What to do in Blackpool?

[CrochetBelle]

Spending the weekend in Blackpool and have no plans for the Monday, so asked the 13 year old to take a look online and pick something. Unfortunately, she's so laid back and just says "dunno", so it looks like I'm going to have to pick.

We already have plans for the Pleasure Beach, tram ride, arcades, prom.

We have....
Tower -
Madame Tussauds - kids seem quite interested in this but neither are particularly clued up about famous/well known people so not sure how much they will 'get'?
Zoo -

Which would you do? Any further suggestions?

Definitely recommend the Sandcastle water park if you've just the one day to fill. Ignore the stupid comments, yes Blackpool has its seedy side but I've been dozens of times with the kids, done all the attractions (my teen would happily do any again tomorrow) and have never stumbled on it. Stick to the prom and you'll be fine, it's illuminations time at the mo so enjoy a late night trip on a tram all the way through them, pack for chilly conditions on the prom at night though!

I live in Blackpool and have lived in the area my whole life. I admit some of the time it can be messy with stag and hens, but other places can also be like that where there is night life present. And I have hardly seen anyone shagging in the streets. It's only really bad when events are on like young farmers (which has now been banned because of the anti social behaviour).

For places to visit you have the sandcastle, the zoo, the miniature village, the tower and dungeons, the arcade and rides on the piers (if they are open), walking through the illuminations in the evening (getting chips from bispham and walking along the tableau is nice), the sea life centre (bigger than the one at Trafford centre), wax works, glow mini golf, bowling, you can take a tram to cleveleys or Fleetwood (the outlet shopping is now called affinity Lancashire, but everyone still refers to it as Freeport), and Stanley park is nice to walk around with boats that can be taken out onto the lake (but not sure if that will be open in October).

Enjoy your trip!

The illuminations are pretty, a drive through them with some sweets and good music was one of ours kids favourite things to do! The zoo is a lovely day out, the cafe gets incredibly busy, but we had a great time there, spent the whole day there.

Why do all the knobs always pile onto these threads ??

Go to Grange ?? Piss orf, I live a stones throw away from Grange. The prom is nice. But it is what it is. It's nice for a walk but kids older than toddlers don't appreciate it a great deal. It certainly isn't Blackpool.

OP, Blackpool is fine, stick to the prom, id do the Sandcastle on a Sunday if you can as it's so much quieter. There's also jungle jims in the tower which is a massive softplay and great fun and farmer parrs is good........I prefer this to Blackpool zoo (( also good but I don't like zoos in general ))

Also have a look at seeing a show of an evening, there's usually loads of pantomines and family shows on.

For what it's worth I live in a naice village near the lake district. I still visit Blackpool, it's my dcs favourite place. The inverse snobbery on here is pathetic.

figment yes, Bispham chippy, exactly what everyone I know does for the illuminations!

This thread has turned out much nicer, thanks
We are actually staying in Bispham so will definitely check out this chippy!

Since some of you seem to know the area quite well, how easy is it to get to the Pleasure Beach / town area from Bispham? What's the best way to do it? Last time we visited we stayed in a b&b in Osborne street so just parked up and walked/tram everywhere

Oh my god Bispham chippy, get down there.

Skintasaskint, calme toi madame

It was only a suggestion

St Anne’s pier has chocolate eclairs the size of baseball bats!

turn round and come back?

It's like smoking... not funny or cool

The illuminations are on so walk through or get a tram from 1 end to the other in the evening.
Stanley park opposite the zoo is ok for a walk round.
The dungeons, sea life, Madame tussards, are all good.
One of the piers (south I think) has a fair few rides my younger 2 love.
Coral Island amusement arcade has a little ghost train that runs round it and the penny slots.
Tram up to Bispham - get fish and chips and eat them on the beach if its not freezing.
Pop in the lifeboat place for a look.

Ok Blackpool can be a bit grotty if you look to close but it is what it is and I love it there, it's fun!
Hope you have a great time op. 😀

aah I still remember the (very alcoholic) pina colada my Dad got me from Tower ballroom (aged 10). It had a monkey on a stick.

Best drink ever

Ooh, the snobs are out in force on this thread. I'm from Blackpool and yes it does indeed have some 'shit' and 'grim' elements, more than I would like it to have, being as I love the place. But Blackpool is where the OP has chosen to go, there's plenty of fun stuff to do there for a weekend, and those who are saying 'leave' or 'avoid' are not only being rude but revealing their own snobberies IMHO.

The Sea Life Centre is good, there’s a Star Trek exhibit thing and I think the Dr Who museum is still there too.

Cartmel and Grange are in Cumbria. A completely different county. The North isn't melded into one big area you know. Besides, both places would be dull for a child. Particularly Grange. As lovely looking as the sands are.

No suggestions as haven't been since the 80's but get a tram at some point and make sure to buy some rock.

You could do all the traditional retro type things actually. Fish and chips sat on the prom, go up the tower, that kind of thing.

PS as @Figmentofimagination said, Stanley Park is nice.

Also, Bispham chippy rocks!

Oh no, tell a lie, I have been to the Sealife Centre about 10 years ago, that was good.

I live in Blackpool.

Bispham to Pleasure Beach is easy - a straight team ride down the prom. You can easily spend a day in the Pleasure Beach if you do it right.

Blackpool has some dodgy areas like any town but it’s really improving and there loads to do.

My favourite is the Zoo. It’s the perfect size to fill a day but not be exhausted.

Bispham does have some ace chippys. When we do the lights (even us locals do the lights) we walk from Gynn Square roundabout up towards Bispham. That’s the stretch with all the Tableaus and it’s the best bit. Then chippy to walk back with. Love it.

Sea Life in Blackpool is tiny too so only about an hour and a half max.

That should say *tram not train lol

Ugh I’ll try one last time ..... tram from Bispham to Pleasure Beach 🤦🏻‍♀️

I went to haven near grange over sands in august tbh i would rather have had a week in blackpool, go to the cafe at St Annes my kids love the ice creams from there all seaside towns have grim and seedy sides but at least Blackpool has more entertainment than most!

St Annes pier St Amnes probably has loads of cafes .