What are the best, funnest things to do in York for a 9 year old?

[DearZoom]

Just that really. I’m taking my daughter away for a bit of TLC at Easter. We don’t have a car so are limited to what we can do in the city centre.
Does anyone have any suggestions of things we can do? I’m not too bothered if we don’t have the most cultured time (we’ll definitely do bits) I just want her to have as much fun as possible.
Thanks.

The City Walls Walk is good & can take a few hours (you'll stop & see things along your way). The route is mapped out by brass studs in the ground so it's fun for kids to follow, just get them a free city map from the Tourist Office & off you go.
The Railway Museum is great & free admission. You can ride the Japanese Bullet simulator, see a Royal train & other famous engines like Stephensons Rocket & the Mallard.
The Jorvik Viking Centre is good fun as is The Dungeons. If you have a Tesco Clubcard or Westfield Rewards you might be able to purchase tickets with your points.
York Museum has some fab collections from the ancient to mid century but I think your DC would have to be the type who likes museums to appreciate.
A River Boat Cruise is always fun but if too costly perhaps a riverbank walk or picnic lunch (weather dependant of course).
Window shopping down the Shambles is a must. You can observe how small the ancient doorways are compared to todays as well as the character of the buildings. The all year round Christmas shop is a treat.
I haven't done the Terrys Chocolate museum yet but it sounds like a treat with perhaps some tasting. The factory was a major employer in the city for many years.
The Minster is free entry & a must if only to admire the architecture.
Is your DC sporty? My son is interested in old traditional football stadiums & their history & York has one
As well as the historical stuff York is also a modern City, so all the trappings of the regular high street as well. So if you fancy a bit of shopping it's all there.

Hi OP - I'm in York at Easter with my 8 year old. Let me know if you find anything really fab.

Yorvik is a bit overrated, but the kids like it, if for nothing else, than the "authentic" smells of Viking wee.

I second the rec for the York Chocolate Story. The Castle Museum is great, and a wander round the Shambles is fun. And the river boat tours look good too (We were there with a surly 12 year on a rainy day a couple of years ago, so the idea didn't appeal at the time...)

Thank you so much everyone! So many good sounding suggestions. My itinerary is looking fairly full now. Might need to extend the stay…

If you like cats, there is a cat cafe!

Viking museum. Chocolate making factory, York minster, Harry Potter street - take piles of money, transport museum. Betty’s tea shop.

Everything will need booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Lovely place.

Hi there.

I live in York and have lots of visitors! Things that been hits include the Hole in Wand (HP- themed crazy golf), the street in Castle Museum, the dungeons, the walls and York Minster.

The Minster isn't free to non residents, but is well worth the entry. Check out the chapter house and the undercroft.

Or, to get in free, come to evensong. You get to have a nice sit down and a contemplate, and hear some beautiful music. My DS is a chorister there, so I'm biased, but it is lovely, even for a heathen.

My 9 year old’s favourite thing in York is ‘The Ivory’ (aka The Ivy restaurant! 😂) I might not have a normal 9 year old! We also love Betty’s. Jorvik is over-rated. Castle Museum is much better but we haven’t tried the chocolate museum. If your DD is a Harry Potter fan then a walk down the Shambles is a must. Walk around the city walls punctuated by cake at key points. If the weather’s nice you can stop in Museum Gardens, grab an ice cream and explore the ruins of St Mary’s. There’s a new Harry Potter themed mini golf centre down on Coppergate, not tried it myself but it looks fun. Red Boats or a river cruise. City Screen cinema on Coney Street often do kids screenings if you need to rest your legs for a bit- nice cafe/bar downstairs.

Ooh and the bubble waffle wraps at Meow on Goodramgate are really something special!

Another thought. For afternoon tea with a difference the railway museum has it in an old dining car, and it's amazing!

Potions Cauldron is great - the Shambles itself is just beautiful.

The Chocolate Story is definitely a good one to do. We did the tour with the chocolate making at the end and all loved it.

The museum is another good one.

Walk the walls.

Boat trip.

Love York! So much to do.

Were staying in York for a week over Easter. Some of these ideas are great! DD will love the HP golf, and I know we'll all enjoy the choc museum.

Hijacking the thread to ask if there are any good playgrounds. Ds will want some time to run around / let of steam / climb etc

Rowntree park is probably your best bet.

That's one thing the city centre is lacking. There isn't really a playground. For pure running about, Museum Gardens is a lovely park, or you could dash about in Deans Park, behind the Minster.

@herbaceous
Thanks for letting me know. I'm surprised ...

It's a bizarre lapse in planning. They could have one in Dean's Park or Museum Gardens quite easily...

Otherwise the nearest playgrounds are Rowntree Park or Homestead Park, both quite a walk from the city centre.

@herbaceous
Thanks, we'll have a car with us because we are heading up to Beamish after a few days in York but I don't really fancy driving much but I've just looked at homesteads and that looks good

It is on a bus route too!

I've not been, but have heard good things about Plush cafe on Stonegate. Might be perfect for a sweet treat!

Rowntree park is brilliant and there's an amazing cafe called the Pig & Pastry on Bishy /Bishopthorpe Road, close by.

Bedern Hall is also supposed to be nice, I haven't been yet but I think it's on the smaller/less well known side so could be quieter.

Oh and Spark for food in town - there's quite a hoo ha locally around it staying open but it does a great range of street food.