What to do with friends this weekend

After being told to social distance and stay away from our friends for so long, we’re all looking for ways to socially interact again. A way to get back to normal and spend some quality time with our friends. Some place to relax and have fun while still staying safe. It’s a perfect time to branch out and find some new, fun and interesting things to do with friends.

It can be difficult to come up with new ideas of what to do with friends, though. Especially when we have to think about the safety aspect as well. Some of the things we used to do with our friends may now seem risky. Concerts, nightclubs and even big groups in restaurants may not be the most advisable activities at the moment. What a great opportunity, then, to find some new fun things to do with friends at the weekend. 

Getting out into the countryside is an obvious choice. A break from the ‘four walls’, fresh air, surrounded by the natural world and, maybe, even some exercise thrown in as well. The UK has some beautiful places for hiking and you can always count on a cosy pub or two along the way for a pit stop.

If you’re into history and learning new things, other ideas of what to do with friends might be checking out the historical sites around where you live. Britain is full of history and you might be amazed at what you can find close to home. Whether it’s an old castle with a story to tell, a Downton Abbey-style stately home or a remnant of Britain’s industrial heritage. 

Maybe you’re looking for action and adventure, well, there are plenty of those kinds of things to do with friends, too. From extreme sports like rock climbing and hang gliding to the thrills and adrenalin of theme parks. Or, for animal lovers, cantering across the fields on a horse.

Of course, you can always combine elements of all of these things and spend a day at the zoo with your friends. Yes, you heard me right, the zoo. Now, I know you probably think the zoo is just for kids, but you’d be surprised what a fun outing it can be for adults, too. So, if you’re looking for new ideas for things to do with friends at the weekend, why not come visit Blackpool Zoo. 

We all love the natural world, but the reality is that the weather here in the UK can sometimes make it impossible to get out there and enjoy our countryside. What better way, then, to enjoy the natural world, whatever the weather, than by spending a day with friends at Blackpool Zoo. 

If you and your friends are keen to escape from the ‘rat race’, why not surround yourself with elephants, tigers, gorillas, lions, penguins, flamingos and macaws? Along with all the other fascinating animals we care for, you’ll see them interacting with one another and their surroundings in enclosures that have been specially designed to mimic their natural environments. If you really want to slow things down, in fact, be sure to pay a visit to our giant Aldabran tortoise, Darwin. At over 100 years old, he can certainly teach us a few things about longevity. 

Darwin is not the only one we can learn from, either. There are opportunities to discover a whole host of intriguing and useful facts about our planet’s other inhabitants. Not least in the Active Oceans exhibit, where our Californian sea lions love to demonstrate their natural behaviours. These intelligent and curious creatures have plenty to share about problem-solving and enjoying life to the full.

So, if you’re wondering what to do with your friends, whether it’s just to hang out and have some fun together or, perhaps, something a bit more special, you’ll find great ideas here. It’s fantastic to do something a bit different and create some unique memories when celebrating a birthday, graduation or hen/stag do. That’s why we offer special prices for group bookings.  

Of course, your special day wouldn’t be complete without enjoying some delicious food together.  There are several options, from bringing your own sumptuous picnic to enjoy together at one of the many seating areas provided around the zoo or you can enjoy a meal at one of our restaurants. Perhaps some oriental delights at our exotic Nawala Street Food outlet?

If one of the things you like to do with your friends is shopping, then there are plenty of gift ideas in our gift shop, too, to make sure you take away that extra special souvenir of your special day.  

An even better gift is one of our Animal Experiences. A chance to get really ‘up close and personal’ with one of our animals. See them from a unique perspective and be involved in their care and feeding. A fantastic way to create some truly memorable experiences.

Be Green while having a Great Time 

“No one will protect what they do not care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” (Sir David Attenborough)

We’re all keen to do our bit for the planet, so what a plus to be able to support conservation and green initiatives at the same time as having some fun together! So, if you’re thinking about what to do with friends this weekend, why not consider checking out the green and conservation programmes we run at Blackpool Zoo? 

One of the most important initiatives we have is our Project Elephant. It represents our commitment to securing a future for Asian elephants, currently at risk of extinction. At the zoo, you can visit our herd of Asian elephants, experience their lives and habitat and learn about our breeding programme and the work of BECT (Biodiversity Elephant Conservation Trust), one of our nominated charities.

A visit to the zoo with your friends is not only a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn to care for all these amazing animals, but a chance to support conservation efforts around the world. You can even get personally involved by Adopting an Animal. 

Of all your choices of things to do with friends at the weekend, Blackpool Zoo is your truly green option. From monitoring water usage to recycling, we are constantly looking for new ways to minimise our impact on the environment. In addition to our investment in conservation around the world, our sustainable wildlife gardens benefit our native wildlife and teach people how to be more sustainable in their own homes. On top of that, our cafes and shops only sell products that are palm-oil-free or contain certified-sustainable palm oil. All in all, you can be sure of doing your bit for the environment when you visit Blackpool Zoo.

If you’re still at school (or a teacher), there’s no need to wait for the weekend to have a fun and informative day out with your friends. Blackpool Zoo is the perfect place for a school trip. We provide all the support needed for Schools looking to bring their students and it’s a great way to expand their knowledge of the natural world and get them to engage with environmental issues.

Health and Safety

This has long been an important topic for school groups, but is equally important for everyone now in light of recent events. When you’re planning a visit to Blackpool Zoo, however, you don’t need to worry about a thing – we’ve got you covered. From extensive Heath & Safety support for Schools and Groups to up-to-date Covid-19 measures, we’re making sure we keep you safe during your visit.

It's time to get back out there and have some fun, responsibly of course. So, when you’re considering what to do with friends at the weekend or during the holidays, or even during school, don’t forget to consider a visit to Blackpool Zoo.