Planning a trip to Blackpool? This seaside town has drawn visitors for more than 150 years with its perfect mix of entertainment, history, and coastal charm. Whether you’re after adrenaline-pumping rides, world-class shows, or just a stroll along the golden sands, Blackpool delivers. Here are the top 20 things to see in Blackpool that will make your visit unforgettable.
https://www.funnygirlsshow.co.uk/ Before you book anything else, check the Funny Girls website for all their show times and special events. This legendary drag and cabaret show has been rated in the top 10% of attractions worldwide, so it’s worth planning your trip around.
1. Funny Girls: Where the Night Really Begins
When the sun sets, Funny Girls takes centre stage as Blackpool’s premier drag and cabaret show. Located right in the heart of town, this venue has earned more than 35,000 glowing reviews and a reputation that spreads far beyond the UK. The show features about seven performances throughout the night, with talented queens, costume changes that defy logic, and a DJ who keeps the energy high between acts.
You can grab tickets from £27.50, and if you arrive early, the pre-show dinner at Garbo’s restaurant is worth it. Three courses for £29.85 per person sets you up nicely before the curtain rises at 8:30pm. The atmosphere is welcoming, the laughs are genuine, and you’ll leave with your cheeks hurting from smiling. Rated in the top 10% of attractions worldwide and voted number one for five years straight, this is entertainment that lives up to the hype. For show times and bookings, visit Funny Girls at their website.
2. Blackpool Tower: The Icon That Started It All
You can’t visit Blackpool without seeing the Tower. Built in 1894 and inspired by Paris’s Eiffel Tower, this 158-metre landmark isn’t just about the view. Inside you’ll find the Tower Ballroom, with its stunning chandeliers and sprung dance floor that’s hosted dancers for over a century. Head up to the Tower Eye for panoramic views across the Irish Sea and Lancashire countryside. If you’re feeling brave, step onto the SkyWalk, a solid glass floor that lets you look straight down to the promenade below.
The Tower Dungeon takes you through 1,000 years of Lancashire’s darker history, complete with live actors who really commit to their roles. It’s theatrical, gruesome, and surprisingly funny.
3. Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Thrills by the Sea
This 42-acre amusement park has been running for more than 120 years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The Big One roller coaster held world records when it opened and still delivers that stomach-dropping moment at the peak. Icon, the UK’s first multi-launch coaster, weaves through the park with smooth inversions and quick accelerations.
Don’t overlook the wooden coasters. The Big Dipper from 1923 and the Grand National from 1935 offer a different kind of thrill. These “woodies” rattle and shake in ways modern rides don’t, giving you that classic fairground feeling. Entry to the park is reasonable, but you’ll need to budget for individual ride t
4. Blackpool Illuminations: Six Miles of Pure Magic
From early September through to January, the promenade transforms into the greatest free light show in Britain. More than half a million bulbs create displays that stretch for six miles along the seafront. You can drive underneath them or park up and walk. The switch-on weekend in late August or early September turns into a full celebration with live music and entertainment.
The Illuminations have been running for over a century, making them a true Blackpool tradition. Each year brings new installations alongside classic favourites, and the best part is it costs nothing to enjoy.
5. Winter Gardens & Opera House: Victorian Grandeur Lives On
The Winter Gardens complex opened in 1878 and remains one of the most impressive entertainment venues in the UK. The Opera House, rebuilt in 1939, seats almost 3,000 people and features an Art Deco design that feels both grand and intimate. Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Bob Hope have all performed here, and today’s lineup includes major touring shows, musicals, and concerts.
The Empress Ballroom, built in 1896, covers 12,500 square feet of sprung floor space. It hosted the first Blackpool Dance Festival in 1920 and continues to welcome dancers, conferences, and special events. The entire complex spreads across several buildings connected by elegant arcades and halls.
6. Blackpool Grand Theatre: Matcham’s Masterpiece
Frank Matcham designed this theatre in 1894, and it’s considered his finest work. The building nearly met the wrecking ball in 1972, but local campaigners fought to save it. After full restoration in time for its centenary in 1994, the Grand now hosts everything from ballet to comedy, West End touring productions to intimate plays.
The 1,100-seat auditorium features ornate plasterwork, plush seating, and acoustics that make every seat feel close to the action. The corner entrance with its distinctive dome and minaret makes it easy to spot from the street.
7. The Three Piers: Classic Seaside Fun
Blackpool is the only British resort with three piers, and each has its own character. North Pier, the oldest from 1863, offers a more traditional experience with Victorian architecture and a theatre at the end. Central Pier sits right at the heart of the action with a Ferris wheel and classic amusement arcades. South Pier (now Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s domain) focuses on rides and modern attractions.
Walking the piers gives you that proper seaside feeling, with candy floss stalls, arcade games that haven’t changed in decades, and the sound of waves beneath the wooden boards.
