york places to visit free

Free Things to Do in York

We know that exploring a city can hurt the pocket, but sometimes the best things in life ARE free. Check out our list of free things to do and see in York.

Museums, Galleries and Heritage

National railway museum.

York is well known for its railroad history, so no trip to York would be complete without a visit to the National Railway Museum. Get up close to rail icons including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive.

Despite the impressive array of engines celebrating the past, present and future of rail history, the museum is completely free to enter.

York Art Gallery (permanent collections only)

Spot the L.S. Lowry’s, Turner or Hockney and surround yourself with some of the best ceramic art in the world at one of the UK’s best regional galleries. An £8 million development in 2015 saw it shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year and the European Museum of the Year as the whole building was transformed. The gallery has three exhibition spaces on the ground floor, displaying the best of national and international exhibitions (paid entry), and four on the first floor, including two galleries which are home to the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), which showcases our internationally significant collection of British Studio Ceramics and are free to enter. At the rear of the building, walk down into the Artists Garden and the Edible Wood before exploring the rest of the beautiful York Museum Gardens.

York Minster (free to residents only)

Residents can access York Minster for free with a proof of address, or a York Card.

Discover one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a masterpiece in stained glass and stone and a sacred space which has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century.

The Minster was built for the glory of God and this is reflected in every aspect of this ancient building, from the exquisite handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

York’s churches

York has dozens of medieval churches dotted around the city centre, and many of them are open during the daytime for visitors to look in. Try St Michael le Belfrey in York city centre, Holy Trinity hidden in a leafy oasis behind shops in Goodramgate, or one of the York City Centre Churches to explore ancient places of worship. York has a strong history of non-conformist churches to explore – stop by the Friargate Quaker Meeting House and discover its historical links to the Rowntree family, visit imposing Methodist Centre, St Saviourgate , and nip down the road to see the quirky York Unitarians chapel . Note – please check opening times for churches directly and in advance to avoid disappointment.

York Explore Library

For those of you who are really into your history, pay a visit to York Explore Library and Archives. Their archives are available for members of the public to browse, however, some specific archives do need to be booked in advance. Discover the library garden – a hidden gem which is often quiet and secluded, and features some of York’s urban archaeology which shows the development of the city walls from Roman times through the ages. You also have the option of taking a book from the shelves and having a read in their cafe or renting a computer to check up on emails or plan your next activity. Explore has fifteen libraries dotted all over the city, including a mobile library, and a reading café in Rowntree Park. Large or small, all offer a peaceful space to spend an hour or more, and are totally free to enter.

Outdoor Experiences

Guided walking tours.

With over 80 trained guides and 60+ years of experience, the Association of Voluntary Guides in York is well suited to take you on a two-hour tour of the city.

Tours run every day of the year except Christmas day and leave from Exhibition Square (outside of York Art Gallery).

Self-Guided Walking Tours

Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre for a range of self-guided walking tours that you can use to explore the city. Many cover hidden histories and niche interests in the city and are perfect for experiencing the city in a different light at your own pace.

Museum Gardens

In the centre of York, only a couple of minutes away from York Minster and the busy shopping streets, there is a little haven of peace. In the shadow of the Yorkshire Museum, relax in Museum Gardens.

Take a stroll and watch the squirrels and wildlife, walk down to the bank of the river or just simply sit on the grass and enjoy an ice cream. See all of York's gardens.

York City Walls

One of the attractions that draw people to York is the ancient city walls, which are some of the most complete medieval city walls in Britain. These are of course absolutely free to walk around.

A full circuit of the walls is approximately 3.4 kilometres (2.1 miles). Be aware of steep steps and uneven ground in places; this might not be suitable for all walkers and is not wheelchair accessible.

The Shambles

The Shambles is one of the oldest and best preserved medieval shopping streets (and most famous) in England. Once home to butchers, the street is now filled with boutique fashion lines, sweet and chocolate shops, cafes and jewellers.

It's nice to take a walk down the street, looking at the overhanging buildings and imagining what it might have been like all those years before.

York’s Parks and Green Spaces

Beyond the city centre, there are lots of beautiful green spaces to enjoy. Walk down the River Ouse to encounter Millennium Bridge and nearby Rowntree Park , or head upriver to Homestead Park and the riverside at Rawcliffe. In the heart of Tang Hall is a jewel of a nature reserve, St Nick’s , where 24 acres of beautiful meadowland and woods cover a historic rubbish dump site. The site includes a nature centre and regular activities to take part in. Discover the city’s four Strays – over 800 acres of historic common land preserved for anyone to access. Or why not dig out your bike and use the Sustrans network of former railway lines to explore the surrounding area? 

Planning on staying in York? Find trusted hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation in York and book directly through Visit York.

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15 Fun & Free Things To Do With Kids In York

With the worry of the cost of living hanging over our heads, it’s easy to think that you have to shut yourself off from the world. We’ve put together the best free things to do in York with kids. You can see what York attractions there are all on a shoestring, from cultural experiences to fun times exploring the labyrinth that is York City Centre.

Yorkshire’s cities offer great free activities for you to enjoy. Why not put together a pack-up and explore what is on your doorstep without having to spend a penny?

From walking the walls, to exploring the cities secret snickelways, you’ll be surprised how many free things there are to do in Yorkshire’s historic city. It’s cultural heritage allows you to enjoy a history lesson right on your doorstep. There are also a range of fantastic gardens to potter around and much, much more in one of our favourite cities, York.

1. Discover the wonders of the botanical gardens at Museum Gardens

Found in the centre of town, York Museum Gardens is an incredible botanical garden that sits next to the River Ouse. It is the former grounds of St Mary’s Abbey and there are some great remains of the former Abbey on the 10-acre gardens which you can wander around and enjoy all for free! Children will love exploring the beautiful gardens – and there are also storytimes during half terms to enjoy.

Best of all this Halloween they’re set for the return of their Halloween-themed trail with lots of creepy ghouls. One of the York attractions, which will leave you fulfilled, and a little spooked. From a Victorian Gentleman to a jilted bride, it’s a great way to spend some time in the city centre – and it’s free. Museum St, York YO1 7FR

2. Take a trip to the National Railway Museum

Dive into the past, present and future at the National Railway Museum, which is voted in the top 10 attractions in the United Kingdom, according to TripAdvisor. Explore and learn the history of rail transport and how it shaped our lives. There is always something new on display. They’ve currently got Mallard on display which is the fastest steam locomotive – not bad for free things to do in York, eh?

Also, the National Railway Museum has the Innovation Platform exhibition, which highlights emerging ideas and extraordinary achievements from across the rail industry. With this and much more you’ll struggle to get through it all in one trip! Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ

Find out more here .

3. Explore the snickelways of York

The term snickelway was coined by local author Mark W. Jones back in 1983 to describe unique passageways in the city It usually describes a narrow place to walk along, leading from somewhere to somewhere else. You feel like you’re stepping back in time as you wander through some of York’s snickelways – and best of all it’s another of the free things to do in York.

A few of the more interesting ones in York to explore are Lady Peckett’s Yard, which is found near runs Pavement and is connected to Fossgate. The shortest snickelway can be found at Bootham Bar named Hole-in-the-Wall and is found across from the pub with the same name. The longest one is named Coffee Yard and is found on the famous Stonegate and links Stonegate to Swinegate.

4. Visit Spark:York – Free Things To Do York With Kids

Chocked full of independent businesses and home to some great pop-up events, it’s always worth checking what’s on at the famous container park Spark:York. They do a Sunday Market every last Sunday of the month with the best local producers showcasing their beautiful, local and delicious produce. Obviously, the food isn’t free but it is well worth a visit if you’re looking to explore on a shoestring for the day. 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB

5. Get some culture at the York Art Gallery

Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, the York Art Gallery’s general admission is free entry and has an array of fantastic artwork to check out. From A display featuring rarely seen Japanese Ukiyo-e prints to York Art Gallery and the York LGBT Forum have been working to queer the Burton Gallery by telling the stories and sharing the perspectives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people – there is something for everyone. Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW

You can pre-book online here .

6. Find York’s ‘secret garden’ the Treasurer’s House Gardens

Just near the Minster is a secret garden, the National Trust Treasurer’s House, which is an idyllic place to take a walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of the well-kept gardens. Why not chill out on the benches with ice cream? Not only is it a hidden gem, but it’s another of the free things to do in York that will make your day extra special without spending a penny. It’s such a beautiful spot tucked away down a side alley. Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL

7. Marvel at York Minster

York’s cathedral church is one of the finest pieces of architecture in the world. Its tower is the highest point in York and can be seen from most places in the city. The Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, itself has a charge to enter, but you can enjoy the exterior of the medieval building as well as the gardens that sit to the left of the ancient building. Deangate, York YO1 7HH

8. Wander down the magical street The Shambles

It’s said that The Shambles inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and it’s quite easy to see why. It has its own kind of magic with old-fashioned overhanging buildings and a narrow footpath through the middle. The shop windows are adorned with a whole host of interesting things such as ghost statues, potions old-fashioned sweets and more. Just walking down and exploring is an incredible experience in itself.

9 Soak up the atmosphere of the famous York Market

Found just off the main square in the centre of York, the York Markets offer up unique items and fresh food from local and independent traders – you can wander around them and take in the sights and sounds without having to spend a penny.

10. Visit the Yorkshire Museum – Free Things To Do York With Kids

Found in the Museum Gardens, the Yorkshire Museum houses five galleries showcasing some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils that will transport you back in time with its Exhibitions that highlight some fantastic moments in history. The current exhibitions include The Ryedale Hoard which contains Roman objects including a 1,800 year old busy of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Also found in the Yorkshire Museum is an fascinating history of 150 million years of Yorkshire through Anglian, Viking and Medieval periods with artifacts such as York Helmet, Gilling Sword and Ormside Bowl. Museum Gardens YO1 7FR York

To book and find out more visit the website here .

