Great Museums

Liverpool has a range of truly inspiring Museums that are sure to keep the entire family enthralled as well as challenge the most discerning visitor. We are convinced that you will discover plenty to entertain, delight and provoke three of CityLocal's favorites are listed below:

Merseyside Maritime Museum

Drop anchor for a great day out with the whole family at Liverpool's world renowned Merseyside Maritime Museum. Liverpool was one of the world's greatest ports and it has a fascinating and sometimes dark history. Explore and delight in the large, varied and interactive collections reflecting Liverpool's seafaring and historical importance as a gateway to the world.

Based at the Albert Dock the museum houses four floors of fascinating galleries that explore the city's maritime legacy. Discover Liverpool's important role during the Second World War, relive life at sea with the merchant navy and the brand new Titanic, Lusitania and the Forgotten Empress gallery. The Maritime Archive and Library also contains one of the finest collections of merchant shipping records in the UK.

Currently showing the 'Magical History Tour' which runs through to 27th September 2009. This informative and fun exhibition charts the city's growth from a tiny fishing village to a modern city.

Opening times

Open daily 10am-5pm.

The Piermaster's House closes at 4pm during the winter.

Closed from 2pm on 24 December and all day on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Maritime Archives and Library

Maritime Archives and Library open Tuesday-Thursday, 10.30am-4.30pm.

World Museum Liverpool - formerly The Liverpool Museum

A brilliant and enthralling museum that CityLocal highly recommends to all. The World Museum Liverpool combines historic treasures from across the globe with the latest interactive technology to make an unbeatable family day out.

Hosting literally thousands of fascinating exhibits, many of which are on display for the first time. New galleries include World Cultures, the Bug House, a new Aquarium, the Weston Discovery Centre and Clore Natural History Centre.

Of particular interest is The Bug House, it is dedicated to the world of creepy-crawlies, with giant animatronics including a two metre house-fly and live vivariums of scuttling insects.

The Aquarium is home to captivating underwater creatures and has a dedicated learning and activity space The Living Laboratory, where children can get up close to fish and other sea life in special low-level tanks. The Clore Natural History Centre hosts a world of plants, animals, rocks and minerals, explored through hands-on exhibits.

Liverpool has a long history of trade all across the road and reflecting this the fascinating World Cultures feature showcases more than 1,500 artifacts from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, to take visitors on an amazing cultural global journey and explore Liverpool's legacy as a world port.

The Weston Discovery Centre features objects from the museum's rich and varied archaeology and ethnology collections. Computer interactives and special activities are also on offer, making this a true centre of discovery for young and old.

The Treasure House Theatre hosts exciting music and dance performances, video conferences linking up with people and places around the world and fascinating lectures by experts.

The greatly improved visitor facilities offer an impressive central glass-topped atrium giving access to the museum galleries, café, shop and education amenities. A first for the UK's museums is the groundbreaking Fair-trade shop. Admission is FREE, making it a must for every family visiting Liverpool and the surrounding area.

The museum is currently host to an exciting exhibition dedicated to 60 years of Liverpool music. 'The Beat Goes On' which runs until 1st of November 2009, is bursting with juke boxes and fascinating films which capture the vibrancy and creativity of Liverpool music.

Opening times

Open 10am-5pm daily.

Closed from 2pm on 24 December, all day 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

World Museum Liverpool
William Brown Street
Liverpool
L3 8EN

The Customs & Excise Museum

Liverpool as a trading port has an exciting history and this museum tells the exciting story of smuggling and contraband. A great new addition is new gallery 'Seized - Revenue and Customs Uncovered'. Enter an unseen world of smuggling, intrigue and detection where things are not always what they seem.

The museum holds one of the most important collections of its type anywhere in the world and looks at the ingenious and often dangerous world of smuggling, prohibited goods and concealment.

Find out about notorious smugglers and their cut-throat gangs and see the many weird and wonderful objects seized by HM Revenue and Customs, including a turtle shell guitar and illegal weapons such as a Kommando machine gun.

Based at the Albert Dock

Opening times

Open daily 10am-5pm.

Closed from 2pm on 24 December and all day on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.