Things to do in Blackpool

Blackpool’s attractions make the town a utopia for kids both young and old. Ride on a white-knuckle rollercoaster or enjoy more traditional thrills at the Pleasure Beach theme park, cure your fear of heights at Blackpool Tower or see everything from aardvarks to zebras at Blackpool Zoo.

Mountain-biking, watersports, golf, ice skating… Blackpool has plenty of exciting ways to tempt you away from your deckchair. And don’t worry if you forgot to pack your sense of adventure. There are more sedate activities to try that don’t require nerves of steel, from walking tours to cycle trails.

Famously bold and brash it may be, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a thriving cultural scene. There’s an art gallery in the town, as well as some fantastic public art installations. Museum lovers will find hundreds of fascinating items in the entertaining Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, too.

The home of variety, Blackpool is a town dedicated to entertainment in all its forms. There are grand theatres, concert halls and comedy venues, plus a whole calendar of exciting events designed to keep Blackpool buzzing with life, all year round. Will your visit coincide with a show or maybe a trip to Lytham Festival for the weekend? 

Remember to sample some of Blackpool’s famous nightlife - but will you choose a traditional pub, a glamorous cocktail bar or a late night entertainment venue? You’ll be spoilt for choice, because this party town is crammed with almost as many watering holes as there are revellers.

Blackpool does fish and chips exceptionally well, but can also cater for more stylish tastes. Enjoy fine dining as you watch the sun go down from the terrace at a bistro and bar right on the beach. Or head to a food market to sample some tasty local delicacies, from artisan cheeses to Bury black pudding.

With high street stores rubbing fashionable shoulders with quirky little independents, there’s more to the Blackpool shopping scene than just souvenirs. If you love to shop, a retail heaven awaits, and it’s one that’s full of choice - from city centre shopping malls to quirky antiques emporiums.

Out-of-town theme parks are all well and good. But why not spare yourself the long coach ride to the middle of nowhere, by taking a thrill-seeking city break to Blackpool instead? The town has its own award-winning theme park right in the centre of town with not one but ten rollercoaster rides to strap yourself into - more than any other park in the UK.

No trip to Blackpool would be complete without a ride on one of the town’s famous trams. The system has been brought bang up to date, but you can still ride on the vintage variety at weekends. Apart from that, there are buses and plenty of opportunities to explore the town by bike.