Written by our web team
7 min read | Published 24 September 2021 | Updated 20 October 2023
Home to The Beatles, Liverpool City Football Club and more, the historic port city has a range of attractions and experiences for you to discover. Even if the weather turns a bit baltic.
With a travel time of just over two hours by train from London Euston station, there’s plenty to do within walking distance of Liverpool Lime Street. While there’s enough to do to fill a weekend or even a week, it’s easy enough to make a fun day trip of it.
Whether you want to learn more about famous scousers or try some of the local scran, here are some of our favourite things to do with family in Liverpool.
Planning a trip to Liverpool
Whatever you plan to do on your family visit to Liverpool, the best way to travel into the centre from other major UK cities is by train.
If you’re travelling from London, booking advance tickets will mean you can enjoy a relaxing trip. Two trains depart every hour from Euston station.
You can also easily get to Liverpool by train from Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly. So, you can be sure to have a great day trip wherever you’re travelling from.
1. Museum of Liverpool
If you want to discover more about this city’s diverse history, then the Museum of Liverpool is a must-visit.
The museum sits right on the waterfront, just around the corner from Lime Street. It contains collections that tell Liverpool’s most important stories, from its famous docks to the Blitz to an art gallery full of local work.
With lots of activities and interactive exhibitions, the kids will learn and have fun, too.
2. Eureka
Just a short distance across the water from the station, you'll find Eureka. This Science and Discovery Centre offers plenty of educational fun and hands-on learning opportunities for the entire family.
The centre is specifically designed to introduce children to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) through a variety of engaging mediums. It's a fantastic place to nurture your child's curiosity and interest in science and discovery.
3. Liverpool Football Club
Sports-loving kids will love visiting the home of some of the world’s most famous football players.
Anfield Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of Liverpool fans and is a must-visit if you’re looking to soak up some of the local sporting culture.
Book a stadium tour to get the full experience.
4. Liverpool One
If you fancy a quick trip shopping trip or grabbing a bite to eat before heading to your next attraction, this is the number one place to go.
Set in the heart of Liverpool City Centre, this enormous complex has over 170 shops, bars and restaurants. You can also enjoy a quick round of crazy golf or catch a movie in the Odeon cinema.
Liverpool One is perfect for a pit stop coffee and cake, a family meal, or for the little ones to run off steam in one of the play areas.
5. Mersey Ferry Tours
The Mersey has always been at the centre of life in the city, so hop on a boat and see Liverpool from the water.
Ferry tours run regularly from the Albert Dock. They take in the whole stretch of the city, from the iconic Liver building to the modern cityscape of this World Heritage dockside.
Climb onto the top deck and enjoy seeing Liverpool the way thousands of visitors have for hundreds of years.
6. Otterspool Park
You may be in a city, but you can still escape to the beach.
Otterspool’s Promenade is a great place to stroll and enjoy views of the Mersey. Or you can take the kids to the Adventure Park, where they can climb, run and play as long as they want.
Take a picnic or enjoy lunch at the Otters Cafe for a day away from the hustle and bustle of the centre.
7. Sefton Park
Sefton Park is a hot spot for locals and visitors during the school holidays. As a Grade-listed park, you’ll discover many hidden spaces and monuments as you explore its 200 acres.
With plenty of room for the children to play and other activities, including a boating lake, a cafe and the famous glass-panelled Palm House, the park is the perfect place to enjoy a hot, sunny day in the city centre.
8. Williamson’s Tunnels
Built by 19th-century tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson, the tunnels are rumoured to have been created as a haven in case of Armageddon.
Now, they form a mysterious labyrinth under the city’s Edge Hill district, with regular tours run by enthusiasts and volunteers. Don a hard hat and experience the city from underground.
9. The Wheel of Liverpool
Check out the city from a different angle by riding on Liverpool’s version of the London Eye.
Based on Keel Wharf, the 196ft tall Ferris wheel will give you a fantastic panoramic of the city and the River Mersey. You’ll also get lots of information from your own ‘capsule’ commentary.
Let the kids press their faces up close to the glass whilst you enjoy the incredible 360 degree views.
10. The Royal Albert Dock
On Liverpool’s waterfront, the Royal Albert Dock combines the city’s significant history and modern character.
Now renovated into shops, bars and restaurants, the 19th-century warehouses are a great place to walk, explore and experience the city’s culture.
From here, you and the kids can enjoy the Victorian Carousel, take the Magical Mystery bus tour or enjoy looking out over the Mersey.
11. The Maritime Museum
Liverpool was home to many people who lived most of their lives at sea.
At the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the neighbouring International Slavery Museum, you can find out all about the city’s growth as a major port, its history of immigration and its place in the fateful story of Titanic.
Old Dock tours run regularly from the museum. Or you can explore their collection yourself, with an array of events and activities to keep the kids entertained.
12. Imagine That!
Imagine That! is one of Liverpool’s best attractions for families with children under 10. This imaginative play centre is located in Wavertree Technology Park, which even has its own train station for easy access.
Imagine That! offers a fun three-hour visit divided into forty-five-minute chunks across four engaging zones. In each part, kids can play, explore, and participate in workshops and shows led by the staff.
13. The Beatles Story
Scousers don’t really talk about it, but their city is also home to the world’s first major boy band.
Step back into the Sixties and experience the famous foursome’s music at The Beatles Story. There are real-life replicas of iconic places in the band’s history, such as Abbey Road Studios, Casbah and the Cavern Club.
You can also see lots of memorabilia and pictures up close as you follow the story of the four young lads who’ve done good.
14. Big Art for Little Artists
If you love art but want to keep young kids interested, the Walker Art Gallery has a solution.
Big Art for Little Artists is a dedicated children's gallery for children aged 0-5. It’s filled with costumes, toys, books, games, paintings, sculptures, and various objects for children to explore.
They even have different craft themes every week, making it an ideal space for your little ones to discover and appreciate art.
15. Knowsley Safari
If you fancy taking in some of the not-so-local wildlife, you can take a 20-minute train ride from Lime Street to Prescot station and head to Knowsley Safari.
Here, you can explore 550 acres of safari from the safety of a guided bus or even on foot. See lions, tigers and rhinos out on the grounds or get to meet birds of prey, giraffes and meerkats up close in one of the park’s experiences.
Family trips by train in England, Scotland and Wales
If you’re looking for more days out near Liverpool, there are plenty of places for families to visit in North Wales, only a short train ride away. Or, if you’re looking to go further afield, check out our top five family train holidays in the UK.