11. Walk The Walls

The York City Walls or ‘Bar Walls’ encircle the city centre of York and are 2 miles of surviving masonry as well as the longest town walls in England. Built in the 13th century, you can still walk the walls today and enjoy an elevated view of the city of York. There are some splendid scenes as we meander your way around them and they’re free to walk also.

12 Explore Rowntree Park

Rowntree Park is a 30-acre park close to the centre of York, which has playgrounds, a library-cafe, skatepark, tennis courts, basketball court, ponds, woodland walks and more! It’s had a £1.8 million refurbishment to restore it to its original slendour and you can visit for free.

A gift to the city by Messrs Rowntree & Co back in 1921, it stands as a memorial to the Cocoa staff who fell and suffered in WW1. Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ

13. Walk The River Ouse – Free Things To Do York With Kids

The River Ouse runs right through the centre of the city of York and is a great way to see the city. You can start from anywhere, but we’d usually start near Clifford’s Tower and work our way down past Museum Gardens. There are some beautiful views across the river on the way and some great places to stop off for a cheeky pint. At times you’ll feel like you are abroad in some beautiful Venician canals or walking along the banks of the Seine in Paris.

14. Watch Street Performers

All over the city centre are weird and wonderful street performers that will perform anything from juggling swords whilst on unicycles, magic tricks to miming and more – search the streets for the most unique acts. One of out favourite free things to do in York is to visit York’s most famous street performer, the Purple Man.

15. York Cat Trail – Free Things To Do York With Kids

A fun thing to do for young and old, the York Cat Trail is the perfect way to see the sights of York. It takes in such highlights as Clifford’s Tower, Shambles, York Minster and more. The Trail starts at The Cat Gallery Shop and is a self-guided tour that takes around an hour or so.

You can get a guide to the trail here .

Check out the full list of 15 free things to do in York:

• Discover the wonders of the botanical gardens at Museum Gardens
• Take a trip to the National Railway Museum
• Explore the snickelways of York
• Visit Spark:York
• Get some culture at the York Art Gallery
• Find York’s ‘secret garden’ in the Treasurer’s House Gardens
• Marvel at York Minster
• Wander down the magical street The Shambles 9 Soak up the atmosphere of the famous York Market
• Visit the Yorkshire Museum
• Walk The Walls
• Explore Rowntree Park
• Walk The River Ouse
• Watch Street Performers
• York Cat Trail

Read More: 7 Of The Most Delectable Places To Enj oy Afternoon Tea In York

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Nathan Ellis

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THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in York

Best free things to do in york.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. National Railway Museum

2. Shambles

3. York City Walls

4. Museum Gardens

5. York Cat Trail

6. Holy Trinity Church

7. St. Mary's Abbey

8. Designer Outlet York

9. York Railway Station

10. Shambles Market

11. Spark:york Cic

12. Stonegate

13. Rowntree Park

14. All Saints Church

15. The Homestead

16. St. Michael le Belfrey Church

17. Pyramid Gallery

18. The Bars

19. Monk Bar

20. Parish of All Saints' Pavement

21. Dean's Park

22. Curlew Fields Dairies

23. Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

24. St. Crux Parish Hall

25. The Red House Antique Centre

26. York Oratory

27. Spurriergate Centre

28. St. Olave's Church

29. The Balloon Tree

30. Priory Church of the Holy Trinity

What travellers are saying

Away With Maja

20 things to do in york that are absolutely free.

UPDATED MARCH 2022! As one of the most popular destinations in the North of England, York sees huge crowds of tourists every year. Having lived in York for a year and a half 3.5 years over 5 years now (!!), I love living here and having so much to explore in my own backyard! Being such a famous destination to visit can mean that prices for a lot of attractions are pretty expensive. But despite that, there are still lots of things to do in York that won’t break the bank. Here are 20 things to do in York that are absolutely FREE!

1) Stroll through Museum Gardens

Museum Gardens is my favorite place in York—it looks especially beautiful in the spring when the flowers bloom! It’s absolutely free to visit, and there’s a lot to see. You can see the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, which date to 1294, and explore the crypt of the old St. Leonard’s Hospital by Explore Library. You can also see the Multangular Tower, one of the remaining towers of the Roman fort, Eboracum, and the black-and-white Hospitium (although it’s only open for weddings and events). All of these things are must-sees in York, it’s one of the most Instagrammable places in the city, and it’s all free! My top tip? Bring a picnic lunch when the weather is nice!

2) National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum is the largest train museum of its kind in the country. You could easily spend most of a day here, exploring the different trains, going through the different exhibits, and learning about their history. Best of yet, the National Railway Museum is completely free! This is also one of the best things to do in York with kids .

3) York Observatory

Yorkshire’s oldest Observatory was built in 1832, and its conical roof is a feature in Museum Gardens. The Observatory houses a large telescope built by Thomas Cook. It was nearly demolished in the early 1980s, but £50,000 was raised by the public to save it. Unfortunately, the Observatory has very limited opening hours as its run by volunteers. It’s typically open from 11:30am-2:00pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. The Observatory is free though—there’s no entrance fee to go inside when it’s open!

4) York’s Edible Wood

Tucked behind York Art Gallery is York’s Edible Wood. This garden was created in July 2015, to explore peoples’ relation with permaculture and our relationship with food. All of the plants in the Edible Wood are (you guessed it!) edible, although generally they ask not to actually pick the plants. As the Edible Wood is connected to Museum Gardens, it is free to visit!

5) Attend a service at York Minster

Visiting York Minster will cost you—general admission is about £10, with tower tour tickets going up to £15. However, the Minster is still a working and fully operational church. If you want to have a look inside but don’t want to throw down a bunch of money, you can visit for a service—there’s never a charge for services! Although you’ll miss out on many of the highlights of the building, you’ll get to attend a service in a beautiful atmosphere.

6) Visit any of York’s smaller churches

While York Minster does cost money to visit, you can drop by any of York’s other smaller churches for free. Some of my favorites of York’s smaller churches are St. Olave’s Church, Holy Trinity Goodramgate, St. Michael le Belfrey, and Holy Trinity Micklegate.

7) Watch Street Performers

As York sees loads of tourists (especially on weekends), there are always street performers in the city center. All the street theater or music is completely free—although performers always appreciate tips. Some of the best spots for street performers are outside York Minster, on Petergate, and in King’s Square. Man With Big Balls (who called me out for taking the above photo and posed for me!) is one of my favorites!

8) Attend a Theme Festival

York has so much history it seems to overflow everywhere you go. One of the best times to visit York is during one of the big festivals ! The Viking Festival lasts for a week every year at the end of February. Romans take over the town for the Roman Festival the first weekend in June. In February, you can take part in the York Ice Trail and visit ice sculptures around the city. The first Sunday of the summer months, Fossgate turns into a big street party for Fossgate Festival. All of these festivals have free activities you can participate in!

9) Go on a Free Walking Tour

There are several different organizations that run free walking tours in York. The Association of Voluntary Guides run tours that start outside York Art Gallery in Exhibition Square (daily at 10:15am and 1:15pm). White Rose tours start from outside the Minster (daily at 11:00am, and 3:00pm April-October). Every Sunday, there’s a free 1-hour Museum Gardens walking tour at 1:00pm. There are a few other free companies, but those are the main ones. While tips are always appreciated by guides, the tours themselves are free!

10) Walk along the River Ouse

One of the main rivers running through York, the River Ouse (pronounced “ooze” as in “booze”) is a wonderful place for a stroll when the weather’s nice. You can do a loop from Skeldergate Bridge to Lendal Bridge in the town center (cut up Coney Street when on the east side of the river). It’s very popular with runners and cyclists!

11) Walk the City Walls

One of York’s main attractions are its spectacular set of medieval walls, surrounding the town center. While most of the walls date back to the 13 th century, some sections date back to the Romans in 70 AD! There are 4 main gates (called bars) to the city: Micklegate, Walmgate, Monkgate, and Bootham Bar. The full circuit is 2 miles, although the best stretch is arguably from Bootham to Monkgate—the views over to the Minster are spectacular. The walls are open from dawn to dusk, but may be closed in bad weather. They are completely free and one thing you absolutely must do in York!

12) Admire the views from the Barbican at Gatehouse Coffee

Tucked inside Walmgate bar is one of my favorite cafes in the city, Gatehouse Coffee. It’s housed in the medieval barbican, which underwent restoration in the Victorian period. You can go out along the walls of the barbican, although to be polite it’s best to ask if that’s okay before going out. It’s free to do this, although I definitely recommend stopping for a chai latte or a treat here!

13) Explore the Snickelways

I’ve already written a big blog post on York’s best snickelways , the winding, narrow passageways and hidden alleys and snickets around the city. Some of the best are Lady Peckett’s Yard, Coffee Yard, Horn Pot Lane, and Hole in the Wall to Precentor’s Court. It’s one of the best free things to do in York.

14) Walk down the Shambles

One of York’s main attractions is the medieval shopping street called the Shambles. With a mention in the Domesday Book in 1086, the street is one of the oldest in Europe! It was supposedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and with the narrow, cobblestone street, and the overhanging buildings, you can see why! This is one of York’s most famous snickelways, and one place you absolutely must see. It’s free as long as you don’t buy anything!

15) Wander through the Markets

York is home to a variety of markets, all of which are free unless you purchase anything. Shambles Market is on everyday, and there are markets or festivals on Parliament Street nearly every weekend. If you’re visiting the city during St. Nicholas’ Fair in December, you can explore York’s Christmas market!

