Looking for things to do in Liverpool today, this week or during the holidays? Great news, you are in the right place as we have all of the best attractions and events to keep you and your family entertained.
The guide is broken down into easy to use sections which provide useful information and links to pages with more details or direct to attractions and event websites for easy booking.
So sit back, grab your favourite drink and lets find something new for you to enjoy with or without the kids!
Things to do in Liverpool
Liverpool is a premier tourist destination known for its history, sports teams, buzzing nightlife, and of course, the Beatles. It’s a large city that embraces these qualities and is proud of them. Most importantly for travellers to Liverpool, the locals embrace the tourism industry with open arms. A 2014 poll by traveling magazine Rough Guide concluded Liverpool was one of the city’s most welcoming to traveler. And in 2015, a YouGov poll pegged Liverpool as the friendliest city in the U.K.
Liverpool is also known for its world-class museums, owning the largest national museum collection that is found outside of London. These museums do a great job of showcasing the history of this region, which dates back hundreds of years. There are also museums with extensive international galleries.
A trip to Liverpool means a huge selection of places to explore and fun things to do during the day and night. If you’re planning your own trip to Liverpool, read on to see recommendations for shopping, nightlife, and attractions.
Shopping in Liverpool
While Liverpool may not have the reputation as a fashion hub like some other cities in the U.K., there’s no shortage of diverse and accommodating shopping centres available if you’re seeking retail therapy.
Metquarter
Metquarter is Liverpool’s newest shopping centre and is easily accessed by all main types of public transport. Currently, Metquarter is home to over 45 well known and popular brands. Some of these brands include Armani, Hugo Boss, MAC, and Jo Malone London. The food options include multiple cafes and restaurants. Metquarter is also home to various pop-up stores, so check their website to see what’s on currently.
Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE provides shopping, food, entertainment and fun all in one package. It’s home to over 150 stores as well as restaurants and bars. Liverpool ONE is home to the largest selection of clothing stores in the city, with stores selling everything from street fashion to expensive designer brands. Footie fan? There’s exclusive Liverpool FC and Everton Two shops. If you’re shopping with children, they will most certainly enjoy the Disney and LEGO stores.
What’s on in Liverpool tonight?
Liverpool is a great city if you enjoy the nightlife. From pubs to nightclubs, to a bustling LGBT quarter, there’s a welcoming spot for any and everyone seeking a fun night on the town.
Cavern Club
This club is a top tourist destination in Liverpool because it is where the Beatles started breaking ground in the 1960s. Nowadays, it is a pub and live music lounge, seeking to serve great drinks and live music on a nightly basis seven days a week. The club features a broad range of acts, from cover bands to local up-and-comers. The vaulted brick ceiling provides an intimate feeling and a connection to the era where the Cavern Club formed its roots. To see a list of local acts and to pre-order your entrance tickets to the club, check out the Cavern Club website.
Ma Egerton’s Stage Door
For a cozy, authentic pub experience, Ma Egerton’s Stage Door can’t be beaten. The venue is clean, the staff is friendly, and the drinks are strong. The walls are ordained with pictures of the many celebrities who have stopped by for a drink here over the years. It’s in a good location, located next door to the famous Empire Theatre. One little-known secret of Ma Egerton’s Stage Door is their delicious food. The cuisine here is not your average pub food. Locals will tell you that they have the best pizza in Liverpool! If you’re in the area or are attending a show at the Empire Theatre, make sure you stop in here for a pint or two.
What to do in Liverpool
Here are a few of the fun things to do while visiting Liverpool.
World Museum
A visit to the World Museum lets you experience ancient civilisations, far away galaxies, and some of the most unique and interesting animals on the planet. The ‘Ancient World’ gallery highlights the rise and fall of the Greek, Egyptian and Roman civilisations. There’s also the Natural History Centre, which showcases fossils and artefacts from extinct animals and people of all time periods.
After checking out some of the Earth’s history, you can head to the World Museum Planetarium, where you’ll learn about the moon, lunar phases, and eclipses. This display is interactive and educational, and it’s not hard to feel like a kid while looking up at the thousands of simulated stars and planets. There are multiple informational tours for each of the Museum’s galleries if you want to take advantage of them.
Magical Mystery Tour
A trip to Liverpool wouldn’t be complete without the Beatles, would it? The Magical Mystery Tour is a two-hour long bus tour that showcases the most popular locations associated with the legendary rock band. You’ll see where the Fab Four grew up, met, and formed the most famous band of all time. Places like Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, inspirations for two of the band’s big hits, are included in this tour. The tour guides are very knowledgeable about The Beatles, so even serious fans will leave this tour having learned something new. Of course, check out the website for tour start times and ticketing information.
