Please help me to plan a trip to York with a toddler

[jolene8]

DP, DS and I all have a rare day off together on Friday so trying to make the most of it and thinking of going to York for the day. It is a 1.5 hour drive from us so want will spend most of the day there. DS has just recently turned 2 and loves trains/any kind of transport so thought the transport museum would be a good idea although we have never been before, does anyone think this would be a good idea for a 2 year old? How long roughly could you spend there? Also any other recommendations close by for a 2 year old? We aren't going to shop, so if anyone has any other suggestions I'd be hugely appreciative :)

Definitely the railway museum! We used to spend all day in there when we were kids. There’s boat trips on the river if the weather is ok and they’re running.
go in the station too to watch the “big trains” as the long LNER and cross country trains come through York regularly. Last time I was there you didn’t need a ticket to access the platforms.

Check out this website (they are also on instagram). I noticed the nutcracker trail is on again too. Just be warned York is heaving because the Christmas market has started. Little Vikings

Railway museum is great.
As a heads up it will be insanely busy with the Christmas markets.

If you have a car, on the outskirts there’s web adventure park (in and outdoor soft play with rides etc) designer outlet has a nice covered playground, outdoor skating rink and quite christmassy atm

As pp have said the markets are on so it gets vvv busy. Take a look at the little vikings website for up to date info on what’s on

Editing to delete my comment as I thought you said New York 🤦🏼‍♀️ I will blame the baby brain

If you are driving inn- park at one of the many (7?) park & rides on the outskirts, and get the bus in. For the railway museum, get the bus (3) from Askham Park P&R and get off at the train station. The National Railway Museum is just across the road from the station. You can spend a long time there!

YY to Christmas market on Parliament Street. Tye art gallery usually has something on for kids. The Plush cafe is fun. There will probably be street performers outside the York Chocolate Story (this is worth a trip with older children).

Little Vikings is a great website.

There is the Winter Wonderland at the Designer Outlet Centre off the A64 at Fulford.

I'm in York too on Friday, but for work! Not a bad place to work though.

Our kids adore the train place and it's an all day thing for them twin 2 yr olds and a 3

We took our 2 year old in Feb and went to the Jorvik viking museum, it only takes around an hour to do it all but she absolutely loved it.

I would walk to something a bit more chilled after like the museum gardens if the weather is good. Walk past york minster or around a section of the walls look for some Christmas lights. The Christmas market will be busy but is confined to parliament street so I think york should be ok apart from that.