OK, if I took my 11yo to York for a long weekend, what would he enjoy doing there?

[WilfShelf]

He's not really a historic buildings kind of guy so the Minster etc isn't going to float his boat.

He will probably enjoy the Jorvik centre, and possibly the railway museum. But beyond that? Any ideas?

He wants to go to Butlins in Skeggie. I am resisting with every fibre of my body...

Castle museum is fantastic and we went on a ghostly boat ride which wasn't scary, but was great fun!

Have a great time!

We went last year, my son was 11. He loved walking on the walls. Doing the Dungeons. Going to the Jorvik centre, spent HOURS at the railway museaum. Enjoyed even buying a muffin and a drink and having breakfast walking along the river, followed by a ride on the River boat.

Oh yes, we went on an evening ghost walk, too.

Ah. Dungeons. Ghosts. All good, thank you.

Any active stuff near city centre? Climbing walls, waterparks, indoor tennis, bike trails, laser shooty type things, bowling etc?

[smile}

or even

This guy does a very funny ghost walk in the evenings. Very dramatic.

That looks great, thanks...

Evening bump

My boys enjoyed Dig more than Jorvik.
Boat trip on the river was a big hit, also just walking on the walls (surprisingly).

Oh yes the ghost walk is brilliant! We went on a school trip many years ago.

this is the big leisure pool, but it's out by the ringroad, not central York.

We had a fantastic weekend in York last year courtesy of Tesco reward vouchers.
I took my (very history minded) 9 and 10yr old ds' and we did Dig, Jorvik, the castle museum, a minster ghost walk and walked the walls.
Jorvik is a ride through a viking scene which they both enjoyed, but Dig was definitely the hit.
The Castle museum has a Victorian street they liked..
and the railway museum looked fantastic if you like that sort of thing.
We had a great weekend, I'm sure your ds will really enjoy it.
(remember to cash in your tesco vouchers)

Thanks - Dig looks good, he likes Timeteam and is very interested in history so hopefully he will enjoy it!

Good to know about the Waterworld place - if he moans too much we get desperate we can drive out there...

Keep the suggestions coming if there are more -we also have two younger boys to entertain (we may have to divide and rule!)

Family friendly eating places would be good to know also - thanks!

there is Xscape at Castleford, which isn't too far from York if you'll have your car. depending on how young the others are, there is a soft play called Creepy Crawlies that keeps winning awards.

you must treat yourself to a trip to Betty's!

Most of the things you mention (climbing wall, swimming etc) aren't in the city centre - but are reachable by bus. There is a climbing wall, pool etc at Energise in Acomb.
We tend to eat at Tuscany (Pizza and Pasta) near St Helens Square in town.
My boys love walking the walls - there is a trail you can follow. Ghost walks are on our list to do. We enjoyed dig and Jorvik. We have also really enjoyed events put on during the Viking festival ( in Feb i think)

Its History heaven Wilf, so he'll love it,...
We ate at Pizza Express which was a really good one, (the big one on the river)
Cafe rouge, ok
and Prezzo which was fine.

Haha is nice too
You absolutely have to go to Bettys