York for two days with kids - ideas???

toozie_2

Stayed in York when our girls were about 13 and 11, they loved the Dungeon. But it is scary, not recommended for a 2 year old, I screamed most of the way round. I'm sure if you have any Tesco ClubCard Vouchers, you can turn them into Deals to buy tickets for the Dungeon.

The best, and probably cheapest bit of entertainment was to go on a Ghost Walk, I think there are a few advertised, we went on the one which starts from The Shambles after 6pm, cost about £2.00, but there are half price vouchers about. The Victorian dressed tour guide was a real actor, we never laughed so much, it was really brillient, the girls still talk about it now. Well worth it, in fact it would be the first think I'd do if we went back to York.

alanrowell

How about a walk along the walls

Galtizz

The dungeon scared ME and I'm lots older than 11 good if they like scary stuff though.

Definatly go to the NRM. I was dragged around so many times when I was young (by my Dad, a steam train fan) it is huge with so much to see, allow the best part of a day.

The ghost walk is something you HAVE to do see: http://www.ghosthunt.co.uk/ for the one from the shambles. If you click on map and voucher there is a £1 off voucher to print and take with you. The kids usually start off clinging to Mum/ Dads leg and end up on the front row! it's great fun for kids and adults.

The Minster is really good BUT, you have to pay an admission fee now and it is quite steep (about £5??) plus, you have to pay extra (£2??) to do other bits, like the crypt and you can't just do the extras (I tried) you have to pay the £5 +

Galtizz

alanrowell wrote:

How about a walk along the walls

There are lots of little museums in the walls too (actually in the bars, the big stone gate house things) about different times of York and they are really cheap (about 50p from memory).

In my personal opinion, the Yorvik centre is a rip off. I;ve been wanting to go since it opened (in about 1984), finally got to go 2 or 3 years ago and I was really disapointed. It is about £7.00 to get in, you ride on a chair which takes you through scenes of dark ages York and it's all over in about 1 hour. Compared to the NRM, which is free and takes all day. If you still go then you can pre book tickets over the internet (via the link given earlier) so you don't have to stand in the queue.

shrek101

I agree I thought it was steep. Spent 15 mins watching a tacky video of York through the ages, and another 15 mins on a ride around York through the ages then pay again (optional) for my kids to make a coin.

Let alone the queuing up. Its well over rated, I love history but I want to see things at my own leisure.

Galtizz wrote:

In my personal opinion, the Yorvik centre is a rip off. I;ve been wanting to go since it opened (in about 1984), finally got to go 2 or 3 years ago and I was really disapointed. It is about £7.00 to get in, you ride on a chair which takes you through scenes of dark ages York and it's all over in about 1 hour. Compared to the NRM, which is free and takes all day. If you still go then you can pre book tickets over the internet (via the link given earlier) so you don't have to stand in the queue.

haziec

Nothing much to add, but just to say we had a great couple of days in York with our boys, they loved the NRM. and the model railway exhibition just outside the station. The dungeon queue was horrendously long and they enjoyed the NRM more. We also went to the Yorkshire museum. York is a Lovely place.
Rozzie

toozie_2

When we stayed in a cottage, just outside York 3 years ago, there was a well established 'Visitors Book'. There were hardly any comments in favour of the Yorvik Centre, in fact most families said it was a complete rip-off.
I can't comment because after reading we decided not to go, and when we passed the queue was yards long as well.
I loved York, fancy going back soon.

Spikey_2

Try this :

yorkpass

Spikey

VixxAnn

we had a really nice time but boy was it cold. brrrrrrrrrrr

the minus windchill temps did make us go in quite a few more shops that we would normally but managed not to blow the bank account!

Didn't do the Yorvik - too expensive and just didn't fancy it
walked up to and around the Minster but at the prices they wanted to get it we gave it a miss - kids weren't too upset!

Walked around the shambles and all the other little streets - lots of fantastic street entertainers, very good quality.

Did the NRM - excellent and free to get in. There was a special Thomas day on - which you had to pay to get access to all the Thomas entertainment and trains - we gave it a miss, there was so much else to see anyway - but what a rip off - it would have cost £25 for us!!

walked on the walls in the cold february sunshine, found a park by the river with loads of ruins in (an abbey?), beautiful old 14th cent timber frame hospital and a museum (which we didn't do as entry fee) (AM I TIGHT!?!?!)

The York Moat House is in a most fantastic location and I would recommend to anyone visiting York. Its not fancy but has everything you need and at my discounted internet price of £65 for room for 5 including breakfast I certainly cannot complain!

But don't anyone go to the Old Orleans restaurant, not terribly excellent or large quantities of food but the prices would make you think it should be:eek:

Will be going back again, hopefully at same hotel rates! but next time when its a bit warmer and we can do a lot more outside things!

thanks for all the tips and info