Offering the perfect blend of old and new, Liverpool’s unique charm makes every visit worthwhile. Discover the city’s impressive sights, immersive attractions and abundance of fun activities.
Home to more museums and art galleries than anywhere else in Britain outside of London, iconic Instagrammable architecture and rich history, you won’t run out of fun things to do in Liverpool. Beyond its huge footie scene and dedicated spaces to The Beatles, you’ll find diverse shopping districts, atmospheric eateries and family-friendly Liverpool attractions.
If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do in Liverpool, such as visiting a museum or art gallery and taking a picnic to a tranquil green space by a lake. In winter, you’ll find the city illuminated with colourful displays for the River of Light outdoor gallery, which is free to explore. Using our list, you can plan a jam-packed trip and see lots in a day. But if you want to take it easy and see it all then give yourself at least two days in the city.
Jump aboard a train from London and Birmingham to Liverpool or travel to Liverpool Lime Street for a memorable city visit.
Spend some time discovering the city’s history, culture and fun attractions. Make the most of your trip by checking out the top 18 things to see in Liverpool.
Sugar and Dice Board Game Cafe
Put down your phone and play some good old-fashioned games with a drink in hand and some food on the way. Geek out with Dungeons and Dragons, find something fun for the little ones, or grab a Friday night beer with some party games. If you’re looking for a date night idea, it’s also a fun thing to do in Liverpool for couples.
Sugar and Dice Board Game Cafe have over 500 games with a variety for every ability and skill level. Their menu is small but offers hearty favourites like nachos, toasties, mezze and vegan burgers.
Price: Pay £2 an hour, with a maximum stay time of four hours.
Where: Baltic Triangle, 0.5 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Sefton Park Palm House
The elegant glass ‘Great Conservatory’ has been enjoyed by the public since 1896 – after it was gifted to the city by a local benefactor. Inside this multi-million pound restored Grade II-listed exotic palm house, sunlight pours through the high ceilings in its grand central dome.
Filled with vibrant vegetation in themed botanical displays like orchids, ferns and cycads, Sefton Park Palm House is a perfect tranquil space for escaping the busy city streets. Stroll around the tiered levels and balconies to see the plants from every angle, or pause for some refreshments at the café or tearoom.
Price: Free entry.
Where: Sefton Park, 2.7 miles from Liverpool Central station.
St. Lukes Church
Reclaimed by nature, winding vines climb the 1800s ruins of St. Lukes Church and bushy plants catch the sun shining through its open top. Just after midnight on the 6 May 1941 this former Anglican church was decimated by a bomb during the May Blitz of World War II. Now you can walk through the grounds and relax with a picnic on the grass. Throughout the year you can catch creative and cultural events, markets and open-air viewings at the pop-up cinema.
Price: Free to enter but some events are ticketed with a fee.
Where: Ropewalks, 0.3 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Wallasey Beach
If you fancy a dip, you won’t be limited to indoor pools during your trip to Liverpool. Wallasey Beach is part of the North Wirral Coastal Park and is one of the best spots for swimming and sunbathing. It’s also dog friendly all year round if you’re visiting with a four-legged friend. Spend a sunny afternoon relaxing on the one-mile stretch of soft golden sands backed by dunes and nature reserves. On rare occasions, Whales have been spotted in the waters near here.
Price: Free
Where: Wirral, 5.3 miles from Liverpool Central station – you could catch a train to Wallasey Grove Road.
The Baltic Market
The Baltic Market has an upbeat and casual atmosphere where locals and tourists come together to share a love of good food. A diverse range of independent culinary entrepreneurs set up shop every day of the week to serve street food dishes from around the world. Hang out with friends or grab a family meal – the best thing about it is there’s something for everyone, so there’s no need to argue over where to eat.
Price: Main courses sit around the £14 mark.
Where: Stanhope Street, 0.9 miles from Liverpool Central station.
The Romans
As you arrive at The Romans , you’ll be whisked away to a faraway place in the year AD43 before being captured by the Romans. The only way to escape your harrowing fate is to compete in the Emperor’s Games as a Gladiator. Go head-to-head in mental, physical and skill-based team games while dressed in toga – which is essentially an upgraded potato sack. Let loose with a group of friends or family at this unique adult-only experience.
Price: From £59.50 per person
Where: William Brown Street, 0.8 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Imagine That!
Introduce your little one to exciting new interests, learn some science and watch their imaginations run wild at Imagine That! . Everyone can get involved in fun, interactive hands-on activities and workshops.
Dabble with different types of art in the creative zone, prepare for a whole lot of goo at the slime factory and make your own experiments in the science zone. Dreams come true in Imagination Village, where your youngster can become a vet, chef, news reporter or builder in the themed playrooms.
Price: From £7.50.
Where: Near Wavertree Technology Park train station, 2.4 miles from Liverpool Lime Street station.
Queen Avenue
This hidden gem of the city many compare to Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Walk along Queen Avenue’s narrow streets, paved with large stone slabs and lit up with the warm glow from inside the shop windows and charming Victorian street lamps. Look up to spot the quaint vintage signs hanging above your head and peer in through the large bay windows which offer displays of handmade goods by the quirky independent shops and boutiques.
In warm weather, you can pull out a chair and dine alfresco on the street at Queen’s Bistro . Or you could grab a bottle of bubbly to enjoy later at R&H Wines .
