You might know Liverpool as a friendly northern city, and home of The Beatles.
But Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City was also once one of the world’s major trading centres. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the largest collections of Grade I listed buildings in the UK.
As well as visiting Britain’s largest cathedral or watching a game at Anfield, the most iconic football stadiums in the world, you can also delve into the past of Britain’s most iconic band.
So whether you’re a Day Tripper or heading there for a (Hard Days) night out – here’s 26 things to keep you entertained on your visit.
1. Head down to the waterfront
This is one of the most famous ports in the world and now a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. So take a stroll along the river and see the Pier Head and Albert Dock, both beautiful buildings with modern dock technology.
Famous landmarks like the Liver Building have changed a lot over the centuries, are now home to world-class museums, art galleries, pubs and restaurants.
2. Jump on a boat down the Mersey
View of the Albert Dock, Liverpool in the evening. VisitEngland /Thomas Heaton / Visit England
One of the most famous songs written about a river, taking the Ferry Cross the Mersey remains one of the most popular things to do in Liverpool.
Most of the cruises go hourly and you can stop off at some of the attractions along the way, or combine your ticket with entrances into museums like The Beatles Story.
3. Find out more about the Fab Four
The lives and legacy of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, collectively know as The Beatles, still looms large over Liverpool.
The Beatles Story is where you’ll find replicas of the places they played their gigs at (like the Cavern Club) and more memorabilia.
The original Cavern Club is no more, but you can still go dancing at the remodelled version or visit The Beatles’ old haunt, the Casbah Coffee Club.
There’s not much to actually see at Penny Lane or Strawberry Fields, but if you’re fan – you can still get a snap of the street sign.
You can also visit John Lennon’s childhood home, Mendips, and the house Paul McCatrney grew up in at 20 Forthlin Road with the National Trust.
Strawberry Fields. VisitEngland/Mark McNulty / Visit England
4. Learn about the musical legends of Merseybeat
Perhaps only rival city Manchester can compete with the sheer volume and quality of music produced on Merseyside – dubbed World Capital City of Pop.
Two of the songs most associated with the city were released by Gerry and the Pacemakers, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (1964) and “Ferry Cross The Mersey” (1965). The first is Liverpool FC’s official anthem, and the latter inspired one of the most enduring tourist experiences in the city.
Cilla Black used to work in the cloakroom of The Cavern Club, before swapping checking coats for singing number one hits.
The Cavern Club, Liverpool. VisitEngland /Thomas Heaton / Visit England
5. Visit the mummies at the World Museum
The World Museum has thousands of exhibits sourced from across the planet, including Egyptian artifacts, meteorites from Mars and an Allosaurus skeleton.
They also have live creatures, including an aquarium and bug house to explore.
If you want to leave planet earth, then reach for the stars at Spaceport, they have rides, a theatre and an observatory.
6. Discover what lies beneath Liverpool’s streets
At the Liverpool War Museum, you can walk through the wartime bunker that played an important part in one of WWII’s major sea conflicts – the Battle of the Atlantic.
Bomb and gas proof, and made up of 100 rooms under a seven foot roof, the bunker is just as it was when they closed the doors at the end of the war.
You can also visit one of the German submarines that refused to surrender at the end of the war at the U Boat Story.
Museum of Liverpool. VisitEngland / Mark McNulty / Visit England
7. Delve deeper into the city’s cultural roots
The Museum of Liverpool opened its waterfront doors in 2011 and is the largest newly-built national museum in the UK for over a hundred years.
You’ll find 10,000 years worth of history here, with particularly strong archaeology and transport sections.
8. Explore Liverpool’s seafaring history
The Merseyside Maritime Museum on the Albert Dock takes you through the city’s links with the Titanic and its 300-year-old waterfront trade history.
However one of the tragic developments of this roaring maritime trade was Britain’s role in the rise of slavery.
The International Slavery Museum is housed in the same building and not only looks to the past, but to contemporary slavery and human rights.
9. See some masterpieces on Merseyside
Down at the docks you’ll find Tate Liverpool, which opened in 1988 and holds major exhibitions of modern art.
The Walker Art Gallery has plenty of paintings to admire, including a Rembrandt self-portrait and David Hockney’s Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool.
Sudley House has a fine selection of Turners and a Gainsborough, as well as works by the Pre-Raphaelites.
You can see some major photography exhibitions at the independent Open Eye Gallery. They’ve also got a vast archive of images dating back to the 1930s.
10. Tick off historical Liverpool landmarks
Liver Building. VisitEngland/Mark McNulty / Visit England
Liverpool’s waterfront was built to symbolise the power and prestige of the city’s sea trade.
