England’s one of the best cities, Blackpool is enchanting and beautiful in its own way. Popular seaside destination Blackpool is well-known for the Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach, light displays, and ballroom dancing. While it wasn’t always the case, Blackpool is now considered one of the best entertainment destinations.
Before the early 1860s, Blackpool had no entertainment options for one to explore. The Prince of Wales Arcade opened n 1867, and from then on, Blackpool turned into the pulsating and electrifying city it is today.
Blackpool is frequently associated with crime and disorderly behavior in the UK. Many individuals believe that Blackpool is a hangout for the underclass.
However, Blackpool’s reputation as a rather seedy town is unfair because the area has a lot of activities that give visitors enjoyment and even beautiful natural settings. And there’s no doubt that it’s a fantastic vacation spot for families with all the rides, pirates, and lights.
Best 13 Blackpool Attractions
Discover these 13 Blackpool attractions to simplify and enjoy your stay.
1. Blackpool Tower
This tall and huge structure, the great Blackpool Tower, is located in the heart of Blackpool. When it was built in 1894, its spectacular design, influenced by the Eiffel Tower, made it the tallest man-made structure in Britain at 518 feet (158 m).
Blackpool Tower houses a five-attraction entertainment center during the day. Additionally, 25,000 LED lights wonderfully illuminate it at night. This is one of the top Blackpool attractions.
These lights, seen for miles, are often used for decoration. Still, occasionally the Tower will be illuminated in a particular hue to promote charitable initiatives, demonstrate support for pressing problems or express grief.
The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Tower Ballroom, Tower Circus, and Fifth Floor are the five attractions contained within the tower. You can purchase tickets in various combinations to visit some or all of these Blackpool attractions.
2. Blackpool Tower Circus
At the base of the Tower lies Blackpool Tower Circus, which offers hours of family entertainment. International entertainers have been a part of the attraction since it opened in 1894. It has been operating in Blackpool for the longest and is the oldest permanent circus arena in the world.
A couple of the front-row seats provide an eye-level view of the ring, and as the acts go on, you can see the Tower’s internal architecture all around you.
Blackpool Tower Circus visit will make the entire day enjoyable. This is one of the top Blackpool attractions.
3. Blackpool Tower Ballroom
This famous ballroom is gorgeous, polished, and exquisite. Dancers and admirers treasure the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for its sprung dance floor, magnificent architecture, and unique location.
You can still go to the ballroom, constructed in 1894, to wipe the dust from your dancing shoes and spin around the dance floor. Visit this enchanting place as it is one of the prime Blackpool attractions.
The Strictly Come Dancing dance competition is held in the Blackpool Ballroom for one week each season, and spectators can buy tickets to watch their favorite couples compete.
4. Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a classic amusement park that opened its doors in 1896. The UK’s tallest and steepest rollercoaster, appropriately named The Big One, is a popular attraction. Astonishing views can be seen from the summit, and you down the first hill quickly.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, located on the South Promenade, is home to the world’s busiest theme park in terms of ride space. Because they are built under one another, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy all the rides.
With various thrilling and traditional rides, Nickelodeon Land, geared toward kids, and other family-friendly amenities, is suited for everyone. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
5. Winter Gardens
The Opera House, which was opened in 1878, is a large theatre in the United Kingdom with a capacity of about 3000 seats, located in Winter Gardens. The Empress Ballroom, one of the Winter Gardens’ many auditoriums and halls, has a barrel-vaulted ceiling.
The largest venues are located on the Winter Gardens’ main floor and are connected by an Art Deco corridor with a metal and glass roof.
This spectacular Grade II listed edifice hosts performances of music, dance, comedy, musicals, exhibits, and trade shows every day of the week and all year.
6. Madame Tussauds Blackpool and Sea life Blackpool
Along the Promenade, in addition to those above “uniquely Blackpool” pastimes, there are many other enjoyable pursuits and tourist attractions. You won’t know which decision to make first!
Additionally, several of Blackpool’s most well-known indoor attractions, such as the sea life aquarium, and Madame Tussauds wax museum, are located here.
Along with meeting Queen Elizabeth II, you’ll see Simon Cowell, the infamously grumpy talent show judge, and Olympic runner Mo Farah. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not, an intriguing museum of curiosities, is also located along the Promenade but farther out from the town center. All these are fantastic activities to do in Blackpool during inclement weather and throughout the winter.
