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