16) Window shop around town

Window shopping is always free as long as you don’t buy anything! York is full of small, local, independent businesses which tourists and locals alike love. Stonegate—an old, medieval, pedestrianized street—is the main shopping street in the city center. Gillygate and Bishopthorpe Road are also big shopping areas for independent stores. Coney Street is the city center’s main hub for high street, chain businesses.

17) Enjoy the Gardens at Treasurer’s House and Merchant Adventurer’s Hall

While both the Treasurer’s House and the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall charge admission prices to go inside and visit, they both have spectacular gardens outside. The gardens are absolutely free to relax and enjoy! The gardens are only open when the sites are open though, so do check in advance during the slower winter season.

18) Stroll through Dean Park and enjoy the views

Dean Park is the large, green, spacious park surrounding York Minster. The views of both the Minster and the City Walls are wonderful from here, and it’s free to visit! The park is at its prettiest in the spring, when there are crocus flowers planted around. Dean Park is generally open from dawn to dusk.

19) Explore Rowntree Park

Located just outside York’s city center is Rowntree Park. This is a beautiful park with lots to see and do—playgrounds for kids, fields for sports, a large pond, and even its own café! Like all the parks, it’s 100% free and doesn’t cost anything at all. You can easily walk here from Skeldergate Bridge on the west side of the River Ouse (it’s well sign-posted).

20) Marvel at the architecture in York Train Station

York Station is one of the most beautiful in the country—the clock near the footbridge is particularly stunning! The train station was actually used as a film location in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, as a stand-in for King’s Cross (Hagrid and Harry walked across the pedestrian bridge before he boarded the Hogwarts Express). The train station is free to visit and there are no ticket barriers in operation. It’s also home to some of the only free toilets in the city center!

Planning Your Trip

Planning on staying overnight in York? I’d recommend the following places:

• Budget: Safestay York or The Fort Boutique Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
• Luxury: The Grand

You can book hostels in York here , and check out hotels in York here !

While York isn’t necessarily a cheap travel destination in England, there are plenty of free things to do in the city that won’t break the bank! I hope this helps in planning a budget trip to York!

Have you ever been to York?! Did you do any of these free things?

You might also like my other posts:

18 Hidden Gems to See in York

The Best Snickelways in York

A Complete Guide to the Best Instagram Spots in York

The Best Walks in and Around York, England

The Best Bars and Pubs in York, England

The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in York, England

The Best Restaurants in York, England

Quintessential Yorkshire: The Best 4 Daytrips From York

All of my York posts!

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31 thoughts on “ 20 things to do in york that are absolutely free ”.

[…] 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely Free […]

I’ve done / seen pretty much all of these, apart from going into the York Observatory and to Rowntree Park. Would definitely like to do the latter. Looks a lovely green space to relax in!

Rowntree Park is great – so big too! 🙂

[…] Read More: 5 Things You Must Do In York, 10 Hidden Gems To See In York, 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely Free […]

[…] 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely Free! […]

[…] 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely FREE! […]

[…] walking the walls is a must. Even better, there’s no cost and it’s one of the best free things to do in York! I recommend doing an entire circuit of the walls if you have time. If you don’t, the best […]

[…] More: 10 Hidden Gems To See In York, 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely FREE!, The Complete Guide To The Best Instagram Spots In York, all posts in the York […]

[…] York is a fantastic destination for a city break or a UK post-lockdown staycation. The city is full of history, and wandering the charming streets often feels like stepping back in time. Marveling at the magnificent York Minster, the largest cathedral in Northern Europe, is a must. Walking the City Walls is also one of the best things to do in York. Arguably, the best stretch is between Bootham Bar and Monkgate, where you can see some incredible views over to the Minster. This is also one of the best free things to do in York! […]

[…] living in York for nearly 4 years now! This is a really unique thing to do in York, and it’s completely free. It’s definitely one of the best walks in York. Here’s everything you need to know about the […]

[…] are lots of things to do in York but York Minster should be your first stop to admire the stunning architecture of the cathedral […]

[…] cathedral, is a must when visiting. Make sure to walk the City Walls – it’s one of the best free things to do in York! – and a full circuit is about 2 miles. You’ll see plenty of historic structures – some of […]

[…] 20 Things to Do in York That Are Absolutely FREE! […]

[…] is one of my favorite places in the whole city. Best of yet, it’s one of the top things to do in York for free! In autumn, the fall leaves throughout various areas of Museum Gardens turn the gardens into a fall […]

[…] Read More: 18 Hidden Gems In York, 20 Things To Do In York That Are Absolutely FREE! […]

[…] city of York is like a fairytale – supremely beautiful, quaint, and like stepping back into time. York Minster […]

[…] Theater (which is making its second appearance this year!). Best of yet, some of these events in York are free! So I thought it only fitting to write a post all about it: these are the best festivals in […]

[…] picked out the best to share with you. Best of all, discovering the snickelways is one of the top free things to do in York. These are the best snickelways in […]

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11 amazing free things to do in york that you can’t miss [2024].

From Eboracum to Jorvik, York has been called numerous names over the years. But I was fortunate enough to call it ‘home’ for three years while studying at university.

Established in 71 AD, York is a history lover’s playground, with a culture as rich as the chocolate that the city manufactures!

It’s often labelled one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and it’s not hard to see why.

The beautiful blend of the old and the new means it has something for everyone.

And while many of the attractions in York will require you to pay to enjoy them, there are many activities in York that won’t cost you a pretty penny.

So from historical churches and beautiful gardens to free events and must-visit museums, here are 11 amazing free things to do in York!

1. Take in the splendour of York Minster

Address: Deangate, York YO1 7HH

Phone number: 01904 557200

It’s no surprise that York Minster is considered to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Just one look at the breath-taking structure, which dates back to the 7th century, will immediately explain why it is the pride of the city.

While entrance to the cathedral is free to York residents and York students, others do have to pay for admission.

Nevertheless, it won’t cost you a single penny to attend a service at the Minster or to admire the exterior of the building.

Whether you stop by for a picture or a picnic, it’s easily one of the best free things to do in York.

The gothic structure truly towers over the other low-rise buildings.

And therefore, it can be spotted peeking over the top of numerous points across the city.

The quality of the Minster’s architecture is incomparable.

You could easily pass time studying all the hidden features of the building’s exterior, such as the heart-shaped window in the centre of the face of the Minster, often coined the ‘Heart of Yorkshire’.

The Minster is stunning day or night, sunshine or rain.

You really can’t pick a bad time to stop by and take a photo!

2. Take a stroll around the Museum Gardens

Address: Museum St, York YO1 7FR

Phone number: 01904 687687

Home to the brilliant York Museum, the Museum Gardens are a natural haven that perfectly contrasts the urban city.

Admission to the gardens is totally free and it’s chockfull of star attractions.

One of the main sights to see is St. Mary’s Abbey, a ruin that dates back to 1088.

It was built during the time of William the Conqueror in order to cement his power over the North of England.

It was then later destroyed in the time of Henry VIII, as part of the King’s effort to break the Church of England away from the Catholic church.

Aside from its history, its gothic architecture against the natural backdrop of the gardens makes it one of the most beautiful spots in the city.

Other points of interest in the gardens include The York Observatory, the Edible Wood and The Multangular Tower.

The Tower is the best example of Roman influence in York with some of the stones at the bottom of the Tower dating back to the 3rd Century!

The gardens also sit alongside the calming River Ouse, providing a peaceful, serene vista amidst a bustling city, making a visit here one of the most romantic things to do in York .

3. Amble down the Shambles

Address: Shambles, York YO1 7LX

For Harry Potter fans, the Shambles is not one to miss.

One of the oldest shopping streets in England, the Shambles is said to be the influence for the infamous Diagon Alley from the J.K. Rowling book series, and fans will immediately see the link.

Previously coined the ‘Great Flesh Shambles’, the medieval street was originally a place where butchers would display their meat from hooks.

You can still see them hanging from some of the buildings!

The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the country.

In fact, it even bagged itself a mention in the Doomsday Book back in the 11th-Century!

The picturesque, quintessentially old English street is a stunning sight to see.

Plus, it’s the perfect place for a spot of window shopping.

The street is stuffed with boutique coffee shops, fudge shops, nick-nacks, and a number of Potter-themed shops for wizarding world-enthusiasts to peruse.

This may be one of the best free things to do in York; however, don’t blame me if you suddenly want to start spending money here!

4. Walk the city walls

Address: York YO1 7LJ

There have been walls surrounding York since the 1st Century when the Roman Empire set up shop in the city.

The walls that encompass York today date back to the 13th Century and offer beautiful elevated views of the city centre.

While many UK cities still proudly boast medieval walls, York’s city walls are the most complete set walls that are still standing.

The walls stretch approximately two miles in total.

And if you get a little tired, there are four gatehouses, also known as ‘bars’, acting as checkpoints along the way: Walmgate, Bootham, Micklegate and Monkgate.

The Monk Bar contains the immersive Richard III experience, a great place for people to learn more about the last King of the House of York.

And in Walmgate bar you can even stop for a coffee and cake at the utterly charming Gatehouse Coffee .

Walking along the walls is ideal for a relaxing stroll and a great way to connect to the history of the city.

5. Immerse yourself in the National Railway Museum

Address: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ

Phone number: 0800 047 8124

There is a myriad of museums and historical experiences in York, but what differentiates the National Railway Museum from the others, is that admission is totally free!

Listed by TripAdvisor as the Number 1 attraction in York, this experience doesn’t disappoint.

Just a ten-minute walk from the city centre, the museum tells the story of 200 years of rail history and the evolution of station life.

