Things To Do In Liverpool On A Day Trip & Is The City Worth Visiting?

Liverpool is a big city in Merseyside in the northwest of England with plenty of things to see and do. Liverpool is blessed with lots of attractions, many of which are historic. There are also many other things to keep you entertained when visiting. I lived in Liverpool for 4 years when younger and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I recently returned to see it through fresh eyes and see what changed in 25 years.

My day trip sightseeing down memory lane was from nearby Chester, where we were staying for a few days. It was an epic day revisiting the major sights and a few places that were personal to me.

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Things To See in Liverpool

These are some great places to visit on a sightseeing tour of Liverpool. This includes some epic historic sites, famous landmarks and some entertaining things to do.

The Liverpool Waterfront & Pier Head

The Liverpool waterfront is an epic place to explore and one of the most popular parts of the city. This includes sights along the River Mersey, such as the Pier Head, the Albert Dock, and other docks. The waterfront is a great place for a walk and a mooch around all the historic dockland features. It is also where you can catch the famous ferry across the Mersey.

The Liverpool Waterfront is a popular destination and features iconic buildings at the Pier Head, such as the Three Graces. The Three Graces include the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, my old office.

This is a great area to walk around, with nearby architecture and monuments. One popular statue here features the Beatles. There are many other details to see while exploring, and some nice places to enjoy the views.

The Liver Building

One of the most iconic places is the Liver Building. It is a Grade 1 listed building at Pier Head on the waterfront. The Liver Building was completed in 1911 by the Royal Liver Assurance group. It is rather tall and distinctive, with two liver birds atop the spires. It’s cool to have a look around outside, or you could also join a tour. Tours include climbing up to the roof for a panoramic view of the city and the River Mersey.

Port of Liverpool Building

The Port of Liverpool Building is also very nice and on the waterfront, too. It is a beautiful building inside and out, and I visited many times when I worked here. Inside, the lobby is equally impressive, with balconies and a view that extends upward to the dome. The Port of Liverpool Building was completed in 1907 and was built in the Edwardian Baroque style. Its architectural features are great to see from the outside, including the dome.

Cunard Building

The smallest of the three graces on the waterfront is the Cunard Building. It is a Grade II-listed building completed in 1907. Architecturally, it is a blend of Italian Renaissance and Greek Revival styles. Originally, it was the headquarters of the Cunard Line, a famous British shipping and cruise company.

The Albert Dock

The Albert Dock is popular, with lots of details to see, including dockland artefacts and memorials. The view across the dock is pretty special too, and it’s a great place to sit out for food or drink.

There are some pretty popular attractions at the Albert Dock too, including The Beatles Experience and the Tate Modern art gallery. Also nearby is the Wheel of Liverpool, similar to the London Eye, offering views of the waterfront.

The Cavern Quarter

The Cavern Quarter, particularly Mathew Street, is a lovely part of town and is vibrant for a night out. It also has places to visit related to the band the Beatles. The most iconic venue is The Cavern, a club where they gained their popularity. The street also has statues of local icons to pose with for photos.

You can enter the venue and enjoy live music most days. There are some other great bars too, including Flanagan’s Apple and Irish Bar and Rubber Soul, which has a cool statue of the Beatles. Rubber Soul also does cheap drinks during the daytime.

Liverpool Cathedral

There are two cathedrals in Liverpool connected by Hope Street. Liverpool Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral and the largest in Great Britain. It’s a special place, and as a bonus, it’s free. It’s quite a young cathedral, which they started constructing during the early 1900s. Inside is pretty special, and the size is very nice. I enjoyed seeing the various architectural features.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

At the other end of Hope Street is the Catholic cathedral, a unique place. Also known as Liverpool Metropolitan, it was built during the 1960s. It’s well worth visiting to see the unique exterior and colourful interior.

Chinatown

The city also has a wonderful Chinatown, and it is well worth visiting to see the gate and enjoy a meal out. This is the largest Chinese arch outside China and quite a sight. There are loads of restaurants on Nelson Street which, in my experience, serve wonderful food.

St George’s Hall

If you like architecture, the neoclassical St George’s Hall, opened in 1854, is a must-visit. There are quite a few monuments near the entrance, and a pleasant park in the rear to chill out in. The hall hosts an array of events, which are listed in its what’s on guide.

There are some other nice buildings near St George’s Hall, including the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum. Another impressive sight is the Wellington Column, which stands high above the area.

St Luke’s Bombed Out Church

St Luke’s Church, AKA the Bombed Out Church, is a prominent landmark in the centre. The church was consecrated in 1831 after a long construction project. However, the church was badly damaged in the Blitz in May 1941. The church lay in ruins for decades, then was repurposed as a war memorial and open space.

The University

There are many pleasant things on the University of Liverpool campus. Many have not changed since I was at university here a few decades ago, but there are some recent additions. The most striking of the red brick buildings is the Victoria Building, now home to the Victoria Gallery & Museum, which hosts both art and science exhibits. While in the area, I visited the AJ, AKA The Augustus John, a pub I had much fun in years ago.

The Georgian Quarter

One of my old haunts was the Georgian Quarter near the university and the cathedral. I spent a lot of time here while I worked and lived in the neighbourhood. The grand houses and open spaces are rather pretty, including Falkner Square Gardens. There are also some nice pubs in the area, including The Pilgrim and Ye Cracke, which John Lennon visited.

Castle Street Architecture

Castle Street is a pleasant road to mooch around or to enjoy food or drink out. There are lots of nice buildings to see here, especially if you look up. Castle Street has a long history and is one of the city’s oldest streets. It dates back to 1207, when it was one of seven roads in the medieval borough. It used to lead from the river towards the medieval market and castle.

Liverpool Town Hall

The Georgian town hall at the end of Castle Street has great architecture. It’s a rather decorative building that dates from the 18th century. Liverpool Town Hall was last rebuilt in 1802. It is a Grade I-listed building and is considered one of the best-preserved town halls of that era.

Football Stadiums

Many visitors to the city come to watch a football match or tour the two iconic stadiums. The city is home to two Premier League clubs, Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Both have large stadiums, and I’ve enjoyed watching a few games at each, including the local derby match. You can book a tour of Anfield Stadium and access to the club’s museum on the GetYourGuide site. For Goodison Park tours, you can arrange them on the club’s website.

Is Liverpool Worth Visiting?

Liverpool is a fantastic city to visit for a variety of reasons. First, it’s great for sightseeing and visiting tourist attractions, including historic buildings and various places related to the Beatles. It is a hotbed for sport with two top football clubs.

After dark, Liverpool’s nightlife scene is impressive, with good bars and nightclubs. Eating out in the city is wonderful too, with options from around the world, including some top restaurants in Chinatown.