MAKING THE MOST OF york WITH GROUPON

There are so many things to do in York today that you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with choice. Luckily, we’re here to help you spend your time best, covering everything from exciting family days out, to romantic strolls through York’s medieval streets.

Free things to do in York

There are lots of fantastic things that you can do in York at no cost at all. Some of York’s biggest and best attractions, like the National Railway Museum, have entirely free entry so you can see the Flying Scotsman in all its glory at no cost.

As a well-preserved medieval city filled with picturesque parks, you can also enjoy a day walking around York and taking in some of the city’s best attractions for free. In fact, this can be the perfect time for you to snap some pics from around the city for your Instagram.

What to do in York at the weekend?

York bursts into activity at the weekend with thousands of visitors coming to see the sights and enjoy local attractions. The weekend is a particularly good time to dive into some of York’s best museums, like Fairfax House, a flawless example of a Georgian townhouse, or the Castle Museum with its recreated Victorian street.

If you’re looking for romantic things to do in York this weekend, then why not head out on a date and enjoy York’s excellent food culture? The city is filled with gastropubs, or you could head to The Shambles area and pick from the fresh food market. If street food is more your style, then The Shambles Food Court has a varied menu of different cuisines, from French to North African.

What can I do in York with kids?

Fit to burst with museums and educational centres, York is the ideal place to be when you’re looking for educational things to do with kids. The dynamic exhibits on display in The York Dungeon and the Jorvik Viking Centre are particularly good for giving children an exciting glimpse of life in historic York.

Alternatively, York also has a number of escape rooms, such as GR8escape York, which are perfect for some family fun time as you solve the various challenges and puzzles inside.

Things to do in Central York

Central York is the medieval heart of the city and where you’ll find many of its most recognisable landmarks, including the York Minster. The Shambles is a narrow medieval shopping street and one of the more popular destinations in Central York. Whether you’re looking to browse the shops, or you just want to enjoy the scenery, The Shambles is an essential visit.

A short walk from The Shambles is St Sampson’s Square. This particularly handsome area hosts local events and the York Christmas Market during December – ideal for some seasonal treats or fun festival rides.

Central York is also where you’ll find some of the city’s most well-preserved buildings, including the Barley Hall, a complete medieval townhouse with a great hall and timbers. You might also want to pop into the Yorkshire Museum in the Museum Gardens to learn more about one of Britain’s most historic regions.

Essential travel tips & hacks for York

If you’ve never been to York before, then you might want to try following some of these tips and hacks:

• If you’re looking for alternative things to do in York at night, try one of the many spooky ghost walks.
• Central York is almost entirely pedestrianised, so make sure you have good walking shoes on.
• It you’re not a local, don’t forget that this is where Yorkshire Puddings come from! Make sure you get one either as part of a roast or from one of the trendy spots like The York Roast Co you’ll see dotted around town.
• Visiting the likes of The Shambles on a Saturday afternoon can get a little crammed as it has a combination of tourists and shoppers all descending on the area. It’s best to go to popular attractions like this earlier in the day.

What’s the weather like in York

York is a little drier and warmer than the rest of Yorkshire, although it can be prone to outbursts of fog. It often lightly snows in York in winter, so you can look forward to some particularly picturesque snowy days.

How do I get around York?

York’s main travel hub is York Railway Station which is just across the river from the Museum Gardens and Central York. Buses run from the train station into the city centre every ten minutes. The city centre has large areas which are only for pedestrians, so the best way to get around is by foot.

If you’re travelling by car you can use the Park & Ride available just outside the city to guarantee a parking spot and catch a bus straight into the city centre.

If you’re ever stuck for transport in York, you can always rely on one of the local private hire taxi services to get around. You can usually grab a black cab from the taxi rank on Duncombe Place in front of the York Minster. Alternatively, Uber is also available in York.

We hope these tips are going to make it easy when you’re out and about in York. And with a little help from Groupon you can now make the most out of your time in this beautiful city.