The Great Hall is packed with an impressive collection of train carriages from the last two centuries.

Train-lovers can walk among the historic carriages, getting up close and personal with some of the most iconic trains.

You’ll even see the likes of the Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive, the Japanese Bullet Train.

Delve into the history of rail travel and learn about how rail travel has impacted the world we live in! It promises a great afternoon.

6. Kick off and relax in Rowntree Park

Address: Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ

Joseph Rowntree, York born-and-bred philanthropist, reformist and, most perhaps famously, chocolatier, is one of the city’s proudest exports.

Joseph Rowntree opened Rowntree Park in 1921, in memory of his Cocoa employees who tragically died in the First World War.

The Rowntree family intended the park to act as a place of “rest and recreation”, somewhere to escape from the “turmoil and stress of life, and bring health and happiness”.

Just a 15-minute stroll south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is a peaceful, relaxing oasis, perfect for escaping the urban landscape.

The entrance to the park is completely free, and there’s plenty to explore.

Look out for an amphitheatre, picturesque lake and play area for the little ones!

The park is ideal for picnic-goers and nature-lovers to kick back and relax on a summer’s day, or for a wrapped-up winter’s walk.

7. Have a mooch around the shops and markets

Attention window-shoppers and browsers! York is the perfect place for you to exercise some serious retail therapy.

With a fantastic mix of household names, department stores and numerous independent brands, York is home to shops galore.

If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience, there are a number of establishments that can fulfil this wish.

One of York’s most remarkable stores is Kathe Wohlfahrt , the shop where it’s Christmas 365 days of the year.

Shoppers can truly get lost in the immersive maze of festive decorations and splendour. Yep, even in June!

Another distinctive shopping experience is at the Yorkshire Soap Company .

They flaunt a gorgeous range of soaps, bath and shower products in a breathtaking display in the form of cakes.

It really gives you the feeling of stepping into a bakery!

Its sister shop, The Imaginarium , is also worth a visit. Its eclectic range of stationery and household wares is incredibly fun to explore.

The modern Shambles market is also a sight to see.

Open 9-5 every day there are a plethora of stalls to wander around and admire.

8. Get inspired at Spark:York

Address: 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB

Phone number: 01904 217555

Opening in 2018 on a site that was unused and derelict for twenty years, Spark:York is one of the most innovative and exciting city attractions.

Made up of 23 shipping containers over two floors, Spark:York is home to food and beverage kiosks, independent retailers, work and social spaces.

It’s the perfect spot for some browsing and to chill out with friends.

Supporting local business and breathing life into a barren space, the space is pretty inspiring.

It’s not something that I’ve seen before in another UK city, making it an exciting addition to York.

Check out their social media and website to keep up with the many events they hold throughout the year.

It’s a great place to explore and to enjoy the sunshine, and the colourful landscape is ideal for capturing a photo or two.

9. Join a free walking tour

York has a bountiful history, and its many museums are fantastic sources for learning more about the great city.

However, if you’d rather not spend your money on their entrance fees, then fear not, there’s another way you can get your fix of knowledge.

One of the best ways to hear all about York’s history, from Romans to Vikings to Tudors, is by booking a free (yes, free!) walking tour of the city.

There are plenty of providers to choose from, such as the Association of Voluntary Guides , White Rose York Tours and more.

Most tours last between two and three hours and take you around York’s most iconic sites.

The expert tour guides are on hand to share their unparalleled knowledge of the city and answer any burning questions you may have.

10. Go church hopping

I couldn’t begin to estimate how many churches there are in York. It feels like there is one on every street you venture down!

York has strong historic links to Christianity; the emperor Constantine, who made Christianity the main religion in the Roman Empire back in the 4th Century, became Emperor while living in the city.

You can even visit his statue commemorating his accession next to the Minster.

Similarly, in the 7th Century, Pope Gregory chose York to be the centre of Christianity. So, it’s no surprise that York has one of the most well-preserved collections of Medieval churches in the world.

Aside from the Minster, the vast majority of the churches in York have free admission.

This means you can go and admire the stunning architecture and design without splashing the cash!

11. Get lost in the alleys

York is notorious for its wonderful winding roads and cobbled streets.

Nestled in just off many of the main roads, you’ll notice alleyways, known by locals as Snickelways.

The original understanding of a Snickelway is, “a narrow place to walk along, leading from somewhere to somewhere else, usually in a town or city, especially in the city of York”.

The city is home to at least thirty Snickelways giving the city it’s maze-like feel.

You could either download a map of all the Snickelways and work your way around them or just wander around yourself and see where they take you.

Down these alleyways, you’ll discover little tidbits of history and beautiful pieces of architecture.

The Coffee Yard Snickelway is one of my favourites as it takes you past Barley Hall.

This medieval townhouse has a large window on the alley. Here you can have a nosey into a reconstructed Great Hall!

So it’s safe to say that despite being one of the UK’s smaller cities, there are so many amazing free things to do in York.

Even after living there for three years, I found that I was constantly discovering new streets, attractions and quirks about the city that I didn’t know existed.

It’s a total treasure trove full to the brim with hidden gems.

You’ll find that there is always something happening in this historic city.

Whether it’s street performers, parades of Vikings and Romans through the streets, or festivals, such as the Christmas markets and York Food Festival, there’s always something to do.

You’ll never tire of the unparalleled beauty, history and people that make the city so spectacular.

Your essential guide to visiting York, England

Free Things to do in York

Visitors to York are often surprised at the number of free things to do in York. 

There are free attractions in York for all ages and budgets so, unlike many other cities in the U.K,  it is possible to visit York on a budget.

In addition to all the free things to do York is a small, compact city so you won’t need to spend any money on public transport or taxis once you arrive. Yorkshire people are also known for their frugal ways so you can also expect to find great deals on food and drink.

Table of Contents

Things to do in York for free – historical attractions

The national railway museum.

The National Railway Museum (NRM for short) is a favourite of York residents. We have visited every year since I have lived in York and there is always something new to see. There is something at the NRM for all ages so I think it is one of the best things to do in York with kids.  

You can explore two huge halls packed with shiny trains, engines and carriages of every age, size and colour. There is also a large model railway, an active restoration workshop and a railway memorabilia exhibit. 

See the Eurostar nose cone under a section of the Channel Tunnel, sit in a Shinkansen carriage (the only Bullet Train outside of Japan) and view the fastest steam engine in the world, The Mallard. There is also a working replica of Robert Stevenson’s famous engine, ‘The Rocket’ whilst the Station Hall has a Royal carriage once used by Queen Victoria. 

Go onto the outdoor balcony and wave at the trains entering and departing York railway station.

Kids will love the small enclosed playground and the miniature railway ride. 

Opening hours –  Everyday 10 am to 5 pm.

👉 Local tip  – The NRM is very busy at weekends and during school holidays so arrive early for your visit. In 2023, the NRM is undergoing reconstruction works so there are rolling exhibit closures. You can check latest updates and book free tickets online in advance here. 

Useful information

The NRM is located directly behind York railway station so it is an ideal location if you are visiting York by train . 

You can find fee paying parking opposite the main Museum entrance.

It is a 15 minute walk from York city centre to the NRM. Alternatively, you can catch the ‘Museum Road Train’ from outside York Minster to the NRM entrance. The road train departs every 30 minutes between 11.15 am and 4.15 pm, has a journey time of 10 minutes and costs £3.50 for adults / £2.40 for children each way.

There is a restaurant, outdoor picnic area, a cafe and toilets at the NRM.

Note that the interactive science lab ‘Wonderlab’ is fee paying. Its 18 hands on exhibits are fantastic for kids but unfortunately it isn’t free. Tickets cost £9 adults and £7.20 for children aged 4-16 years.

Walk the City of York walls 

If you’re looking for free romantic things to do in York , I recommend taking a stroll around the medieval city walls. They are the longest city walls in England (around 2 miles long) and are built on the remains of older, Roman era walls. 

The walls are popular with York residents so you will see office workers, shoppers and families using the walls as a shortcut home or as a jogging circuit. 

You will spend around 2 hours completing a full circuit of the walls. You can access the walls at any of the four medieval gateways (called ‘bars’) which were once the main entrances to the city of York.

Highlights of the City of York walls

Monk Bar is the largest and most ornate of the four historic bars. It sits at the entrance to Goodramgate, around the corner from York Minster. 

You can see a 14th century portcullis, arrow slits and murder holes which were used for dropping boiling water (among other nasty things) onto invaders below. In my opinion, it also has the best bar entrance; a steep set of enclosed narrow stone stairs. 

Walmgate Bar is the most complete of the four medieval gateways as it is the only bar to retain its original barbican section.

It is also the only bar with a cafe so it is an ideal spot to take a break on your circuit of the city walls. 

Bootham Bar is the nearest bar to York Minster. A section of the original Roman wall can be seen opposite Bootham Bar adjacent to Kings Manor. 

Micklegate Bar is the closest bar to York rail station and sits opposite the oldest convent in England, the Bar Convent. 

Opening hours –  Everyday from dawn till dusk. Note that the walls are closed in icy weather.

👉 Local tip – If you don’t have time to walk the full circuit, I think the most interesting and scenic section of the walls runs between Monk Bar and Bootham Bar. It runs behind York Minster and offers perfect photo opportunities.

Unfortunately, York city walls can only be accessed by steps so they are not wheelchair user or pushchair friendly. You must collapse pushchairs and carry them up the narrow entrance stairs. 

The path along the walls is not enclosed so keep children close. There are also several steps along the pathway so don’t forget to watch your feet whilst admiring the views. 

There are public toilets outside Bootham Bar and a cafe at Walmgate Bar. 

