Blackpool city guide and sightseeing         

Summary
The sprawling seaside city of Blackpool is a shrine to bright lights and tackiness and that’s resulted in comparisons with another glitzy city famous of excess, Las Vegas. But despite the tack and tat, Blackpool is Britain's most popular seaside resort with over eight million visitors a year. Famous sights include the renowned Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach and the Pepsi Max 'Big One' roller coaster - one of the world's highest and fastest coasters.

Enjoy the sandy beaches, amusement arcades and three piers spread out along the seafront by taking the open-top tram that trundles up and down its six-mile length. The surrounding Lancashire countryside, especially the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding national beauty, is well worth exploring when the city's bright lights get too much.

Getting there/getting around Blackpool
Blackpool International Airport is three miles from the town centre with regular BA and Ryanair internal flights. If you’re travelling by train you normally have to change at Preston Station so a typical journey from London takes around four hours. If you’re in a car, the M55 motorway takes you right into the heart of Blackpool.

Sightseeing around Blackpool
Traditional favourites include the historic Blackpool Tower, which is over 100 years old and houses a number of attractions such as the ornate ballroom, aquarium and award-winning circus. Thrill seekers shouldn’t miss Blackpool's Pleasure Beach with its numerous white-knuckle rides such as the Pepsi Max Big One, Avalanche and Big Dipper.

Take a break from the hectic promenade area with a stroll around the formal gardens of Stanley Park, or get in touch with nature at the zoo or Sea Life Centre.

Blackpool family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences         

Family attractions in Blackpool
Blackpool Tower and Circus has family attractions galore including the award-winning Circus, historic aquarium and exhilarating Tower Top ride. The Pleasure Beach has over 145 rides and attractions although some height restrictions apply for tiny tots. New for 2007 is Infusion, a white-knuckle water ride.

The Sandcastle Waterworld's undercover water park is fun even when it's raining outside. Attractions include adrenaline-filled rides like Masterblaster and Sidewinder.

Animal lovers should head down to Blackpool Zoo and Dinosaur Safari, while Sealife Blackpool is home to a myriad of underwater creatures, enchanting any little aquanaut.

Other fun attractions include 'Don't Panic!' It's the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Exhibition, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks and the Blackpool Model Village and Gardens.

Day trips from Blackpool
Nearby Fleetwood, Lytham St Annes and Morecambe offer championship golf courses and coastal nature reserves with some of the best bird-watching in Britain.

Explore the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, magnificent Pendle Hill or the rugged West Pennine Moors, and work up an appetite for a delicious pub lunch or traditional afternoon tea in one of the area's picturesque villages.

Shopping in Blackpool
If you want undercover shopping head to the centrally located Hounds Hill Centre. The surrounding streets have all the usual high street favourites.

For something different, Blackpool's Church Street hosts continental markets several times a year. You can pick up all the usual souvenir favourites from Blackpool rock to candy floss.

Hard-core bargain hunters should head down to Freeport Shopping Village in Fleetwood, it’s an American-style outlet mall full of excellent designer bargains. 

Blackpool nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs         

Restaurants in Blackpool
In general terms Blackpool is more of a fish-and-chips kind of place than a gourmet restaurant venue, but there is a surprising amount of choice on offer -from burgers or Chinese to kebabs and traditional British pub fare.

Fast food eateries abound along the promenade and on the three piers, while Talbot Square has quite a few dining choices. 

Nightlife in Blackpool
Blackpool is like the Ayia Napa of England with a huge selection of lively bars, clubs and pubs in which to drink the night away. There are also plenty of cabarets and shows for a more cultural audience.

If you like to party until the sun comes up, try the Syndicate Superclub, the UK's biggest club and the place to be seen at the weekend. Or for a cultural clubbing experience, visit Sanuk, (which means Thai for fun).

Blackpool's thriving gay scene has also produced some fun shows such as the Funny Girls transvestite cabaret show. It’s got one of the longest theatre seasons in the UK, so you'll usually find something on whatever time of year you visit.