The Beatles 101: Liverpool’s Best Fab Four Attractions

	The Beatles Story1

BEST GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF “LIVERPOOL’S MOST FAMOUS SONS”

At The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool's historic Albert Dock area, visitors can experience the hype of Beatlemania with a colourful visual and audio tour. As guests make their way through a series of displays and themed rooms, including one with a giant cut-out of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, they learn intriguing background information about the iconic band. The tour starts with the formation of the group and ends with the solo projects the members pursued after the break-up of the band in 1970. The museum also features a gift shop, which houses an extensive selection of Beatles paraphernalia from pins and pens to large posters.

The Cavern Club's Stage2

BEST CLUB FOR BEATLES HISTORY

Located on Mathew Street down several flights of stairs, is a dim lit club that will forever be associated with the discovery of The Beatles. The band made their debut at The Cavern Club in February 1961 and went on to perform 292 times there. However, it was during one of their lunchtime sessions at the Cavern in November 1961 that Brian Epstein, the owner of North End Music Store, took an interest in the group. With Epstein as their manager and a record deal secured, The Beatles went on to achieve super stardom. Although the original Cavern Club was knocked down, the venue's bricks have been used to give the new Cavern the same look it had when The Beatles' were the club's headliners.

BEST GROOVY BUS RIDE

As travellers visit Liverpool, they can hop aboard the Magical Mystery Tour bus and see all the top Beatles attractions. Although there are a variety of Beatles tour companies in the city, visitors on the Magical Mystery Tour are driven around on a bright and comfortable bus decorated just like the one the group used in the late 1960s. The two-hour trip takes passengers to several sites connected to the band such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. The tour concludes at The Cavern Club, where visitors can relax over a drink.

	John Lennon's Boyhood Home3

BEST CHANCE TO SEE A TEENAGE BEATLE

Before John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney formed their legendary song writing duo, they spent their childhoods in the city of Liverpool. Visitors can tour Lennon's boyhood home at Mendips and the 20 Forthlin Road house that belonged to a young McCartney. Behind the closed doors of these houses The Beatles rehearsed and composed early hits. Displays inside the homes include memorabilia and photos such as family portraits of Lennon and McCartney before they were famous.

BEST TIME TO SPOT A JOHN LENNON LOOK-ALIKE

Every August in Liverpool, the best John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison impersonators make the pilgrimage to the city for the annual International Beatle Week Festival. During the seven-day event, hundreds of Beatles fans attend the festival's line-up of concerts, interviews, flea markets and art exhibitions. Throughout the week fans can listen to traditional and different versions of Beatles hits performed by top international tribute groups.

BEST PLACE TO UNWIND AFTER A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

Liverpool’s Hard Days Night Hotel takes living like The Beatles to a new level, with 110 Fab Four themed bedrooms. The luxurious hotel's accommodation includes a painted white Lennon Suite and an artwork-studded McCartney Suite. Décor inspired by the group is apparent throughout the entire building and there are a couple Beatles-themed dining establishments on site. Guests looking for a quiet place to reflect on the impact of the renowned local band can visit the hotel's Peace Garden, which consists of calm waters and well trimmed plants.

Abbey Road 4

BEST BEATLES ATTRACTION OUTSIDE OF LIVERPOOL

Although Abbey Road is located outside of the city highly regarded as “The Birthplace of The Beatles,” the famous London pedestrian walk featured on the bands' eleventh official album cover is worth the trip. To the dismay of drivers, delays on Abbey Road are frequent as pedestrians continually step out onto the road's signature black and white stripes, sometimes barefoot like Paul McCartney, to pose for their prized picture. Another well known attraction on the street is the Abbey Road Studios' building, where The Beatles recorded over 90 percent of their music. Since Abbey Road Studios is a working business, tours of the building are not available. However, visitors can still get a good photograph of the studios from the street.

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1. Chloe Jones; The Beatles Story; Liverpool, MSY, UK
2. Chloe Jones; The Cavern Club's Stage; Liverpool, MSY, UK
3. John Lennon's Boyhood Home; Liverpool, MSY,UK
4. Chloe Jones; Abbey Road; London, UK