A Liverpool day trip is packed full of attractions, making it ideal for the whole family and romantic trips for two. Take the train and forget about the hassle of driving. You’ll arrive at Liverpool Lime Street Station, right in the heart of the city, and ready to explore.
Liverpool day trips for families
Taking the train to Liverpool with the family? We’ve got you sorted. With the help of Lisa Owen, the Convention Bureau Manager at Liverpool Convention Bureau, here are the best things to do in Liverpool for families, whether your kids are 4 or 14.
1. The Royal Albert Dock
A beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, the Royal Albert Dock has something for everyone, ranging from fantastic restaurants and bakeries to charming sights to see.
“At the Royal Albert Dock, families can enjoy Gravity Max, while football fans are never far from the stories of Liverpool Football Club and Everton Football Club.” - Lisa Owen, Convention Bureau Manager at Liverpool Convention Bureau
2. Museum of Liverpool
This incredible waterfront museum has something for the whole family to enjoy. It offers a deep-dive into the city’s fascinating past and has a special area dedicated to kids under the age of six: Little Liverpool. This hands-on area is wonderfully interactive, allowing little ones to explore in their own way, with ‘Liverpuddles’ helping them to learn about the environment.
3. Imagine That!
This science and discovery centre is specially designed for under-11s with a variety of areas to explore including the Imagination Village, Construction Area and Slime Factory. Admission is by advance booking only, so be sure to clear a space for it in your calendar so you don’t miss out on Imagine That.
4. Mersey River Cruise
Kids and parents alike will love seeing Liverpool from the water on a Mersey River cruise. This 50-minute cruise takes in the best sights and famous landmarks including the Albert Docks and the city’s cathedrals, whilst you listen to interesting facts about each of them.
5. Otterspool Adventure
If you need the kids to burn off some energy, be sure to plan a trip to Otterspool Adventure! This play area has something for children of all ages, including a 12-hole mini-golf course, a ‘bouncing pillow’ trampoline, go-karts and Volvo diggers.
6. Sefton Park
Families flock to this 235-acre park on sunny days, and it’s no wonder. As well as being simply beautiful to take a stroll around, Sefton Park also has a Victorian Palm House with lots of exotic plants for the kids to learn about, caves and waterfalls to explore - and, of course, a great play area.
7. Bus tour
When time is tight on a day trip, a bus tour is the perfect way to explore the city. City Explorer Liverpool offers an 'Open Top, Hop On, Hop off' bus tour starting from Albert Docks in Liverpool city centre. You’ll hear a wealth of information about the city and kids will love being able to sit on the open-air top deck of the bus.
8. Football stadium tour
If your kids are football fanatics, then a tour of their team’s stadium is a must when visiting the city. The only choice is whether to go for Anfield, Liverpool FC’s ground, or Goodison Park, home of Everton.
9. Wild Shore
Water babies will love Wild Shore, an aquatic adventure park based in Albert Docks with something for the whole family to enjoy. Will you fall off the inflatable obstacle course? Or will you be an expert at paddleboarding? You can book individual activities or opt for a package deal for a fun day out, with the entry fee including all the safety kit you need.
Day trip to Liverpool for couples
Famous for its culture, history and nightlife, Liverpool has to be one of the best day trips in the UK for couples. Need help planning your day? Take a look at our ideas for a little inspiration for your couples day.
1. Matthew Street
A great area for wandering around is Matthew Street, famous as the home of the Cavern Club where the Beatles often played early in their career. You’ll also find a statue of John Lennon, but it’s not just for fans of the band - there are plenty of other cool bars and restaurants to explore.
“If you're planning a Liverpool day trip, I'd start with a stroll from Lime Street to The Cavern Club followed by a stroll down to our famous waterfront where you can take some time exploring the Royal Albert Dock.” - Lisa Owen, Convention Bureau Manager at Liverpool Convention Bureau
2. Tate Liverpool
Don’t miss Tate Liverpool when you visit the city, the perfect way to spend a couple of hours. Housed in a converted warehouse on Albert Dock, the museum has a huge number of exhibits to see from the Tate Collection, as well as a changing roster of temporary exhibitions.
3. The Beatles Story
Whether you’re a fan of the Fab Four or not, no visit to Liverpool is complete without a visit to this museum, telling the story of the city’s most famous export. The Beatles Story includes our complimentary ‘Living History’ to help make the exhibits really come to life.
4. Cains Brewery
Cains Brewery was originally founded in 1858 and today has been transformed into an exciting brewery village with different bars, shops and restaurants to enjoy. It’s the perfect place to while away a few hours in the afternoon, finishing with a drink in the brewery taproom - after all, you’re getting the train home!
5. Ghost tour
Get an insight into Liverpool’s frightening past with a Shiverpool walking tour - perfect if you’re looking for something a little different! There are multiple tours to choose from, including the Auld City tour of the seven original streets that made up the city.
6. Lark Lane
This cute street is a must-visit for independent bars, eateries and vintage shops. Take a trip to Lark Lane to get lost exploring the shops including antique dealer Remains to be Seen, spiritual store The Witch House and vintage clothing shop Freida Mo’s, then grab something to eat in one of the many restaurants that line the street.
7. Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings on the Liverpool skyline - and it also offers incredible views of the city from the Tower Experience. Set 500 feet above sea level, it’s the only open-air 360˚ viewing platform in the city. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Blackpool and even to Wales.
Getting there by train
Liverpool is well connected by train, making it an easy option for a day trip or weekend break.
Typical journey times include:
● London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street: just over 2 hours
● Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street: around 1 hour 40 minutes
● Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street: around 1 hour
Planning to stay a little longer? Explore our Liverpool destination guide for more inspiration.
“A day is enough to sample the city, but Liverpool's restaurants, nightlife and hotel scene mean a weekend stay at venues such as INNSiDE by Meliá or Hilton Liverpool is even better.” - Lisa Owen, Convention Bureau Manager at Liverpool Convention Bureau
If you’re looking for the cheapest rail fares for your Liverpool day trip, check out the many ways you save with Avanti West Coast
