Meander along cobblestone streets filled with snickelways, browse charming shops and explore York’s history year-round for an ideal 3-day getaway. The city is a perfect location for your entire family, a romantic escape, or a journey of discovery for solo travelers. Straight out of a fairy tale, York offers incredible views, delicious treats, and a diverse cultural heritage that beckons visitors worldwide to immerse themselves in its magic. Experience this medieval town located North of England with City Cruises as your guide and see why York should be on your travel bucket list!
Day 1: Welcome to York-Unwind by the River
Begin your first day in York along the River Ouse, which flows through this ancient city. Step back in time as you’re transported through centuries of history, with towering medieval walls and the serene flow of the River Ouse setting the stage for an enchanting adventure. Take a stroll and soak in the beautiful scenery.
York Museum Gardens
The first stop will be The York Museum Gardens, established in the 1830’s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. York Museum Gardens is famous for its collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. Explore St. Mary’s Abbey first built in 1088, which remains one of England’s wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries. View the remains of the walls where the monks prayed and sang, and the cloister, where monks washed their clothes, contemplated, and were allowed to speak. Continue with The Yorkshire Museum displaying excellent collections of Yorkshire’s archaeology as well as geology, paleontology, and natural history. Stroll along and soak in the beauty of York Museum Gardens’ incredible collection of plants and flowers. Take some time for the diverse array of wildlife in the gardens before you leave.
Clifford’s Tower
The next stop is one of York’s most iconic sites and experiences. Immerse yourself in centuries of history at Clifford’s Tower, built to subdue the rebellious north by William the Conqueror. Take in the spectacular views over York from the roof deck and hear stories and sounds from the tower’s fascinating past.
Lunch
After all that walking, you’ve mostly likely built up an appetite. Fill up with a hearty Yorkshire Pudding wrap from The York Roast Co, a family-run business founded by father and son. You will find out why the YorkyPud Wrap became a worldwide viral sensation. You will not be disappointed.
Sightseeing with City Cruises
Enjoy York’s number one sightseeing tour: an entertaining and informative York City Cruise on the River Ouse. Join us on our daytime sightseeing cruise and discover fascinating facts from your seat on the top deck or wrapped up warm in our enclosed saloon. Wherever you sit you will have a great view to uncover the history of this ancient city and the immense impact the river has had on its development. You will love the live, onboard commentary from our home-grown skippers. During your cruise, treat yourself to an indulgent range of refreshments from our bar. Along the cruise, you’ll spot many famous landmarks, including the breathtaking gothic beauty of York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, the only fortifications left of the castle that oversaw York after 1066, and much more! Perhaps you’d like to hire a self-drive motorboat allowing you to explore at your own pace. Climb aboard one of our self-drive motorboats with four of your friends and navigate the same river that brought the mighty Norseman to York. Even if you’re a first-timer, we will give you full instructions and lifejackets for all. Create lifelong memories and capture Instagram-worthy shots on this one-hour experience like no other.
Evening Dinner
Situated along the picturesque banks of the River Ouse, you will find The Star Inn the City, a modern beloved fixture in the heart of York. You will revel in the idyllic riverside setting while enjoying the finest locally sourced ingredients, expertly crafted into scrumptious seasonal dishes.
Time to rest up for your second day in York!
Day 2: Explore History by Day, City Cruises by Night
Shambles
Begin today’s adventures with a stroll along one of York’s most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe- Shambles. With cobblestoned streets and overhanging buildings, it’s believed to be the inspiration behind Dragon Alley from the Harry Potter series. Today, the buildings have been restored and now house cheerful cafes, charming boutiques, and mouthwatering aromas from the chocolate, fudge, and sweet shops. Browse through clothing and accessories for some unique finds.
York Minster
York Minster is one of the most magnificent and largest cathedrals in England and a highlight for any visit to Britain. The majestic Minster is reason enough
to visit York, but York offers so much more. You will marvel at its exquisite, handcrafted stone and medieval stained glass where you are invited to discover this sacred place that has attracted visitors from around the globe.
Afternoon Tea
No visit to York would be complete without a trip to Betty’s Café Tea Rooms. The beautiful interiors are inspired by the Queen Mary Ocean liner which has attracted visitors since 1936. The menus change seasonally with the freshest produce from local farmers, and the shops are filled to the brim with freshly made sweets. Don’t forget to take home a sweet treat to enjoy later.
JORVIK Viking Centre
Travel back to the year AD975 at JORVIK Viking Centre, a world-famous ‘must see’ attraction located in the heart of York city centre. Become fully immersed in the Viking Age as you ride through the reconstructed city of Jorvik filled with 360-degree views. Next, visit their state-of-the-art gallery that displays exciting and unique artifacts.
Evening City Cruise
After a day of exploring York, join City Cruises for a nightcap and a relaxing evening cruise where you can see the city from a new perspective at twilight. Our Floodlit Evening Cruise is a tranquil 60-minute cruise along the River Ouse, where you’ll be accompanied by a range of soft music and a glass of prosecco included in the ticket. With our onboard floodlights illuminating the riverside, join us from the top deck or our enclosed saloon. End your day in style with refreshments at our onboard bar, stocked with a selection of local beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks. This is a perfect adventure for the entire family.
Day 3: A Relaxing Finale on the River
As your final day in York draws to a close, take in one last, lingering view of the city’s historic skyline reflected in the river. Known for being a hub for chocolate production since the 18th century, the chocolate industry grew from humble beginnings in the medieval streets of York. Since the city sits on the river it meant ingredients and raw materials could be transported easily and the arrival of the railway industry sent chocolate swiftly around the country. Did you know the KitKat candy bar was invented in York, England in 1935? A British confectionery company called Rowntree’s founded KitKat in the United Kingdom as a chocolate bar that could be consumed on the go without creating a mess. It’s only fitting that you taste and learn more about chocolate while in York. There are many independent chocolate shops all located within the city, giving you the perfect excuse to indulge a little.
York’s Chocolate Story
Enjoy a fun and interactive tour at York’s Chocolate Story which showcases the history of York’s chocolate-making families. On the tour, learn about the origin of chocolate, how to make it, and how to taste it like an expert. You even get to create your own treat to take away!
York Cocoa House
Calling all chocolate lovers! Situated on Castlegate, opposite the site where Rowntree first set up shop, you will find York Cocoa House. They craft their chocolate from cocoa sourced from all over the world. They offer an array of workshops and training from chocolate tasting to learning the craft of chocolate making. They all sell delectable chocolate products which you can witness being made while you browse the shop. This is a treat for your whole gang.
Time for Lunch
Enjoy the finest and freshest fish and chips as you sail through York and into the surrounding countryside. There is no better way to enjoy the great British tradition of fish and chips than to sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful riverside of the Minister City on a York Fish & Chips Cruise. Departing from the city centre, you will be handed your Fish and Chips freshly wrapped and delivered by the award-winning Mr. Chippy with the option of washing it down with a wide range of refreshments available at our onboard bar. Dine, relax, and unwind on this fun-filled experience as you enjoy live commentary from the captain.
Spend the remainder of the day with some last-minute shopping for a memorable keepsake or two.
72 hours in York with City Cruises
We hope you have enjoyed your three-day itinerary in northern England. There’s something about York that will simply take your breath away. You will never tire of exploring new pubs, historic sites, and strolls along the River Ouse. There is always something to discover in this ancient city, no matter what time of year you visit. City Cruises York invites you to explore the stunning architecture of this cathedral city that lies along the river.