Your Complete Guide to Blackpool Days Out
- Thursday 29th December 2022
- Things to do in Blackpool, Days out in Blackpool, Family attractions
There’s plenty to explore on a Blackpool day trip. Check out our list of recommended attractions and activities for a day out in Blackpool.
Blackpool has a lot to offer for a day out
When’s the best time to plan a Blackpool day trip?
What to do on a one-day trip to Blackpool
Family activities for a Blackpool day out
FAQs about Blackpool day trips
Blackpool has a lot to offer for a day out
Planning a Blackpool family day out? Or how about fun-filled trip with your friends? Well look no further, here’s your marvellous day out guide to Blackpool!
Whatever your group and whatever the budget, Blackpool has lots to keep day-trippers occupied and entertained. From gentle strolls along the beautiful sea front to exceptional views from tower heights, thrilling roller-coaster rides to fabulous waxwork celebrity figures, fin-tastic adventures to circus extravaganzas, all combined with a fantastic array of bars and restaurants, your day in Blackpool will certainly be one to remember!
Thinking of staying a little longer? Even better! Blackpool is packed with popular hotels and delightful bed and breakfasts for you to choose from and you’ll have more time to enjoy and experience what Blackpool has to offer.
Don’t have access to a car? Not to worry! There’s an abundance of travel companies who offer fantastic Blackpool coach day trips, including National Holidays, National Express, Caledonian Travel, Shearings and Alfa Travel.
When’s the best time to plan a Blackpool day trip?
The most popular months for Blackpool days out are usually between March and October. As several attractions close for the Winter period, you’ll find Blackpool to be a little quieter around January and February, although visitation is typically back in full swing by March.
Firstly, a day out at Blackpool wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the award-winning Blackpool Tower Circus who are back in town from February 2023. Visitors can enjoy masses of high flying, death-defying performances combined with the side-splitting slapstick humour of beloved resident clowns Mooky and Mr Boo!
To mark the start of the Easter holidays in April, the town is usually bustling with carloads of visitors and coach trips to Blackpool, with plenty of egg-straordinary things to do.
For families with little ones, you can begin your trip by hopping into the rabbit-sized world of adventure at Peter Rabbit™: Explore and Play! As well as the usual experience of Mr McGregor’s Garden, Jeremy Fisher’s Pond, The Burrow and Mr Bouncers Invention Workshop, you will also find lots of amusing Easter-themed activities to do.
Bigger kids and more-daring friendships groups may fancy going Late Night Riding at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. April sees the start of the late-night riding events where guests can ride into the night on the Big One, experience thrill rides in the dark and enjoy the twists and turns on Infusion.
May Half Term and the Summer holidays start to get busier for day trips in Blackpool, especially as the warmer days roll in. A fun family attraction perfect for a sunny day is the award-winning Blackpool Zoo, where you can encounter over 1500 rare and exotic animals. In addition to this, there’s Animal Attractions, fantastic animal interactions, daily talks and more.
Thrill-seeking visitors can experience exceptional sunshine views from 380ft high at The Blackpool Tower Eye. On a clear day you can enjoy views of the Irish Sea and see as far as The Lake District or the Trough of Bowland.
During the peak summer weeks, The Blackpool Tower Eye is transformed into the Tower Top Garden, a floral wonderland that takes inspiration from quintessentially English gardens and includes displays of artificial flowering plants and trailing vines. Couple and friends looking for a special summer experience can enjoy the Tower Top Garden with a cocktail and music at sundown with the magnificent Sunset Sessions.
Come September, visitors flock from afar for Blackpool Illuminations day trips. Extending six miles along the promenade, the world-famous Illuminations have been dubbed the greatest free light show on the planet and have been mesmerising visitors for over 140 years. The lights are enjoyable via transport: car, tram and bus where visitors can travel either way along the promenade, or the more preferred option, by foot! The 2023 Blackpool Illuminations will be switched on September 1st.
For scare enthusiasts, a visit to The Blackpool Tower Dungeon is the most thrilling way for you to enjoy Halloween. Take a trip through 1,000 years of Lancashire’s gruesome and funny history packed with laughs and frights as well as a whole host of authentic sets, amazing special effects and an exciting drop ride make The Blackpool Tower Dungeon the best attraction for those who like a mix of fun and fear.
Come Winter, the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland is transformed into the magical festive village, Christmas By The Sea. Hosting a full range of wintry delights, including: an outdoor skating rink, chalet stalls serving delicious treats and goodies, festive-themed fairground rides, sparkly light installations, simulated snowfalls and magical light projection shows, this Blackpool Christmas market is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas Spirit.
