What to do in York

Activities, attractions and tours

York Minster featuring heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious aspects
York Minster featuring heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious aspects
York featuring dining out, street scenes and heritage architecture
Yorkshire Museum Gardens featuring flowers and a park
York Minster featuring a church or cathedral, a square or plaza and a castle

York Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that York has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

York is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in York to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

York Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of York.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to York attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in York

Tours & day trips

See all 107 activities
City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Activity duration is 1 day
9.0 out of 10 with 124 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $31 per adult
City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 42 activities
Winterfell - the Game of Thrones tour of York!

Winterfell - the Game of Thrones tour of York!

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $101 per adult
Winterfell - the Game of Thrones tour of York!Opens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 13 activities
York: City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour

York: City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 488 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $37 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 7 activities
York: Chocolate Bar Making Workshop at York Cocoa Works

York: Chocolate Bar Making Workshop at York Cocoa Works

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.4 out of 10 with 80 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $46 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 5 activities
Guided Cycling Tour of York

Guided Cycling Tour of York

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 113 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $55 per adult
Guided Cycling Tour of YorkOpens in new tab

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Recommended things to do in York

Number of things to do
121
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self Guided Walking Tour of York with Audio Guide: CA $9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in York

Discover the most popular places to visit in York

York Minster featuring heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

York Minster

The city’s emblem is known for its superb stained-glass windows, underground treasure chambers and tall tower with spectacular views.

York Minster
Shambles showing heritage architecture and street scenes

Shambles

This picturesque cobblestone street has a fascinating medieval history and crooked buildings that appear to almost fall into one another.

Shambles
The sun setting over a wintery day on the Heslington East campus at the University of York #goldenhour

University of York

Enjoy the collegiate vibe at University of York during your stay in Heslington. Discover the lively bars and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

University of York
Walmgate Bar in York

York Barbican

Enjoy a show at York Barbican, a theater with a story to tell in York. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

York Barbican
a little night time photo shot at York Racecourse

York Racecourse

You can take time to visit York Racecourse during your travels to York. Check out the shops and lively bars in this family-friendly area.

York Racecourse
York St. John University.

York St. John University

Enjoy the collegiate vibe at York St. John University during your visit to York. Discover the area's shops, or seek out its local tours.

York St. John University
A view from the atlas fountain across to Castle Howard, a beautiful stately home to visit in Yorkshire. Made famous from the television series ‘Brideshead Revisited’

Castle Howard

You can find out about the history of Henderskelfe with a visit to Castle Howard. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Castle Howard
Jorvik Viking Centre

Jorvik Viking Centre

Imagine yourself as a Viking in this museum that allows you to dig up Norse artifacts and witness reenactments, while you learn about York’s Scandinavian settlers.

Jorvik Viking Centre
York showing heritage architecture

York City Walls

See some of York’s most impressive sights on a walk around the historic perimeter wall that has its origins in the Roman era.

York City Walls

Explore areas of York

York Minster

City Centre

If you're spending some time in City Centre, Merchant Adventurers' Hall and Shambles are top sights worth seeing.

City Centre
Aerial view of York minster in England

Bishophill

While visiting Bishophill, you might make a stop by sights like Micklegate Bar and Yorvik Brass Rubbing Centre.

Bishophill
The almost same location

South Bank

When in South Bank, you can plan a visit to York Racecourse and Bar Convent Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

South Bank
The Millennium Bridge spans the River Ouse to the south of York, linking Hospital Fields Road and Maple Grove in Fulford with Butcher Terrace on the South Bank

Fishergate

While visiting Fishergate, you might make a stop by sights like York Barbican and Kohima Museum.

Fishergate
The Yorkshire Museum in York.

Bootham

While visiting Bootham, you might make a stop by sights like York Theatre Royal and Yorkshire Museum Gardens.

Bootham
Beautiful York

The Groves

If you're spending some time in The Groves, Clarence Gardens and Yearsley Pool are top sights worth seeing.

The Groves

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from York

A view of Helmsley, a market town and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England

Helmsley

By the waterside of the River Nidd @ Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, UK (Jul 2018).

Knaresborough

Panoramic view of the beautiful countryside around Kilburn, near Thirsk in North Yorkshire, with single track road, hedges, wildflowers, green fields and gorse bushes. Horizontal, space for copy.

Thirsk

#castle #medieval #yorkshire #Englishheritage #Mark_and_Travel

Pickering

Ripon Cathedral from the graveyard!

Ripon

Wetherby Bridge, which spans the River Wharfe, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed structure, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Wetherby

Adobe

Middlesbrough

Harrogate

Harrogate

Frequently asked questions

Is York worth visiting?
Famous for its bars and pubs and walking trails, finding awesome things to do in York is a breeze. Make sure to add York Minster to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in York?
Start your day with a visit to York Castle Museum and National Railway Museum. Then, explore other parts of York for local dining and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in York?
York Minster is one of the top tourist attractions in York and should feature high on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in York?
Three days in York is more than enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. York Minster, York Castle Museum and York Maze are among the most popular sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a little longer to explore nearby hotspots like Leeds.
Is York a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, York is a great destination to discover on foot. Wander between York Minster and York Castle Museum. Then take a stroll through Bootham, located 0.64 kilometres from downtown, and Fulford, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in York with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Browse our ideas for what to do in York with kids.

What to do in York for adults?
Jorvik Viking Centre and National Centre for Early Music are just two of the things to do in York. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in York?
In York, Undercroft, Treasury & Crypt is an unmissable spot for anyone wanting to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a good way to find out about the best free things to do in York.

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