If you ever have visitors from outside of Liverpool coming to stay with you, you might be thinking how you can keep them entertained.
Whether you have friends or family staying for a holiday, or just simply want to show off you beloved city, there are plenty of places to see and things to do.
From the most iconic city landmarks, to quirky hidden gems, and typically Scouse places, check out our list of 42 things to do in Liverpool for some inspiration:
Williamson Tunnels
Explore a labyrinth of tunnels and underground caves beneath the city during the Friends of Williamson Tunnels tour.
The tour is free and operated by a group of volunteers.
Knowsley Safari Park
Get up close to some of the world’s most impressive animals right here in Liverpool.
The impressive 5-mile wild animal safari drive is the longest in the UK, and is currently home to over 750 animals.
At Knowsley Safari Park visitors can see lions, tigers, giraffes and much more.
Floating Grace
Exploring Liverpool’s docks on foot is impressive, but exploring the docks on a boat is that much more special.
The Floating Grace treats visitors to a three course meal while sailing around the docks.
While tucking into their lamb shank, salmon or beef roast, guests will be taken on a water tour including the sights of the Albert Dock plus the eight other docks, such as Wapping Dock, Queens Dock and Brunswick Dock.
Baltic Market
Cains Brewery has had a new lease of life lately with the opening of Liverpool’s Baltic Market and many other venues.
The Baltic Market is a food hall that combines not just one Liverpool independent restaurant but up to 10 all at once.
Hot Water Comedy Club
Founded in 2010, Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club has become one of the most successful clubs in the world.
In almost a decade the club has gained industry recognition, winning multiple awards and being voted best venue twice by both critics and comedians alike.
Those looking for a laugh can visit the Seel Street club or the newer Hardman Street club - in the former Magnet.
Greatie Market
If you’re looking for an extremely ‘Scouse experience’ - head to Greatie Market on Great Homer Street.
For more than 50 years the market has been taking place almost every Saturday morning.
Shoppers can get their hands on local product and huge bargains.
Yellow Submarine Bar
The Beatles may have sung about a Yellow Submarine but in Liverpool you can drink in one.
Before becoming a bar in Cains Brewery Village, it was used as a prop in the Sean Connery film Hunt For Red October, before the current owners bought it from Paramount Studios.
For years, the yellow submarine was then used as a floating hotel on the Albert Dock and had visits from celebrities including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Tony Curtis, Nick Rhodes and more.
Liverpool Gin Distillery
Gin lovers can now make their very Liverpool gin in the brand new Gin Distillery on Castle Street.
Opened by the creators of Liverpool Gin, the new venue features two bars - the basement dark spirits lounge and the ground floor gin and spirits bar featuring a 600-litre working copper still.
One of the experiences on offer at the Liverpool Gin Distillery is making your own gin the purpose made gin labs.
Visit Chinatown
Although Liverpool’s Chinatown may be small, it is home to the largest Chinese Arch outside of China and it is home to plenty of hidden gems.
The arch was gifted to the city by Shanghai 20 years ago as a symbol of the twinning relationship.
The 188 dragons and 12 pregnant dragons on the arch are symbolic of good fortune between Liverpool and Shanghai.
Stroll around the Georgian Quarter
There’s nothing like an early morning stroll around Liverpool’s stunning Georgia Quarter.
Grab a takeaway coffee and take in the sights, before settling down in The Quarter and having one of their famous breakfast dishes.
Be wowed by the World Museum
The city has plenty of wonderful museums, one of which is the FREE World Museum.
There are numerous floors to explore with award-winning exhibitions.
If you really want to impress your friends of family, take them to the World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery - which is next door.
Queen Avenue
If you are a shopper, you might want to discover Queen Avenue, off Castle Street.
After strolling through stores on Liverpool ONE and Church Street, head down the secret alley which is off the beaten track.
Many refer to it as Liverpool’s own ‘Diagon Alley’.
Royal Liver Building 360
RLB360 offers guided tours of the 322ft Grade I-listed Royal Liver building’s clock tower and gives visitors 360 degree views from the top of the iconic building.
The experience is the first time in the Liver Building's history that the top floors are open to the public for tours.