Monk Bar has a fee paying exhibition about Richard III whilst Micklegate Bar has an exhibition about King Henry VII.

The Shambles

The Shambles is one of the most visited locations in York and has been voted ‘The Best Street in Britain.’

It is an atmospheric, narrow, cobbled street lined with lopsided, overhanging medieval buildings. When you walk along The Shambles you will feel as if you are stepping back in time. 

In medieval times, The Shambles was the home of the butchers shops of York. If you look closely you can still see dangling metal hooks and the wooden ledges where the meat was displayed. It is these ledges ‘shammel’s (flesh shelves in Anglo Saxon) which gave The Shambles its name.

Kids will love the Harry Potter wizarding shops as this historic street is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. 

👉 Local tip – The Shambles gets very busy at weekends and holidays. Visit as early or as late as you can. The photo above was taken by my friend during the Covid lockdown; it is rare to see The Shambles empty! 

Look out for The Shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow halfway down The Shambles. An unassuming wooden door opens onto a tiny chapel dedicated to York born saint, St Margaret Clitherow who lived here with her husband in a butchers shop in the 16th century. Margaret was brutally martyred on York’s Ouse Bridge in 1586.

There are fee paying public toilets on Silver Street in the adjacent Shambles Market. If you want to eat or drink there are a few cafes on The Shambles or pop into the Shambles Market for street food options.

Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate 

Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate (which loosely translated means neither one thing nor another) is York’s shortest street. It is adjacent to The Shambles between Colliergate and Fossgate. Blink and you’ll miss it!

In the Middle Ages, Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate was the site of the city’s stocks and whipping post.

Explore York’s snickets and snickleways

The word snicket or snickleway is Yorkshire slang for an alleyway. A labyrinth of ‘snickets’ criss-cross the city of York and are used as shortcuts for York residents. If you have time, I think there are two snickets you shouldn’t miss. 

Lady Peckett’s Yard is alleged to be one of the most haunted spots in York. You’ll find the 17th century snicket squeezed between York Gin and Pizza Hut on Pavement. Pope’s Head Alley between High Ousegate and Peter Lane is just 2.5ft wide.

If you see a snicket, follow it – who knows where you’ll end up? I think our snickleways are one of York’s hidden gems. 

Attend a service at York Minster

York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and contains more stained glass than any other English cathedral. It is an unmissable York attraction. 

Unfortunately, due to the cost of upkeeping the Minster, it is not free to enter unless you are attending a service.

You are not permitted to look around immediately before, during or after the service. However, you will get to see the nave and hear the spine tingling Minster organ and choir. 

Opening hours –  Monday – Saturday 9.30 am to 4 pm, Sunday 12.45 pm to 3.15 pm. Sightseeing is not possible during services.

York Minster offers disabled access. There are toilets inside the cathedral. You can find out times of services on the York Minster website here. 

Visit one of York’s historic churches 

York is packed with historic churches. All churches apart from York Minster are free to enter.

Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate dates back to the 15th century. It contains rare boxed pews (the only ones in York). It was recently used as a filming location for the BBC drama ‘Gentleman Jack.’

Holy Trinity Church on Micklegate  is listed in the Domesday Book as one of five great northern churches. It has a Monks of Micklegate exhibition as well as cloisters, gardens and ponds.

Unassuming All Saints Church on North Street has an outstanding collection of 13 high quality stained glass dating back to the 14th and 15th Century. The chancel ceiling is beautifully decorated so don’t forget to look up!

See the best City of York architecture

Stonegate (named for its stone paving) is lined with interesting and ornate buildings. My favourite are the Tudor frontage of the The Golden Balls pub or the 15th century building, ‘Mulberry Hall,’ home to the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop. 

Turn into Coffee Yard snicket to see the exterior of the timber Barley Hall, a medieval era townhouse. If you continue through the snicket into cobbled Grape Lane you will get a glimpse of the medieval banqueting hall inside Barley Hall.  

At the end of Stonegate is St. Helen’s Square. It is home to Betty’s Tea Rooms, the pink Mansion House, home to the Lord Mayor of York and the Grade II listed St. Helen’s Church. 

High Petergate (starting at Bootham Bar) is lined with black and white Tudor buildings. Look out for Guy Fawkes Inn, the birthplace of the infamous Gunpowder plotter. 

The colourful facades of the Georgian and Victorian buildings of Low Petergate feature on many York postcards whereas lively Fossgate’s cobbled street is lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

Look out for an elaborate doorway half down down Fossgate which leads to the Merchant Adventurers Hall. The grounds of this 660 year old timber building are free to enter though you have to pay to enter the hall.

Do a free walking tour of York

One of the best things to do in York for free is to join a guided walking tour or complete your own self-guided tour. 

A tour in York will help you to navigate the city but it’s also one of the best free activities in York you can do to learn about history and stories of the city. 

There are free tours you can join. I highly recommend joining the Association of Voluntary Guides who offer free, no tip tours starting from Exhibition Square in front of York Art Gallery.  The tours are led by knowledgeable locals and run all year round. Tours last around 1.5 – 2 hours and start at 10.15 am and 1.15 pm.

Alternatively, a tip based tour with   White Rose Tours lasts 3 hours and includes a tea break halfway through the tour.

These tours begin outside the west entrance of York Minster everyday at 11 am. It is a long tour but you are able to leave whenever you want to. 

In addition to the Squirrel Trail in Museum Gardens, families can also do the city based Cat Trail which takes around 1 hour to complete.

Pick up a free map from The Cat Gallery on Low Petergate or download a free map here. Then find 20 cat sculptures ‘hidden’ on city centre buildings; some of the sculptures date back over 100 years.

Check out my recommendation for fee paying tours in York here. 

Watch a street performance

York offers diverse, family friendly street performances. These range from full piece bands to pop singers, magicians and opera singers.

There are a few locations in the city you can visit for a street performance. St. Helen’s Square and Parliament Street is the best place to find a singer or band. King’s Square in front of York Chocolate Story is where you will find the magicians and street artists.

My personal favourites are the opera guy (usually near Betty’s) and the brilliant Hyde Family Jam (usually on Parliament Street).

Please note – T hese performers are highly skilled and talented artists. Although I have listed street performers in this free things to do in York article, they make a living from your donations. No donations, no York street artists. If you have been entertained, please give what you can to support the artist.

Attend a festival or an event

One of the things I love most about living in York is that there is always something going on. There is a festival or event every month; most of which are free to attend.

If you are visiting York at Christmas, even the Christmas Markets in York are free. It is regularly voted one of the best Christmas markets in Britain.

In February, there is a free Ice Trail weekend when the city is packed with ice sculptures. You can also see free ice carving demonstrations. There is also a week long Jorvik Viking Festival which includes craft demonstrations, best beard competitions and live combat. Don’t miss the noisy and rousing Parade of The Tribes through the city centre.

Other free York festivals include York Chocolate Festival in April, the Georgian Festival in August and the York Food and Drink Festival in September.

No matter what time of year you visit York, you will find something free happening in the city centre.

Free Things To Do in York – Parks and Gardens  

Museum gardens .

I love visiting Museum Gardens. This landscaped park is a respite from the busy city centre and offers several free attractions in addition to the fee paying The Yorkshire Museum.

See The Hospitium, a private 15th century Tudor building and  explore the extensive 13th century remains of St Mary’s Abbey.  

The 3rd Multiangular Tower – one of York’s best preserved Roman remains – is tucked away in a quiet corner of the gardens. Sadly, it is often missed by visitors and residents alike. I recommend going inside the tower to appreciate its size. You can clearly see the different layers of bricks from different periods of history; the lower bricks are Roman whilst the middle level bricks are medieval. 

Don’t miss the ruins of St Leonard’s Hospital , just inside the city centre entrance on Museum Street. It was the largest northern hospital in medieval times. 

Enjoying an impromptu picnic in Museum Gardens is one of my favourite t hings to do in York for couples.

Opening hours – Museum Gardens are open everyday from 9 am – 6 pm.

👉 Local tip  – If you are visiting York with kids download the free, interactive ‘Squirrels Trail’. This fun to follow trail will lead you to the hidden treasures around Museum Gardens. 

There are no public toilets in the gardens. The nearest public toilets are inside York Central Library  which is adjacent to the gardens.

There is usually a coffee can inside the gardens.

York Observatory

Museum Gardens is also home to the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built in 1832. It houses a 4 inch telescope (once the largest in the world) and a rare 1811 clock which tells the time based on the positions of stars. The clock is 4 minutes and 20 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time and, at one time, all the clocks in York were set by this clock.

The observatory is free but due to its tiny size it has limited numbers and limited opening hours. Check opening hours here in advance of your visit.

Rowntree’s Park  

This is the biggest park in York and the nearest playground to York city centre. It is a 10 minute walk along the River Ouse (opposite bank to the city centre) from Clifford’s Tower. 

Rowntree’s Park has a large adventure playground, a smaller playground for young children, tennis courts, a skateboard track, a pond and an excellent cafe. Public toilets are available inside the park and in the cafe. 

Dean’s Park 

This small leafy park sits behind York Minster. It is never busy yet it offers fantastic photo opportunities of York Minster.

It is home to the Cathedral Library, the arched ruins of an Archbishop’s Palace and a WWII memorial.

Edible Wood

York’s newly panted Edible Wood sits between Museum Gardens and York Art Gallery. Don’t pick or eat anything in this educational garden as most of the plants are poisonous!

The Edible Wood follows the same opening hours as Museum Gardens.

Take a stroll along the River Ouse 

The River Ouse flows through York city centre. Its paved, leafy riverbank is a popular meeting and exercise spot. 

