ThingsToDo
National Railway Museum
Explore full-size locomotives and the story of rail travel. A good choice for families or a longer indoor visit, with free general museum admission.
2–3 hoursSuggested visit timePlan a visit →
A LITTLE PLANNING. A BETTER DAY.
Things to do in York with kids
Big engines, Viking stories and a garden break. Choose one main attraction around your children’s interests, with time to pause between stops.
Museums & historyGarden breaks
Browse activities ↓i
Plan your visit
Let your children’s interests set the main stop: trains, Viking stories or life in the past. Plan one substantial visit, then leave room for lunch and a break rather than booking several attractions back to back. Compare the total family ticket cost, including any optional experiences, and check age rules before paying. If bringing a pushchair, check storage and access at the chosen venue; the elevated city-wall walk does not allow pushchairs. Keep a garden break weather-dependent, and agree a shorter version of the day before everyone gets tired.
FIND YOUR KIND OF DAY
Worth making time for
JORVIK Viking Centre
Explore the Viking past of York at JORVIK, then leave time to wander the surrounding city streets.
1–1½ hoursSuggested visit timePlan a visit →
York Museum Gardens
Take a break in York Museum Gardens, where the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey add a historic backdrop to a gentle walk.
45–60 minutesSuggested visit timePlan a visit →
York Castle Museum
Explore everyday life in the past through the collections and recreated settings at York Castle Museum. Allow time for a substantial indoor visit.
2–3 hoursSuggested visit timePlan a visit →
York’s Chocolate Story
Explore the confectionery history of York on a guided chocolate experience in the city centre.
1–1½ hoursSuggested visit timePlan a visit →
PLAN YOUR DAY
Useful things to know
What is a manageable half-day in York with children?
Try the Railway Museum as the main stop, allowing around two hours as an editorial starting point, followed by lunch. Stay longer if the trains hold their attention, or finish early without adding another attraction. Museum Gardens can be an optional later break in dry weather, but allow for the journey and everyone’s energy. The museum alone can make a worthwhile outing.
Plan a family Railway Museum visit →Which York attraction should I choose for different ages?
Choose by interests and tolerance for the experience as well as age. Trains may suit children who enjoy large objects and exploring; JORVIK offers Viking history in a more sensory setting, including darkness, sounds and smells. Read the venue’s age and access guidance before committing. Avoid promising that an attraction will suit every toddler or teenager.
Check the JORVIK experience →Can we bring a pushchair around York’s attractions?
Check each venue’s arrangements before travelling, including whether a pushchair can accompany you or must be left in storage. The elevated city-wall walk does not permit prams, buggies or pushchairs, so choose street-level exploring instead. A short map distance is not proof of a step-free route; use official arrival and access information when planning the day.
Read city-wall access advice →How can we keep a family day out affordable?
Start with free general admission at the Railway Museum and decide in advance whether to pay for optional experiences. Museum Gardens offers another free-entry option when the weather suits. Include travel, food and any extras in your family budget. For paid attractions, check the actual ages covered by family tickets rather than assuming all children qualify.
Find free-entry family options →Where should we leave time for food and toilet breaks?
Put a meal break after the main visit and check the venue’s current facilities before arriving. Museum Gardens allows picnics, but there are no toilets within the gardens themselves; check nearby facilities before settling in. Carry a plan for an earlier finish if a child needs a rest, rather than making the next booking the reason to hurry.
Plan a Museum Gardens break →What if it rains or we need a quieter visit?
Choose one indoor attraction and check its sensory and access information as well as ticket availability. Indoors does not necessarily mean quiet, especially at busy times. If your child needs particular arrangements, contact the venue before booking. Keep transfers short where possible and leave the outdoor break optional.
Choose an indoor family outing →HELP IMPROVE THIS GUIDE
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