Top 5 Best Blackpool Amusements

Blackpool needs no introduction as the UK’s largest seaside entertainment resort. Its wide, flat shoreline has hosted family holidays for generations, evolving from traveller sideshows, palm reading and donkey rides into a destination of major casinos and large-scale entertainment complexes. Today the resort attracts more than 20 million visitors a year, reflected in the busy promenades and steady flow of traffic that continue late into the night, almost as constant as the Blackpool Illuminations themselves.

The road that runs parallel to the beach is called The Promenade, which is also known famously as the Blackpool Golden Mile, and it is here where most of the family and adult entertainment venues are located.

Blackpool’s tourist zone features more than twenty amusement arcades, bingo halls and adult gaming venues. For first-time visitors the scale can feel overwhelming, but the dedicated tram service makes navigating the seafront straightforward. Although the promenade is walkable, the easiest way to orient oneself is by the three piers - North, Central and South. The tram runs the length of the Golden Mile, is inexpensive, and operates throughout the day, making it simple to explore every part of the resort.

Highest Rated Blackpool Amusements:

All five of our top Blackpool amusements sit on or near the Promenade between Central and North Pier. This does not detract from the many other excellent arcades along the Golden Mile, and a full walk from the War Memorial at North Pier down to Blackpool Pleasure Beach is well worth the time.

With that in mind, the selection below outlines the five best Blackpool amusements, assessed using our review criteria, while considering the range and quality of games, attractions and amenities at each venue. Five additional honourable mentions have also been added.

5) Golden Mile Amusements

The first entry on our list is the Golden Mile Amusement Arcade, which is located in an enviable position on the Blackpool Promenade (next door to Coral Island and The Sealife Centre).

Whilst the building housing this exciting amusement arcade is ear-marked for development, we have included it on this list as it has a huge range of great arcade machines and many other amenities that make visiting an exhilarating beachside experience. 

4) Central Pier Amusements

All three of the piers have a long, proud history and, in our opinion, the Central Pier Amusements has the best arcade experience of all three. Whilst there is no shortage of both modern and classic arcade games, we just love the pirate theming of the Deck arcade and the authentic atmosphere when exploring the sideshows, amusement park rides and other great amenities that give visitors a true feeling of excitement. You can win tickets, play on the latest VR games or discover relics of retro arcade gaming from the eighties and nineties. 

3) Funland Amusements

Ideally situated between Sealife and Madame Tussauds and close to the Central Pier, Funland embodies a truly classic arcade entertainment complex. The décor and carpets don’t appear to have been changed much in some places, and that is OK with us as it adds to the authenticity of the building and provides an authentic experience. Set over two floors, there is a huge range of classic and modern games for both children and adults to enjoy. With an arcade shooting gallery, bowlingo and kids soft play, there are fun things here for the whole family.  

2) Blackpool Amusements

The newest amusement arcade on this list and an example of how to set the bar high for modern arcade gaming in 2024. A well-designed layout, with convenient access options and toilets and café, make it a perfect place for a pit stop, whilst the children continue to play. The range of machines in here is incredible and they are all new, shiny and employ the latest gaming technologies for a fully immersive and fun experience. 

There is an adult slots lounge close to the rear entrance, perfect for adults to nip in between a visit to the pub and a restaurant for dinner. Most of the arcade machines geared toward the children have ticket redemption, and there is a huge prize shop on the upper floor providing a great range of souvenirs and prizes.

1) Coral Island Amusements

It is likely no surprise to anyone who has been to Blackpool that Coral Island Amusement Arcade is number one on our list. This venue exemplifies what it is to be an entertainment complex/amusement park. The best way to think of Coral Island is of a theme park (with a fantastic pirate theme) that leads with amusements and arcade machines instead of rides. 

It would take all day to list the sheer number of amenities and activities on offer at this venue though luckily, we have an in-depth Coral Island review listing already. It truly is an exhilarating experience to be able to explore the entire complex and sample different aspects of the immersive experience that is on offer. 

Patrons can arrive in the late morning and leave close to midnight, and still not have experienced all the different games and activities here. There is a fully licensed casino and two slot machine gaming sections for the adults. They have a ghost train and a Pirate Flyer (monorail) for the kids and quite possibly the largest camel derby game in the UK, which can accommodate the entire family. 

With a strong online presence, be sure to check out their website and social media before visiting to sign up for their loyalty program to see their latest promotions.

Honourable mentions:

At some point in 2025, this article will be updated with the ten best Blackpool arcades, and these are currently the candidates for that wider list:

10) Silcock’s Amusement Arcade

A large amusement arcade complex on the promenade with a wide range of ticket arcade games

9) Retro Slots

Incredible, fully playable museum of the best fruit machines from the seventies, eighties, nineties and beyond.

8) North Pier Amusements

Classic seaside arcade with a great range of arcade machines, both classic and modern, set on Blackpool’s oldest Pier. 

7) Beach Amusements

Modern amusements at the front of the Pleasure Beach with free entry and a great range of coin pushers, ticket games and fruit machines. 

6) South Pier Amusements

Similar in quality and style to the Central Pier, whilst boasting fairground aesthetics and a huge main arcade set inside a Big Top for all to enjoy. Fantastic range of arcade games.

Day or Night?

The great thing about Blackpool is that it offers so much during the day, but also a total transformation at night, when the illuminations come out and turn the place into a visual wonderland for an immersive experience that young children adore.

If it rains, linked and nearby attractions make it easy to move around without getting wet. In sunny weather, the Promenade offers quick access to a wide range of amusement arcades, theme parks and shopping areas for anyone needing a break from the heat. 

Perfect for Summer and Winter

Summer often brings excellent weather, making beachside fun a central part of the day; whether swimming, building sandcastles or simply relaxing in the sun, which is ideal for families on a budget. Winter naturally offers fewer beach activities, but it compensates with quieter streets, shorter queues and easier parking. Many venues remain open year-round, though some switch to reduced winter hours, so be sure to call or message ahead to avoid disappointment.

Blackpool Resort Verdict

Blackpool is the quintessential British seaside holiday destination. It may be a little rough around the edges, but that is part of the charm and a big reason it feels so distinctly British. Its location in the north also brings real advantages, with food and accommodation priced far more reasonably than in many southern coastal towns.

Locals are welcoming and work hard to keep Blackpool a standout resort. Few places offer three piers, Derby Racers, prize bingo, £1 burgers, fish and chips and classic arcade gaming all within such easy reach.

A trip to the UK is not complete without experiencing the Golden Mile and its fantastic amusement arcades!