The famous Three Graces, aka the Royal Liver Building, Port of Liverpool Building and Cunard Building, give Liverpool its distinctive skyline.
One of finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the world can also be found in the city. St George’s Hall is a Grade I listed building and was built at the beginning of the 19th century to hold music festivals.
Liverpool’s Pier Head. VisitEngland/Mark McNulty / Visit England
Both of Liverpool’s cathedrals can be found on Hope Street.
The Gothic Liverpool Cathedral has sweeping arches, the largest organ in the UK, and the only 360˚ view of the city from the highest cathedral rooftop in Britain. So take the tower tour – you might even see Blackpool Tower on a clear day.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is also the largest Catholic cathedral in the county. It’s unusual lantern tower and in-the-round design makes a striking contrast to its Anglican sister.
To learn more about the beautiful buildings in Liverpool take an architectural tour with the experts at RIBA.
11. Decide if you’re a red or a blue
Anfield Football Stadium. VisitEngland/Liverpool FC / Liverpool FC
Visit at the weekend during football season and you’ll see hordes of fans in either the red of Liverpool FC or the blue of Everton FC making their way to the grounds.
One of the fiercest rivalries in world sport, the Merseyside derbies are two of the most hotly anticipated games in the Premier League.
Everton (The Toffees) originally played at Anfield, before a falling out with the landlord of the ground led to them moving to their current home, Goodison Park.
You can take a tour of both stadiums. At Anfield, you can also visit their museum, The Liverpool FC Story at the same time.
12. Place a bet on the horses
The Grand National is run at Liverpool’s Aintree course.
More than 150,000 racegoers watch the 40 horses and their riders negotiate the 30 fences in two laps and just over four miles every April.
If you prefer flat racing to the steeplechase – head over to Haydock Park.
13. Bag a birdie
Royal Liverpool Golf Club
There are three Royal Links courses in the Liverpool area where you can play a round of golf.
The Royal Liverpool Golf Club Hoylake is the second oldest seaside links course in England. Visiting players are welcome, but you must have a decent club or society handicap to tackle the challenging course.
Royal Birkdale in Southport is nestled among the largest sand dune system in the UK, the Sefton Coast.
Youy can also find the ancient club of Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club a bit further up the Lancashire coast.
14. Browse boutiques and independent shops
Liverpool’s city centre has undergone a huge redevelopment in recent years. Liverpool One, the open air shopping district, has high street and designer stores.
The Met Quarter has luxury brands, as does Cavern Walks in Mathew Street for high-end boutiques and designers.
You can also browse the independent stores along Bold Street or the Grand Central Shopping Emporium.
If you want a keepsake of your visit, created by local designers, visit Made Here in the Clayton Square Shopping Centre.
15. Get tickets for a gig or concert
The Echo Arena Liverpool was purpose built and opened in 2008.
They’ve hosted major music acts such as Beyoncé, as well as events like The MOBO Awards and Davis Cup tennis.
St George’s Hall provides everything from lunchtime tea dances to Sing-a-Long-a Rocky Horror Picture Shows in its neoclassical hall.
For classical music, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is the place to be. You might even catch the world-renowned Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra there.
The Arts Club was built in the 1800s. This Seel Street venue continues to attract some of the biggest names in indie and dance.
ACC Liverpool
16. Catch a play at the theatre
The Everyman Theatre has been developing new plays and putting on shows since it opened in the swinging sixties.
Pete Postlethwaite, Julie Walters and Alison Steadman are among those who started their stage careers here, while influential local writers such as Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale have had their work performed.
The largest venue in the city for seeing touring West End shows, plays and opera is the Liverpool Empire Theatre. And while the Bluecoat specialises in contemporary arts, the building itself is 300 years old.
To watch a play with a local cast and theme, visit The Royal Court. A large percentage of the proceeds from the plays goes back into the community.
17. Be entertained by the Scouse Wit
Liverpool has a rich comedy history, from the music-hall mirth of Arthur Askey to modern day comedian John Bishop.
There are plenty of comedy clubs around, including the Comedy Central Comedy Club at the Albert Dock, which is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Laughterhouse has two venues, one at The Slaughter House and the other on Mathew Street showing comedy most weekends.
18. Visit the oldest Chinese community in Europe
Only San Francisco can claim to have a bigger Chinatown than Liverpool, and the city is twinned with Shanghai. Head here to get your fill in the authentic restaurants.
The striking entrance was made in China and shipped over. It’s 15m high and decorated with 200 dragons.
