Blackpool is one of those places that needs no introduction, but still manages to surprise you when you actually get there. The Tower. The Pleasure Beach. Miles of illuminations. Fish and chips on the promenade. And a nightlife scene that has no intention of letting you go home early.
Whether you’re planning a weekend away with friends, a hen do, a family trip, or just a long-overdue break by the sea, this guide covers everything you need to know. Attractions, where to stay, where to eat, and what to do when the sun goes down.
Let’s get into it.
Top Attractions: What to Do on Your Trips to Blackpool
Blackpool packs a serious amount into a relatively small stretch of coastline. Here’s where to focus your time.
Blackpool Tower
You can’t come to Blackpool and skip the Tower. Opened in 1894 and modelled after the Eiffel Tower, it stands 158 metres tall and dominates the seafront skyline. Inside, you’ll find the Tower Eye observation deck, the Tower Circus (which has been running continuously since the building opened), and the famous Tower Ballroom, where the sprung dance floor and ornate Victorian interior make it one of the most photographed rooms in Britain. Check the Blackpool Tower website for current opening times and ticket prices before you visit, as they vary by season.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
This is the big one for families and thrill-seekers. Pleasure Beach covers around 42 acres and is consistently ranked among the UK’s most visited attractions. Rides range from classic wooden coasters to modern steel monsters. The Big One, which opened in 1994, was once the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Book tickets in advance; online walk-up prices are higher, and the queues get long in peak season.
The Promenade and Sandcastle Waterpark
The promenade runs for several miles along the seafront, lined with arcades, tram stops, snack bars, and the kind of chaos that Blackpool does better than anywhere. Sandcastle Waterpark, just south of the Pleasure Beach, is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark and is worth knowing about if you’re travelling with kids or the weather turns.
Blackpool Illuminations
If your trips to Blackpool guide research keeps throwing up one seasonal event, it’ll be this. The Illuminations run from late August through to early January each year, lighting up six miles of the promenade with millions of LEDs. It’s free to walk or drive through. Blackpool Council publishes the exact start and end dates on its official website each year.
Where to Stay in Blackpool: Hotels for Every Budget
Blackpool has more hotel beds per square mile than almost anywhere else in the UK, so there’s no shortage of choice. Here’s how to think about it.
North Shore
The north end of town is quieter, has some of the better-kept guesthouses, and sits close to the famous Blackpool North railway station. Good for families and couples who want to be near the action without being right in the thick of it.
Central Blackpool
If you want to be close to the Tower, the Golden Mile, and the tram network, central Blackpool is where to base yourself. You’ll find everything from budget B&Bs to larger chain hotels here. Winter Gardens and the main conference venues are also in this area.
South Shore
South Shore puts you closest to the Pleasure Beach, which makes it a natural choice for families. Hotel prices tend to be competitive here, and the Stanley Park area nearby is worth a walk if you want some green space.
A few practical tips: always read recent reviews on TripAdvisor or Google before booking, as quality varies enormously between properties. Book well ahead for Illuminations season, bank holidays, and August. Parking is widely available but can be expensive near the seafront. Many hotels offer their own car parks, which is worth checking when you book.
Eating in Blackpool: Where to Grab a Good Meal
The seafront staples are exactly what you’d expect: the fish and chips, candy floss, and ice cream. And they’re worth having, obviously.
For sit-down dining, the town centre and the streets around the Winter Gardens have a solid range of restaurants covering everything from Indian and Italian to modern British. Talbot Road and the surrounding area have become something of a hub for independent eateries in recent years.
If you’re planning a night out at a show, some venues offer dinner-and-show packages that make the whole evening much easier to plan. More on that below.
Nightlife in Blackpool: A Guide to Blackpool’s Evening Scene
Blackpool after dark is its own thing entirely. The town has a long tradition of cabaret, live music, and entertainment venues that go well beyond the typical club and pub circuit.
