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Fun is the word in Rhyl. This is one of the original picture postcard seaside towns. The place to enjoy everything from donkey rides to carousels, ballroom dancing, bingo, fish and chips, ice-cream and candyfloss.
Rhyl makes no pretence about its heritage as a traditional budget holiday resort. It's been a family favourite with people from all over north Wales and north west England for generations.
Even today when jet-setters flock to balmy tropical isles, there are still those who have fond memories of childhood summers spent at Rhyl and they faithfully return each year.
It might not be one of the world's most exotic hotspots but for good old fashioned seaside fun Rhyl can still come up with the goods. Six miles of Blue Flag beaches stretch between Rhyl and neighbouring Prestayn.
With a colourful tourist train running the length of a frequently sunny promenade, there's no disguising childrens' smiles as families stop off at various points along the way to enjoy a crazy whirl of miniature golf, fairground rides, amusement arcades, penny slot machines, botanical gardens, sandcastle building, paddling and boating.
It's a picture true to numerous seaside resorts, but in lots of ways Rhyl is far from typical.
To many eyes some of the town's amenities might be a little past their sell by date, but don't be misled into thinking Rhyl has fallen irretrievably behind the times. Having struggled to compete in the ever changing world of tourism in recent years, the town is undergoing a major regeneration.
Gone is the Ocean Beach Funfair, to be replaced by ultra modern new business, shopping and leisure complexes. But it is not the first time Rhyl has upped its game in this way. Rhyl Sun Centre (tel: 01745 344433) on the coast road near Splash Point was state of the art when built more than 20 years ago.
Even today it remains one of the top ten tourist attractions in Wales, with its rooftop monorail, 91 metres rapid chute and Black Hole drop slide. It is home to Europe's first indoor surfing pool.
Rhyl Skytower was another visionary construction in 1989 - among the first of its kind in Britain.
The observatory tower rotates around a central column reaching a height of 80 metres and offering a panoramic view of the spectacular north Wales coast.
Today those views include a landmark offshore wind farm producing vital renewable energy supplies for Britain's national power grid.
Another pioneering move is the Sustrans cycle route from Rhyl to Prestatyn, making the town an attractive proposition for cyclists and keep-fitters of all ages.
Also on a transport theme, Rhyl's miniature railway dates back to the beginning of the last century, while Rhyl Lifeboat station is open regularly for tourists to gain an insight into the rescue work of the RNLI.
At other points along the harbour sailing enthusiasts can book sea-fishing tours round the coast. Those who prefer to see fish 'on dry land' can visit the SeaQuarium (01745 5344660) and catch a glimpse of everything from sharks and sturgeon to some of the oldest species on the planet: axolotls and conger eels.
Yes, the word is you can have lots of fun in Rhyl. And you can also discover lots to surprise you!
