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- Dancing, Donkeys And A Big Dipper: 18 Things To Do In Blackpool
Dancing, Donkeys And A Big Dipper: 18 Things To Do In Blackpool
If you've ever wanted to visit a quintessential northern seaside town - then Blackpool, the ‘Las Vegas of Lancashire’, has tradition in (buckets &) spades. You've got the retro classics of the famous tram and illuminations, but also a state-of-the-art pleasure beach and water park. You can choose to take a stately spin around the famous Tower Ballroom or go clubbing into the wee hours of the morning in a town that wants to entertain 24/7. Here's how to make the most of a trip to the coast.
1. Take a white knuckle ride
The award-winning Blackpool Pleasure Beach has 125 rides and attractions. It's mostly famous for its impressive collection of rollercoasters, such as Valhalla, the Big Dipper, Infusion, Ice Blast, and Red Arrows Skyforce. The Pleasure Beach is also home to The Big One which reaches speeds of up to 87mph and a height of 235ft. For smaller children, there are family rides including Wallace and Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic and Nickelodeon Land, featuring Dora’s World Voyage.
2. Taste the high life
Blackpool Tower first opened to the public in 1894. And yes, it was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. From the floor-to-ceiling glass observation windows of the Blackpool Eye, you can see the town from 380 feet in the air on the SkyWalk. Other tower treats include a 4D Cinema, Blackpool Tower Circus, and The Blackpool Tower Dungeon, with spooky fun including live shows, sets, and special effects.
3. Dance the night away
If you're into dancing, visit the elegant Blackpool Tower Ballroom - with its famous sprung dance floor, glamorous décor, and even a Wurlitzer organ providing the music. You might recognise it from Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Afterwards, you could take afternoon tea or relax in the balcony and watch the dancers below.
4. See the pretty lights
Blackpool Illuminations take place every year from late August until early November, and is one of the biggest free light shows in the world. Stretching 6 miles along the Promenade and using over 1 million bulbs, the Illuminations have an opening night each year, called ‘The Big Switch On’. Previous celebrities to have turned on the lights at the event include Peter Kay, Robbie Williams, and Tim Burton.
5. Ride a vintage tram
The Blackpool tramway dates back to 1885, making it one of the oldest in the world. Although they’ve since been replaced by modern trams, the vintage ones still run a heritage service on bank holiday weekends, and during the summer, with special tours during the Illuminations. One of the oldest tramcars at Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours is Car 66, built in 1901 for the town of Bolton. A restored version of the original car is still in service today.
6. Relax on the beach
Situated next to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the beach at Blackpool South was recently awarded Blue Flag status, while the Blackpool North beach, Blackpool Central beach and Bispham beach have been given Seaside Award status.
7. Make a splash
At Sandcastle Water Park, you'll find water slides, wave machines, water chutes, and fun pools. It's the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, home to Aztec Falls, Caribbean Storm Treehouse, and the Typhoon Lagoon. Adults can relax in the Sea Breeze Spa with a sauna, steam room, foot spas, and aromatherapy treatments. Kids can entertain themselves.
8. Smell the flowers and soak up some culture
The beautiful Blackpool Winter Gardens opened in 1878 and are housed in a Grade II listed building. It has hosted the Blackpool Dance Festival each year since 1920 and is also the venue for the annual Rebellion punk festival. On the ground floor, you’ll find the elegant Opera House Theatre which has hosted Royal Variety Performances and is home to the last newest Wurlitzer organ to be installed in the UK.
9. See a show
Blackpool Grand Theatre is a gorgeous Grade II listed building designed by Victorian theatre architect Frank Matcham. There’s a fantastic selection of shows on here throughout the year, from drama and dance, to comedy, and shows for the kids.
10. Go wild
Blackpool Zoo spans 32-acres and has over 1,500 animals from around the world. Get up close to animals such as tapirs, tigers, and orang-utans and a variety of reptiles and birds, including lizards, geckos, flamingos, and ostriches. You can also get hands-on experience by being a keeper for the day and even a bird or sea lion trainer.