The tour begins in the new lower ground floor visitor’s centre where visitors can learn about the history of the building, before heading up to the Liver Building’s 10th floor balcony, exploring the city’s history in the riverside clock room’s audio-visual experience and, finally, enjoy the views from the 15th floor clock tower.
Visit the Liverpool Mountain at Albert Dock
A 10 metre sculpture by world famous artists Ugo Rondinone has been unveiled at Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock.
The permanent artwork called Liverpool Mountain is the first major installation from the artist in the UK.
Liverpool Mountain joins Ugo's major 'Mountain Series' which has attracted millions of visitors to Las Vegas and Miami.
Part of the Liverpool 2018 programme, the project between Liverpool Biennial , Tate Liverpool and Ugo Rondinone was created to mark the 10th anniversary of Liverpool European Capital of Culture, the 20th anniversary of Liverpool Biennial and the 30th anniversary of Tate Liverpool.
Sefton Park
This 235 acre park is a Grade 1 historic park and is a Green Flag and Green Heritage awarded site.
As well as its beautiful boating lake and the much-loved Palm House, it also has many secret features including the Fairy Glen and ‘Old Nick’s caves’.
‘Old Nick’s cave’ was built in 1870 by a French rockwork specialist who helped the designers of the park create the landscape.
Fairy Glen is another example of this which is a smaller cave that can be found next to the boating area.
Calderstones Japanese Gardens
Calderstones Park in South Liverpool is 94 acres of woodland, Japanese and old English gardens, fields and lakes.
As well as taking in the sites on offer, there is plenty to do at the park, from visiting the cafe and ice cream parlour,
And keep an eye out for the thousand year old Allerton oak tree.
Head up Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is one of the city's best known landmarks.
Guests can take two lifts and climb 108 stairs past the bells to reach the rooftop - it’s worth it for the amazing view.
On a clear day, you can even see all the way to Wales and the Blackpool Tower.
Into the Crypt of the Metropolitan Cathedral
From up high in Anglican Cathedral to the ground at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Lutyens’ Crypt is no ordinary cathedral crypt, to many it’s classed as Liverpool’s third cathedral.
The brickwork and vaulted ceilings of the Crypt offer clues to the blueprint of Edwin Lutyens’ grand designs.
The Plaza Cinema
It first opened back in 1939, and closed the very next day due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
But more than 80 years on, the Plaza Cinema is still standing and remains at the heart of the local community, thanks to its team of volunteers who keep it running.
The Picton Room in Central Library
The Picton Reading Room is as impressive as a library can get - it’s known as being one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
Book lovers can also see the famous collections of rare books housed in the magnificent Hornby Library and Oak Room.
And Central Library roof terrace while you’re at it
Following its impressive refurbishment, any visit to Central Library on William Brown Street is a treat, especially if you visit the roof terrace.
After checking out a book, treat yourself to a drink and something to eat on the rooftop that boasts views across the city.
Crosby Beach to see the Iron Men
Visit Anthony Gormley’s Another Place on Crosby Beach.
The permanent artwork consists of 100 cast iron figures facing towards the sea.
Locals are known to dress some of the iron men, so you might be able to spot a few in scarves and woolly hats.
Goodness Gracious
The rooftop bar sits above Oh Me Oh My restaurant in West Africa House, on Water Street.
It boasts stunning views of the city, the waterfront and Liverpool’s much loved Three Graces.
Visit Paul McCartney's and John Lennon’s houses
The National Trust now looks after the Beatles' former houses and fans can visit them.
Journey to Mendips, the childhood home on Lennon, and 20 Forthlin Road, Paul’s family house.
These are the places that The Quarrymen and the Beatles practised some of their earliest songs and were Please Please Me, I Call Your Name and She Loves Me were written.
The Casbah Coffee Club
If you’re a Beatles fan , or are planning on entertaining a Beatles fan, visit the Casbah Coffee Club, where the Beatles truly began.
The Casbah knew the Beatles before even Epstein did and the band even performed on the launch night.
St Luke’s Church
Better known as The Bombed Out Church, St Luke’s Church at the top of Bold Street remains one of Liverpool’s most loved landmarks.
The future of the church seemed uncertain at one point but it was finally removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register after almost two decades recently.
Watch live music in the Cavern Club
Watching a gig at The Cavern Club is something you have to do at least once if you live in Liverpool.