19. See if you can spot Snowdonia from the Radio City Tower
St Johns Beacon was originally built as chimney before becoming a studio for Radio City, Radio City 2 and Radio City 3 and now you can visit the panoramic platform.
Converted from a 1970s restaurant and opened in 2011, the 450 foot high tower is a great way to see across the city and beyond to North Wales (on a clear day you might be able to see Mount Snowdon).
20. Time it right to take in a festival
Liverpool International Music Festival, is a three-day celebration of music at various venues in the city (usually held in July).
Or visit in June and go to the UK’s largest live African and Caribbean music event, Africa Oyé, which takes over Sefton Park each year.
Brazilica parade (c) David Munn
The Samba beat is strong when Brazilica arrives for its three day festival (July) – the parade through the city centre is a real highlight.
For the LGBT community, Liverpool Pride is a one day festival, including a parade, live entertainment and plenty of dancing.
21. Potter about in a park
Liverpool. VisitEngland / Mark McNulty / Visit England
Ten of Liverpool’s Victorian parks are protected by English Heritage (two Grade I and five Grade II* listed), and the city is proud to have more parks than Paris.
Sefton Park now hosts many of the city’s festivals and it has a boating lake, grotto and Grade II Listed Palm House in its 235 acres.
Chavasse Park is right next to the Liverpool One shopping centre and has five acres of gardens to explore and have a picnic in.
If you want to get more of a feel for the countryside, Croxteth Hall Country Park is a good place to start. They have a working farm and nature reserve, along with a historic house.
22. Take a quick trip to the seaside
The seaside town of Southport is only a short drive away. It’s where you’ll find one of the oldest piers in the country and 22 miles of sandy beaches.
Crosby is even closer by train and car, and there you’ll find the haunting work of Anthony Gormley, Another Place.
You can see his 100 cast-iron life size figures staring out sea at various points (and at various depths) along a three kilometre stretch of the beach.
23. See some more exotic animals
If you’ve got a car, then Knowlsey Safari park is just a short drive away.
They’ve got more than 700 exotic animals at the park, including lions, tigers, baboons, elephants and rhinos.
24. Take a selfie with a sculpture
Billy Fury statue. VisitEngland/Mark McNulty / Visit England
Liverpool has the most public sculptures of any city in the UK, after London. Local sculptor Tom Murphy is responsible for most of them.
He’s created works for both football clubs entrances, Dixie Dean at Goodison Park and Bill Shankley at Anfield, as well as John Lennon, which can be seen at the airport, and Billy Fury.
The bright Superlambanana is one of the most fun, and most controversial.
25. Try the local cuisine…
Liverpool’s restaurant scene has had a bit of a revival in recent years. But there are still places you can try Scouse (Liverpool stew), Bubble and squeak and Wet Nelly for pudding.
For fine dining, Liverpool has one Michelin-starred restaurant in the small village of Oxton – Restaurant Fraiche.
If you wander down Hope Street and Bold Street in the city centre, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Alma de Cuba is popular, the building was converted from the St. Peters Catholic Church so it’s got high ceilings, ornate fixtures and exposed brickwork.
For lunch or dinner with a view, head to Panoramic 34 – it’s one of the highest restaurants in Britain.
26. …or just have a drink
The pubs and clubs make Liverpool one of the biggest party destinations in the UK.
The Pilgrim cellar bar on the cobbled Pilgrim Street remains a popular spot, especially with students.
Ye Hole in the Wall and The Lion are two historic boozers to have a drink in.
Out of the city centre, visit Lark Lane and The Albert Hotel which has a large walled beer garden.
There’s also Gay-friendly Garlands, or student-y clubs like The Krazyhouse (indie & alternative) and The Blue Angel (aka The Raz) for the late night crowd.
Heebie Jeebies also offers two floors of great music.
Getting there
There are excellent rail links going into Liverpool Lime Street. It’s only two hours from London and half-an-hour from Manchester.
You can also fly to John Lennon Airport.
There’s plenty of car parking in the city centre. The Liverpool Echo have a quick guide to the different car parks.
Getting around
Liverpool is a fairly compact city, so getting around is fairly straightforward – with the majority of the main landmarks all within walking distance.
Visit merseytravel.gov.uk to find out more about getting about by buses and the tube.
Liverpool Town Hall VisitEngland/Mark McNulty / Visit England
Staying there
We’ve got plenty of hotels in Liverpool to choose from, whether you want to stay close to the heart of the action in the city centre, or fancy something a little quieter in the suburbs.
What do you love about Liverpool?
We’d love to hear what your favourite things to do on a weekend break in Liverpool are? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
The post 26 Things To Do On A Weekend Break In Liverpool appeared first on lastminute.com Blog.
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