York is a highlight. We chose to spend three nights because the city offers so much, and it was a wise decision. The first obvious choices are the Minster and the York Castle Museum. The Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, but more than that, it houses the finest displays of early stained glass that you’re likely to see anywhere. The Museum is a social history museum, and as such, presents living history. There’s not much dusty here, just things with which we can identify. I also recommend that you visit the Treasurer’s House. Its name could be changed simply to "treasure house" and it might make more sense.
You will spend time in the Shambles, the narrow streets of early York and you will poke about in the shops and pubs but after that there is a long list of things to do in York. Walk a city wall, see Fairfax House, the Society of Gentleman Adventurer’s Tudor building, the massive National Railway Museum or the minute York Model Railway. There is the art museum and the Yorkshire Museum, Clifford’s Tower or the Market in Parliament Street and it goes on. And all these can be found within the small footprint that central York makes.
Quick Tips:
First, go to the Tourist Information office in St. Leonard’s place (between Lendal Bridge and the Minster). You’re really going to need a map. York within the walls may not be very large, but in the Shambles in particular, it can be confusing. Consider a guided walking tour of the city. They leave across from the information centre twice daily in tourist season; they’re free and take about two hours.
You may wish to consider a York pass, available at Tourist Information. The adult pass costs 19 pounds for one day, 25 for two, and 32 for three. It will get you into a lot of things for free including Fairfax House, Cliffords Tower (3.50), the Treasurer’s House (4.30), the York Model Railway (3.70), the Yorkshire Museum, York City Sightseeing and the Guide Friday tour (8.50) and the Minster (5). Outside town it will also get you into Castle Howard and a variety of other places. There are also discounts in theatres, ghost walks and some restaurants. Would I have saved money with it over a couple of days--I’m not really sure. I saw enough that after a couple of days, I was "yorked-out".
Best Way To Get Around:
You may wish to consider the York Sightseeing bus and the Guide Friday bus. They are on the same ticket (8.50) and while the Sightseeing bus had commentary "in the can", the Guide Friday bus had a live commentator who was excellent. The red buses pass stops every 15 minute; the Guide Friday buses pass every 1/2 hour as they do a larger circuit, going all the way to the race course.
Old York is actually very small. Once you are in, everything that you want to see is a short walk away.
If you’re driving, there are parking lots--I would suggest the one on Nunnery Lane beside Micklegate. It’s a pay lot, but it’s very handy to the city. I don’t think you want to drive in York. The traffic wardens seemed very busy.