| While Blackpool is known primarily as a tourist | | | | ceramics and old photographs depicting Blackpool's |
| resort with amazing amusement arcades and fun | | | | rich history. Throughout the year, many of the |
| fairs, the town also has many museums and art | | | | foremost local and national artists stage special |
| galleries of note. | | | | exhibitions to the delight of visitors. |
| The Louis Tussauds Waxworks on Central | | | | Although Blackpool only has one art gallery, there |
| Promenade is certainly Blackpool's most famous | | | | are many temporary exhibitions all year round, |
| museum. It contains five floors of incredibly lifelike | | | | especially during the summer months at the North |
| waxwork figures of the Royal family, along with | | | | Pier. Recently, the North Pier played host to the |
| film stars, great singers, superstar athletes and | | | | George Formby Centenary Exhibitions, which |
| politicians. The museum also has a Chamber of | | | | commemorated the 100th birth anniversary of |
| Horrors that is not for the faint of heart and the | | | | the legendary film star and singer. |
| Anatomy Exhibition. | | | | Over at South Promenade is another permanent |
| Science lovers will thoroughly enjoy the Golden | | | | display of contemporary art dubbed as the Great |
| Mile Centre on Central Promenade which features | | | | Promenade Show. Some of the leading artists and |
| a popular Exhibition of the Universe, complete with | | | | designers in the UK pool their talents to make this |
| various aliens and UFOs. The exhibit was created | | | | year-round outdoor exhibit a hit by contributing |
| by David Boyle, a researcher who specializes in | | | | noteworthy pieces of sculptures, art pieces and |
| the spiritual, the supernatural and the unexplained. | | | | even lighting. At night, the exhibit becomes an |
| Now that you are in a "science fiction mood," you | | | | inspirational sight, especially when the light hits |
| should pop into the Dr Who Exhibition and | | | | certain angles and creates new dimensions. |
| Museum, which is just a few short steps away. | | | | While touring Blackpool for its museums and |
| The Dr Who Exhibit includes a massive collection | | | | galleries, visitors should also take note of the |
| of original props and costumes spanning 40 years | | | | town's many offerings in the realm of dance, such |
| of British science fiction on television. | | | | as the annual Dance Festival, contemporary dance |
| The Blackpool Model Village and Gardens is | | | | school and the tea dances every Saturday at the |
| another impressive sight, occupying two-and-a-half | | | | Tower Ballroom. For these and other reasons, |
| acres of beautiful gardens on Stanley Park. The | | | | Blackpool has gained some fame as Britain's capital |
| exhibit features hundreds of models, including a | | | | of dance. |
| model windmill and castle, set against a stunning | | | | With its theatres regularly hosting the English |
| backdrop of lakes, running streams and waterfalls. | | | | National Ballet and with the town itself serving as |
| If boats are your thing, then the Blackpool | | | | the venue for the World Ballroom Dance |
| Lifeboat Station and Visitor Centre on Central | | | | competitions, Blackpool has certainly earned its |
| Promenade may be just what the doctor ordered. | | | | niche in the world of dance. But nothing reinforces |
| Standing beneath the imposing shadow of | | | | its reputation as Britain's dance capital than the |
| Blackpool Tower, the lifeboat station has a | | | | annual Blackpool Dance Festival. |
| delightful visitors' centre with its own interactive | | | | Now over 80 years old, the Dance Festival brings |
| displays, a viewing gallery and a souvenir shop. | | | | together top dancers from over 50 countries to |
| Blackpool may have only one legitimate art | | | | compete in ballroom and Latin American dancing. |
| gallery, but what a gallery it is. The Grundy Art | | | | The competition almost always includes the British |
| Gallery, located right next to the Blackpool Central | | | | Open Championships. Being the best looking pair |
| Library on Queen Street, is widely regarded as | | | | on the floor doesn't guarantee victory but it |
| one of the premiere small galleries in the United | | | | certainly helps. And the competitors know that as |
| Kingdom. Built in 1911 as a multi-purpose building, | | | | well, as evidenced by these statistics. During the |
| the Grundy Art Gallery offers a tranquil haven of | | | | annual Dance Festival, dancers consume about |
| peace and serenity to those who wish to escape | | | | 2,000 cans of hairspray, 1,000 bottles of nail |
| Blackpool's hustle and bustle even for a moment. | | | | varnish, 3,000 bottles of fake tan and use up |
| The gallery is named in honor of the Grundy | | | | over 1,500 pairs of tights. |
| brothers, Cuthbart and John, two avid art | | | | If you enjoy contemporary dance, then a trip to |
| collectors who donated their impressive collection | | | | Blackpool's leading theatres should be in order. |
| of paintings to the town of Blackpool in 1903. | | | | Both the Grand Theatre and the Opera House are |
| Hence, the Grundy Art Gallery was formed. | | | | renowned for staging modern and hip musicals. |
| Today, the gallery boasts of a huge collection of | | | | Meanwhile, if you want to do more than just |
| oils and watercolors, including classic and modern | | | | watch, then bring your dancing shoes and head |
| British paintings, Oriental ivories and prints. | | | | for any of the many dance schools in Blackpool |
| Over the years, the gallery's collection has grown | | | | which offer everything from modern and ballroom |
| considerably and now includes quite a number of | | | | dancing to ballet, jazz and tap dancing. |