What to see/do in York?

[ssd]

We have a few days coming up in York soon, we've never been. I quite fancy doing a tour bus thingy to cover the main areas. Does anyone have any recommendations please?
No kids with us.

Railway museum? I'm not really into trains but it was interesting

do you have kids? Will you be driving or just staying in the city centre?

Signing in as we’re going in the autumn! We’re planning the train museum (love the Mallard), York Minster, Betty’s and Jorvik (?sp) because neither of us have been there before. Wondering what else? We’re art buffs, will have a look for that.

Sorry I don't fancy a railway's museum, but thank you for replying.
I guess I'm thinking more like general sightseeing, bit of history maybe, some quaint streets to look at with interesting shops?

York minster is lovely it is quite pricey but worth a visit imo, York is great for just wandering around about we also did a ghost walk which was interesting and fun and the railway museum is fine dh liked it i was a bit bored. Don't buy anything at the market it's a total rip off i think I was a tenner for a bag of sweets.

There are open topped bus tours. You can also take a boat tour down the river which is great. Jorvik centre, Railway Museum - it rather depends on ages and numbers of children, really. York Archaeology Centre too.

The Chocolate Story is interesting, and The Hole in Wand mini golf is fun.

I’ve just looked at The Treasurers House which is a National Trust place, looks wonderful.

Head to the shambles too

Hi @ssd
Hop on and off bus tour, boat trip is enjoyable but better to get bearings from bus.

We also did a Haunted Bus tour at night - lots of fun! Got on and off bus a few times for that but mostly entertainment on board.

Went axe throwing with my teens.

York Minster is worth the admission in mu opinion as an adult. Teens not so taken. We didnt do dungeons so cant comment.

Teens did a rally type circuit which was a bit out of town.

We liked Panda Mami for chinese buffet next to river. Pizza express few mins for Panda Mami is beautiful building.

In the past, i have been to York races with my friends. Thrre is Betty's tearoom but we just got take out famous Fat Rascals as pushed for time.

Hope gives some inspo.

Loads of quaint streets - there's the Shambles (which is always packed), Fossgate and Walmgate/

I’d go to Bettys for breakfast or afternoon tea. It’s a little bit of history itself.

The Sparks food court was lovely had lots of different food stalls.

Cliffords Tower is worth a climb up for a great view of the skyline.

Jorvik Centre is great if you’re a history buff. Most of the streets near the Minster are the lovely little shops type you’re hoping for, the Minster is definitely worth seeing. If you like beer, The House of The Trembling Madness is worth visiting.

Ooh we will definitely go to York Art Gallery. You’ll be in time to see the Monet which is there as part of the National Treasures scheme - unfortunately it will have gone back to London by the time we go, but I always live a gallery so that’s ok.

Also I like the look of York St Mary’s which is another gallery. Has a Van Gogh Immersive experience at the moment.

Ohh great suggestions, thanks.
Is york a walkable city? I was thinking of doing the hop on hop off bus to cover a larger area. I read of people going all the way round then hopping off somewhere.
Would love to see the shambles, I love the name.

Is Betty's worth it? And what is a fat rascal😁

In the city centre there’s the railway museum and walking round the walls (which are free), the chocolate works, dig, the art gallery, 2 other museums (one near Clifford’s tower and one in museum gardens), the minster.

Is Bettys worth it??? How can you ask that

A fat rascal to me is like a flattish fruit scone, but maybe a bit spicier?

The art gallery google also throws up Braithwaites, which is a big art shop on Low Petergate, another good sounding shopping street.

Im very much thinking about a walking tour tbh.

York Minster, The Shambles, walk along the city walls, Jorvik museum, open top bus tour or the Ghost Bus tour is great (it’s in an old bus/hearse), definitely Betty’s for brunch (don’t be put off by the queues, it moves really fast and if there’s only 2 of you you’ll get in quicker than larger groups). Go to the Golden Fleece for a drink, one of the oldest haunted pubs in York. I love York, one of my kids goes to university there so I visit often.

The Yorkshire Museum is lovely too - there’s a display in the foyer of a recent Iron Age treasure trove and it’s set in lovely gardens that are fabulous for kids

It’s nice although lots of other cafes do a lovely afternoon tea. Fat rascals are like a scone with fruit in but bigger. There’s not called them anymore but you can still ask for them by that name. Not my favourite but my husband loves them.

It's not a huge city. If you're looking for quaint streets, just have a wander around. Obviously the Shambles is the best known but it's horrendously busy most of the time, especially weekends and holidays.

The Minster is an incredible piece of architecture and history. You can climb the tower in good weather, or pay to visit the undercroft.

York Art Gallery is well worth a visit and there are some great little gallery shops nearby as well. My favourite "touristy" attraction in York is the Castle Museum which takes a full day if you're like me and want to read all the information.

Have a look on TripAdvisor for tour recommendations. York has an extremely rich history and some of the best tour guides you'll find anywhere.

They're definitely still called Fat Rascals. And delicious they are, too 😋