The paths are suitable for pushchairs however they are not fenced in. There are several restaurants, pubs and cafes that provide riverside views and outdoor seating. 

👉 Local tip  – This is my favourite walk along the River Ouse. Start from King’s Staith near Skeldergate Bridge. Walk on the city side of the river to the pedestrian only Millennium Bridge. Cross over the bridge and return to York on the other side of the river, passing Rowntree’s Park on the way.  

There are fun, free things to do in York for everyone. Let me know if you discover something free to do on your trip to York which I haven’t listed here!

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10 free things to do in York

Best known for its gothic minster, york is a treasure chest of historical heritage and culture, and you don’t necessarily have to splash the cash to experience the city’s hidden gems. see what you could pack into a travelodgical break in york..

1. National Railway Museum

Much more than just a Mecca for dedicated trainspotters, the National Railway Museum on the edge of the city centre has hands-on exhibits to excite all ages. Its halls are filled with trains from the last 300 years, including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, the futuristic Japanese Bullet Train and the opulent Royal trains. Kids will love the outdoor play area, where they can tootle round on the miniature railway ride. During weekend and school holidays there’s a lively programme of events for little ones, including science shows, storytelling, steam rides, craft activities and special events.

Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ, England. Open daily 10am – 6pm .

2. York City Walls

York’s incredibly well-preserved Roman walls have been guarding the historic city centre for around 700 years. You can walk along large portions of them for fantastic views over the city and the Minster. A walk along the walls gives you a bird’s eye perspective and an introduction to the ancient city, with informative plaques dotted along the route that explain the historical background. You can complete a full circuit in around 2 hours, but if you’d prefer to have a stop off along the way, you can enter and exit via the five main bars – or gateways – onto the walls.

3. Rowntree Park

Stretch your legs and spend a peaceful sunny day at the lovely Rowntree Park by the river Ouse, a scenic 10-15 minute walk south of the city centre. Wander around the well-kept gardens and feed the resident ducks and geese at the lake, or let the kids tires themselves out in the excellent play area, complete with climbing frames and a mini zip wire. If you’re feeling active there are also tennis and basketball courts, places to play boules, mini-golf and a skate park.

Terry Ave., York YO23 1JQ, England. Open from 9am – 9.30pm on weekdays and 9am – 9pm on weekends (closes at 4pm in winter).

4. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Observatory

The Yorkshire Museum Gardens are a splash of green in the heart of the city, set around the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. Over 40 types of birds visit the informal garden, which is also home to lots of squirrels and a vast botanical collection. It’s a lovely spot for a stroll and a relaxed riverside picnic on a sunny summer’s day. You can also visit Yorkshire’s oldest working observatory within the grounds.

Museum St., York YO1 7FR, England. Open daily 10am – 5pm.

5. The Shambles

Don’t be put off by the name – The Shambles is a narrow cobbled street in the heart of the city, and a highlight for many visitors to York as Europe’s best preserved medieval street. Its leaning ‘wattle and daub’ buildings were once home to the city’s butcher shops, but these days they’re filled with charming, quirky boutiques, cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions. The Shambles is one of the most visited streets in the UK and it’s a great place for a stroll. Soak up the historic atmosphere, listen to the street musicians and do some window shopping.

Shambles, City Centre, York YO1 7LZ, England.

© Craig Jamieson

6. Free guided walking tours

The Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York give free walking tours on the city walls and around the historic centre – just for the pleasure of showing you around their beloved city. Tours leave daily from Exhibition Square and wind through the city to end at the Shambles. The route varies but normally passes by the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, the King’s Manor, York Minster, the haunted Treasurer’s house and St. William’s College. It’s worth going along even if you’ve already visited York’s top tourist spots – the guides have an incredible knowledge of the city’s historical background and lots of fascinating local gossip and jokes.

1 Museum Street, AVG Information Desk, York YO1 7DT, England. Check website for tour times.

7. The Homestead

The Homestead is a great park to take the kids to on a sunny day. It’s a short pleasant walk from the city centre along the River Ouse towpath. For younger children, there is a large play area with a monkey gym and helter-skelter slides, as well as a paddling pool, table tennis and lots of grassy spaces for football and other games. The arboretum and the formal gardens are quirky and well thought-out, with a medieval garden full of butterfly and bee friendly plants, a wildflower garden, and even a Lord of the Rings-inspired garden with a little hobbit home. There are free tree trail and wildlife spotting guides available at the entrance.

40 Water End, York YO30 6WP, England. In the summer, its open 9am – 7pm Monday – Saturday and 10am – 7pm Sundays. In the Winter 9am – dusk and Sunday 10am – dusk.

8. Yorkshire Lavender

Take a trip out of the city to this award-winning lavender farm and gardens , set on a hillside with panoramic views over the Vale of York. It’s near Terrington, in the Howardian Hills AONB around 15 miles north of York. There’s plenty to entertain all ages: explore the sculpture park, find your way through the lavender maze, see, smell and listen at the sensory garden, spot the resident white deer, and pet the Highland cattle and lambs. There’s also a tea shop with lavender-themed treats in case you get peckish.

Terrington, York YO60 6PB, England. Open daily 10am – 5pm.

© Bernard Bradley

9. York Market

Soak up the bustling atmosphere and perhaps pick up a treat for yourself or someone special at this daily market behind the Shambles. There are usually over 85 stalls set up amongst the cobbles, selling an incredible range of goods from local produce, fruit and veg, delicious cakes and freshly baked breads to flowers, cosmetics, clothing, gifts, books and unique crafts. There’s also a street food area where you can pick up all kinds of tasty international snacks, with a seating area and free WiFi.

Newgate Market & Parliament Street, York, England. Open daily 7am – 5pm.

10. Howardian Hills AONB

York is well-placed for trips to the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast, but to enjoy a jaunt in the countryside a bit closer to base camp head to the Howardian Hills AONB. This beautiful protected area of wooded rolling countryside, scenic villages and historic country houses is only around a 45 minute drive from York City Centre, and it’s one of the British countryside’s best hidden gems. It’s a fantastic place for a walk, with some excellent hiking trails including the Centenary Way and the Ebor Way.

Want to visit York? Book a stay in one of our Travelodge York hotels now

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23 Free Things to Do in York

York is a historic city with so much to offer, making it the perfect UK city break. And a visit doesn’t have to break the bank! There’s a whole host of free things to do in York, ranging from beautiful parks to fascinating museums, wonderful walking trails and truly bizarre festivals.

I’ve visited York a number of times and I always end up going back for more! So, whether you’re looking for free family-friendly activities in York or just a budget city break, there’s something to love about this popular northern city. I’ve put together 23 of the very best free things to do when visiting York, so you can enjoy this beautiful spot to its fullest without spending a fortune!

At the end of this guide you’ll also find some of my top recommendations for where to stay in York, the easiest way to get around the city, and the best way to visit.

If you’re looking for more England travel guides , here are guides to 3 of my favourite destinations:

👒 The Cotswolds

🍂 The Lake District

The Best Free Things to Do in York

Looking for some quick ideas for the best free things to do in York without having to read this whole post? I’ve got you covered – here are my top 6 favourite free things to do in York:

• Explore the Snickelways
• Walk the City Walls
• Visit the National Railway Museum
• Explore the sights of Museum Gardens
• Attend a service at York Minster
• Amble through the Shambles

1. Attend a Service at York Minster

York Minster is the crowning jewel of the city. The exterior architecture is beautiful but its interior design is truly breathtaking. Visiting York Minster isn’t free – you’ll have to pay £12.50 for an adult ticket (although it is free for children and York residents or York students). ‘But this is a list of free things to do in York!’, I hear you cry…

The secret to seeing York Minster for free is attending one of the services. Services are free to attend with multiple running throughout the day. This will allow you free entry and a peak inside the beautiful building, not to mention a terrific service in a very special atmosphere. If you’re desperate to see all of York Minster, however, including the tower, you’ll need to book a ticket!

2. Walk the Chocolate Trail

York was one of the early names in the sugar trade and was home to some of the biggest confectioners brands in the world. Both Terry’s and Rountree got their start in the city and the brand Nestle produces their famous Kit Kate, Aero and Milk Bar products at its York factory today.

Visit York have put together a wonderful chocolate trail – a self-guided walk that takes you around the confectionary history of the city. Visit what was once Terry’s Chocolate Shop (where you can still see the old name) and stroll through the beautiful park that was gifted by Rowntree’s as a memorial to the cocoa workers who died during WW1.

You can find the full trail and map here.

3. Explore the Snickelways (One of the Most Unique Free Things to Do in York!)

Unique to the city of York, Snickelways are alleys and lanes that run between York’s streets. These are often hidden in plain site and could be easily missed if you didn’t know what to look for! Many of these Snickelways are ancient and there’s a certain historic magic running through them. Here are some of the best and prettiest Snickelways to look out for when visiting York:

• Mad Alice Lane – named after a woman who was hanged in 1823 for poisoning her husband
• Coffee Yard – the longest Snickelway in York
• Hole in the Wall – where you’ll find stunning views of York Minster
• Lady Peckett’s Yard – one of the prettiest Snickelways in York

4. See the Sights of Museum Gardens

Museum Gardens is without a doubt one of the best free things to do in York. It’s exceptionally pretty and there’s so much to see, including the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, which date back to 1294. You can also see the Multanger Tower, a remaining piece of a Roman fort, and explore the ruins of St. Leonard’s Hospital, which dates back to the middle ages.

The gardens are also the perfect place to relax on a sunny day with a good book or a picnic with friends.

5. See Iconic Locomotives at the National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum is completely free to visit and houses some of the most iconic trains in the world, including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive. There’s plenty to see here, including a signalling demonstration and the Mallard Experience . Even if trains aren’t really your bag, you’ll likely find it surprisingly enjoyable!