Over the years some of the biggest names in music have played in the club including Adele, Cilla, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and Stevie Wonder.
Take an open top bus tour
If you don’t fancy being the tour guide, take the pressure off yourself and book an open top bus tour.
You might even learn something you didn't know before while you're taking in the historical and cultural commentary on board.
Plus, Liverpool looks strangely different from the top deck of a double decker bus.
Visit the home of two football clubs...
Fans will travel around the world to visit Anfield and Goodison, so it’s a must for those who are into football.
After taking a tour of the stadiums themselves, why not stick around the area and enjoy the proper match day experience in local boozers and restaurants?
69A
Since it opened its doors more than 30 years ago, 63-year-old owner Trevor Doswell and his team have been selling unique pieces from all over the world at 69A.
The vintage antique shop has been in many different buildings since it opened in 1976 but has always remained on Renshaw Street.
Royal Court
Liverpool has plenty of impressive theatres but not all of them offer food in the same way the Royal Court does.
The stalls are laid out in a cabaret style so you can dine before the show at your very own table.
If you’re still peckish you can even order a dessert to be brought to you at the interval.
Take the Ferry across the Mersey
The Merseyside ferry experience is so well-known that there is even a song about it.
From the ferry visitors can get some of the best panoramic views of Liverpool and Wirral.
Visit Mathew Street and the Magical Beatles Museum
The Magical Beatles Museum is owned and run by Roag Best, brother of the ‘fifth Beatle’ Pete, and utilises his own personal collection of Beatles memorabilia.
Across three floors, the museum features more than 300 rare and authentic items, following The Beatles on their journey from their early days at the Casbah Coffee Club to their final days together.
Formby Pinewoods
A whole day could be easily spent in Formby Pinewoods are the surrounding area.
Venture away from the city and follow the red squirrel trail to spot the fury little creatures, or follow the asparagus trail.
Afterwards, put your feet up on the beach and sand dunes and watch the world go by.
Go for a round of Ghetto Golf
Fancy a game of golf? Ghetto Golf, in the Baltic Triangle, is a quirky 18 hole course with plenty of surprises along the way.
After showing off your putting skills, celebrate with a cocktail and some fancy street food in the surrounding bars such as Birdies.
Feed the baby animals at Farmer Teds
Farmer Teds, in Ormskirk, is one of the biggest farms in the area and has a host of things going on throughout the year.
In spring, visitors to the farm can play and feed the new baby animals.
There are also meerkats in the farm that kids can walk among and stroke.
Or, get scared half to death at Farmaggedon
For older visitors, Farmer Teds has a world renowned scare attraction - Farmaggedon.
The event takes thrillseekers through haunted houses and even into the scarecrow fields to hunt zombies.
But you'll have to wait until later in the year to enjoy it.
Red Brick Hangar
Red Brick Hangar is a new shopping experience in the bustling Cains Brewery Village.
Speaking about the market, co-founder, Deborah Steggle, from South Liverpool, said: “We are all about helping independent businesses, artists and creatives.
“We are for the people who couldn’t get a shop in town or had an online shop or just needed a chance of setting up and getting trading.”
St George’s Hall
The iconic city building is one of the first things travellers see leaving Lime Street Station.
As well as looking magnificent, tourists can follow a free Liverpool Heritage route or take a tour for around £5.
During the tour guests can see behind the scenes, including the catacombs, cells, courtroom and The Great Hall and Concert Room.
See a gig in the Olympia
Originally known as the Locarno, Olympia has been a party of the city for more than 70 years.
The impressive venue hosts a range of events including concerts, gigs, fashion shows and club nights.
Grand Central Hall
Liverpool’s Grand Central Hall, on Renshaw Street, opened in 1905 and was once used as a cinema and the home of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Now after a revamp, the hall is hosting cabaret and jazz evenings alongside gigs, cinema evenings and a full events calendar.
Inside there is also Grand Central Food Bazaar - where multiple restaurants and bars can be found.
Have an ice cream on Otterspool Promenade
Taking a walk or going on a bike ride down Otterspool Promenade is always a good idea - especially in the sunny weather.
The Prom boasts stunning views across the Mersey.
After working up an appetite, the view can be enjoyed with an ice cream in hand.