Liverpool Cathedral
The Liverpool Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and amazing displays of architecture found in all of the U.K. The grounds and peaceful and serene, so a trip to the Cathedral is a nice change of pace from the bustling city. A trip to the top of the Tower will allow for breathtaking views of Liverpool and the surrounding area. The beauty is inside and out, epitomised by the hundreds of panels of stained glass.
If you are going further afield, perhaps up North, take a look at our things to do in Durham, things to do in York or things to do in Newcastle guides, or a little further South in our things to do in Chesterfield and things to do in Leicester guides where you will find new and exciting activities and events.
Kids Activities in Liverpool
There are plenty of activities for kids young and old to enjoy in Liverpool and we have chosen a few to give you some ideas of things to do in Liverpool with your kids.
However, if you are looking to visit Liverpool with your kids in the future or you currently live here but are looking for new things to do to keep the kids entertained at the weekend or during the holidays, be sure to checkout our kids activities in Liverpool guide which has lots of suggestions and all the information you will need.
Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruise
Board the Snowdrop ferry and take a cruise across the iconic Mersey River whilst being entertained with stories of the Beatles, smugglers and how they survived during WW1 & WW2. Liverpool’s waterfront is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and there is always lots to see, especially on sunny days.
On board there is a cafe serving hot drinks and refreshments and indoor and outdoor picnic seating areas so you can enjoy a cold drink and snack on the deck in the sunshine or a warm cup of something inside if it is a bit colder outside.
A great adventure for kids both young and old and the parents are bound to enjoy it as well, so be sure to take the ferry across the Mersey, from Penny Lane to the Strawberry Fields and learn all about Liverpool past and present.
Fun Fact – The Snowdrop ferry was designed by Sir Peter Blake who also designed The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album cover art. Which we think is pretty cool.
Address: Pier Head, Georges Parade, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1DR, England
Contact: 0151 3301444; Website
Prices: adults £10; children (5-15) £6.50, children under 5 are free with adult; concession £8.50; Family £27.50
Opening times: April to October, Monday to Friday 10:00 – 17:00 and Bank Holidays, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 19:00
The Echo Wheel of Liverpool
If you are looking for great views of Liverpool then you will be hard pressed to find better than in the Echo Wheel of Liverpool. Reaching heights of 192ft, the views of the city are superb and kids feel completely safe within 1 of the 42 self enclosed, air conditioned capsules you ride in.
The ride takes around 10-12 minutes in total, going around 3 times and you get great views of Liverpool’s water front, the river Mersey and the Welsh mountains, as well as all the city architecture.
Don’t worry if you are not sure what you are looking at, as there is a full commentary during your ride to explain all the sights to both young and old.
Address: Kings Dock, Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4FP, England
Contact: 0151 709 8651; Website
Prices: adults £9; children (3-15) £6.50, children under 3 £2 and under 1’s are free; concession £7.50; Family £25
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 21:00 and Friday to Saturday 10:00 – 23:00
Spaceport
Forget the kids, the Spaceport which is located in Wirral is a great day out for anyone. OK, don’t forget the kids, bring them with you, but we can tell you one thing for sure, you will not get bored when you visit the Spaceport.
In the space and science centre you will find so much to do, from the observatory which has the world’s largest robotic telescope where you can explore the night sky and even make your own constellations on the interactive screen, to the Interactive and Gaming zones where you can try your hand at electricity , sound and water experiments or just have fun with the games. And if you want to blast off to another galaxy, jump on board the Space Pod interactive ride and see our solar system and beyond like you never have before.
Zones to explore:
- Space pod
- The solar system
- Explorer 1 space ride
- Wormhole
- The Milky Way
- Space dome theatre
- The observatory
- Star wars memorabilia collection
Address: Victoria Place in Seacombe, Wallasey, Wirral, Merseyside, CH44 6QY, England
Contact: 0151 3301333; www.spaceport.org.uk
Prices: adults £9.50; children (5-15) £6; concession £8; Family (2 adults, 3 kids) £24
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday and Bank Holidays 10:00 – 15:00, Saturday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
Visiting Liverpool
All told, Liverpool has all of the qualities you look for in a place to visit. There’s a great variety of fun things to do during the day time to keep your family occupied. Great history, nightlife, and entertainment are the calling cards of this warm and welcoming city. If you haven’t been to Liverpool, it’s time to see what you’ve been missing.
More Information
If you would like additional ideas for things to do in Liverpool, why not take a look at more of the attractions and events in our other Liverpool guides:
