Top 10 Things To Do In Blackpool

Every autumn, the Blackpool Illuminations brings millions to Blackpool to see the “best free light show on Earth.” Held annually since 1879, this world-famous festival lights up the promenade with millions of colorful neon lights from late August to early November. In more recent years, 3D light shows have even made the Blackpool Tower come alive in a dazzling projection of twinkling lights and fibre optics. Enjoy seeing various Blackpool landmarks in an illuminating way in this beloved annual spectacle of lights.

Inspired by the Eiffel Tower and unveiled in 1894, the Blackpool Tower remains one of the most iconic sights in Blackpool. Catch a lift to the top for a breathtaking view of the Irish Sea and Blackpool’s promenade. On clear days you can also see all the way to Wales and Cumbria’s Lake District. The Blackpool Tower is a 158-metre iron tower housing six amazing attractions including Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Circus, Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Jungle Jim’s and Dino Golf. The Blackpool Tower is fun for the entire family!

If good old-fashioned fun is on your holiday agenda, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Home of the UK’s tallest rollercoaster, this beachside amusement park is a longtime favourite for thrill-seekers of all ages. Blackpool Pleasure Beach boasts more rollercoasters than any other UK theme park, including the Big One, the Big Dipper, Infusion and Revolution. Relax from the rollercoasters by taking in a choreographed ice dancing show or watching your little ones frolic around Nickelodeon Land, a six-acre kids’ zone based on some of their favourite TV characters.

Spend a day observing animals from across the globe at Blackpool Zoo. From Orangutan Outlook and Gorilla Mountain to Giraffe Heights, Project Elephant Base Camp, and the Big Cat House, you’re in for an adventure-packed day learning about lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Round off the day with a visit to a children’s farm to pet goats, sheep and alpacas and a dinosaur safari to learn about some of Earth’s extinct favourites. No trip is complete without a walk-through of the Amazonian rainforests in Amazonia.

Those who dream of mingling with the rich and famous will enjoy the unique celebrity experience offered by Madame Tussauds Blackpool. Marvel Comics fans will have a blast fighting crime with many of their favourite superheroes, such as Thor, Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk. Take a selfie with some of the UK’s most recognisable faces including Prince William, Russell Brand, David Beckham, Simon Cowell and The Beatles at Madame Tussauds Blackpool. You never know who you’ll come face-to-face with at one of the world’s most famous wax museums!

Touch a starfish, hold a crab or marvel at stingrays when you visit SEA LIFE Blackpool. Get up close and personal with over 2,500 sea creatures in 50+ displays and 10 themed zones. The young and young-at-heart will love learning more about the world’s oceans and aquatic creatures spanning the globe. Be sure to note feeding times for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into caring for the amazing sea life that call this centre home. View the wonders of the deep without getting wet and don’t miss the Ocean Tunnel!

Holidays are meant for shopping! You’ll find the Houndshill Shopping Centre in the heart of Blackpool. Shop ‘til you drop at over 60 stores including H&M, Disney Store, New Look, Primark, Next, River Island, Debenhams and the Build-a-Bear Workshop. If you fancy a quick bite to eat in between shopping, the food court features plenty of restaurants and cafes. There’s a multi-storey car park directly over the shopping centre but it’s also a stone’s throw away from public transportation. While in Blackpool be sure to take a ride along the promenade on one of the world’s oldest tramway systems.

Do you love to laugh? The Comedy Carpet is sure to bring a smile to your face. Situated in front of the Blackpool Tower, this one-of-a-kind artwork celebrates British humour on a grand scale. Featuring famous quotes from more than 1,000 comedians and comedy writers, the Comedy Carpet is laid out in a grid pattern in strips of 10 concrete slabs each so that it can be read and admired from various angles. This Blackpool public artwork looks like a traditional music-hall playbill, paying homage to the nation’s illustrious entertainment history. Find your favourite song lyrics, jokes, catchphrases and more in this stunning must-see spot that can be enjoyed from all sides and vantage points.