a tourist's guide to liverpool
I've been living in Liverpool for the past eight years, and happened to fall in love with a Scouser during that time. That very special Scouser often boasts Liverpool is the best city in the world, and although I often wind him up, I don't entirely disagree with him. It's large enough to always have something going on, yet small enough to be charming and personal, and I am incredibly sentimental about this place we call home. I thought it might be helpful to outline my top picks for the city, for anyone visiting from afar.
Top 5 things to do in Liverpool
1. Totter your way along the many quirky bars of Allerton and Smithdown road and finish up eating dinner in the yummiest restaurant in all of Liverpool - Maray.
Notable bars include: 'The Three Piggies', 'Little White Lies', 'East River', 'The Handyman Supermarket', and 'The Craft Taproom'.
2. Head to the Albert Dock in the early evening to wander around the dock, visit the free exhibitions at the Tate museum and finish up by dining in 'Gusto' (the most beautiful restaurant in Liverpool). It's an Italian chain which is lit up by fairy lights! They do a fantastic range of cocktails and a great place to start your evening out. Reserve a table in advance as it often books out. If you want to walk into town afterwards make sure you hit up ‘McGuffies bar’ who serve the nicest piña coladas in the world! Fact.
3. I may be a little biased but I'm a big fan of South Liverpool. I'd highly recommend Sudley house if you feel like visiting a museum, it only takes an hour or so to wander around and they often have a temporary exhibit on in the rooms upstairs. There is a pretty rose garden out back and afterwards you might make the ten minute walk to 'The Butchers' café-bar which is our incredibly quaint little local (transformed relatively recently from a local butchers shop). Be warned though that they don't have a licence to serve customers standing, and it's a small bar so if they are full you may be turned away.
4. Visit the newest, upcoming area in Liverpool - ‘the Baltic Triangle’. Go play adults only 'Ghetto Golf' and eat afterwards at one of the pop up restaurants in the ‘Baltic Market’. It gets pretty busy so if you've got a large group be prepared to stand, but all in all well worth a visit. Ryan loves the giant waffle cone desserts they serve up which surely amount to a coronary waiting to happen!
If you feel like going somewhere quieter and lower key, head to the ‘Dockleaf' opposite and sit around playing good old fashioned board games with a fancy drink.
Ghetto Golf tends to book up in advance so bear that in mind if you plan on visiting, and leave yourself plenty of time to finish the course (a few hours). It always takes longer than you think to complete all the holes.
5. Our favourite thing to do in Liverpool though, has got to be Sefton Park. We both emphatically believe it is the most beautiful park in the world. Have a wander around the lake, eat ice creams at the café, go take a picture by the Peter Pan statue at ‘the Palm house’ and wander over to Lark lane for lunch in 'Polidor 68’. I promise you - it'll be a perfect day.
Be sure to check out if there are any events going on in the park or the Palm House as there often are, and you could plan your visit accordingly.