Funny Girls: Blackpool’s Most Famous Cabaret Show
No honest guide to Blackpool nightlife leaves this out. Funny Girls has been running since 1994 and has built a reputation as the best night out in town, not just locally, but nationally. It sits on Dickson Road in a listed 1930s-style theatre and runs a full cabaret and drag show that changes with the seasons.
Current shows include the Blooming Queens Spring Show, Hot Girl Summer (running from late May through early September), Coven Queens for the Halloween season, and Christmas Sleigh Queens running from November into January. Each one is a full production with choreography, costumes, music, audience interaction, and the kind of energy that makes three-and-a-half hours feel like forty minutes.
The show runs from 8 pm to around 11.30 pm, with doors opening at 7 pm. You can add a three-course pre-show dinner in Garbo’s, their art deco restaurant, for £29.85 per person. Table service runs throughout the show, and the venue has received over 35,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, placing it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
Tickets are reasonably priced and bookable through the Funny Girls website. The show is welcoming to all groups of all ages and backgrounds fill the seats every night. It works especially well for hen parties, birthdays, work nights out, and anyone who just wants to laugh properly for a few hours.
Other Nightlife Options
The Promenade area around Blackpool has a wide range of bars and pubs, particularly on the streets running parallel to the seafront. Viva Blackpool offers another large-scale cabaret option. The Winter Gardens complex hosts touring music acts, comedy shows, and events throughout the year. Check their listings ahead of your visit to see what’s on.
Practical Tips for Planning Trips to Blackpool
Getting there is straightforward. Blackpool North is the main railway station, with direct services from Manchester Victoria and connections from across the North of England. By road, the M55 runs directly into the town from junction 32 of the M6. There’s also a tram network running the length of the promenade, connecting the main tourist areas.
What to pack: even in summer, Blackpool can be breezy, so bring a layer. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable if you’re planning a full day on the promenade or at the Pleasure Beach.
Best time to visit: summer (July and August) is the busiest and most expensive period. May, June, and September offer better prices and fewer crowds while still giving you reasonable weather. The Illuminations season (late August to early January) draws a lot of visitors, but the evenings are genuinely spectacular, and the atmosphere is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Blackpool rewards a bit of planning. Know where you’re staying, book the big-ticket experiences in advance, and leave room for the unexpected because this town always has something going on. Whether the highlight of your trip ends up being a roller coaster, a plate of chips on the seafront, or a night at Funny Girls laughing until your sides ache, you won’t be short of stories when you get home.
FAQs: Trips to Blackpool
Q: Is Blackpool suitable for families with young children? Yes, very much so. The Pleasure Beach has rides for all ages, Sandcastle Waterpark is excellent for kids, and the promenade offers plenty of activities for families. Most hotels cater specifically to families, and the whole town is geared towards group visits.
Q: How far in advance should I book the Funny Girls show?
It’s worth booking at least a few weeks ahead, particularly for Saturdays, bank holidays, and popular seasonal shows. You can book tickets and pre-show dining directly through the Funny Girls website. Tickets sell out regularly during peak periods.
Q: What is the best area to stay in Blackpool for nightlife?
Central Blackpool puts you closest to most of the evening entertainment, including bars, cabaret venues, and the Winter Gardens. North Shore is quieter but still walkable or tram-able to the main nightlife areas. South Shore is better suited to those focused on the Pleasure Beach.
Q: Is Blackpool worth visiting outside of summer?
Absolutely. The Illuminations run until early January and bring a completely different atmosphere to the seafront. Autumn and early winter can be a great time to visit for fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. The Funny Girls show also runs seasonal Halloween and Christmas shows that are very popular.
Q: What is there to do in Blackpool on a rainy day?
Plenty. Sandcastle Waterpark is fully indoors. The Blackpool Tower complex includes the Ballroom and Circus. The Winter Gardens hosts events and exhibitions throughout the year. Indoor arcades run the length of the promenade, and the town has a good selection of cafés, pubs, and restaurants to wait out a shower.
