Blackpool, what to do?

[Lima45]

Me and DP are booking a cheapie week in a caravan park in Blackpool. DP's family all go there regularly but neither of us have been. They tend to go as couples so don't have much advice for family stuff

We'll have our 8 year old DD with us and we're hoping that DP's 18 year old DD wants to join us

So what's best to do in the area and how much money are we going to need?
I know it's not the cheapest place to go!
We'll be Self catering but will eat lunch out and maybe dinner once or twice.

Forgot to mention it's during the summer holidays. Only got a decent deal as we booked well in advance. Not sure if this will affect answers so thought I'd better add it

The irresistible answer to your question is 'leave'.

Reminds me of the old joke about 'racing from Leicester'.

Puta I was just thinking the same! Op what about lytham?

Loads of things - obviously a stroll up and down the prom - or rather sections of the prom. A ride on the tram - there are often discount vouchers on your tram ticket. I'd suggest going up the Tower if you want to focus big spends on one big thing.
Obviously you kind of take your chances with a chippy. There's a half decent one opposite Central Pier.
I was raised in Blackpool and while I couldn't wait to leave, I really miss the fantastic air and the sunset. It faces due west so you always get a spectacular sunset. The beaches are tidal so watch out for that when timing days out. South part of the beach front still retains a bit of beach as I recall.

www.clipnclimbblackpool.co.uk/
For a rainy day, maybe?

www.ribbyhall.co.uk/swimming

Open to non residents, pricey, but excellent pool.

Blackpool Zoo is lovely with some enclosures where the animals roam freely with the visitors.

Stanley Park good too.

The model village near Stanley Park and the Zoo is good fun.

Oooh thanks all.

Reason we're doing Blackpool is because all of DP's family have a thing about it. And as we're only going for 4 nights if it's awful we're not stuck for too long.

Zoo is a good call. DD is animal mad.

Keep them coming folks it's much appreciated

Stanley park right in the centre has a playground, and small boating lake, and is nice to walk around. There is also a nice cafe in the park with art deco design.
The sandcastle is a good day out but not that cheap.
There is another brilliant park in Lytham called park view 4 u. Definitely worth a visit, and a lot of nice cafes and tea rooms in lytham, the black sheep is good.
Another cafe on the outskirts is Ma Bakers. It's at a garden centre but descent food and reasonably priced.
Cleveleys sea front at the north end of Blackpool is lovely. The prom has been recently redone and there are some sculptors on the prom and beach telling a story as you go along.
Clip and climb is good for a rainy day to kill an hour or there is ascent trampoline park which is cheaper and also very good.
Don't be put off by people saying don't go to Blackpool, I've lived here since I was 7 and love it.
Plenty of nice places to eat.
Where abouts are you staying, and what type of food do you like and I'll try and link to some restaurants for you.

4 nights is a good amount of time to pack in all the best bits of Blackpool, without getting bored or wondering why your bank account is mysteriously empty
It’s actually pretty cool and exciting when you are 8, especially things like the Zoo and Tower.

Stanley park - lots of swans to feed, boating on the lake and playgrounds
The tower- can buy an all in one ticket which is good value
Piers- big wheel on central pier(dont look down!)
Fleetwood- tram or car to the outlet shopping place
Beach - obviously but the sand is perfect for castles!
Coral island arcade - has a ghost train and the pirate flyer which the small kids would like.
Dh family from up that way so I've been lots

Hmm. I'll be honest and suggest that the 18 year old may not want to go on a caraven holiday with her dad, his partner and an 8 year old. Just to manage your expectations.

@GinforDinner she's been away with us before. Me and DP have been together for 13 years. But I know at 18 she may not want to.
Just wanted to keep options open if she decides to come and be sure I'm not just planning stuff for the 8 year old.
(she's said yes, then maybe, then yes so I'm not holding her to it!)

Whereabouts is the caravan park? Blackpool is kind of long and thin. If you are away from the coast, you need to look into routes into the tourist-y bits.

Zoo is fantastic
The water park near the pleasure beach ( can't remember name but my DC 7&8 at the time loved it)
Going up the tower

Sandcastle water park - it’s very good but very expensive to get the extra pass to go on the big flumes.

Pleasure beach has a few newer rollercoasters and a nicolodeon section for little ones.

Rip let’s believe it or not is next the the pleasure beach, cheap and good for all ages.

I’m not keen on Madame Tussaud’s but the kids may like it if they are into the celebrities there.

If they like arcades coral island, near the tower is the biggest. Spend a couple of pounds and win some pocket toys. There’s also a rather meek ghost train inside.

The tower itself was a bit overpriced I felt unless you really likes high views.

There is a soft play inside but it’s also overpriced and you only get an hour.

The sea life centre next to MT is good.

There’s a funfair on south pier with a rollercoaster on the edge for the fearless!

The north pier has a Ferris wheel.

The beach is huge, sandy perfect for building sandcastles and is shallow for ages so safe for kids.

If it’s a hot day it will be as busy as the med!

And you have to take the old trams!

As a local I'm enclined to say leave but, sandcastle waterpark is brilliant. If you drive then go out to Park View in Lytham,no ponds but so much nicer than Stanley imo. But Stanley is worth a walk around. Big bag of 2p coins for coral Island arcade (thousands of others but coral is the most well known and popular) viva show bar is also good with kids shows on. All 3 piers have something on too.

Verily1 the play area in the tower is gone now. They have put something in its place but im not sure what.

Thanks everyone. I'm making notes over here!

Best chippy is either the saddle on Whitegate drive or the cottage on Newhouse Road (favoured by the likes of Elton John). They both do "real" chips and fresh fish- not frozen as the majority of the ones on the prom(I have worked in a lot I speak from experience) . Notrianis is a must for ice cream (Waterloo Road/Central prom) Depending on time of visit there is the Lytham kite festival too.

Blackpool is as good as you make it. You can do to your high end restaurants or your pound suppers along the front. There are vouchers available for pleasure beach if you happen to shop at Tesco and use a club card. Also there are vouchers for the tower, circus, places like that. I’d have one day saved for the waterpark if you really want to go. Any more than that and you’ll be skint! There is a regular pool at st Anne’s. if the weather is nice go for strolls along the front, you can walk to the zoo or Stanley park abiut 15 minute walk from front. Shows, piers, tram rides. There’s loads, just look around, you don’t have to spend a fortune. I’ve been going all my life and now my 14 yr old loves it x

Stanley park is gorgeous.
Sea front at cleveleys, get the tram up there, there’s a little spot slightly past the vue cinema that has water shooting out of the ground for kids. Great fun.
If you get the tram to Fleetwood, the beach is gorgeous, there are some lovely little cafes for coffee and cake.
Lytham, the sand dunes, there’s also a lovely park there.
The Lake District is about an hours drive if you fancy utter utter gorgeousness, a walk and a picnic.
Clip & climb, there’s a huge trampoline place, ice rink at the pleasure beach, the piers are nice for a wander with a bag of 2p pieces for the slot machines.
Lancaster is not far, Garstang is a nice walk along the river, cafes and quaint.
There’s lots of places to visit.
I’m biased as I’m from there 😁

Go right up to the north end of the prom, beyond the piers, and walk on the beach. It can be really spectacular - a huge beach if you pick the right time.

Go to Lytham St Annes, which is only just up the road. It's very pretty, with a sweet old pier and it also has a lovely beach.

Go to the Pleasure Beach, especially if you like vintage rides; they have got some real classics.