York ideas and tips

[Gotmygladragson]

Im heading to York in late August with two teenagers. Anyone got any ideas as to what I could do with them? I know about the main tourist spots … dungeon, ghost tours, Jorvik, castle etc . Wondering if there’s anything else of interest?

they like discovering new bakeries and ice cream places (thanks Instagram) so if you know any cool places, that would be helpful too. Thanks in advance .

Chocolate factory tour
Air museum
Steam railway at Pickering
National railway museum (free entry)
River cruises
Eden camp (war museum)
Scarborough for the usual seaside attractions (beach, sea life centre etc)

Largest medieval cathedral in Northern Europe. That one always gets missed out on York itineraries!

Luxury ice cream company in Back Swinegate Is the best ice cream parlour!

The Cold War Bunker is fucking amazing

It's about 1.5 miles from the City Centre - a straight road or easy buses.

Bakery- you want Flori, you'll be able to find them on Insta, always a queue but very nice. Ice cream, you want the ice cream barge - usually moored by the museum gardens, very handy as a lovely place to stop for a bit.

Alpamere spa Scarborough for a nice day out.

York Maze is also really, really good. The website makes it look like its aimed at kids but its not, it'd be great for teenagers.

Rise is fab for brunch.
Hole in wand is a great adventure golf.
Wheldrakes for coffee and delicious cakes.

Allerthorpe Lake also has lots of things going on. It's a bit outside of York (half hour drive) and is absolutely shit if its cold. But a good day out if the weather's on your side.

Blue Bird Bakery is fantastic. There's one just off Shambles for picking stuff up. But there's also one that's spitting distance from the Cold War Bunker that you can sit in for a brew and a cake or lunch.

I second the suggestions of the Cold War bunker (which is chilling) and Allerthorpe Lake.

Walk round the city walls. A ghost walk in the evening would also be enjoyable.

Give the Viking Centre a miss; it's very expensive & doesn't last long.

Ghost Merchants shop in The Shambles. Usually a massive queue but worth a peep through the window.

Wizard golf

Get lunch in the market

Spark York is great for quirky teen-friendly food options.

https://www.plushcafe.co.uk/

Plush cafe is very instagrammy. Swings instead of seats, flower walls etc

The burritos from the market stall behind the Harry Potter shop on the Shambles are excellent. There are Harry Potter walks if they like that kind of thing . A walk around the walls might be good . There is a transport museum near the railway station.York Minster itself is absolutely stunning the most impresive stained glass I have ever seen . The stone masons demonstate their work outside. Can do a boat trip on the river . Also have an ice cream in the museum gardens there are birds of prey on show there quite often . York library is particularly good with a cafe and history section.

Plush is definitely set up for Insta. Really good menu too.

Bakery - CS (Cosgrove & Son) - on Fishergate (between the Novotel and St George's Fields park), and also on Tower St, bang opposite Clifford's Tower. Everything is sourdough, and amazing.

Clifford's Tower for a bit of history and fantastic views.

Spark on Piccadilly for street food traders with a communal eating space

Panda Mami - world food buffet, just on the south side of the Ouse Bridge

The Wizard Walk of York is hilarious (gets very booked up), my 2 loved it at 10 and 13. If they are too cool for school, then The York Dungeon.

The Chocolate Story is interesting, with lots of freebies!

The Hole in Wand is indoor , wizard themed crazy golf. Good for rainy days.

A boat cruise is fun and a bit of a break from walking

There are also lots of people offering ghost walks and walks around the city walls. You can do the city walls easily without a guide, there are history boards as you go round. There are many entrances in the walls/gates etc. - just step in and away you go. There's also the Cat Trail - you can pick up a leaflet from Tourist Info.

The National Railway Museum is impressive even if you're not into trains/engineering, and mind blowing if you are. And free!

We had a great mini break to York last summer, and we only live an hour away.

The Blue Barbakan is a polish restaurant with an interesting history!

We also like The Double Dutch Pancake House

That's without the Minster, Jorvik, shops, museums, art gallery...

My 14 year old DS went with his friends family last week.
He was being a bit grumpy about going (only to me) as he thought it was a bit childish but he absolutely loved it

Air museum, Allerthororpe, Pocketing will need a car, or at least be significantly easier with one. If we're getting into car trips, can I suggest Pool Bridge Farm for outdoor swimming to cool off in case the summer ever comes back.

two hoots ice cream boat, and there’s another one I can’t remember the name of down by same judy dench walk

The minster is v expensive for non residents, so if the kids aren’t keen Id swerve it

I recommend Dyls on the river for nice instagrammable lunch / drinks, followed by a circular walk on the river if the weather is nice or drift inn if you want good coffee

you can hire little boats you can steer up the river for 30-60 mins which is quite fun

This is a great thread! I'm also planning a little trip to show my teenage son where I was born.

The main thing on my list was the Terry's factory as that was where everyone from my estate went to work. Is it just "the chocolate factory" now?

The Potions cauldron in the shambles is a fun place to pop into. They're usually open in the evening and are happy if you just pop in for a chat.
If you like cats then there's a cat cafe (you need to book ahead)

How long are you going for? If you have time I'd recommend a visit to Knaresborough/ Harrogate too - only 30 mins on the train.

York maze is THE BEST

*City walls walk
*Museum gardens for picnic or just a wander, ruins etc
*Walk down the river
*River cruise or hire a small boat
(Go towards Bishopthorpe on the boat, nicer scenery)
*There's a canal boat that sells ice cream by the river Ouse, (Dame Judy Dench walk)
*Go up to the top of the Minster, it's really high, lovely view, old worn stone steps.
*Pub lunch
*Art gallery
There's loads to do in York, enjoy
Including the usual
*Jorvic centre
*Railway museum