8. SEA LIFE Blackpool: More Than 2,000 Creatures
Located on the promenade, SEA LIFE houses an impressive collection of marine life from British waters and beyond. Walk through underwater tunnels as sharks glide overhead, watch rays sweep past, and spot seahorses tucked into their habitats. The centre focuses on education alongside entertainment, making it perfect for families.
The UK shoreline exhibit shows you what lives in our own waters, while the tropical sections bring colour and movement from coral reefs around the world. Interactive touchpools let younger visitors get hands-on with starfish and crabs.
9. Madame Tussauds Blackpool: Meet Your Heroes
This is the only UK branch of Madame Tussauds outside London, giving you access to wax figures of British celebrities, sports stars, and historical figures. The attention to detail is remarkable. Stand next to athlete Mo Farah, pose with pop stars, or meet the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The experience goes beyond just taking photos. Themed zones tell stories about the people represented, and the lifelike quality of the figures makes you do a double-take.
10. Sandcastle Waterpark: Year-Round Splash
Britain’s largest indoor waterpark brings 18 slides and attractions under one roof. The Master Blaster shoots you uphill using water jets, the Sidewinder drops you into a giant funnel, and the Montazooma launches you from a near-vertical start. For those who prefer calmer waters, the lazy river and wave pool offer a more relaxed experience.
Being indoors means weather never cancels your plans, making it a reliable option for families any time of year.
11. Blackpool Zoo: 1,500 Animals Across 32 Acres
Just two miles inland from the promenade, Blackpool Zoo provides a full day out with tigers, lions, gorillas, elephants, and hundreds of other species. The park focuses on conservation and education, with keeper talks scheduled throughout the day.
Walking paths wind through different habitat zones, from African plains to Asian forests. The zoo works with breeding programmes for endangered species, so your visit contributes to conservation efforts.
12. Stanley Park: Blackpool’s Green Heart
This Grade II* listed park offers 32 acres of landscaped gardens, sports facilities, and peaceful walking paths. The Italian gardens showcase formal planting, while the lake attracts waterfowl and provides opportunities for model boating. You’ll find tennis courts, bowling greens, and an 18-hole golf course for active visitors.
The park sits in a designated conservation area and appears on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. It’s the perfect escape when you need a break from the promenade’s buzz.
13. The Golden Mile: Classic Blackpool Experience
This stretch of promenade between the North and South piers packs in everything that makes Blackpool special. Fish and chip shops, rock shops, arcades, bingo halls, and souvenir stalls create a sensory overload of lights, sounds, and smells. It’s touristy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what you came for.
Grab a portion of fish and chips, browse the rock stalls for that perfect gift, and soak up the atmosphere. The Golden Mile represents traditional British seaside culture at its finest.
14. Blackpool Trams: The Transport That’s Also an Attraction
Blackpool’s heritage tram system is more than just a way to get around. These iconic vehicles have been running since 1885, making this the UK’s only surviving first-generation tramway. Riding the full length of the promenade gives you a moving tour of the seafront, and the heritage trams (especially during illuminations season) add vintage charm to your journey.
The £100 million tramway modernisation kept the character while improving reliability. Both modern and heritage trams share the tracks, giving you options for your journey.
15. The Great Promenade Show: Art Meets Coast
This outdoor sculpture trail stretches along a mile of promenade, with each piece connecting to Blackpool’s history or natural environment. The High Tide Organ, designed by Liam Curtin and John Gooding, creates haunting music when waves wash through its pipes. Sir Peter Blake’s circus character sculptures celebrate Blackpool’s entertainment heritage.
These installations are free to view and add cultural depth to your seaside walk. They prove that Blackpool values art alongside entertainment.
16. Blackpool Beach: Seven Miles of Golden Sand
Sometimes the simplest pleasures work best. Blackpool’s beach stretches for seven miles, offering plenty of space even on busy summer days. The sand is genuinely golden, and when the tide goes out, you get vast expanses perfect for beach games, sandcastle building, or just walking.
Donkey rides have been available since the 1880s, making them one of Blackpool’s longest-running attractions. Children still love this traditional experience, and parents enjoy the nostalgia.
17. Blackpool Tower Circus: Big Top Entertainment
At the base of Blackpool Tower, the circus ring has hosted performances since 1894. The show changes each season but always features acrobats, clowns, and speciality acts that showcase world-class talent. The intimate arena means you’re close to the action, whether you’re watching tightrope walkers or trained animals.
Water features built into the circus ring allow for spectacular fountain displays between acts. The show runs during peak season and school holidays.
18. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Oddities and Curiosities
This museum showcases the weird, the strange, and the downright unbelievable across eight themed galleries and two floors. Shrunken heads, optical illusions, unusual artifacts from around the world, and interactive exhibits fill every corner. It’s part museum, part entertainment centre, and entirely unlike anywhere else.
The collection comes from Robert Ripley’s decades of worldwide travel and research. Whether the exhibits make you laugh, gasp, or scratch your head, you won’t forget them.
