Welcome to Blackpool, one of Britain's premier seaside resorts. Made famous by the Victorians, it's been hosting good-time holidaymakers for centuries (yep – centuries!). Everything from cabaret shows to salt-washed piers to twirling rollercoasters is on the menu here. The coronavirus pandemic still means travel to Blackpool isn’t as straightforward as it could be. We’d recommend checking the latest government advice to make sure your trip will go smoothly and safely. And remember, you can always ask the Eddy Travels AI assistant for the best hotels with disinfected rooms on the Lancashire coast.
Photo by Jeremy Thompson
1. Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the resort's most iconic family attractions. Founded way back in 1896, it's stood on the South Shore for over a century. Some come to ride adrenaline-pumping roller coasters like the Big Dipper and high-speed Valhalla. Others come for the twirling merry-go-rounds and the curiosities of Ripley's Believe It Or Not. It's a must for any weekend in Blackpool, especially if you've got the little ones in tow!
Because of the coronavirus, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has some new restrictions. Social distancing is in place and there’s a reduced capacity. You’ll also need to purchase an eTicket in advance.
Unlimited ride tickets start at 28 GBP for juniors and 32 GBP for adults.
2. Blackpool Tower
Another top thing to do in Blackpool if the Blackpool Tower that is a veritable symbol of the resort town. It looms above the Lancashire coast between the North Pier and Central Pier – you really can't miss it. In total, the structure clocks up a height of 158 metres, which was enough to make it the tallest structure in the entire British Empire once upon a time. These days, travellers can scale to the soaring Blackpool Tower Eye at the top. That's set over four levels and offers sweeping panoramas of the city and the Irish Sea. To be close, just ask the Eddy Travels AI assistant for hotels near Blackpool Beach!
The good news: Blackpool Tower is currently open. However, some parts of the attraction - like the Blackpool Tower Ballroom - remain closed to visitors. You’ll also be asked to practice social distancing during your trip.
Pre-purchase tickets for the Blackpool tower cost around 14.85 GBP for juniors and 17.55 GBP for adults.
3. Sandcastle Waterpark
Don’t miss the other must thing to in Blackpool - the Sandcastle Waterpark. Billed as the UK's biggest indoor waterpark, this vast complex of slides and pools could be the perfect option if the rain starts a-pouring during your Blackpool weekend break. Thrills and spills come courtesy of the more daring attractions. They include the uber-long Master Blaster and the gushing Thunder Falls. For more chilled sessions in the H2O, look to the wave pools and the on-site spa facility.
Sandcastle Waterpark is unable to open while tight COVID-19 restrictions are in place across Blackpool. Watch this space!
Tickets for Sandcastle Waterpark cost 22 GBP for ages 12+ and 18 GBP for children 8-11 years.
Photo by grassrootsgroundswell
4. Madame Tussauds Blackpool
Another must visit attraction in Blackpool is Madame Tussauds that offers classic encounters with well-known celebs on the buzzy Central Promenade of the resort. Dive in and you'll be surrounded by meticulously crafted waxworks of A-listers and famous faces. Look one way and there's Thor with his legendary electrical hammer. Look another and you'll see Queen Elizabeth and the royals. Then there are the football players and the musicians and the TV comics – the list goes on!
Madame Tussauds Blackpool shut to guests following the tightening of coronavirus restrictions in Blackpool in October. It’s looking to reopen as soon as possible.
Standard admission for Madame Tussauds Blackpool is 17.75 GBP if you get in there early and book online.
Photo by Tim Hoggarth
5. SEA LIFE Blackpool
SEA LIFE is a fantastic rainy-day activity on any Blackpool weekend break. It'll whisk you on an underwater odyssey to see some amazing natural habitats. They include rockpools, rainforests and deep-sea trenches, where fluorescent jellies meet strange starfish. However, the highlight of the exhibit has to be the Ocean Tunnel. That's a walkthrough with sea turtles and sharks – if you dare!
SEA LIFE Blackpool remains open as of October 2020. You can use the NHS QR check-in points on the door to sync with the track and trace app. What’s more, group sizes are limited to no more than six. Book your tickets to the SEA LIFE Blackpool here.
Tickets for SEA LIFE Blackpool start at 16.65 GBP when purchased in advance online.
6. North Pier
Another mainstay on the line up of Blackpool attractions is the North Pier. One of three that grace the coastline of the town, it was built in the 1860s. That makes it the oldest. So, it's little wonder it's now a Grade II-listed structure, complete with Victorian-era ironwork and vintage architectural features. The best part about the North Pier is that it's now totally free to enter. Look for the seating spots and cosy tearooms right at the end for a relaxing pitstop on your next weekend break to Blackpool.
Photo by Jeff Holt
7. Blackpool Illuminations
One of the top things to do in Blackpool on a weekend getaway when dusk falls is to mosey down to the seafront to see the much-loved Blackpool Illuminations. They're only on display for 66 days of the year (usually between late August and November). If you're lucky enough to be around then, get ready for a kaleidoscope of colours and twinkling fairy lights dressing the main promenade. Some even creep up to the tip of Blackpool Tower. Pretty cool, eh?
8. Funny Girls
No Blackpool weekend break could possibly be complete without at least a taste of the town's famous cabaret. Cue Funny Girls. A long-time favourite of the holidaying crowd, this established bar-theatre mashup has a box office of special events. They include drag shows, comedy acts, dance troupes, and a whole load more. Get down for an evening of star-studded entertainments complete with a fully-equipped bar for good measure!
Funny Girls restarted their shows in August with anti-COVID features in place. Closures are likely as measures tighten across Blackpool, but be sure to get in touch to be sure.
Ground-floor seating at a Funny Girls show costs 16 GBP during the week and up to 27 GBP on the weekend.
9. Central Pier
Considered by many to be the beating heart of the city promenade, the Central Pier Blackpool is a must for any visitors to the resort on a weekend escape. Its most noticeable feature is surely the colossal Big Wheel – ride that to get sweeping views up and down the sands of Blackpool Beach. Below, you'll also find buzzing pubs and bars, entertainment venues, and gaming arcades to keep the little ones happy. The Central Pier is a doozy for either a family day out or a night on the town.
Photo by Andrew Spillane
10. Blackpool Zoo
Last but not least thing to do in Blackpool is to visit a Blackpool zoo. It covers 32 acres of land just 10 minutes' drive back from Central Pier. Wild and wonderful creatures abound within. There are Asian elephants with their floppy ears. You'll see proud, prowling tigers. Oh, and there are even mighty mountain gorillas – look out for the chest thumps! Regular talks on conservation and animal ecosystems make this one of the more educational of Blackpool attractions.
Thankfully, much of Blackpool Zoo is outdoors, so the COVID risk is naturally reduced. Still, all visitors are asked not to mingle with other guests. You will also have to wear facemasks at all times in the indoor spaces.
Admission to Blackpool Zoo costs around 20 GBP per adult, with reductions for seniors, students, and children under 15.
There are more top things to do in Blackpool than you can shake a sweet pink candyfloss at! Whether you come for the rollercoasters of Pleasure Beach or the roaring lions of the local zoo, you can rest assured that dull moments in this much-loved resort will be few and far between.
Of course, the coronavirus has made it difficult to enjoy the delights of the spot. However, lots of attractions remain open with extra measures in place. What’s more, finding top hotels that have been marked “Safe & Disinfected” has never been easier - just ask our Eddy Travels Al assistant for recommendations.