Top stops when visiting York by Grand Central Trains
Get £3 off CitySightseeing tours when you show your Grand Central Rail ticket to our team – but what’s the best itinerary for when you arrive?
Getting to York is the easy bit. But once you’re here in this historic city, knowing what to do and in what order can be rather tricky.
So, once you’ve gotten £3 off your CitySightseeing tour (simply by showing your Grand Central Rail ticket to our team), what top stops in York should be on your to-do list?
Exhibition Square, for the jaw-dropping York Minster
Exhibition Square, slightly north of the city centre, is an incredible hub for several major cultural landmarks – including York Art Gallery, Theatre Royal, and of course, York Minster.
York Art Gallery’s collection spans more than 600 years, ranging from 14th-Century Italian panels all the way through to 20th-Century icons like LS Lowry and David Hockney.
York Theatre Royal dates to 1744 and is home to fringe theatre, dance, musicals, family pantomime and classic stage productions alike.
And last but not least, the outstanding grandeur of York Minster.
On the main floor, there’s the Transepts, Nave, and Chapter House of the main Minster – and below, the incredible Crypt, Treasury, and Undercroft Museum.
Monk Bar, for the historic City Walls
Less than a five-minute-walk away is Monk Bar, the largest and most ornate of the remaining York City bars that dates all the way back to the early 14th century.
While the medieval fortress building is impressive from the outside (and surrounded by delightful shops), it’s also a gateway to the historic City Walls themselves, which wrap around York.
The Shambles, for shopping and Viking delight
Arguably York’s most well-known landmark – The Shambles is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets, lined with quirky shops and cafes full of freshly-made sweet treats.
And as the real-life inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, there are more than a few wizard-themed independent boutiques and stores.
It’s also a hop-step-and-jump away from one of the best museums in all of northern England – the Jorvik Viking Centre!
This living museum has incredibly lifelike mannequins, life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city, and interactive exhibits that transport you back to the year AD 960.
Clifford’s Tower, for museum and dungeon excitement
About 5 minutes away from The Shambles is Clifford’s Tower: an incredible structure that stands tall atop a giant earth mound, and its internal castle was once part of the great medieval fortress.
Its exhibitions offer a fascinating insight into the history of the city and nearby are two more must-visit spots that dive deeper into the fascinating 2000+ year tale of York.
First, it’s York Army Museum – a fabulous little place that explores the 300-year history of the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire, the Royal Dragoon Guards, and the modern Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
And a few minutes away is the legendary York Dungeon, an attraction that brings together iconic characters, amazing sets and thrilling special effects in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Museum Gardens, for beautiful botanicals
The Museum Gardens cover 10 acres of land and located right in the heart of the city centre – making it the perfect place for either a sunset walk or a picnic to keep you fuelled on your adventures.
The gardens feature an array of plant species, wildlife, and historical features to explore, as well as the amazing Yorkshire Museum, which houses archaeological, palaeontological, and natural history collections.
The National Railway Museum, for the story of British rail
Home to iconic locomotives from the past, present, and future of the railways, the National Railway Museum is an outstanding way to spend a morning or afternoon – especially given that entry is completely free!
There’s the legendary Mallard, which hit a record 128mph, the newly restored 150-year-old Royal Carriages, the only Japanese bullet train outside of Japan, the Flying Scotsman VR Experience, and the immersive Wonderlab.
If it wasn’t obvious already, York has some truly incredible places to visit – but do you know what the best part is?
You can get to all these amazing spots and many more on a CitySightseeing tour!
Hop on/off at any of our 21 stops to see everything that this historic city has to offer, before heading back on our circular open-top route.