If you’re looking for Blackpool day out deals, you can visit any of the following attraction sites for multi-attractions tickets.
- The Blackpool Tower
- The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
- SEA LIFE Blackpool
- Madame Tussauds Blackpool
- Peter RabbitTM: Explore and Play Blackpool
What to do on a one day trip to Blackpool
There are so many sights for you to see and attractions for you to enjoy when planning Blackpool day trips! As well as the multitude of attractions mentioned above, some other iconic and not to be missed places of interest include The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the most spectacular ballroom in the UK.
As featured in the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing, guests are invited to dance the day away to the sounds of the famous Wurlitzer organ whilst they experience the elegance of the famous dance floor. Not one for ballroom dancing? No problem! You can simply sit back, relax and take in the views from the comfort of your table or spectate from up on the balconies amidst the stunning setting. You can also enjoy a spot of tea and delectable treats when you book the Blackpool Tower Afternoon Tea Experience.
Central Pier is another legendary point of interest and is ideal for a Blackpool family day out. Neighboured by North and South Piers, the pier is packed with amusements, games, rides, and bars. It is also home to the famed Blackpool Big Wheel, a 33m high Ferris wheel which has been enjoyed by many visitors for years.
Love the world of fame and celebrity? If you’ve only got one day to enjoy Blackpool, you can opt to get up close and personal with all your favourite stars at Madame Tussauds Blackpool! Here you can burst into the action with The MAVEL Superheroes when you discover your power with Captain Marvel, come face to face with Thor and test your strength against Hulk. Visitors can also stop off for a refreshing drink in the Rovers Return Pub with some of Coronation Street’s greats including Jack and Vera Duckworth.
Family activities for a Blackpool day out
Blackpool is well-renowned for family activities and attractions, with the Sandcastle Water Park being one of the more popular places to visit for those travelling with kids. With more than 18 exciting slides and fun water features, it is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark. Sitting at an 84-degree climate, it can be enjoyed all year round, even when it’s freezing outside!
If aquatic adventures float your boat but you don’t quite fancy getting wet, why not head over to SEA LIFE Blackpool and discover over 2,500 sea and rainforest creatures? Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of glistening scales and colourful creatures in this family-loved attraction. From the sunny shoreline to the darkest depths of the ocean, there is a whole underwater world to discover, taking you face to fin with life under the waves.
For those interested in cheap family days out in Blackpool, two minutes down the road from SEA LIFE is the incredible Coral Island, Blackpool’s largest free admission attraction. With an abundance of arcade games, amusements and slot machines, parents won’t need to spend much to keep the kids entertained. Some of the key features include Camel Derby, Family Bingo, the Pirate Flyer Ride and the Pirate Quest Ghost Train. Not to mention KIDS EAT FREE in most of Coral Island’s restaurants, every single day!
FAQs about Blackpool day trips
What should I do with a day in Blackpool?
Whether you’re travelling alone or in a group (family, friends, couples etc.) there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Blackpool. The above article details the most popular things to do and attractions to visit during your day out, but you can find plenty more at Visit Blackpool.
Is one day long enough to spend in Blackpool?
Absolutely! If you’re on a Blackpool one day trip or only even there for a few hours, we recommend that you arrive early to avoid car park or public transport delays. It is also always advised that you book any attraction in advance of your visit to avoid the disappointment of them fully booked on the day.
There are plenty of local and chain cafes, takeaways and restaurants for you to enjoy lunch, and for larger groups we recommend you contact the venue in advance to book a table.
Don’t worry if you don’t get to visit all your desired attractions/experiences before the end of your visit, most Blackpool attractions are open 9+ months out of the year so there’s ample opportunity for you to visit again in the future.
Those who don’t want to be hassled with the thought of driving, or those without a car can look at bus trips to Blackpool. There’s an abundance of travel companies who offer fantastic Blackpool day trips, including National Holidays, National Express, Caledonian Travel, Shearings and Alfa Travel.
Is Blackpool good for a family day out?
100%!! Blackpool is the home of family attractions and is perfect for a day trip for all ages. Whatever the interests of you and the kids, you’re guaranteed to take pleasure in a visit to the town. See our above article for tips on places to visit.
Can I get a Blackpool day pass?
There are currently no Blackpool Merlin day passes or 2 for 1 days out in Blackpool available to purchase, please keep an eye on our website and/or join our mailing list for any updates. In the meantime, we offer plenty of multi-attraction tickets / Blackpool day out offers for you to enjoy at up to 35% off! Visit our Multi Attraction Ticket page for more information.
