Guide: 7 Amazing Attractions for the Whole Family in Liverpool

Guide: 7 Amazing Attractions for the Whole Family in Liverpool

June 11, 2025

Liverpool is not just a city famous for soccer and The Beatles band. It's a veritable treasure trove of attractions for families with children of all ages. The city on the River Mersey offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and modern entertainment that will delight both the little ones and their parents. From interactive museums filled with exhibits you can touch, to colorful docks full of ships, to unusual entertainment venues, Liverpool has everything you need for an unforgettable family trip. Let's discover together seven of the most interesting attractions that will make your visit to this historic city full of excitement and joy.

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Historic gems and cultural treasures

Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is a true gem among the city's family attractions. This historic UNESCO-listed dock complex was built in 1846 and was the world's first dock built entirely of cast iron, brick and stone - no wood, making it resistant to fires. Today it's a vibrant place where history mixes with modernity. Walking along the waterfront, you can admire the distinctive red brick buildings that once served as warehouses for goods from around the world. According to local legends, you can still hear the whispers of former sailors and dock workers in the basement of the docks, especially during foggy evenings.

Children will be delighted by the sight of moored ships and boats of all shapes and sizes, as well as the opportunity to see the pirate ships that sometimes dock at the docks. Albert Dock is also an art and culture lover's paradise - it is home to Tate Liverpool, a contemporary art gallery that offers special tours and activity packages for families to help children explore the world of art through creativity.

Just steps away from Albert Dock is The Beatles Story Museum'Liverpool - a must-see for any family visiting the city. This place tells the fascinating story of the most famous musical group of all time. The museum opened in 1990, just 10 years after John Lennon's tragic death. The youngest visitors can enjoy the interactive Discovery Zone, where free educational workshops are held. Children can dress up as members of the band, learn to play instruments and learn about the history of the Beatles in an accessible way. Interestingly, the museum features a replica of the famous Cavern Club, where the band began its career, giving more than 290 performances between 1961 and 1963.

The Museum of Liverpool, located at Pier Head, is another fascinating attraction for families. Opened in 2011, the museum is the largest newly built museum in the UK in more than a century. Its futuristic architecture is worth seeing in itself. Inside, a journey through 10,000 years of the city's history awaits you. Of particular interest to children is the 'Little Liverpool' gallery, designed especially for little ones (up to 6 years old), where they can play and learn at the same time. The museum also has an impressive collection related to the history of the port, which for centuries was one of the most important in the world. A little-known fact: the museum houses a 1950s cardboard model of Liverpool, which is so detailed that you can see miniature versions of almost all the buildings from that time.

Fascinating discoveries and extraordinary adventures

World Museum is a real paradise for little explorers and one of the oldest museums in Liverpool, founded in 1851. Located near Liverpool Lime Street, it offers five floors of fascinating exhibits and interactive displays. The museum's planetarium is one of the best in the country and takes children on a cosmic journey through the galaxies. Few people know that the museum's Egyptian collection is one of the largest in the UK, containing more than 16,000 artifacts, including mummies and sarcophagi more than 3,000 years old.

The World Museum's aquarium showcases underwater life from various parts of the world, and the dinosaur exhibit with realistic models and real fossils elicits exclamations of delight from the little ones. Particularly fascinating is the Bug House, the home of insects, where live specimens of spiders, scorpions and other invertebrates can be seen. According to local guides, some of these creatures are so rare that they can only be seen in a few places in the world. The natural history center showcases a wealth of flora and fauna from around the globe. Interestingly, the museum survived the bombing during World War II, although it lost much of its collection at the time - some 3,000 exhibits were destroyed in 1941.

The Wheel Of Liverpool, also known as the Liverpool Eye, is a giant observation wheel that rises 60 meters above the ground. It was opened in 2010 as a temporary attraction, but became so popular that it has remained permanently. The air-conditioned, enclosed cabins offer breathtaking views of the city, the Mersey River and, on sunny days, even the distant mountains of Wales. Each cabin can accommodate up to 8 people, making this attraction ideal for entire families. An interesting fact is that the wheel was designed by the same company that created the London Eye. Local legend has it that if you make a wish while on the ride by looking out to sea, it is sure to come true.

Quirky Quarter is one of Liverpool's most unusual and surprising attractions, hidden in an arched building on Duke Street. Opened in 2019, it has quickly become a favorite for families looking for something unique. It's an interactive center of illusions and puzzles that entertains and educates at the same time. Children and adults can experience deceiving rooms where nothing is as it seems - rooms that appear to tilt, mirror tunnels and many other optical illusions.

One of the most popular attractions is the 'Infinity Room' - a room with infinite reflections that makes it seem as if the space goes on forever. Little known fact: the building that houses the Quirky Quarter was once a warehouse for goods imported into the Port of Liverpool and retains many original architectural features. Local guides tell us that some of the illusions were designed based on old naval legends about fatamorgan and strange phenomena observed at sea by sailors. Unlike traditional museums, here touching the exhibits is not only allowed, but actually necessary!

Creative fun and unforgettable memories

Imagine That! is a true paradise for creative children, located somewhat off the main tourist routes, making it a hidden treasure known mostly to local families. This interactive play and learning space opened in 2018, replacing an earlier attraction known as Underwater Street. The site is divided into different themed zones, each offering a different educational experience through play.

The science zone allows children to conduct safe experiments, create volcanoes from baking soda and vinegar, or observe chemical reactions. Little do they know that some of these experiments were designed by real scientists from the University of Liverpool. In the art area, little artists can create their own works of art using a variety of materials. Particularly popular is the opportunity to create their own soaps and bath bombs, which children can take home as souvenirs.

One of the best-loved parts of Imagine That! is the miniature city with various stores, a police station, a hospital and other places where children can take on various professional roles. According to local stories, the idea for the zone was born from observing how children imitate their parents in their daily activities. It is also interesting to note that all the costumes and props in this zone are regularly replaced and renewed to reflect current trends and professions.

When comparing all seven attractions, it is worth noting their diversity and complementarity. The World Museum and Museum of Liverpool offer a more educational experience, ideal for families who value learning through play. They are free of charge, making them attractive to families traveling on a tight budget. In contrast, The Beatles Story Museum'Liverpool and Royal Albert Dock Liverpool combine education with entertainment and history, although they do come with a cost.

The Wheel Of Liverpool provides a shorter but intense experience with beautiful views, while the Quirky Quarter and Imagine That! are places to spend several hours of active fun. The latter are especially recommended on rainy days, of which there is no shortage in Liverpool.

In terms of location, the Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story, Museum Of Liverpool and Wheel Of Liverpool are all close together in the center of the city, making it easy to visit several sites in one day. The World Museum is also centrally located, near Liverpool Lime Street Station. By contrast, the Quirky Quarter and Imagine That! require a short trip from the center, but offer less crowded spaces instead.

For families with young children (up to 7 years old), Imagine That! and the Little Liverpool zone at the Museum of Liverpool are particularly recommended. Older children and teens will be more interested in Quirky Quarter, World Museum and The Beatles Story. Wheel Of Liverpool and Royal Albert Dock are universal attractions, suitable for all ages.

Whether you are a lover of history, science, music or just looking for a good time, Liverpool has something to offer for every member of the family. These seven attractions are just the tip of the iceberg in a city that is constantly evolving and surprising you with new opportunities for family entertainment.

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