8 Best Sights in The Southeast, England

Designed by the same people who made the London Eye, this seaside viewing platform ascends 531 feet into the air, allowing an incredible view of the coastline and the South Downs. On clear days you can see the Isle of Wight. The ride (or "flight" as sponsor British Airways insists on calling it) lasts about 25 minutes. Booking is advisable, especially in summer; it's also 10% cheaper if you reserve online. Check out the website for special packages that include dinner. i360 stays open in all weather, other than exceptionally strong winds. It's so peaceful inside the doughnut-shaped pods, you'd never guess the storm that raged over the £43 million structure, ahead of its eventual opening in 2016. Locals worried it would ruin the character of the promenade. After you take in the sweeping view, you've got the leisurely descent back to street level to decide if you agree with them.

The city's most remarkable building is this delightfully over-the-top domed and pinnacled fantasy. Built as a simple seaside villa in the fashionable classical style of 1787 by architect Henry Holland, the Pavilion was rebuilt between 1815 and 1822 by John Nash for the Prince Regent (later George IV). The result was an exotic, foppish Eastern design with opulent Chinese interiors. The two great set pieces are the Music Room, styled in the form of a Chinese pavilion, and the Banqueting Room, with its enormous flying-dragon "gasolier," or gaslight chandelier, a revolutionary invention in the early 19th century. The gardens, too, have been restored to Regency splendor, following John Nash's naturalistic design of 1826. For an elegant time-out, a tearoom serves snacks and light meals.

Brighton's most iconic landmark is its famous beach, which sweeps smoothly from one end of town to the other. In summer, sunbathers, swimmers, and ice cream–sellers pack the shore; in winter, people stroll at the water's stormy edge, walking their dogs and searching for seashells. The water is bracingly cold, and the beach is covered in a thick blanket of large, smooth pebbles (615 billion of them, according to the tourism office). Bring a pair of rubber swimming shoes if you're taking a dip—the stones are hard on bare feet. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; toilets; parking (fee); water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

The grounds of the Royal Pavilion contain this museum, in a former stable block designed for the Prince Regent (1762–1830), son of George III. The museum has particularly interesting art nouveau and art deco collections. Look out for a tiny replica of Salvador Dalí's famous sofa in the shape of Mae West's lips. The Fashion & Style Gallery has clothes from the Regency period to the present day, and the Performance gallery has a collection of masks, puppets, and other theatrical curiosities.

Opened in 1899, the pier is an amusement park set above the sea. In the early 20th century it had a music hall and entertainment; today it has roller coasters and other carnival rides, as well as game arcades, clairvoyants, candy stores, and greasy-food stalls. In summer it's packed with children by day and (on weekends) teenagers by night. There's no fee to enter the pier, although the individual kiosks have their own charges. Alternatively, a wristband (£30 adults, £15.50 children) allows blanket entry, which can amount to a big savings if you're making the rounds of what's on offer. The skeletal shadow of a pier you can see off in the water is all that's left of the old West Pier.

Near Brighton Pier, this aquarium is the oldest in the world, with thousands of sea-dwelling creatures—from sharks to seahorses to starfish—in more than 30 marine habitats. There's a glass-bottom-boat experience, a humid rainforest adventure (featuring an eight-foot-long anaconda), and an extraordinary coral reef exhibition that shows how the ecosystem changes between day and night. Check online for the daily feeding schedules, all of which are accompanied by free talks (including sharks at 2 and turtles at 4). Book online at least a day in advance for big discounts on the ticket price.

This maze of tiny alleys and passageways was once the home of fishermen and their families. Closed to vehicular traffic, the area's narrow cobbled streets are filled with interesting restaurants, boutiques, and antiques shops. Fish and seafood restaurants line the heart of the Lanes, at Market Street and Market Square.

Built by Brighton inventor Magnus Volk in 1883, this was the first electric railway anywhere in the world—and it's recently been spruced-up in an extensive, and very expensive, restoration project. Between April and October, you can take the 1¼-mile, three-station trip along the beachfront Marine Parade.