11. Take a walk in the park
Stanley Park is good if you want a break from the frenetic pier area, with beautiful gardens and historical buildings to amble around. There’s an animal themed play area for children with rocking horses, slides, and more rides, and Italian Gardens, water fountains, Rose Gardens and Remembrance Garden for any adults in need of a nap. Follow it up with a cuppa or lunch at the Art Deco Café - it's got a stylish interior and nice views of the park.
12. See double at Madame Tussauds
Justin Bieber, Helen Mirren, Ed Sheeran... all the stars hang out here. Or their wax lookalikes do, anyway. At Madame Tussauds Blackpool you can walk through interactive sets from TV, music, film, sport and comedy and have fun taking selfies with your fave celebs, such as Simon Cowell, Taylor Swift, and Olly Murs.
13. Sea Life Blackpool
Explore new depths at SEA LIFE Blackpool, home to over 2000 varieties of marine life from sharks to jellyfish, clown fish, and piranhas. There’s also Pirate Adventure Mini Golf , special talks, and feeding times if you're sticking around for the day.
14. Try the local delicacies
Built in 1856, The Cottage has been serving fish and chips in Blackpool since 1920. It even features in Rick Stein's 'Seafood Lovers’ Guide' as the best in town. Celebrities who’ve enjoyed a meal there include from Lenny Henry, Dawn French, Status Quo and Steve Davis - who you'll see up on the walls. In terms of souvenirs, Blackwoods of Blackpool has been making sticks of rock for over 70 years and is still under the same family ownership. They sell their lettered rock worldwide. For more exclusive dining, head to the White Tower Restaurant, on the penthouse of the art deco Casino Building. Featuring an a la carte menu and dishes prepared from local Lancashire produce by award winning chef, Anthony Malone, it’s also got really good views of the Blackpool Promenade.
15. Take a stroll along the piers
Blackpool has three famous piers, complete with rides, ice-cream stalls, gifts shops, and fortune tellers. North Pier is the oldest and longest of the three piers. An English Heritage Grade II listed structure, it features a carousel, an arcade, and the North Pier Theatre. Central Pier was built one year after the North Pier, in 1864, and has two arcades, rides including The Big Wheel and Dodgems, and Pirate’s Bay Family Bar. South Pier was built in 1890 and is the one with the good rides. Look out for Roller Bob (a ski jump ride), the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster, the Skyscreamer (a reverse bungee), and the Skycoaster (lifting you 100ft into the air on a special harness).
16. Sample the nightlife
Blackpool is famous for its many bars and clubs, and yep, the stag and hen parties you'll undoubtedly find in them. The Central Pier Showbar is a family friendly option, expect tributes to Elvis Presley and Freddie Mercury on the bill. On West Street in the city centre, The Mitre Pub serves decent cask ales, while the Bootleg Social on Topping Street is good for live music and cocktails. And if you're out for the long haul, Ma Kelly’s North on Talbot Road does karaoke and cabaret.
17. Have fun at a festival
The Blackpool Dance Festival is the longest-running festival in Blackpool (since 1920) and is held at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens in the last week of May each year. The Blackpool Pride Festival is usually held in June at the Winter Gardens and is a celebration of the LGB&T community. The free event features entertainment, stalls, bars, and crèche facilities. Fireworks blast off during September for the Blackpool World Firework Championships held on Blackpool Promenade. And Blackpool Air Show is held in August every year, a free aerial display of vintage aircraft above the seafront.
18. Take a walk with the experts
Take a ghoulish ghost walk with the Victorian Ghost Hunter and learn about Blackpool’s most haunted locations. The tour starts from the North Pier, moving on to Church Street, Talbot Square, and The Promenade along the way. Learn more about Blackpool’s history on the Blackpool Heritage Tour, taking in the town’s historic venues such as the Blackpool Winter Gardens, Stanley Park, and the Lightworks (home to the Illuminations Collection).
Essential Blackpool information
We’ve plenty of Blackpool hotels if you’re planning on making a weekend of it. Also don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you go. For the latest public transport info, head over to the Blackpool Council website. We'd love to hear what you're favourite things to do in the coastal town are. Let us know with a comment below.
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