City break itinerary: 48 hours in York with kids

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Planning a city break with the kids? Look no further than York! In just 48 hours, you can explore its rich history, enjoy family-friendly attractions, and savour delicious food. From medieval streets to vibrant museums, this itinerary will ensure a fun-packed weekend for everyone.

Day 1

Morning – JORVIK Viking Centre

No trip to York with kids is complete without visiting the Jorvik Viking Centre. Learn about the Viking settlement in York, why the archaelogical finds have been so important and look at some of the amazing discoveries. Whether you’re interested in history, the gory details or fancy going on the ride that takes you back through time, the Jorvik Viking Centre is greay for the whole family. 

It does get busy during school holidays and weekends so booking tickets in advance is recommended. If you have the Visit York Pass, you can use this for free entry. Plan to spend around 1.5 to 2 hours here. It’s a great way to kick off your family trip to York. 

Lunch – Shambles Food Court

Just a short walk away, you’ll find the most amazing food court in The Shambles. This is one of the best places you can go for lunch in the city and there’s so much to choose from. You’ll find plenty of different street food vendors selling things like hot dogs, posh fish and chips, freshly cooked crepes, noodles, pizza and more. There’s a real family vibe here too, with picnic benches being shared by whoever can find a seat. 

Whether you are adventurous with food or want something you know you will like, there’s something for everyone here. I highly recommend the crepes, something we had during our own visit to York. 

Afternoon – York’s Chocolate Story, potion making and mini golf

York’s Chocolate Story

Kids (and adults) will love a trip to York’s Chocolate Story, where you can learn all about how chocolate comes into the history of the city. Tours last for around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, and should be booked in advance where possible. You can try to get a spot on the day but during school holidays the attraction does get booked up quickly. 

During the tour, you’ll learn all about the history of chocolate and confectionary in York, as well as the founding families of some very well-known brands. The tour is quite fast paced and there’s always something going on. Along the way, you’ll get to sample some chocolates and add to the goody bag you get at the start. The tour also has interactive exhibits, where children can help to make choclolate in a virtual factory and make their own chocolate lollies! The tour guide we had was fantastic and really made sure all of the children were involved where possible. 

After the tour, take a quick break in the cafe and gift shop to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and buy some chocolate to take home. 

Potion making at The Potion’s Cauldron

Less than a five-minute walk away is The Potion’s Cauldron, located down The Shambles, which is said to be inspiration for Diagon Alley. Any Harry Potter fan is going to love this one. Although this looks like a regular shop from the outside, it’s also somewhere that you can book to make potions. There are both adult and family friendly sessions available, so make sure to book the right one for your family. Sessions for children only take 25-30 minutes so it’s the perfect place to fit something quick into your afternoon. 

Children will love mixing together ingredients, discovering some of the magic in the back room and then getting to try their creation at the end! The great thing about potion making is that it’s budget friendly with basic tickets for 2 adults and 2 children costing around £25.

Mini golf at The Hole in the Wand

Another great option for children or a Harry Potter fan is a round of golf at The Hole in the Wand. Once again, this is a wizard themed attraction in York city centre. Even before you start your game, you can take some cool pictures against a green screen, including with props! The fun really starts as soon as you walk through the door.

Tickets include a game of 9 hole golf with some fantastic wizard themed holes. There’s a limit of 6 shots per hole, to make sure everyone moves around in a timely manner. The holes are really fun and different, although some are quite hard! 

Evening

York is foodie heaven and there are so many great choices for dinner, including cool street food spots and cosy pubs. One of our favourites is The Botonist, with the trendy decor and delicious food options. The Botonist is famous for their hanging kebabs, and garden themed desserts, some of which come in plant pots. Although The Botonist can get busy on an evening, especially on weekends, any time before 6pm is a great time to eat as a family. 

Day 2

Morning – Explore York outdoors

There are a lot of museums and attractions in York so sometimes it’s nice to spend time outsie. This could be a walk down the River Ouse or walking around the city walls. Both of these options are free and it’s a great way to see a different side to the city.

Walks will take you around the city, past the train station and close to the York museum gardens, which is home to the Yorkshire Museum. These are beautiful gardens, with ruins to explore and wildlife to find. There’s often plenty of squirrels running around. If you have enough time, the Yorkshire Museum is a great place for young children, with lots of hands-on exhibits. 

Lunch – Betty’s Tearoom

If you fancy something a little bit more extravagent than street food then consider afternoon tea at Betty’s. Queues for these famous tea rooms can get quite long during the day however, a later lunch might mean a shorter wait.

Another option is to book a table, only available in the Belmont Room. Although this afternoon is more expensive, it’s a different menu compared to the regular afternoon tea and you are guarenteed a seat. You don’t have to have afternoon tea at Betty’s either, as they also serve a delicious range of breakfast meals, lunches, cakes and ice cream sundaes. 

Afternoon

Take a boat tour

After a leisurly lunch, head down to the River Ouse and spend some time on a boat trip. City Cruises run quite often, especially in the summer and they last around an hour. These boat tours are child friendly, with fun commentary, toilets on board and a bar serving drinks and snacks. You’ll get some of the best views of York on a boat tour, and it’s the best way to save little legs from walking around too much. 

Visit a museum

York has some really great museums, so it can be trickly to pick which to go to, epsecially if you’re short on time. Here are some ideas:

• York Castle Museum – great for knowing more about York’s past, including a recreated Victorian street and being able to go into York’s prison! This museum is so interesting with loads to do for kids. As there are different areas to explore, you could prioritise those of interest.

• National Railway Museum – for those interested in trains, the National Railway Museum is a must… and it’s free! Discover the miniature railway, the Flying Scotsman and get up close to a real bullet train! 

It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon in both of these museums as there is so much to see. Younger children might prefer York Castle Museum, unless they are really into trains. 

Other great things to do with kids in York: