What to do and see in Blackpool, England: The Best Things to do

Blackpool Zoo is a family friendly attraction, providing fun and education for all ages. Situated only 2 miles inland the Promenade, the park is easily accessible from the M55 motorway. Over 1000 animals, birds and reptiles reside in a scenic 32 acre park amidst mature trees, lakes and spacious lawns where the kids can burn off their excess energy. All your favourites are here including big cats, elephants, giraffes, sealions, gorillas, orangutans, camels, zebras and many, many more. Opened in 2014, the new Orangutan Outlook allows visitors to get up close and personal with these charismatic apes. Open daily (except Christmas Day) from 10 am, the park's closing times vary seasonally.

Ornately decorated dance hall and theater is known for its Mighty Wurlitzer organ, which is played for dancing, concerts and special events during certain times of the year.

Stanley Park is Blackpool's premier green attraction, placed as a Grade II* listed facility on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, within a designated town conservation area. The park has enjoyed continued popularly since its official opening in 2nd October 1926 by Sir George Edward Villers Stanley, after whom the park takes its name. Stanley Park was designed by famous Landscape Architects Thomas Mawson & Sons and at 256 acres, is one of England's largest and historically significant green spaces. The park was the first comprehensive site planning scheme in Blackpool; a unique development on a grand scale designed to meet the needs of the town. The park contains everything that any visitor could possibly wish for. Experience a variety of scenic walks around ornamental gardens, natural woodlands and lakes as well as a number of stunning architectural and landscape features such as the Cocker Memorial Clock Tower, Art Deco Cafe, Italian Gardens, Rose Gardens, Bandstand and Auditorium. The park also boasts a superb sporting and recreational facilities including Blackpool Model Village, Stanley Park Golf Course, Blackpool Sports Centre, Blackpool Cricket Ground and Athletic Arena, as well as boat hire and numerous outdoor pitches, greens and courts.

Blackpool Transport is the proud operator of Blackpool's £100 million tramway. The four year project, which concluded in April 2012, saw the replacement of 11 miles of track, creation of a new depot and introduction of a fleet of 16 state-of-the-art trams. It has never been easier to travel across Blackpool and the Fylde coast, with faster journey times, easy access and integrated Blackpool1 tickets that give you unlimited use of the trams and Blackpool Transport bus network (excluding Heritage Trams). Our frequent and reliable tram service provides an energy efficient mode of transport connecting residents and visitors to all major leisure, retail and businesses along the 11 mile stretch of coastline between Starr Gate and Fleetwood. The trams have level boarding and step-free interiors and designated disabled/pushchair areas making them accessible to all. Our frequent and reliable service connects passengers to all major leisure, retail and businesses along the 11 mile stretch of coastline. Heritage Tram Tours operate on Public and School Holidays, most weekends during Spring/Summer/Autumn and on special events. Heritage Day tickets are available that allow unlimited use of both heritage and modern trams plus Blackpool Transport buses. Heritage Trams stop only at the specially marked Heritage Tram Stops at Pleasure Beach, North Pier/Tower, Cabin, Bispham*, Cleveleys* and Fleetwood Ferry* (*special event days only). Blackpool has the oldest electric street tramway in the world with records dating back to 1884 when track plans were produced for an electric tramway that would connect North and South Shore. Blackpool Corporation paid for and maintained the infrastructure, whilst the Blackpool Electric Tramway Company, formed in January 1885 provided the electrical equipment, depot and tramcars. The tramway opened on the 29th September 1885. After the second world war, there was gradual consolidation and by 1962, the trams were confined to the 11 mile route from Starr Gate to Fleetwood which still operates today. The bus services expanded along with the town throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties. Since bus deregulation in 1986, the trams and buses have been operated by Blackpool Transport Services Ltd, a Blackpool Council Company. While the trams themselves are owned and run by Blackpool Transport, the tramway infrastructure is currently owned by Blackpool Council and leased to the Company, which pays an annual track rental fee for the privilege.

The Blackpool Tower Eye and solid-glass SKYWALK offer the best views across the North West of England from the top of the iconic Blackpool Tower.Begin your journey to the top with a visit to the incredible 4D cinema. Let the special sensory effects and incredible filming bring the history of the Blackpool Tower to life in front of your eyes.Then take a trip 380ft into the sky to the top of The Blackpool Tower and experience the thrilling SKYWALK. Walk out if you dare onto the five centimetre thick glass viewing platform, where you can look out into the Irish Sea and see the famous Blackpool Promenade below you.See the North West of England spread out before you with views over Bowland, up to the Lake District and on a clear day down to Liverpool and across to the Isle of Man from the top of the iconic Blackpool Tower.

A visit to Madame Tussauds Blackpool is guaranteed to leave you feeling more than a little star struck! This engaging and interactive attraction grants you an audience with some of Britain’s best known celebrities; from Olly Murs to Keith Lemon, Bear Grylls, Mo Farah to Jack and Vera from Coronation Sgtreet and even HRH Queen Elizabeth II as well as a multitude of other stars from the world of music, sport and entertainment. Famous for its celebrity wax figures, Madame Tussauds Blackpool is the only one of its kind outside of London.

Showcasing more than 50 dazzling displays and more than 2,000 spectacular aquatic creatures including tropical sharks, colourful reef fish, octopus, rays and sea horses, SEA LIFE Blackpool is the perfect way to experience the wonders of underwater life without getting wet. Explore the magic of the world's oceans and journey from the coast and sandy shallows of the great British shoreline to the equatorial rainforest of the Amazon and into the tropical depths of the ocean.

Sandcastle Waterpark, in Blackpool, is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, with 18 slides and attractions, open year round and fun for all the family. Amongst the slides and attractions are Master Blaster - the longest indoor Roller Coaster waterslide in the world, Sidewinder, Aztec Falls, Montazooma, Thunderfalls family slides and more!