Things to do in the hometown of Liverpool FC
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Maybe you’ll never walk alone at a Liverpool game, but you might want to do some sightseeing on your own while you’re in town to watch the current Champions League trophy holders. Here are a few things to do when you visit the hallowed ground that gave us John, Paul, George and Ringo.
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THE FOOTBALL
While in town, if the team isn’t playing that day, the Liverpool FC stadium tour is worth a visit. Everton stadium tours are suspended while they rebuild their wattle-and-daub ground, so unfortunately you won’t be able to take a look inside the world’s emptiest trophy cabinet.
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BALTIC TRIANGLE
Liverpool’s version of Williamsburg is a short stroll from City Centre. Former industrial warehouses have been repurposed into bars, breweries, art spaces, cafes and street art and nightlife venues. Take in the great views of the River Mersey and Pier Head. Try to stay away from Liverpool One mall—the airport duty free shop will do you just fine.
https://www.visitliverpool.com/
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THE PIER HEAD
Enjoy Liverpool’s underappreciated but stunning waterfront whose main buildings—the blocky Cunard Building, the beautiful Port of Liverpool HQ and the famous Liver Building with the iconic Liver Birds on top—are known as the Three Graces and are a World Heritage site. Liverpool’s waterfront is very reminiscent of New York, and you can catch a “ferry ‘cross the Mersey” (as in the 60s song) for an even better view at a very reasonable price.
Via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE
St George’s Hall opposite Lime Street Station is a Victorian megalith and well worth seeing inside and out. Liverpool hosts two cathedrals: the insane, spaceship-like, 60s modern Metropolitan Cathedral (for the city’s Catholics) is known locally as “Paddy’s Wigwam.” For the Protestants, the monolithic Liverpool Cathedral (which took 74 years to build) is like something out of Game of Thrones. They’re walking distance from each other and equally worth a visit and a prayer for another Champions League trophy.
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BEST PLACES TO DRINK
The Dispensary – A real spit-and-sawdust boozer with excellent real ales and the rudest landlord in Britain. For serious drinkers only.
The Philharmonic – A stunning, listed Victorian pub with original wooden fixtures, “The Phil” has an island bar, incredible beers and marble toilets so beautiful they’ve been on TV!
Peter Kavanagh’s – A bit off the beaten track but full of character, from the amazing interior to the clientele who you’ll end up in conversation with whether you’re trying to or not.
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TATE GALLERY
The one modern art museum in town worth your time. It’s located in the Albert Dock.
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool
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MARITIME MUSEUM
Find out how Liverpool claims to have exported everything that built America. Also located in the Albert Dock.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/
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INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM
The roots of the city’s former prosperity aren’t pretty, but the museum is very powerful and sobering look at the city’s history.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/
MEET THE BEATLES
As you might imagine, Liverpool is filled with nasty tourist traps that eat Beatles fans alive, but there are a few places worth mentioning and a visit.
VISIT JOHN AND PAUL’S CHILDHOOD HOMES
Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s modest suburban houses have been preserved as they were in the early 60s and may be one of the better attractions in town.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatles-childhood-homes
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THE BEATLES STORY EXHIBITION
A well-thought-of permanent collection of Beatles memorabilia with good chronology and regular changing exhibits. It is located in the imposing Albert Dock, the former Victorian trade basin that was remade for retail and leisure in the 80s.
https://www.beatlesstory.com
THE CAVERN CLUB
It’s not the original Cavern that the Beatles made the most famous local music venue in the world. That was demolished in the 70s. But this version a fairly faithful recreation near the original Mathew Street location (which was a bit of a hole to be honest).
https://www.cavernclub.com/visit-beatles-liverpool/
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