Family Days Out Itinerary

In the bustling city, there's a wealth of free and affordable activities that promise both enjoyment and value for money. From exploring local parks or a leisurely stroll along the riverfront to wandering through vibrant city centre, the city offers abundant opportunities for the whole family.

Day 1

• JORVIK Viking Centre - world-famous and multi award-winning home of the Vikings – with its celebrated ride through Viking-Age York, cutting-edge galleries, and a chance to meet ‘real-life’ Vikings.

• Clifford’s Tower - 1000 years ago this was York’s Royal Castle, ruling over the whole of northern England. Within its intriguing ruins, you’ll unearth hidden histories – and enjoy kings-eye views of the city! This is an English Heritage venue, so if you’re a member, your membership will give you access!

• York’s Chocolate Story - York is the UK’s historic home of chocolate. Uncover the fascinating sweet story and tantalise your tastebuds along the way in the company of our master chocolatiers! Plus, you’ll be decorating your very own chocolate to take home (or devour on your way out!).

Day 2

• York Castle Museum - immerse yourself in over 400 years of York's past including the world famous recreated Victorian Street, Kirkgate, as you see York as it operated between 1870 and 1901! Your ticket is valid to return for 12 months, so you can come back and enjoy it all over again, or a different time of year, it looks very festive during Christmas!

• City Cruises York - there’s nothing more ‘York’ than enjoying fish & chips on a riverside cruise… Experience another side of this historic and beautiful city on York’s iconic riverboats, while enjoying a local speciality! Or try your hands as a captain and hire a Self-Drive Boat!

• Yorkshire Museum and Gardens - one of the earliest purpose-built museums in the country and houses some of the finest collections of archaeological treasures from the city’s Roman, Viking and mediaeval past. There's also the major exhibition: Yorkshire's Jurassic World, where you can inspect some of the oldest remains from the depths of the deepest seas to the ancient coasts and tropical shallows. Build on the grounds of St Mary’s Abby, you can still see the remains of the Abby in the gardens and in the basement of the museum. Your ticket is valid to return for 12 months, so you can come back and enjoy more exhibits! Plus, head to Museum Gardens which is a great green area for a picnic and to watch the riverboats go by in this riverside landscape park.

Day 3

• National Railway Museum - one of the world’s largest Railway Museums in the world, home to record-breaking trains and immersive galleries. And all for free! Not only do they have icons of the railway, they also have Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, a special interactive experience for families (this is paid for but your ticket will be valid for 12 months) and the Flying Scotsman VR Experience, where you can see the famous locomotive’s story come to life around you.

• DIG: An Archaeological Adventure - a fun hands-on archaeological adventure, it gives kids the chance to become trainee ‘diggers’ and discover the most exciting artefacts from over 2,000 years of York’s history!

Day 4

• Barley Hall - is a picturesque medieval townhouse tucked away down one of the oldest streets in York, you can explore The Bard at Barley Hall exhibition exploring York’s history through the drama of Shakespeare.

• Embark on family-friendly tours for an enchanting journey through the city. With a variety of interests to choose from, explore the city’s landmarks and historic cobbled streets through the trails is a fun-filled way to do this. You can’t miss out on the York Cat Trail, it’s a free and fun walk for the young and old, guiding you around York. You can also follow your sweet tooth and take a mouth-watering wander through the city and discover the history behind York’s chocolate foundation with the York Chocolate Trail. If you’re visiting in February, don't miss - the annual Ice Trail.

• A tour of the York Theatre Royal (where under 12 year-olds go free), that’s been entertaining audiences since 1744, is a perfect way to discover the hidden secrets of the theatre, from Roman soldiers, to medieval monks, to Georgian ladies, this site has been important to the people of York for millennia. The tour also includes a freshly made cream tea to finish. Why not catch a matinee or evening show.

Don’t Miss

Walking York’s famous City Walls that’s a fun and free way to explore the city. The 3.4km stretch are the longest and best-preserved medieval walls in England, offering breath-taking views and inviting cafes – every step unveils a new discovery. City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar (open April - October) is the perfect introduction to the city’s historic city walls.

The riverside offers easy meandering paths along the River Ouse adding to the serenity, while the abundance of green spaces and cafés provide perfect spots for leisurely breaks. Go wildlife-spotting by the river, looking out for otters and the rare tansy beetle – found nowhere else in the world but York!

Plus, just a short walk from the city centre, Rowntree Park is perfect with play areas for families to let off steam. With its easy-access paths and cycleways, York’s riverside is a beautiful place to take a breath.

The best spot for kite-flying is the Knavesmire, also home to world-famous York Racecourse.

Top Tips

If you grab yourself a York Archaeology Pastport, you can visit their four attractions for one discounted price (this includes JORVIK Viking Centre, Barley Hall, DIG: An Archaeological Adventure and the City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar). With a Pastport, your ticket is valid for 12 months so you can split your visit over multiple days or visit all in one day and have Viking filled day. If you choose to buy separately, your tickets allow you to return within the year for a free entry!

Get yourself a Visit York Pass where you can save money on attractions, and the more you see, the more you save! It's the only ticket you need that gets you in 25+ of York’s attractions with the convenience of a single digital ticket. Buy online or at the Visit York Information Centre & Gift Shop.

Discover amazing special offers in York!

We’ve gathered an incredible selection of exclusive deals and discounts from around the city, ensuring that you can explore York without breaking the bank. From discounted attractions to mouth-watering dining experiences, spa packages, and more, these limited-time offers, so make sure you don't miss out! Check out all the offers in York.

Whatever the budget or style, York offers a wide range of accommodation giving you an eclectic choice of inviting places to rest your head after a day of exploring. Our top hotels for international guests visiting with the family include: Radisson York: York’s 4-star riverside hotel; Delta Hotels by Marriott York: beautiful 4-star hotel with an indoor pool near the Knavesmire for a good run around!; Be charmed by glamping at The Dreamery Gardens, where you can take strolls through Northwood Fairy Sanctuary!