I was dragged here by my train enthusiast fiancé in our first year of dating and enjoyed it almost as much as he did!

Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:00.

6. Take a Free Guided Walking Tour

The Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York have offered complimentary guided tours of the city since 1951. This is a great free thing to do in York on your first day in the city, as it’ll give you a great lay of the land!

The walking tours take about 2 hours in total and begin at 10:30am and 13:15pm every day except Christmas Day!

Unlike many ‘free’ walking tours, which expect a tip, The AVG explicitly states that there’s no need to offer a tip. The volunteer guides are local experts who love to share the city they call home. You can find out more about the free guided walking tours here.

7. Attend the Viking Festival

York is host to Europe’s largest Viking Festival , which takes place early summer each year (28th May – 1st June in 2022). You’ll find tents in the city centre offering a whole host of different free Viking-themed activities that anyone can attend.

There’s the annual Strongest Viking Competition, including hammer-holding, leg-wrestling, and hand-to-hand combat. As well as storytelling sessions and sword-fighting workshops.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting York during the festival, make sure to check it out! You can see the full programme of events here.

8. Watch the March to Coppergate

Watch as hundreds of Vikings march through the city to Coppergate. This strange tradition happens once a year during the Viking Festival, where men and women take to the streets dressed as Vikings and parade through the city shouting war cries. It’s certainly a unique experience to York and completely free to watch!

9. Visit York Art Gallery

Looking for some cultural free things to do in York? Why not visit York Art Gallery?

It’s home to the largest ceramic collection in the UK, as well as a number of other beautiful paintings and decorative pieces. General admission is completely free, although you will need to purchase tickets if you’d like entrance to any special exhibits.

10. Visit York Observatory

You can find York Observatory nestled in the York Museum Gardens. It was built in 1832 and 1833 and is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire. This fascinating building is home to an 1811 clock which is able to tell the time based on the position of the stars. Once upon a time, all other York clocks were set by it and in the 19th century it would have cost sixpence to check a timepiece against the Observatory Clock!

The Observatory is free to visit but is open at odd times, so make sure to check online before visiting!

More Free Things to Do in York

11. take a stroll along the river ouse.

Enjoy the city from a different perspective with a walk along the River Ouse (pronounced ‘ooze’). This is the main river running through York. There’s a lovely circular walk that takes you past a number of the various bridges and is fairly short but sweet! You can find directions for the circular River Ouse York walk here.

12. Walk the City Walls

An absolute must when visiting York is the city walls. This is one of York’s most unique attractions with some parts dating back to 71 AD! As they’re elevated, they offer fantastic views of the city, making them the perfect activity for a sunny day.

It’s a circular walk, so you can start wherever is most convenient for you. The walls open at 8am each day (unless the weather conditions are particularly bad or it’s Christmas Day!) and close at dusk. You can find out exactly when this is at different points in the year on the York Council website.

Along the way you’ll pass the 4 ‘bars’. These are the main gates to the city – Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. Look out for spectacular views of York Minister on your way around.

This is definitely one of the best free things to do in York!

13. See a Street Performance

Like any city that’s popular with tourists, York has plenty of street performers to keep the crowds entertained. You’ll find them in the city centre, often around York Minster or in King’s Square. They’re often excellent at commanding a crowd and are great fun to watch in the sunshine. It’s completely free to watch, although they do, of course, accept tips if you enjoyed their performance.

14. Get Festive at the Christmas Market

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting this history city during the festive period, you have to check out the beautiful Christmas Market. The St. Nicholas Fair celebrates their 30th Anniversary in 2022 with alpine chalets that line Parliament Street and St. Sampson’s Square. Here you can find artisan gifts or warm up with a glass of mulled wine.

York is a beautiful city any time of year but there’s something particularly magical about seeing it festooned in lights for Christmas.

15. Wander Around York’s Edible Wood

You’ll find the Edible Wood located in the York Museum Gardens. It’s full of edible plants (no surprises there!) – from unusual and exotic species to more familiar herbs and fruits.

The wood contains winding paths that are perfect for enjoying the fragrant aromas during the summer months. It’s completely free to visit and is definitely worth a wander when you visit Museum Gardens.

Opening Times: 7.00am – 6.30pm

16. Walk Down the Famous Shambles

Perhaps what York is most famous for is The Shambles – one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. The street is still in use today and is completely free to visit. Walking down it feels as though you’ve stepped back in time, with its cobbled streets and overhanding shop fronts.

The street was once a meat market. As a result, it’s very narrow to keep the meat out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Nowadays you’ll find local boutiques and cafes (not a butcher’s in sight!).

The Shambles is often referred to as J. K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley. The author has confirmed that this isn’t strictly true but it’s easy to see how the rumour began. The higgledy piggledy nature of the street certainly has a magical feel!

17. Relax at Dean’s Park

York is blessed with a number of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore and Dean’s Park is one of the best. This lovely park has fantastic views of the City Walls, as well as York Minster. It’s the perfect place to relax with a picnic or just take in the views.

Look out for the 12th century stone archways, which are believed to be part of a cloister from the Old Palace!

18. Window Shop at Shambles Market

This outdoor market is a local favourite and won ‘Best Outdoor Market’ in 2022. With more than 70 stalls, it’s a fun place to peruse. Here you’ll find flowers, crafts, vintage clothing, gifts, and crafts. Of course, it’s free to enter the market and look around. I can’t promise that something delicious won’t entice you into spending a few pounds though!

19. Walk the York Cat Trail

This trail around the city is one of the most unique ways to see York!

In 1920, Sir Stephen Aitcheson placed two cat sculptures on a building he owned (possibly to scare away mice!). Others copied him and more cat sculptures started appearing in the city. In 1979 a local architect begun to place them on buildings he designed.

There’s now a trail around York, where you can spot these cats. You’ll also see many of the city’s main tourist attractions, including Clifford’s Tower, The Shambles, and York Minster. This weird and whacky activity is a surprisingly fun free thing to do in York!

You can download a map and instructions for the York Cat Trail here .

20. Enjoy Rowntree Park

There’s plenty to do in this pretty park. And it’s completely free to visit. Here you’ll find an ornamental lake with ducks and geese, a skate park, a children’s play area, and table tennis tables. It’s a great option for families or anyone traveling with kids!

The park was gifted to the city by Rowntree & Co in 1921 as a memorial to all the Cocoa Works staff who died during World War One.

21. See Where Harry Potter Was Filmed

Did you know that York holds one of the Harry Potter filming locations?

In fact, you might have already seen it when you arrived in the city! York Train Station was filmed as King’s Cross in the first movie. You might recognise the bridge as the one that Hagrid and Harry walk over together!

22. Do the York Selfie Trail

If you’d prefer a self-guided tour of the city, make sure to check out the York Selfie Trail. Visit York have put together a trail of all the most iconic spots in the city. You can find a map, as well as information about each spot, here.

Stops on the trail include:

• Clifford’s Tower
• Jorvik Centre
• York Minster
• St. Mary’s Abbey

Planning Your Trip to York

If you’re planning on visiting York from London, you’re in luck! It’s only 2 hours away by train, making it an easy weekend break. The train station also has links to a number of other cities across the UK. Make sure to check Trainline for more information.

York is relatively small city, so if you’re accommodation is central, you should be able to walk for the most part. Otherwise there’s a great matrix of bus routes. You can find timetables here.

Accommodation in York

Luxury: The Grand

The Grand is the only 5 star hotel in York. Housed in the former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway, it’s the perfect spot for a luxury experience. I’ve personally stayed at The Grand and couldn’t recommend it more!

Mid: Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo is the perfect stay for those who want a boutique hotel experience without the hefty price tag. The rooms are lovely and it’s just a short walk from the city centre.

Budget: The Fort Boutique Hostel or Safestay York

Each of these hostels are cheap and cheerful with an excellent central spot in the city. They’re perfect for exploring the city on a budget.

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8 Free Things to do in York

Free Things to do in York  – There are loads of brilliant things to do in York  and we have made a whole list of them, but everything costs money and sometimes it is nice to have a day out that does not break the bank.  So, we have compiled a list of some fabulous things to do in York for free!  Why not combine a few of the below suggestions for a full day out?

The Bar Walls

The Bar Walls  are the thick stone walls that circle the city. They are not entirely complete but are a great (free!) activity to do with older children. There are steps to climb and not all of the walls are fenced (meaning a drop to one side) so bear that in mind if there are accessibility issues or wild toddlers! You get a view of the city and The Minster from the walls that you just don’t get to see otherwise.

There is a large park behind The Minster which is a perfect place to sit quietly and escape the York crowds or you take the kids for a runaround to burn off some energy. When we visited last year there were chalkboards to entertain the kids too. You could also enjoy a relaxed picnic here, or bring chips from Petergate fisheries for a treat!

Treasurer’s House Garden

In front of The Treasurer’s House, just behind the Minster you will find The Treasurer’s House garden. It’s absolutely free to enter their garden which is beautifully landscaped. There are lots of benches as well as a large lawn to sit on. In the summer they have lawn games for the children, like oversized Jenga.

You get some stunning views of the back of The Minster from here too. Plus if you have a National Trust Card you can get into the house free too!

The Museum Gardens

The National Railway Museum

Free walking tour

There are several free walking tours in York that can last up to three hours.  A knowledgeable guide will take you on a tour of the city – there are so many interesting places to look at.  It’s the done thing to tip at the end of a tour so I think this does not make it truly free, but you can pay according to your budget and the value you feel you have gained.

