If you’re planning a trip filled with activities then you may want to consider purchasing the York Pass or the JORVIK Group Pastport. The York pass includes over 40 attractions, in and around York, and may be worth purchasing if you’re planning on visiting multiple attractions (around 4 or more) in one day. Check out the itineraries page on the York Pass website where it gives a break down of the entry costs for the major attractions and your potential savings per day. 

The JORVIK Group Pastport allows access to its 4 attractions for up to 12 months from the first visit to one of the attractions. The 4 attractions include JORVIK Viking Centre, Barley Hall, Dig and the City Walls Experience. 

1. National Railway Museum (Free entry)

No list can be complete without including the National Railway Museum, the largest museum of its kind in the country. Fun for adults and children alike, explore over 300 years of railway history with interactive platforms, the Mallard Experience simulator ride and loads of locomotive trains to check out inside and out. The museum is open Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00 - 17:00. 

2. York Castle Museum (Free for under 5s, York Pass)

This is a really interesting museum giving you a look into York’s past from the Victorian era. Take a walk down Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street and see what life was like for prisoners at the York castle Prison. There’s usually great seasonal events so you’ll experience something different on a return visit.

3. Clifford’s Tower (Free with York Pass, English Heritage Membership, York Pass)

Just a stone's throw away from the York Castle Museum, Clifford’s Tower has recently undergone a refurbishment (summer 2022). Learn about the history of the middle ages including William the Conqueror and take in one of the best views of the city on the newly built roof deck. 

4. JORVIK Viking Centre (Free for under 5s, JORVIK Group Pastport, York Pass)

One of the best known an popular attractions in York, and the winner of the Visit York Tourism Award 2022. Experience life in viking age York in this incredibly immersive and interactive museum. 

5. Museum Gardens & Yorkshire Museum (Museum free for York residents & under 5s, York Pass)

Within a few minutes walk of the city centre and right next to the river Ouse, the gardens and museum are an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend a few hours in York. 

The Museum Gardens is of course more enjoyable in the warmer months where you can have a picnic and walk around the gardens. The garden is open 9am-6pm. Situated within the gardens, the Yorkshire Museum has many great exhibitions on the Jurassic era and more recently the Romans and Medieval period. 

6. Merchant Adventurers Hall (Free for under 16s with accompanying adult, York Pass)

One of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in York dating back to the 14th century. Learn about York’s past during this time and what the Guild Hall was used for over the years. They also have newly added gardens and a coffee house. 

7. York Art Gallery (Free for under 5s, Free General Admission)

The York Art Gallery, located just behind the Museum Gardens is another top contender for a free activity in York. There’s always a number of interesting exhibitions on show which are completely free with the option of paying for admission to see the current special exhibition.

8. Millenium Bridge River Ouse Walk and Rowntree Park

One of the best ways to enjoy York for free and to take in some great sights is a River walk heading out of York along the River Ouse. This takes you to the Millenium Bridge and crossing over and walking back alongside the river into York brings you to Rowntree Park. With a recent redevelopment, this 30 acre park has plenty of green space for fun and games plus tennis courts, basketball court and a children’s play area.

9. The Shambles (Free for all)

The most famous street in York, explore the winding alley and check out the many unique shops in this wonderfully preserved medieval period street. The street is narrow with overarching timber framed buildings that almost touch in places. 

10. Shambles Market & Food Court

The market is open 7 days a week and has a variety of stalls selling all kinds of things. A great place to pick up some gifts, home decor, kitchenware handbags and much more. Right next to the market is where you’ll find the Shambles Food Court with different stalls selling delicious food from all over the world. 

11. City Walls Walk (Free)

Totally free to access and totalling 3.4km, no visit to York would be complete without a walk along these beautifully preserved walls. It’s a great way to get your bearings and to see some of the best views of the city. They’re open everyday from 8:30am - 6pm. 

12. The Bar Convent (Free for under 5s, York Pass)

Discover the history and secrets of England’s oldest living convent in the exhibition and 18th Century Chapel. The first school for girl’s in York, it was also set up as an underground convent at a time when catholicism was punishable by death. 

13. The Treasurer’s House (Free for National Trust members)

The Grade I listed historic house is a National Trust owned property so it’s free for National Trust members. It’s right behind York Minster in the Minster Yard, it ties in perfectly either before or after a visit to York Minster. See the collection of furniture, textiles, paintings and more collected by Frank Green and enjoy the remarkable view of York Minster from the award-winning City Garden. 

14. York Army Museum (Free for under 5s, York Pass)

Home to a collection of the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Royal Dragoon Guards and tells the stories of British Army soldiers from 1685 to the present day. With a lot of the attractions in York, it is centrally located and ties in nicely with visits to nearby attractions like JORVIK or Clifford’s Tower.

15. Dig: York (Free for Under 3s, York Pass, JORVIK Group Pastport)

Great fun for families, DIG is a unique hands-on archaeological adventure with four indoor excavation pits filled with Roman, Viking and Medieval and Victorian finds. 

16. York Minster and Dean Park (Minster Free for York residents/students with proof of address. Free for under 16s with paying adult, York Pass)

It’s not free to enter but your ticket allows for a free return within 12 months of your first visit and free entry for York Pass holders who must book a timeslot ahead of time. The most iconic attraction in York and known throughout the world, York Minster is the largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe. You can ascend the Minster tower but there’s an additional charge which is not included with the general admission fee or York Pass. 

17. Street Performances (Free)

There are always street performers and buskers to be found in York. You can usually see a street performer outside of York’s Chocolate Story on King street and buskers playing all sorts of music on Parliament street and High Ousegate. It’s nice way to break up your walk from one attraction to another

18. Themed Festivals (Free)

No matter the time of year, there’s always a big event happening in York. In the summer time taking place in June, there’s the Festival of ideas with over 150 events, most of which are free, including talks from world-class speakers, exhibitions, theatre, music, films, guided tours and family-friendly activities. Every September - October there’s the York Food and Drink Festival and the Christmas Festival. Both of which are full of incredible stalls selling food, drink and interesting things to buy. At the end of winter there’s the Viking Festival in February which is Europe’s largest viking themed festival. 

19. Free Walking Tours

What better way to get to grips with the layout of the city and to learn more about its past than with a free walking tour. There’s a number of free tours available including the White Rose tours and the Association of Voluntary Guides. 

20. York’s Christmas Market

Running from Mid November all the way up to 23rd December, York’s Christmas Market is free to explore. Enjoy the Christmas cheer and wander around the market with many shops and stalls beautifully decorated and there’s Christmas events a performances too.