So you’ve ticked off all the top things to do in Liverpool, now it’s time to put that guidebook down and explore these 10 cool things to do in Liverpool. These things are more off the beaten path and lesser-known to tourists but loved by locals. This guide will show you a side of Liverpool most tourists miss and will showcase just how unique Liverpool is. So now is the time to leave that guidebook back at the hotel for this one and enjoy getting right off the tourist route.
Escape Hunt Liverpool
Escape Hunt Liverpool
First on the list is Escape Hunt Liverpool where you can take on a series of thrilling challenges in various themed escape rooms. It is great for the whole family especially if you have inquisitive teens. You’ll be locked in a beautifully themed room and given just 60 minutes to escape. You and your teammates will have to solve a series of puzzles if you want to gain the glory and bragging rights of escaping before the clock ticks down. Each room has a unique theme and you can choose between the pirate-themed Blackbeard's Treasure, the Last Vikings, and Escape The Wild West to earn your freedom.
ArCains Liverpool
ArCains Liverpool
This is one of the best gaming bars, not only in Liverpool but in the whole of Europe. With plenty of games across multiple floors, there is hours of fun to be had at ArCains in Cains Brewery Village. There really is something for everyone from a massive selection of vintage and modern arcade consoles to a big selection of tasty cocktails and delicious comfort food. You have to pay a fee to enter and then you can stay as long as you like. What makes this place even better is that most games are free to play once you enter. After 9pm at weekends the venue is strictly over 18s only, they crank up the throwback tunes and the cocktails flow at their two bars until 2am.
Neighborhood Liverpool
Neighborhood Liverpool
A mad mash of new and old, Neighborhood is a top choice when you're looking for something quirky to do in Liverpool. This neon-filled bar is inspired by sunny Miami and offers a selection of seasonal dishes and unbeatable cocktails. You can expect a globally-inspired menu and a selection of some of the finest international wines. The cocktails are always beautiful so if you’re looking for that insta-worthy moment for your followers. A cocktail at Neighborhood is a must-do and one of the coolest places to visit if you’re looking for things to do in Liverpool at night.
Be At One Liverpool
Be At One Liverpool
This modern, contemporary hangout is a local’s favorite and a must-visit if you’re looking for cool things to do in Liverpool. From mad mixes of margaritas through to neon signage, Be At One isn't a Liverpool bar that likes to do normal. This Seel Street bar is the place to go for a different take on your usual cocktail and has a buzzing atmosphere come sundown. Along with the neon interiors and quirky furniture set alongside fun bookable spaces, this place is perfect if you’re looking for a great late-night vibe. On the weekends DJs keep the party going well into the night. The bar’s cocktail menu is extensive and full of the classics and some very unique concoctions like an Oreo flavored milkshake. They even host cocktail masterclasses which is great if you’re in Liverpool for an extended stay.
Strawberry Field
Strawberry Field
If you’re a fan of the Beatles then this is one of the cool must-visit places that you need to tick off. The field itself is generally unremarkable, but thanks to the popularity of the tune “Strawberry Fields Forever”, the site has become a pilgrimage site for Beatles fans. Although the original scarlet gates had to be replaced and the original orphanage has been torn down, the lonely field that inspired one of the most timeless songs of all time still remains a place of quiet contemplation.
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Williamson Tunnels
It is unclear why these tunnels were created or what the wealthy Joseph Williamson’s real motive was in building them. One rumor is that he was part of an eschatological — the study and philosophy of the end days — cult and the tunnels were for his friends and family in the end times. But more likely, the tunnels were a charitable endeavor and he had them dug just to keep his workers employed during the recession. The tunnels started to disappear after his death in 1840 and in 1989, the Joseph Williamson Society was founded to start excavating them. Today you can take a tour and explore the variety of the tunnels with the Friends of the Williamson Tunnels charity, it’s great fun for the whole family.
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The Archer Stone
You’ll find the Archer Stone or Robin Hood's Stone enclosed by green painted iron railings near the center of town. This large ancient sandstone menhir has weathered bronze plaque within the green railings that explains the stone’s recent history. The monolith is known as “The Archer’s Stone” because of the series of deep grooves worn into it, once believed to have been used during medieval times for sharpening arrowheads. The road next to it crosses a field that was once used by archers for practice in about the 16th century. This practice was actually made law in the 16thC. The stone also has a clear cup and ring markings thought to date from the Early Bronze Age but those are hidden by the concrete today. It is still a must-visit historical and unusual thing to see.
Crosby Blitz Beach
Crosby Blitz Beach
Just 5 miles north of the city you’ll find two miles of coastline strewn with what remains of the Liverpool before World War II. From pebble-sized remnants of bricks eroded by the Irish Sea to large keystones of major civic buildings, the expanse of Crosby Beach is a stark reminder of the conflict that consumed the world in the middle of the 20th century. Liverpool was one of the most heavily hit British cities by the German Luftwaffe, the Nazi air force. In the rush to clear the streets and make the city livable again most of the rubble was taken to Crosby Beach, just to get it out of the way. Don’t forget to wear comfy sneakers when you visit, the beach terrain is very uneven with all the rubble but it’s so worth exploring.
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'Penelope' Sculpture
One of the coolest sculptures in Liverpool, this whimsical, colorful public art installation is a unique homage to Liverpool's industrial heritage. You’ll easily spot this sculpture. It towers above a public parking lot in the Ropewalks district of Liverpool. It is made up of a series of multicolored metal stalks topped off by even brighter circular orbs and is quite the sight to see. “Penelope” pays tribute to the rich history of rope-making in the port city, which was at the center of the ship sailing industry up until the 19th century.
Superlambanana
Superlambanana
This statue was created as a punny statement about genetic engineering and this monstrous hybrid statue has become a beloved icon. The statue began as a joke for an art installation but took on a life of its own as the city embraced the work, turning the hybrid creature into a movement all on its own. The original beast stood on the Strand but then moved around the city, sometimes changing color for various promotions. Today the Superlambanana Prime stands outside of a Liverpool university, with some sub-Superlambananas posted elsewhere. If you want to, you can even take a mini statue home with you as a souvenir.