York

[Realmayowitheggs]

I am looking for help with York. I have 3 nights booked for us in an Airbnb place just at the city walls. With parking. We will do the Shambles, walk the Wall, the Minster and the Viking centre but what else is good for a 14 year old boy?

Also decent places to eat would be good too if you know them. Definitely going to Betty’s.

You can hire a motorboat on the river (and terrorise canoeists and rowers by being an arse...)

Or just go on a boat trip instead?
The National Railway Museum is brilliant, as is the Castle Museum.
York Dungeons
Ghost walks
The fudge shop where you can watch fudge being made

If he's interested in social history then the Castle Museum has a recreation of a Victorian street, castle prison cells, an exhibition about the first world war, one about the sixties, etc. It's somewhere I went into with no expectations several years ago, but found really interesting.

There's a chocolate experience in the centre of town. My kids really enjoyed that, mainly because they got loads of chocolate. Also loads of good shopping and pubs.

@WeAreTheHeroes

If he's interested in social history then the Castle Museum has a recreation of a Victorian street, castle prison cells, an exhibition about the first world war, one about the sixties, etc. It's somewhere I went into with no expectations several years ago, but found really interesting.

That sounds perfect. Thank you.

@MakkaPakkas

There's a chocolate experience in the centre of town. My kids really enjoyed that, mainly because they got loads of chocolate. Also loads of good shopping and pubs.

I think DH will like the chocolate one!

@RampantIvy

Or just go on a boat trip instead? The National Railway Museum is brilliant, as is the Castle Museum. York Dungeons Ghost walks The fudge shop where you can watch fudge being made

Thank you for this.

The Castle Museum also contains the prison in which Dick Turpin was imprisoned.

Rustique is our favourite place to eat, but is currently closed for a refurbishment, so depends when you are going. Lucias, Oscars and the Botanist are all places my DC have enjoyed eating. Also, Spark:York, in old shipping containers, is good for street food-style food. Ask is in the old Assembly Rooms, which is a lovely building.

Oh, and Ambiente if you like tapas!

York Ghost merchants is a current tiktok craze that all 14 yr olds will know about. The shop on Shamble has massive queues from about 8:30 though so get there early if you dont want to hang about. Ditto Bettys, be prepared to wait for a table.

When are you coming? Next weekend is residents weekend and everywhere will be much busier than usual as we get in everywhere for free.

I'm going Wednesday to Friday.

Little Italy is good.

York is a great place to go with a teen - We live a 20 min train ride away and often go just for lunch and a stroll round. Delrios Italian at Micklegate bar is amazing but not open at lunch time but if you are staying a few days it's worth checking out for an evening meal. The Old White Swan is a very old but good pub- nice food. The Minster is great to look around- if you are very fit you can buy a ticket to climb up to the roof ! ( I sat this out but DS and DH did it) We have 2 nights booked there at half term despite living so near it's a great place to stay.

Another vote for Ambiente Tapas - so so good!

Definitely York Dungeons and York Chocolate Story!

@Oakdog

Rustique is our favourite place to eat, but is currently closed for a refurbishment, so depends when you are going. Lucias, Oscars and the Botanist are all places my DC have enjoyed eating. Also, Spark:York, in old shipping containers, is good for street food-style food. Ask is in the old Assembly Rooms, which is a lovely building.

Thanks. I saw Spark on a YouTube video. You’ve helped by naming it. Looks like good food there.

Sorry to hijack your thread op but i am going too this weekend and I wanted to go on a boat trip but it seems they're all booked up and the motorboats are seasonal (&not open until april) am i missing something, does somewhere i may not have noticed do things like this?
Definitely interested in the museum. What is residents weekend please?

If the weather is nice hire a boat on the river. A 14 year old might like one of the ghost walks also. I recently took my teenager daughter to the immersive van gough experience in york, which she enjoyed, your son might too if he is into art.

@Whycantibetangy

York Ghost merchants is a current tiktok craze that all 14 yr olds will know about. The shop on Shamble has massive queues from about 8:30 though so get there early if you dont want to hang about. Ditto Bettys, be prepared to wait for a table.

When are you coming? Next weekend is residents weekend and everywhere will be much busier than usual as we get in everywhere for free.

Coming at the end of March our Easter holidays are early this year. Thanks for the tips.

Ghost Walk
Crypt beneath York Minster is more interesting than you might think
Definitely go to Jorvik
Railway Museum is atmospheric, even if not that into trains
Evil Eye used to do brilliant Thai food- not sure if they still do (or allow minors) but worth checking

Is he thinking about universities yet (I was at 14, but I was desperate to leave home… your DS may not be so eager )? York is a BRILLIANT university; I went and have never met anyone who didn’t love their time there… never too soon to plant a seed by taking him for a quick walk round the campus…

Betty's is overrated! There are nicer cafes. The little ice cream company does amazing ice cream. And obviously the Minster is a must see. Think you still have to pre book though.

www.facebook.com/LICCOFYORK/

LICC do the most amazing ice cream

Betty's is overrated! There are nicer cafes.

We have a place in the "grim up north" unfashionable nearest town to me that does sensational afternoon teas, and it knocks spots off Betty's.

@Thatbliddywoman residents weekend is where York residents get into the museums and attractions free of charge, discounts on cafes and restaurants etc kind if as a thank you for putting up with year round crowds of tourists.

You will find that everywhere will be very busy but there are lots of additional street attractions on too

@StampOnIt I can vouch for LICC icecreams too - think I had blackcurrant & liquorice last time

At the weekends they have street food stalls and covered seating near the top of the Shambles/market area, so a good option for lunch while wandering around.