Visiting Chester next week, any recommendations?

[Bunfighter]

Travelling on Friday will arrive around lunchtime. Saturday we have booked the zoo. Need somewhere to eat on Friday night, I'm thinking in the city centre. Want to see the main sights etc but also need a wet weather plan. On Sunday dh was thinking of going to Jodrell Bank on our way home, I'm less keen as I feel like we do lots of science museums and there's nothing left to learn 😅. Ds's are 9 and 13 both enjoy science and history and will eat anything!

Loads to do, there are some nice eateries in the indoor market. Or all the usual suspects on the high street. For wet weather, there's a good escape room or the Sick to death museum if you fancy a bit of gore. If it's nice weather, a wander around the walls and the Deva experience.

Are you staying in the city centre?

The installation at Chester Cathedral - the moon one by Luke Jerram.
I saw Helios (the sun one) at Liverpool cathedral.
Cheshire Oaks for a bit of retail therapy.
Walking the walls if warm enough.
Hole in wand if you are fancy a bit of wizard-themed mini golf. Think instagram had a discount code.
Yorkshire pudding wrap or my favourite, roast pork barm and apple sauce, in the centre.

We were in Chester for a holiday recently and loved it.

Really recommend the indoor market for food - a buzzing dining hall surrounded by lots of little food places - everything from burgers to oysters and champagne.

This place is completely fab https://www.storyhouse.com/ Areas where kids can sprawl reading books, a cafe, library - we loved it.

The 'Rows' are ancient covered walkways which mean that even in the rain you can wander around the shops and cafes in town without getting wet.

Pars kahve is a really nice turkish restaurant, their breakfasts are great. The Brewery Tap does great food as well but i would book ahead as it gets busy.

The Grosvenor museum is quite small but might be interesting for your kids if they're into history. Check opening times though, i think they're only open for a short time on a sunday.

The zoo is amazing, i would recommend the Oakfield for food there.

Get to Jodrell Bank at opening time (10am) or just after. Absolutely do not turn up after midday. This means you get the early wristbands for the shows and get to do everything around that. I say this because otherwise it throws the timings out for the shows and you end up with a choice of hanging around for hours or missing the shows neither of which is great. The shows are some of the best things they do. For me they aren't add ons, they are the best bit. If you aren't going on multiple trips the add on (chargeable) shows aren't necessarily worth it. You can have a good time without doing them if you get your timings right. They are good and I do recommend but honestly they are probably better for a return trip or if you are really really into astronomy. Otherwise don't worry.

The tickets are valid for a year so we did a few trips that year and getting there early was the biggest lesson we learnt. You don't make the most of the trip if you turn up later especially if you are unlikely to return in the next year.

I do highly recommend JB even if you do a lot of science museums IF you get timings right. Otherwise don't bother as it's a big dish in a field!

I can't see us getting to JB by 10am so that is really helpful. Sounds like we can do lots of Chester Fri pm/sun am so i dont think we need to go elsewhere. Market sounds good for food is it all walk ins? We are staying at a pub just outside the city centre so will eat there for breakfast and Saturday night

Me and dh are going tomorrow. Would love a Sunday lunch recommendation if someone has one!