Spend your family weekend seeing the lights and sights of Blackpool

4 August 2021

Located in the North of England, Blackpool is one of the most popular seaside resorts and holiday destinations for families, and rightly so.

A town full of bright lights and activities for both visitors and locals to enjoy, there's so much to see and do in Blackpool.

The seafront is laced with hotels that have stunning sea views and a tram system along the front means it's super easy to get around.

There are also plenty of indoor attractions, so whatever the weather, you’ll still find something you love.

A trip to Blackpool will create lifelong memories for all the family. We’ve put together an itinerary for the weekend to make it easier for you to enjoy the famous town.

Day One: Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Begin your trip with a visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Some of the rides here date back to as early as 1904 - the park oozes history and many generations have had wonderful times in this fairground.

Adrenaline junkies will love the thrilling white-knuckle rides while the rest of the family enjoys the slower, more relaxing ones.

Check out Nickelodeon Land, a themed area full of rides for youngsters - they'll even get the chance to meet their favourite characters! Kids will love Dora’s World Voyage where they can visit lots of different countries and learn to say ‘hello’ in many languages.

If you're feeling brave, be sure to check out the new rollercoaster, Icon. You'll be launched not once but twice as you race around the park dodging other rides at super high speed.

Once you've stepped off, head to The Big One - the UK's tallest rollercoaster. Climb an impressive 235ft before travelling over a mile across the park at superfast speeds.

There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat too and with late-night events, fireworks, and children's entertainment, you can easily spend a whole day here.

Coral Island

Catch a tram and head towards the tower. Buying a 24-hour mobile ticket is the easiest option, and you can jump on and off however many times you’d like.

The trams run every 20 minutes and are a great way to get around and give your feet a break.

Look out for Coral Island - it’s hard to miss. The bright lights illuminated above the iconic skull will guide you towards the entrance. Jump off the tram and enter Blackpool’s largest free attraction.

As you walk in, you'll feel as if you’ve stepped into Las Vegas! With more rides as well as arcade games for the family to enjoy, the sights and sounds around you will fill you with excitement - see if you can win any prizes or test your skills on the air hockey machines.

We’re sure you’re feeling hungry now and luckily, there are a few places you can enjoy a meal. The Buccaneer is a wonderful pirate-themed restaurant where the food and atmosphere make it a great place to end your day.

Kids eat free here too and with lots of choice on the menu (and generous portions), this will be a hit with everyone.

Day Two: Blackpool Tower

You can’t go to Blackpool without taking a trip to the top of the tower. Grab a ticket to the Tower Eye and begin your journey to the highest heights.

Visit the 4D cinema and watch an amazing video on the history of this fantastic structure before you embark on the 70-second lift to reach the top. You'll be amazed at the sights you see - if you’re visiting on a clear day, see if you can spot North Wales or the Lake District.

Got a head for heights? Step onto the SkyWalk - a glass floor where you can look down at the ground 380ft below you.

Be sure to visit the ballroom too - you'll probably recognise it as the location of the famous Strictly Come Dancing special. We know you’ll love the glitz and glam of the beautiful dance hall.

Blackpool Tower Dungeons

After enjoying your time high above Blackpool, it's time to discover what lurks beneath it. Descend to the Blackpool Tower dungeons and await your sentencing.

This 60-minute walkthrough experience is a fantastic way of uncovering Lancashire's murky past. Explore 11 scenes filled with creepy characters and chilling stories.

Deep in the dungeons, you'll learn all about important historical events on your underground journey, such as The War of the Roses at the Chapel. before navigating the dark and narrow corridors to be met by the Doctor’s assistant. Look out for the Torturer too - hopefully, it isn’t you that he chooses to demonstrate his tools on.

You'll be sentenced for your crimes at Lancaster Gaol, on the Drop Dead ride at the end. If you do go on this (you’ll be pleased to hear it’s optional), then be sure to check out the photos before you leave - they're bound to have you in hysterics!

Feeling hungry?

Luckily, you don’t have to walk too far to pick up some tasty food.

In Blackpool Tower, you can tuck into the world-famous Harry Ramsden’s delicious fish and chips - what more could you want when visiting a seaside town?

We recommend having a look at the freshly baked pie of the day too, guaranteed to warm you up on a cold afternoon!

The fabulous decor and friendly staff will give you a great Northern welcome and we're sure it won’t be too long until you’re tucking into a meal here again.

Madame Tussauds

Take the five-minute walk to Madame Tussauds and you can meet stars from around the world - well, their waxworks!

If you’re a Coronation Street fan, then be sure to head to the Rovers Return.

Here, you can enjoy a drink and nibbles while soaking in the atmosphere of one of the UK's most well-loved pubs. Sip a glass of wine as you take a seat next to Deirdre Barlow, and don’t forget to take lots of photos!

Last Day: Blackpool Zoo

Before you head home, take the short drive from the town centre to Blackpool Zoo.

Here, you'll have a ROARsome time as you come face to face with ginormous elephants, beautiful tigers, and roaring lions all the way down to the equally impressive birds and reptiles.

As you enter the zoo, hearing all the animals around you, we know the kids will be raring to go.

Check out the feeding times and talks, where you'll get the chance to hear the friendly keepers telling you interesting facts and stories about the animals.

There’s plenty of places for you to grab a bite to eat, perfect before the journey home. Check out Nawala Street Food for some mouth-watering BBQ food or even Lake View Café for a wide range of yummy meals and ice creams.

Before you leave, head to the shop to pick up some souvenirs to remember your day. Children will love an animal book so they can continue the learning at home.

Blackpool essentials

You can't leave Blackpool without picking up a stick of the iconic Blackpool Rock.

There are stalls all along the promenade selling plenty of different colours, so we're sure you'll find one you love the look of. Pick up a treat as a gift or take a little bit of Blackpool home with you.

We're sure you've heard of the legendary Blackpool illuminations too. Enjoy six miles of colourful lights dancing above you as you travel down the promenade.

Often referred to as the greatest free light show on earth, you can hop on one of the illuminated trams and become part of the experience as you pass by Blackpool landmarks.

We're sure you'll already be planning a return trip to the famous town before you've even left.

Maybe you want to try something new next time, or just want to keep enjoying the same experiences over and over again - we wouldn’t blame you! Whatever the case, we know you'll have a wonderful time in beautiful Blackpool.