Liverpool - more than meets the eye

Try the museums and local places to dine. The ever-popular Beatles exhibitions and Magical Mystery Tour are worthwhile.

Check out a football match, if you can get tickets.

Quick Tips:

Get a street map to help you find your way around. Ask about events at the pubs and clubs in the town - some offer live music and comedy acts that even local people such as I don't know about.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is not always the best way, so try the local bus service. Arrange taxi fares before starting a taxi journey (most are honest, but this is still good practice).

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5pm on Sundays. (See www.nmgm.org.uk for any further information).

The museum has undergone major renovation during the last 2 years or so. Although I have entered it here under "Science Museum," it's more than that. There are large natural-history displays, ancient Egyptian and Roman displays, and a planetarium for those interested in astronomy. I believe there is disabled access to all areas, and all ages are welcome. The museum is generally fairly quiet during the day, except when a school trip of overexcited children arrives! You've been warned!

It is easy to find, at only around 5 or 6 minutes' walk from Lime Street station or from hotels such as the Adelphi.

If you find that the name has changed, that is because the museum has been asking for suggested new names from visitors during the last couple of months.

There are several museums in the city of Liverpool. Many are good value and in some cases free. Here is a rundown of the museum attractions:

Albert Dock:

Maritime Museum (covers all things maritime, not surprisingly, and documents some of Liverpool's history as one of Britain's and Europe's major ports through history). Tel: 0151 478 4499 (+44 0151 478 4499 for international calls).

HM Customs and Excise Museum (some of the things that Customs and Excise have managed to confiscate from would-be smugglers) is incorporated within the maritime museum.

Liverpool Life Museum (the name speaks for itself). Located on the pier head. Tel: 0151 478 4080.

Tate Gallery (Liverpool's premier art gallery; see the creations of many famous artists). Tel: 0151 702 7400.

The Beatles Exhibition (a must for any Beatles fan! This display documents the meteoric rise of the Beatles, Liverpool's favorite sons).

I'm not sure of entry prices for all of these museums as it's been a while since I visisted them; I do know that most offer a student discount ( www.nmgm.org.uk states that all museums and galleries on its site are free entry).

There are many places to eat in the city center area. There is a wide range of cuisines to choose from, including Chinese, Italian, Mexican, French, and, of course, English.

El Macho is a popular place to eat and provides good-quality Mexican-style cuisine. Ask, an Italian restaurant in Queens Square, is a new restaurant serving high-quality Italian cuisine. It is not a budget place to dine, however.

If you'd rather have a pub meal, there are many pubs to choose from. It is worth choosing one of the more expensive pubs, as these invariably serve better food and beer, and in a cleaner, more relaxing environment. City center pubs tend to be the best in my experience.

Prices for food in most pubs tend to be around £4 to £7 per course, with a pint of beer typically around £2. It is worth trying several places instead of just sticking with one. Quality and value does tend to vary from place to place.

From other journals and word of mouth around Liverpool, the most popular hotels for tourists are the Gladstone Hotel, Adelphi Hotel, and Marriott Hotel.

The Gladstone Hotel has rooms available for around $50 to $75 typically. The hotel is located on Lord Nelson Street and can be contacted at 0151 709 7050.

The Adelphi (Lime Street) costs around $75 to $100 per room per night.

The Marriott is located at 1 Queens Square (tel: 0151 476 8000) and is immediately next to good-quality restaurants such as Ask, as well as pubs offering both new and traditional styles. I'm not sure of the cost per night. The Marriott is also located a 5-minute walk (or less) from Lime Street station, and a 5-minute walk from Liverpool Museum, adjacent to magnificent St. George’s Hall.

You could take a ferry across the Mersey (as in the famous song by Jerry Marsden) or stay on dry land and visit Liverpool's two cathedrals. The Anglican cathedral, at the end of Rodney Street (can be seen from anywhere in the city), is constructed entirely of red desert sandstone, and was only completed in the 1980s. The red colour of the stone comes from the heamatite staining that occurred when this area of Britain was desert, long ago. The cathedral is the fifth largest in the world and has some beautiful architecture and surrounding gardens. Entry is free, but to reach the top of the central tower, the cost is £2 or £3 (students should enquire about possible discounts). From the top of the tower, over 100 meters high, the view is fantastic. The whole city can be seen from here, as can the mountains of Wales to the west. The Victorian layout of the city becomes evident from the top of the tower. There is no charge to visit the cathedral, although donations are welcomed to aid maintenance and heating of this beautiful building.

There is also the Roman Catholic cathedral, less beautiful than the Anglican cathedral, with its modern style architecture.

The radio city tower can also be visited. This is as high as the Anglican cathedral and used to house a rotating restaurant at the top.

If you can manage to arrange for tickets, why not try to see a football match involving either Liverpool FC or Everton FC? Tickets are available in advance at each of the grounds, and are in high demand. Beware, though: the language can be, well, colorful let's say, so it may not be an ideal family venture. further information regarding tickets and matches is available on the club websites: www.evertonfc.com or www.liverpoolfc.tv

Still, there's always the shopping in the city center. A wide variety of stores cater for all tastes and styles. The surrounding area can be easily reached by public transport services. Bus timetables, prices and destinations can be found at information centres at either the Paradise Street or Queens Square stations.

Liverpool has gained a reputation for being a rough city. I feel this is unjustified, as the people of Liverpool are welcoming and friendly. Indeed, they are some of the most welcoming people in Britain, and that's official. There are some areas, mainly those surrounding the edges of the city, that should be avoided, especially at night, but isn't that true for every major city?

The city center is generally a safe place for a night out, with a reassuring police presence, meaning that is often safer than some of the surrounding, much smaller towns.

Liverpool has been forced to live somewhat in the shadow of Manchester and London, but hopefully that will change soon with high levels of investment and redevelopment from EU grants. Liverpool has been announced as European City of Culture in 2008. This marks the continuation of an exciting period of regeneration for the city.

Liverpool has a rich, if mixed, history. From its position as England's most important port in its Victorian heyday, to the not-so-prosperous times of recent decades, Liverpool's history is as interesting as it is long. Those who take time to learn and discover this city’s history and culture will find that there is more to Liverpool than preconceptions and reputations.