THE 15 BEST Things to Do in York - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Things to Do in York

Things to Do in York, North Yorkshire - York Attractions

Things to Do in York


Book these experiences for a close-up look at York.

Top Attractions in York

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

Gothic cathedral showcasing stunning stained glass, with guided tours of its historic Chapter House and crypts, and a tower climb offering panoramic views.
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Historical museum featuring immersive WWI trenches, Victorian street scenes, and original prison cells for a multi-era exploration of life during past times.
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Historic cobblestoned lanes lined with Tudor-style buildings, hosting a maze of unique shops and wizard-themed attractions, ideal for history and fantasy enthusiasts.
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Chocolate-making tour with hands-on lollipop crafting and truffle viewing. Interactive demonstrations and historical insights into chocolate, complete with ample tastings and take-home treats.
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Historical wall walk through the heart of the old town, combining exercise with scenic city and cathedral views, and ample spots for rest and photography.
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Interactive falconry displays allow close encounters with birds of prey, including handling hawks and witnessing golden eagles in flight; enjoy educational sessions in a natural setting.
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Historical air base with a rich WWII legacy, showcasing a diverse collection of military aircraft and engaging exhibits, including an up-close look at a rare Halifax bomber.
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Interactive Viking museum with multi-sensory exhibits, including a glass floor over ancient ruins. Ideal for history enthusiasts and families, featuring a diverse gift shop. Pre-booking advised.
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Historic estate with expansive gardens, lakes, and classical temples, ideal for countryside views and architectural admiration. Includes food venues and a farm shop.
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From quick jaunts to full-day outings.



*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • mdhorsley
    Birmingham, UK38 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant place to visit, you don't need to be a train enthusiast to appreciate and enjoy the exhibits. It's free entry with the option of voluntary donations, nice cafes if you want a drink / snack while you are there. 100% recommend this as a place to visit in York
    Written June 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Elizabeth A
    22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful edifice. We had Roz (I think that was her name) as our tour guide - she was terrific. She was engaging and humorous and approachable. She knows so much of the history and I could tell she enjoyed telling the stories. This was definitely worth it!
    Written June 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chris
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The museum is split into two sections.
    The first is a spectacular recreation of Victorian York built in a woman’s prison. Really authentic (don’t miss the talk!)
    Young children will love playing dress-up at various points along the way.
    The second part is about the war and the sixties. These felt a lot more generic, although we liked the trenches section.
    Written June 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MalH1963
    March, UK93 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great centre of York, good stalls Market and local goods meets the old World.. we didn't have greatcweatger but the place draws the crowds, lots of photos of the streets ..
    Written June 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sharon C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely loved the tour. Lauren (our guide) was very informative and made it a lot of fun . Thank you Lauren. We sampled chocolate and listened to the history of Nestle. Younger children were involved in the virtual chocolate making too which they loved. Made our own chocolate lollipop at the end of the tour. Would definitely visit again. All the staff were very friendly.
    Written June 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jax
    Hitchin, UK18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fantastic family fun day, value for money, good for all ages. Something for all, food, fun, refreshments and entertainment.
    Written March 8, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Man1cmom
    West Midlands, UK643 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The history of these walls is impressive and amazing.
    They run the perimeter of the city. We walked the entire walls in a day, getting on and off to see the different sites on the way.
    Some of the paths are narrow. Some of the stores are steep.
    Beautiful views from most of the walls, not so much when you get to the housing estate at the back, but how fab to look out of your window and have these on your garden gate!!
    We bumped into a walking tour whixh we listed to at the stop we were at, even better if you want the whole experience.
    A must see and do whilst in York for all ages.
    Written May 19, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alanthursby99
    Carlisle, UK27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best day ever, we travelled around 3-1/2 hours to get here and worth every minute! The birds are magnificent. The staff were amazing! We arrived just in time for a show, it was incredible the birds flew between people so close it was truly magical, we were looking in some of the enclosures when we started chatting to Andrew, we said how far we came and instantly he said have you held an eagle ill go get one! Not only can you see these amazing birds, but you can touch them and hold them. I've never been anywhere like this before. We are going back for an experience day in August, but honestly, I'm not sure how the experience could get any better. If you love birds, you have to visit. It's a shame the review only gives 5 stars I'd rate 100
    Written June 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David Andrew C
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked a guided one-to-one tour of the Handley-Page Halifax for my wife’s Uncle Alan as a present for his 100th birthday. Ian Richardson took care of everything and did a great job in selecting former Squadron Leader Derek Heaps to act as guide . From the moment we arrived in reception we got the warmest of welcomes and Alan was the centre of attention. Derek was soon deep in conversation with Alan, who had managed to climb aboard and negotiate the spars in order to see everything about the way the Halifax worked and fought despite his years. We ended the visit in the NAAFI for a delicious lunch and Alan pronounced the visit as one of the best presents he could have had . Many thanks to all concerned with the Halifax, you are doing a great job and the aircraft is a credit to your considerable efforts . Special thanks to Derek in particular for the sharing of your considerable knowledge about the “Halibag”, it brought the old girl to life for Alan . Best of luck to all at YAM in raising the money for the renovation of the Control Tower .
    Written May 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • T B
    York, UK1,195 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you want history bringing to life then this is the experience. A hit on both your sight and smell to help visualise this time period.
    Staff were friendly and informative from start to finish although they did start the pre-ride informative talk whilst we were still making our way from the long queue. (We’d booked).
    Some interesting museum pieces at the end of the ride too, which held the attention of a range of age groups. Enjoy!
    Written May 29, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul J
    Ipswich, UK3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    No discount for OAP's was surprising. Tickets for the house & gardens totalled £130 for four adults & one child! House is beautiful but doesn't justify the significant outlay in my opinion. The gardens and views again are very nice but a rather expensive few hours.
    Written May 29, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Judevdv
    London14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So interesting! A rarely told story of Cold War threat and the brave people willing to risk everything for the safety of others. Our guide Jake was incredibly knowledgeable. An hour v well spent. I would highly recommend this place . Great for teens studying GCSE/ Alevel modern history (I’m a history teacher) and good for adults too!!
    Written June 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above hotel descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in one of these AI-generated descriptions is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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