19. The Blackpool Tower Ballroom: Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
Even if you don’t dance, the Tower Ballroom deserves a visit. The ornate ceiling features enormous chandeliers, the balconies showcase detailed plasterwork, and the sprung maple floor was designed specifically for dancing. The Wurlitzer organ rises from beneath the floor for afternoon tea dances and special performances.
Afternoon tea in the ballroom combines elegant surroundings with traditional treats. You can watch dancers glide across the floor while enjoying sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
20. Blackpool Model Village & Gardens: Miniature Britain
This attraction offers a change of pace from the high-energy thrills elsewhere in town. Detailed scale models of British landmarks, complete with landscaped gardens, create a miniature world you can explore at your own pace. The attention to detail in the buildings and the careful planting of the gardens make this a surprisingly absorbing visit.
Children enjoy spotting familiar landmarks in miniature form, while adults appreciate the craftsmanship. It’s particularly peaceful in the morning before crowds arrive.
Planning Your Blackpool Visit
Blackpool offers something for every visitor, from families with young children to couples seeking entertainment and groups looking for nightlife. The key attractions cluster around the promenade, making it easy to see several things to see in Blackpool in a single day. That said, you could easily spend a long weekend here and still not experience everything.
Book accommodation early if you’re visiting during Illuminations season (September to January) or school holidays, as the town fills up quickly. The Funny Girls show often sells out, so check their website and reserve your spot well in advance. Many attractions offer combination tickets or online discounts, so research before you arrive.
The town’s layout makes navigation simple. The promenade runs north to south, with most attractions either on it or within easy walking distance. The tram provides an excellent way to travel between areas, and taxis are plentiful if you need them.
When to Visit
Summer brings warm weather, packed beaches, and full event calendars, but it also means larger crowds and higher prices. Spring and autumn offer milder conditions with fewer visitors, making it easier to enjoy attractions without queues. The Illuminations season (September to January) provides a magical atmosphere despite cooler temperatures.
Winter visits work well if you focus on indoor attractions like Sandcastle Waterpark, the Tower, and shows like Funny Girls. Many hotels offer significant discounts during off-peak periods, making winter breaks excellent value.
Food and Drink
Fish and chips remain the quintessential Blackpool meal, and dozens of shops compete for your custom along the promenade. Look for places where locals queue up rather than just tourist traps. Beyond traditional seaside fare, the town offers everything from Indian and Chinese restaurants to gastropubs and fine dining.
The pre-show dinner at Garbo’s in the Funny Girls venue offers excellent value if you’re planning to see the show anyway. The Winter Gardens has several dining options if you’re catching a performance there.
Final Thoughts
Blackpool has evolved from a Victorian seaside resort into a modern entertainment destination while keeping its traditional character. The things to see in Blackpool range from historic theatres and piers to contemporary attractions and shows. The town doesn’t try to be sophisticated or subtle. It embraces its role as Britain’s favourite seaside playground, and that honesty is part of its charm.
Whether you’re riding the Big One, walking under the Illuminations, or watching the queens perform at Funny Girls, Blackpool creates memories. It’s loud, bright, occasionally tacky, and absolutely brilliant. Book your trip, bring your sense of fun, and discover why generations of British families keep coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-see attractions in Blackpool for first-time visitors?
Start with Blackpool Tower for its iconic status and multiple attractions under one roof. Add Blackpool Pleasure Beach for thrills, and Funny Girls for evening entertainment. Walk one of the three piers and see the Illuminations if you’re visiting between September and January. These core experiences capture what makes Blackpool special.
How many days do you need to see the main things in Blackpool?
Two to three days covers the major attractions without rushing. Dedicate one day to Pleasure Beach and the Tower, another to the piers, beach, and Zoo, and an evening to shows like Funny Girls. A third day lets you explore Stanley Park, the Grand Theatre, or take things at a more relaxed pace.
Is Blackpool suitable for families with young children?
Absolutely. Many things to see in Blackpool cater specifically to families. Sandcastle Waterpark, SEA LIFE, the beach with donkey rides, and gentler rides at Pleasure Beach work well for younger children. Most shows, including Funny Girls, welcome families, though some performances have age recommendations you should check before booking.
When is the best time to visit Blackpool for good weather and fewer crowds?
Late May through June and September offer the best balance. You’ll get decent weather without peak summer crowds or prices. September has the added bonus of the Illuminations starting, giving you that special atmosphere. Avoid bank holiday weekends and school holidays if you want to dodge the biggest crowds.
Do you need to book attractions in advance or can you just turn up?
Popular attractions like Madame Tussauds, the Tower Eye, and Pleasure Beach often offer online discounts and skip-the-line benefits when you book ahead. Shows at Funny Girls, the Grand Theatre, and Winter Gardens sell out, especially for weekend performances, so advance booking is strongly recommended. The Illuminations, beach, and piers need no booking at all.
