Free Museums in River Ouse

"The Jorvik Viking centre is built on the site of the Coppergate dig (1976-1981) which revealed 1000 year old houses, workshops and backyards from the Viking age. The exhibit starts with a glass floor over the Coppergate dig so you can see what is left of the site for yourself. After this, you can go on a ride through a replica Viking village made using the information they found from the Coppergate dig site."

"One of the UK’s most popular attractions, Jorvik Viking Centre in York is a favourite with families. At the heart of the museum is an amazing archeological discovery – The Coppergate Dig. Excavations under an old sweet factory between 1979 and 1981 unearthed numerous Viking artefacts and the remains of 10th century Viking buildings preserved within particularly spongy earth."

"Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life."

"I didn’t feel this one captured the interest of my two young children as much as some of the other attractions mentioned but I think older children would get more out of it. Neither the less there were bits that my two enjoyed. One area was the play area but I felt this area could be improved compared to the quality of play areas in the other museums."

"Two words that you might not have heard put together before are ‘chocolate’ and ‘museum’, but it’s happened in York and all our dreams have come true. You’ll find it fairly tough to drag yourself out of here…. View this post on Instagram"

"This 18th-century townhouse offers a glimpse into the tastes, fashions, and daily life of Georgian-era nobility. It began as the home of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax and then enjoyed brief stints as a gentlemen’s club, cinema, and dancehall before being restored to its Georgian-era glory."

"Fairfax House is one of the finest 18th century houses in the North of England. It was designed by John Carr of York, and has the best 18th century rococo decoration. Fairfax House is owned by York Civic Trust who have restored the house to its former glory."

"At DIG, you get to discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Our four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, Medieval and Victorian finds, so you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times. DIG, St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN"

"Under the same management as Jorvik and housed in an atmospheric old church, Dig gives you the chance to be an 'archaeological detective', unearthing the secrets of York's distant past as well as learning..."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"Set inside a large and elegant building, an £8 million development back in 2015 has seen York Art Gallery rise to one of the best regional galleries in the country. Boasting 7 exhibition spaces across 2 floors and an outdoor Artist’s garden, there’s plenty to see for the art lovers visiting York, including an internationally significant collection of ceramics spreading across 2 galleries and temporary exhibitions that mean there is always something fresh to see. Keep your eyes out for works by hugely famous artists such as Turner and Hockney."

"York Art Gallery boasts the largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the country in its Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The 19th century building (restored 2013-2015) contains works from the 14th century to the present day including altarpieces, drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture. Highlights include works by Pablo Picasso, L S Lowry and David Hockney."

"This historic site was discovered by accident, when it was scheduled to be destroyed. The oldest parts of Barley Hall date from about 1360, but until the 1980s the house was hidden under a more modern brick façade. The medieval house was once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York."

"Barley Hall is a (somewhat controversial) restored medieval townhouse and hospice dating from 1386. The building was built by the monks of Nostell Priory and was once home to the Lord Mayor of York. The house is decorated to recall the late 15th century home of William Snawsell."

"Hidden away under Lendal Bridge, the tiny Perky Peacock occupies a medieval tower that once functioned as a toll booth on the adjacent River Ouse. It is an atmospheric spot where the food is as seductive as the surroundings. First-rate, local ingredients underpin a menu of breakfast items (a bacon butty on Via Vecchia’s cheese bread, anyone?), handsome (if pre-made) lunchtime sandwiches and home-baked cakes."

"The Perky Peacock was the first place we went for breakfast in York. It’s a tiny, quirky little place up in a medieval tower house on the city walls. Being so compact (there’s only around 5 tables!), it’s likely you will have to wait for a seat, although turnover was pretty quick when we were there."

"One of York's charms is finding teeny places like this cafe, shoe-horned into historic buildings. In this case the host is a 14th-century, rotund watchtower crouched by the riverbank. Sup an excellent coffee..."

"Sizzling Pubs do a excellent value breakfast with unlimited help-yourself tea or coffee up to 12 noon. You can go for the Sizzling Breakfast (Two juicy pork sausages, two rashers of grilled back bacon, two fried free-range eggs, grilled tomato, grilled flat mushroom, potato and onion hash, Heinz® baked beans and your choice of unlimited white or wholemeal toast with butter. Served sizzling on a skillet, or on a plate if you prefer), or just porridge or white or brown toast. You can also go for a bacon or sausage bap (vegetarian versions available)."

"Does a premier champagne weekend with resident DJ and fabulous meals set in an urban chic venue sound good to you?. If so, make your York nightlife venue of choice The Biltmore Bar & Grill. The Biltmore’s lively bar has a club vibe at weekends with great cocktails."

"Eat & Drink, Fish & Chips, Restaurants"

"Ed’s Easy Diner is an American 1950’s style diner specialising in burgers, shakes and hot dogs. They also do breakfast!. The menu includes Ed’s Big Breakfast (Three rashers of smoked bacon, two sausage patties, two griddled eggs with chilli seasoning, three hash browns, baked beans, mushrooms and two slices of buttered toast), The Full American (Two rashers of smoked bacon, two griddled eggs with chilli seasoning, sausage patty, two fluffy pancakes, two hash browns, maple flavoured syrup and baked beans), Freshly Made Pancakes (Two pancakes stacked with a sausage patty, two rashers of smoked bacon, two hash browns, griddled egg with chilli seasoning and drizzled with maple flavoured syrup) and Fried Chicken and Waffle (Fried chicken breast between two waffles with maple flavoured syrup and icing sugar)."

"Ed’s Easy Diner is a 1950’s American inspired diner near Monks Cross serving a range of classic American meals from burgers to hot dogs. 3 mile(s) from the Minster.Kiosk 1 & 2, Vangarde Retail Park, York, North Yorkshire YO32 9AE, United Kingdom"

"What: The clue is in the title with this one, which is very definitely grand. Housed within York’s only five-star hotel, Hudson's is a destination for occasion dining (unless you’re fabulously wealthy of course) on account of its opulent surrounds and pricey tasting menus. The five- and nine-course set menus change with the seasons and, like all fine dining restaurants worth their salt, make full use of locally-sourced and foraged ingredients presenting a collection of modern British dishes."

"York's only five-star hotel is well-named: it offers tip-top service, a good choice of eating options, a spa and a pool. The building's original Edwardian features have been splendidly retained while bedrooms are vast, crisp and uncluttered."

"Enjoy a sumptuous selection of the finest sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks at this 5-star hotel in the heart of York. You’ll dine with a view of the historic city walls. A wonderful treat for all the family!"