pm.
Martin Mere
The Wildlife and Wetlands Trust at Martin Mere is a great place to see a wide range of birds from ducklings to migrating swans.
There are a range of families activities on over the weekend and every day during the summer including pond dipping, discovery trail and den building.
There is also a play space for children including mini marshlands - a toddler play space, a water play space with dams, bridges and channels to explore, a giant tree house and nets and ropes for climbing, jumping, sliding and clambering on.
Martin Mere address : Fish Ln, Burscough, Ormskirk L40 0TA
Martin Mere prices: Adult £14.50/Concession £12.36/Child £7.77/Family (2 adults + 2 children) £37.86/Children under 4 free/Carer free
Martin Mere opening hours: The centre is open 9.30am to 6pm everyday.
Martin Mere website: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/
Watersports in Liverpool
Head to Liverpool Watersports Centre and take out a sit on kayak on the water. They are ideal for beginners and especially families who would like to try it out - just bring a towel, old spare trainers, shorts and a T shirt.
You can hire a wetsuit if you wish, but they provide you with a spray top and buoyancy aid. Call 0151 708 9322 for more details.
Prices for kayaking are between £10 to £15.
Address: Liverpool Watersports Centre, 110 Mariners Wharf, Queens Dock, Liverpool
For the full list of things to do in Liverpool outside, click here