7. Blackpool’s Piers
If you have the time, it’s fun to check out all the piers because each one is unique from the others. You can complete all three in one afternoon because the Golden Mile just takes 35 minutes to walk (plus the time you’ll spend on the piers).
The oldest of the three is the North Pier. It was established in 1893 and is Grade II listed. The Helter-Skelter, Venetian Carousel, and family-friendly bars make this pier the most well-liked among young families.
The Big Wheel, located on Central Pier and has grown to be one of Blackpool’s most recognizable symbols, offers breathtaking views of the Fylde Coast from the top. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
8. Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo is a multi-award-winning attraction that is great for the whole family to enjoy. Additionally, it’s among the top things to do all year round in Blackpool.
Big cats, elephants, wolves, giraffes, and orang-utans are just a few of more than 1300 species that call the zoo home. It also boasts the sole gorilla house in the northwest. Nearly all of the 37 acres of British parks are level and completely wheelchair accessible.
An amazing and cozy soft play area called The Playbarn is on the zoo grounds. You do not need to purchase a zoo admission ticket to visit the Playbarn because it is not a part of the zoo.
9. Stanley Park
On the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, the breathtaking Stanley Park in Blackpool is listed as a Grade II Historical Park. It has been rated the best park in the UK for the past two years and welcomes 2 million visitors annually.
This park, which spans a whopping 390 acres, has it all, and you could easily spend a day there taking advantage of everything it offers. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
If horticulture is your hobby, you’ll enjoy the variety of plants in the park, especially the gorgeous flowerbeds in the Italian Garden, which also features a wonderful marble fountain.
A lovely boating lake with decorative bridges can be found in the park’s eastern section, where ducks, swans, and other waterfowl live. During the warmer months, you may rent a boat or a pedal, take in the sunshine, and hear the birds sing!
10. Sandcastle Waterpark
Between South Pier and Pleasure Beach lies the UK’s largest indoor waterpark. Sandcastle Waterpark is weatherproof and maintains a constant temperature of 84°C. Children may enjoy 18 slides, including two new additions, Montazooma and Aztec Falls.
The former is a short plunge into a dark pit, unlike Aztec Falls, which is a mat slide with 360° twists that ends in a corkscrew. This is one of the top Blackpool attractions.
Parents can relax in the Sea Breeze Spa, which has a steam room, sauna, warm foot spas, and an aromatherapy section, while younger children can play securely in the Shimmering Shallows.
11. Blackpool Promenade
The setting for practically all of the city’s attractions and activities is Blackpool’s Victorian promenade, which is thronged with tourists and inhabitants’ day and night. Its three principal regions are the North Shore, Central Shore, and South Shore.
The Comedy Carpet, a tribute to Blackpool’s long history of entertainment and performance, is one of the Promenade’s attractions. It may be found on the headland in front of Blackpool Tower.
12. Blackpool Illuminations
Eight carbon arc lamps were all that was initially used in the 1879 debut of the now-famous Blackpool Illuminations. Every autumn, the exhibit was subsequently reproduced, and now it has become a breathtaking display.
More than one million bulbs are used in this stunning and vibrant spectacle. Due to its nighttime illumination, Blackpool often enjoys a longer tourist season than most British coastal towns, lasting from late August to early November. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
The greatest way to observe The Illuminations, sometimes called “The Lights” locally, is from one of the specially lit trams that only run when the display is on. They drag you back after running to Bispham, where the lights are turned off. They regularly leave from a loop near Pleasure Beach.
13. Blackpool Model Village & Gardens
If you have more time or want to get away from the bustle of the seaside promenade, Blackpool Model Village and Gardens is one of the more interesting things to do in Blackpool.
This Blackpool attraction can be considered family-friendly and is close to Stanley Park. Adults also enjoy this place.
Models of countless village sceneries, including a Cornish fishing town, a Tudor community, and even a Scottish castle, can be found here. The miniature railroad will also appeal to railfans. One of the best Blackpool attractions is this one.
In addition, a functioning train passes through the main settlement, and anyone is welcome to ride it. You are given a map and quiz to ensure you don’t miss anything, and the entire attraction is tucked away among 2 1/2 acres of exquisitely planted gardens!
Final Remark
Blackpool is a fantastic destination for several reasons, in conclusion.
It has a wide range of Blackpool attractions, from the iconic Blackpool Tower to the quaint seafront village of St. Annes-on-the-Sea. Blackpool offers family vacations and romantic getaways, so there is something for everyone.