I've unearthed a fantastic family friendly attraction in Blackpool and it is FREE for locals - visit Showtown

We’re roughly half way the school summer holidays and like most parents with every week that goes by I’m finding it harder to come up with new ways to entertain the kids.

But when a friend told me I had to head to Showtown in Blackpool for an immersive day of fun suitable for the whole family I was intrigued.

Showtown is an immersive museum of fun and entertainment designed to celebrate the town's rich showbiz history, honouring the comedians, dancers, acrobats, and performers who helped shape the resort.

It’s somewhere that has previously peaked my interest but I haven’t had chance to go down and explore.

So on a random day off in the holidays we headed down.

From the moment you walk through the door you are greeted by a blast of colour and atmosphere.

The staff are super friendly and full of fun facts about our fabulous town and right now the cost to get in is a bargain!

Located on Bank Hey Street near Blackpool Tower, Showtown actually opened in March 2024.

Showtown brings new meaning to the word museum. Unless you’ve been it is hard to describe what it is like. It’s fun, it’s interactive and really brings home how much Blackpool has to offer. Forget your traditional memory of visiting a museum as a child - it is so much more than that.

As we climbed the huge pink staircase (don’t worry there is a lift for those who need it) me and my three little ones aged four, five and six made our way into the attraction.

The first thing that struck me is how every corner of every room demands your attention.

As we entered we were greeted by a clown who immediately helped put the children at ease and encouraged them to explore.

A huge floor to ceiling screen depicting a film made up of pictures of the people, attractions and venues that helped put Blackpool on the map is proudly on display.

The clown helped my children pose for a picture and then excitedly led them to the screen so they could try to spot themselves randomly popping up on the screen.

It was heartwarming to see the children laughing and pointing out all the attractions they have visited. (especially when my four year old mistakenly referred to Blackpool Tower as the Eiffel Tower).

But with no time to waste we started to move around the museum. The children conducted their own Punch and Judy Show and were thrilled to see was around every corner.

I personally loved perusing all the old billboard posters for the big names who regularly performed in Blackpool. It is easy to forget just how iconic it was to perform in Blackpool.

The children loved the illuminations section. They were thrilled to see there were giant iPad-like devices where you could create and personalise your own Blackpool Illumination. And the best bit is once you finished you can see it on another floor to ceiling screen in situ on the Promenade. I literally had to drag them away from this bit but it wasn’t long before they were captivated again.

The Illuminations switch on room was another firm favourite. The children got to press the button and experience the countdown as the room flashed different colours around them. They were thrilled.

Every twist and turn of Showtown offers new insight and experience. In the circus section for example you can even try on your own clown outfit or learn to become a juggler or try your hand at ventriloquism.

And then there is the new Ken Dodd exhibition too. And for craft lovers there are special Silly Summer workshops you can join on a Wednesday.

I was really impressed. We lost ourselves for easily two hours and you could too.

If you haven’t been then you need to give it a go - you’ll be amazed and leave with a warm nostalgic glow like I did! With attractions like this it is clear why Blackpool should become the City of Culture for 2029.

And for all Blackpool Council residents it’s FREE, yes free to enter at the moment (you need to book online in advance) and there are huge 50% discounts also for all FY residents.

And for visitors general admission for adults is £9.50 and for children aged 4 and over is £4.50.

For more information or to book visit Showtown’s website here.