Which is better for kids - Dublin or York?

[nwilson12]

Looking to do a UK city break for 3 nights on my own with 2 children, 11 and 13.
Live in Scotland and only want to travel 2-3 hours, train or fly.
Which would be better for kids? Dublin or York?
Or somewhere European that's not too expensive? Done Paris recently which we liked.

Any suggestions?

Madrid

avoid Dublin. It will rain

York. Various museums and interactive history.

York. Definitely.

York

Not touching the Ireland/UK aspect! 😅

York has some really great kids museums. I love Dublin but there's not as much for kids - just the zoo and the park, really. Jorvik is better than Dublinia, I think. OTOH the castle is better in Dublin.

Dublin has become crazily, insanely expensive in the past few years. I mean like £20 for a normal fry up in a cafe, often £200+ for the cheapest basic hotel. I've only been for work recently for this reason. So long as it's not a race day, York will be more affordable.

Dublin isn't in the UK...

Although I love Dublin, I would say that York would be a better option to visit with children.

With the castle museum, the railway museum and all the Viking history there is plenty to interest children, and as it's such a compact town it's easy to walk from one venue to another, sometimes along the ancient city walls.
From the train station it is a short easy walk to the city centre, so no need for a taxi, and the city has a huge range of restaurants and cafés (not forgetting fish and chip shops).

Definitely York. Lot's of museums, loads to explore. If the weather is good a day trip to the seaside is in easy reach. 45 minutes train journey to Scarborough ❤️

Thanks for the comments, I realise Dublin isn't UK but can't edit post. Was looking at Belfast before but seems less to do there.

Score both firmly off your list in my opinion OP!

Of the two, York, but I think Belfast is much nicer than Dublin and has loads to do. Although it might not all be suitable for younger kids.
If you're going with hand luggage only you can fly to London and be in the city centre in around 3 hours if everything runs on time. (EasyJet to LGW can be very affordable then 35min into Victoria on the train)
Or Manchester by train might suit the age group of your kids more.

York. Within and on the castle walls. Second the suggestion for Scarborough on a sunny day.

Edinburgh is also great as an alternative if you happen to hit York dates with a race day.

What are they into OP?

Belfast is good if you are into ‘misery tours’. I work on the peace line and non stop tourists wanting to look at shit loads of trauma 🙈

York is more child friendly Id say ( dont have kids but have visited York 2/3 times as well as Dublin 2/3 times )

Both aren't cheap

2 hr flight will get you to Krakow - cheap as chips once there. Great transportation , easy city to walk and lots for children of all ages

Food is great as well

Ferry to Holland. Overnight crossing cuts down hotel costs. Whatever they are interested in there will be a superb museum.

The OP lives in Scotland, it's going to take them more than 3 hours just to get to a ferry!!

We took DCs (14 & 11) to both Dublin and Belfast last year. They found Dublin very dull but enjoyed Belfast, particularly the bus tour.

I’d opt for Barcelona if you can. York is great though.

I'd say York. But then my boys were train obsessed as young children and we visited the railway museum dozens of times and they never got bored of it!
We did have a holiday in Ireland when they were little too and as we sailed Liverpool - Dublin I guess we must have spent some time there but I honestly can remember what we did. I've been on my own and enjoyed a couple of days in Dublin (I went specifically to see the Book of Kells) but I don't think that there's a lot that is particularly child friendly. Liverpool on the other hand is a city with plenty to do for kids so if you've not been there it might be worth considering.

Depending on your children's ages and interests there is loads to do in Belfast.

I took my then 13 & 17 year olds for a few days and we did a 3 hour guided political walking tour, visited Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast Cathedral, Titanic museum, walked the Maritime Mile, went up the Dome at Victoria Square, Belfast City Hall, hired a car and went to Stormont & Giants Causeway and more. Absolutely one of our best city breaks.

York. I was disappointed with Dublin.

I don't know Dublin, but we had an excellent break in York 2 or 3 years ago when my kids were those ages.

We stayed at the Novotel because it had a pool and is very handy for the city centre and many attractions.

Of the 2 I’d say York but I’d also throw in Liverpool as an option with some interesting museums for kids that age.

York I would say, my DDs really enjoyed it when we went. Dublin is more somewhere I’d go with a group of adults (very expensive there too).
Also look at Liverpool or Newcastle

We’re just back from York with a 5 year old. There was loads to do - museums, parks, gardens, bus tour, Harry Potter shops, market, lots of nice cafes and ice cream places. And it’s all very walkable, which was a big plus for us.