Price: Free
Where: Near Liverpool Town Hall, 0.5 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Chinatown
Chinatown in Liverpool is the oldest in Europe and was established in the 1860s after the first Chinese migrants arrived. Enter this colourful and distinct area of the city through the grand intricately decorated archway which was imported from Shanghai and is the tallest outside of mainland China. Lining the streets are authentic bakeries, emporiums, and restaurants. Pop into Bao & Bap for a fluffy, filled bao bun or some pan-Asian cuisine at Chamber 36 .
Price: Free to enter
Where: Nelson Street, 0.6 miles from Liverpool Lime Street station.
St John’s Beacon
See the city from an entirely new perspective, 400 feet in the sky from the 360 degree viewing tower – St John’s Beacon . On a clear day, the mountain peaks of Snowdonia, Blackpool and Lancashire are visible on the horizon. For 815 years, this radio broadcasting tower has been an iconic marker in the Liverpool skyline. As well as being the base for Radio City and Greatest Hits Radio, the public are welcome to brave its heights seven days a week from 11:00 to 17:30 on a weekday and 18:00 on a weekend.
Price: An adult ticket is £7.50
Where: Just look up, you won’t miss it. To get to the entrance, head to Houghton Street – 0.2 miles from Liverpool Lime Street station.
FACT Liverpool
Capturing modern-day living in a digital world, FACT Liverpool’s thought-provoking collection of exhibitions by world-class artists and curators reflect the effects of new technology in our society. In the form of art and film, this contemporary immersive attraction is a place to learn, experiment and feel inspired. Inside you’ll find two large art galleries, three cinemas, an experimentation lab, a café and a bar.
Price: Free entry
Where: Ropewalks Quarter, 0.2 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Tate Liverpool
Global masterpieces of modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures and installations can be admired at the Tate Liverpool . World-renowned artists like Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol are a few names whose work has been displayed in the ever-changing collections here. You can also discover the talents of local artists, attend a workshop or grab some refreshments at the cafe.
As Tate Liverpool is getting a £29.7m makeover to refresh the gallery, the building at the Royal Albert Dock is closed for renovation. But don’t worry, Tate Liverpool has relocated to RIBA North, Mann Island, which is just 425m away from the Royal Albert Docks. You can still enjoy a reduced range of exhibitions and other events such as family activities, talks, tours and creative workshops.
Price: Entry is free but there may be a charge for some special exhibitions.
Where: Liverpool Waterfront, 0.8 miles from Liverpool Central station.
World Museum
Lose yourself in the World Museum's enormous range of curiosities. Lean into the viewing bubbles in the Aquarium and watch the swimming terrapins, spot the hiding hermit crabs and be mesmerised by the kaleidoscope of colourful fish, anemones and starfish. Learn about cultures around the globe and explore the story of life on Earth in the natural history collection.
Travel back to 1200AD and surround yourself with delicate artefacts from the ancient world like astronomical texts, Egyptian statues and a mummified cat. Immerse yourself in the physics and science space, where you can see a 1968 rocket and a giant telescope.
Price: General admission is free
Where: William Brown Street, 0.3 miles from Liverpool Lime Street station.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Admire the fine and decorative art showcased inside of the elegant stone-built Lady Lever Art Gallery . Home to over 12000 objects, you can see pre-Raphaelite paintings, Chinese ceramics and some of the world’s greatest Wedgewood jasperware. Take a seat at the cafe for some refreshments and see one of the special temporary exhibits which change throughout the year.
Price: Free
Where: Wirral, 4.9 miles from Liverpool Lime Street station – you could catch the train to Bebington.
Laughterhouse Comedy at The Slaughter House
Grab a pint from the bar and brave a front-row seat at this intimate, underground venue if you can handle a roasting. For over a decade, Laughterhouse Comedy has been cracking up audiences with some of the best stand-up comedians in the UK. The Slaughter House has hosted the likes of John Bishop, Sarah Millican and Dara O’Brian since opening its doors in 2004.
Price: Tickets start from £16.
Where: Fenwick Street, 0.5 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Royal Albert Dock
Going for a stroll around Royal Albert Dock is a must while doing some Liverpool sightseeing. As well as being an attractive waterfront location with views of the River Mersey and the city skyline, it’s also of significant historical importance.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the mid-19th century, was the first warehouse in Britain made from cast iron, brick and stone – making it entirely fireproof. It then became a dominating part of global trade in the 19th century and a crucial base in World War II.
Price: Free to enter
Where: On the River Mersey, 0.7 miles from Liverpool Central station.
The Smugglers Cove
Over 150 varieties of rum, gin, tequila, and whisky stock the shelves of this rustic, pirate-themed hideaway. Decorated with vintage trinkets, rich wooden furnishings and warm glowing lights, The Smugglers Cove will have you feeling like a jolly sailor in no time. If you’re feeling peckish, take a seat in a cast iron booth for a hearty seasonal British dish like a warming pie or a burger. For some after-dinner entertainment, there’s live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Price: A rum costs £10.50 and a main course is around £16
Where: Royal Albert Dock, 0.7 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Dash Restaurant and Bar
Plush gold, pink and marble effect interiors will draw you in, but the divine fruity cocktails and mouthwatering Asian cuisine will make you stay. Dash tops the list for a glam ladies' night and special occasions, while also being a hot spot for foodies – they even do a cracking Sunday lunch. Share some fresh sushi, bao buns, or mix plates while soaking up the boujee decor.
Price: Order a large plate from £10
Where: Victoria Street, 0.4 miles from Liverpool Central station.
Handy tip: When you travel with London Northwestern Railway, you can get exclusive 2FOR1 entry to some of the UK’s top attractions. You can get travelling soon as well with our Off-Peak Tickets and Advance Tickets.
You can purchase your ticket via the London Northwestern Railway app.