Synonymous with The Beatles and the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool is a storied city on the banks of the River Mersey. It’s a great place for families to visit, with world-class museums and attractions that go above and beyond to be appealing for kids.

Read on to discover some of the top things for families to do in Liverpool to help plan your next escape. A diverse range of family-friendly accommodation is available at renthero.co.uk, which lists holiday rental properties across the United Kingdom. With just a few simple search filters, you can find apartments in the city centre, terraced homes in the Baltic Triangle and elegant Georgian residences in Hope Quarter. No matter where you choose to stay, you can take advantage of Liverpool’s extensive network of trains, buses and ferries to access all of the following attractions.

Learn about the Beatles Story

While kids might not know the Beatles music, this award-winning museum shouldn’t be overlooked and is packed with original instruments, clothing and rare album sleeves. It details the meteoric rise of four lads from Liverpool to stadiums around the globe, with recreations of the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studio. If you’re visiting with kids, head to the Discovery Zone where you can learn about the band’s legacy using the interactive screens and even do karaoke on the Cavern Club stage.

Visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum

Liverpool has a rich maritime heritage and there’s no better place to learn all about it than at this engaging museum. It’s home to plenty of fun and interactive exhibits that will appeal to kids, including a replica cabin from the Titanic. You can tour a historic pilot cutter and the Pier Master’s House before learning about Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. The Merseyside Maritime Museum also regularly hosts workshops designed specifically with kids in mind.

Indulge your artistic side at the Tate Liverpool

While many of the exhibitions at the Tate Liverpool are for an older audience, the art gallery does a great job of appealing to kids. There are free sketchbooks available on arrival, as well as guided trails to help families explore the gallery spaces. In addition, there is a free play area for children to enjoy once they’ve had their fill of art. On the first floor is the family-friendly Learning Space where you’ll find art materials and books, as well as a board where kids can display their drawings.

Ride the Wheel of Liverpool

It may not be the London Eye but the Wheel of Liverpool is still a thrilling experience for families visiting the city. Rising to 196 feet alongside the Liverpool Arena, it offers wonderful views across the city from its fully enclosed capsules. You can combine your ride on the Wheel of Liverpool with an exploration of the Royal Albert Dock, a historic waterfront area that’s renowned for its red-brick warehouses, restaurants and cafes.

Get hands-on at Imagine That

This kid-friendly attraction is all about encouraging imaginative play with a variety of themed zones that will appeal to children under 10. They can role-play as vets, chefs and construction workers or enjoy a range of hands-on art and craft activities. Imagine That also runs exciting science experiments that will even impress adult visitors.

Explore the World Museum

With a history dating back to the 1850s, the World Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Liverpool. Its collection includes archaeological, ethnographical and natural history displays, with plenty of exhibits that will appeal to kids. Not to miss is the Treasure House where you’ll find ancient Egyptian artefacts or the hands-on science centre. Young visitors always love the dinosaur exhibition and the bug house, as well as the top-floor planetarium and aquarium.

Ride a ferry across the Mersey

No visit to Liverpool is complete without riding a ferry across the Mersey, preferably while singing the iconic song (“Ferry across the Mersey”) at the top of your lungs. While there are lots of river cruises available, you can also jump on a commuter ferry to the Wirral, a peninsula that extends to the west of the city centre. Here you’ll find the Eureka! Science + Discovery Centre, which is dedicated to STEM-focused learning and play.

Tour the Liverpool Football Club

Liverpool is home to one of the biggest football clubs in the UK and going behind the scenes at Anfield is a “must” for any sporting fan. You’ll visit the dressing room, walk through the players’ tunnel and sit in the dugout, as well as get a sneak peek at the press room and the club’s private suites. After the tour, you can explore the Liverpool FC Museum, which is filled with historic shirts, memorabilia and the club’s jaw-dropping trophy collection.

Make Merseyside memories with the family

The next time you’re planning a family holiday in the UK, consider spending a few days in Liverpool. Not only is it a historically rich city with fascinating museums and galleries but its football legacy is second to none.