Frequently Asked Questions
Is York family-friendly?
Yes! York is a very family-friendly place to visit and live. There are world-class visitor attractions like the JORVIK Viking Centre and National Railway Museum, lovely parks and plenty of cafes and restaurants that welcome children. It is ideally located for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Coast and has good state schools and plenty of nurseries. York was also voted Best Place to Live by The Sunday Times.
What can you do in York for free?
The top things to do in York for free are:
visiting the National Railway Museum
walking York’s spectactular city walls
enjoying a picnic in York Museum Gardens
walking through the ancient streets and quirky alleyways
doing the Cat Trail (pick up a leaflet from the Lucky Cat Shop on the Shambles)
Ambling down the Shambles, the famous medieval street that may have inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley
Playing at Rowntree Park
York Balloon Fiesta
JORVIK Viking Festival
Eboracum Roman Festival
What are the best places in York for families?
The most popular attractions for families in York city centre are:
York Castle Museum
JORVIK Viking Centre
National Railway Museum
York’s Chocolate Story
DIG: An Archaeological Adventure
The Yorkshire Museum
York Minster
What can you do on a rainy day in York?
There are lots of things to do if it rains. The museums are a good option:
The National Railway Museum is known as ‘York’s umbrella’! Also consider the JORVIK Viking Centre, York’s Chocolate Story, York Minster, the Yorkshire Museum and more (see our pick of the best attractions for details). Other good options are pottery painting at Rainbows Ceramics or Bish Bash Pot, catching a film at City Screen or Everyman York, shopping at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet (there’s a covered play area) or playing at Creepy Crawlies (The Web Adventure Park).