Attend a Festival

York has so many festivals all year round from the Viking Festival early on in the year to the Christmas Festival at the end. While you might need to pay for some things whatever festival you attend, you don’t have to and it’s lovely just to wander and soak up the atmosphere.  If you are a York resident then make sure you take full advantage of the York Resident’s Festival.

Rowntree’s Park – Free Things to do in York

Rowntree Park has a river-side location to the south of the city centre. It was given to the people of York by Rowntree and Company at the close of the First World War as a memorial to all those members of the Company’s staff who lost their lives or suffered during the War. The wrought iron gates at the Terry Avenue entrance were given by the Company in 1954 as a Second World War memorial.

Check out our huge list of everything to do in York.

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21 Free Things to Do in York

Most people love York, and you can see why. It is a beautiful place packed full of free attractions waiting for you to discover. York…

Most people love York, and you can see why. It is a beautiful place packed full of free attractions waiting for you to discover. York for free? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, hold on to your hats because I’ve put together lots of things to do that won’t cost you a penny. Living here in York, I’ve spent my time walking the city walls at sunset, picnicking by the river, and exploring the cobbled streets of the Shambles. I feel so lucky to live in this city, especially with all these free activities in York!

You don’t need to be rich to explore York, just download a map, pack your walking shoes and set afoot. From the majestic Multangular Tower to the hidden gem that is Mad Alice Lane, every turn in York city centre reveals another piece of its rich history. For those who fancy a bit of curiosity, the Snickelways of York are fun to find, plus they make for beautiful photos. And if you’re keen on railways, York’s got you covered. You don’t have to buy a ticket to explore the York Railway, it’s free! (although parking is not!)

We’ve also got the Yorkshire Museum right here in the North of England that tells you the history of York. And if you’re looking for peace, you can always attend a service at the centre of Christianity in York, light a candle, and revel in the silence. But don’t miss out on the Shambles Market, even if your wallet’s feeling light. Window shopping is an art, and this place is a masterpiece!

Historical Architecture and Landmarks

1. the train station, 2. york minster, 3. stroll down the shambles, 4. walk along city walls, 5. holy trinity church, 6. the ruins of st mary’s abbey, york’s cultural scene, 7. york art gallery, 8. national railway museum, 9. the snickelways, 10. york cat trail, 11. window browsing at shambles market, soak up the natural beauty of york’s public spaces, 12. museum gardens, 13. rowntree park, 14. walk along the river ouse, 15. discover york’s edible wood, 16. dean’s park, 17. st nicks, participate in unique york experiences, 18. enjoy a free guided walking tour, 19. attend the viking festival, 20. watch the famous march to coppergate, 21. experience york observatory, 20. york selfie trail, 21. visit the shrine of margaret clitherow, choose the best time to visit, take the money-free challenge in york .

You know, this might surprise you, but the York train station itself is an interesting place to see, especially if you are not from the UK. You don’t have to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate its charm. The gorgeous clock near the footbridge, the grandeur of the station—it’s all a sight for sore eyes. And the best part? It’s completely free to visit.

You’ve got to see York Minster! It’s like the jewel in the crown of York. For York residents, it’s absolutely free to visit. Don’t forget to take along some valid ID though. What’s better than visiting the york minster for free?

If you’re not a York resident and don’t want to pay, it’s still great to check out the exterior of the building. If you walk around the back, you can see the stone masons workshop. Here, you can watch real stone masons at work as they cut new gargoyles and stone to replace those that have been worn down by the rain. There’s also the gorgeous gardens right by the Minster. There’s even a status of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the front now.

Read my full York Minster Review here .

The Shambles is one of the most recognisable spots in York and was the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Walking down its cobbled lane is like stepping back in time. You’ve got timber-framed buildings that date back to the fourteenth century, leaning their heads closer to each other as if whispering age-old secrets. It’s like a scene straight out of a fairytale.

And while window shopping here is completely free, do spare a moment to appreciate the love and craftsmanship that goes into the products in the one-of-a-kind shops that line the street. Trust me, there’s something very magical about having The Shambles to yourself, especially in the early morning.

I’ve lived in York for the past 7 years, but even I still love going for a stroll along York’s city walls. Built by the Romans back in 70 AD, they’ve had a few touch-ups since then, most notably around the 13th century. If you think about it, that’s a whole lot of history under your feet, and atop these walls!

A good place to start your walk is at Micklegate Bar, one of the four main gates into the city, alongside Walmgate, Monkgate, and Bootham Bar. Not sure which is best? Well, remember the old saying: different strokes for different folks. But trust me, the stretch from Bootham to Monkgate is worth the legwork. Those spectacular views of the Minster are something else. Better yet – it’s free!

Next on the freebie fun times in York is Holy Trinity Church. This place is like stepping into a history book that’s sprouted stained-glass windows and wooden box pews. Tucked away in the heart of the city, this church might be small and secluded but it’s overflowing with character. Don’t forget to look for the uneven floors—a testament to its history.

Then there’s a bit of modern history to remember. Do you see that blue plaque outside? That’s for Anne Lister and Ann Walker, who, back in 1834, took communion here as a stand-in for a marriage ceremony – this is the first lesbian wedding known in Britian. To this day they’re celebrated as pioneers in the LGBTQ+ community. Visiting Holy Trinity isn’t just a free jaunt to a place of worship, it’s a journey through time. Here’s a toast to history, and not spending a penny!

Ever had a mooch around the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey? If not, it’s high time you did—it’s a feast for the eyes. Once a thriving establishment back in 1088, it’s now a captivating scene of decayed grandeur. These stones have stories to tell, from high times as a prosperous abbey to their current standing as a stellar backdrop for your picnic.

The Abbey is nestled within the glorious Museum Gardens, offering a picturesque yet tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. As you explore the remnants of the nave, crossing, and cloisters, you can almost feel the echoes of the monks going about their daily business. A visit to St Mary’s Abbey is like a free ticket to the past—and who wouldn’t want to jump on that train?

York isn’t just about the ancient stuff, though. This city can strut its cultural stuff with the best of them—and you can soak it all up without opening your wallet! Those looking for a break from the concrete can find solace in York’s numerous green spaces, from the winding trails of Rowntree Park to the scenic walkways in Museum Gardens. Whether you’re in the mood for a picnic or just fancy a stroll, there’s always a lush spot waiting.

A visit to York isn’t complete without stopping by the York Art Gallery. Now, before you say it, I know what you’re thinking: “Galleries cost money, right?” Well, not this one! While some exhibitions do have a fee, the gallery’s Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) offers free entry for all. This place is home to an impressive collection of British Studio Ceramics which are worth a butcher’s, to say the least.

Would you believe, they’ve got artworks from Turner and Hockney, and even a few pieces by the great L Lowry? Not to mention the development in 2015 that cost a cool £8 million and got them on the shortlist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year. So, pop on your artist’s beret and immerse yourself in the cultural vibes—it won’t cost you a penny. And afterwards, why not explore the surrounding York Museum Gardens, which is home to the famous Edible Wood? 

Read my York Art Gallery Review here .

As a resident of York, I can confidently tell you that we’re quite proud of our train history. A trip to York isn’t complete until you’ve soaked in the grandeur of the National Railway Museum . It’s smack on Leeman Road, easy to find, and not to be missed. The best part? It’s totally free. A priceless dive into our country’s railway journey.

One of my personal highlights is that you get to ogle at the ‘Mallard’, which holds the title of the world’s fastest steam locomotive. How cool is that? After all that exploring, if your belly starts a-rumbling, there are plenty of places to eat around.

Read My National Railway Museum review here .

In my opinion, York’s snickelways are the finest in the United Kingdom, proper labyrinth they are. Wind through narrow passageways and hidden alleys, sneak through snickets, take a shimmy down Lady Peckett’s Yard – it’s a proper adventure, and all free of charge.

Every turn you take will reveal a bit more of York’s past, and you’ll be testing your navigation skills for sure. There’s no better way to discover the city than through the snickelways, just remember to keep your bearings!

If you’re up for something a bit different, how about going on the hunt for some feline friends? The York Cat Trail is a self-guided tour around the city, where you can spot twenty-two certified cat sculptures on the buildings and rooftops. Trust me, it’s more entertaining than it sounds, and it won’t cost you a penny!

This freebie is one of our city’s best-loved tourist attractions. It’s a great way to see the city and its many sites, and it gives you the chance to see a side of York most folks miss. And the statues? Each one is unique, with its own story to tell. It’s one the kids will love!

Whether you’re a serial shopper or just enjoy a good mooch, Shambles Market is a must-visit. This place bagged the ‘Best Outdoor Market’ award in 2022, and I can see why. With over 70 stalls, there are loads of knick-knacks and finds from flowers to vintage clothing, and all sorts of gifts and crafts. No entry fee is required, so window shopping is encouraged!

Now I’m not pointing any fingers, but I’ve seen more than one frugal window shopper end up with a bag full of goodies, enticed by the range of goods on offer. But even if you do splash out a bit, you can still feel good knowing you’ve supported local businesses.

We’re not all historic buildings and markets here in York, we’ve also got plenty of green spaces for you to explore. For a bit of tranquillity in the city, take a leisurely stroll to Rowntree Park or Homestead Park. Or if you’re up for some adventure, head to St Nick’s nature reserve. It’s a charming green space right in the heart of Tang Hall, home to beautiful meadowlands, woods, and a fair few resident squirrels. All this is yours to enjoy, without spending a single penny.

Right in the beating heart of York, you will find the York Museum Gardens. This serene 10-acre spot is nestled next to the famous River Ouse, where the sweet serenade of rippling water adds to its natural charm. It’s unique in that it was once the sacred grounds of St Mary’s Abbey. And believe me when I say, the echoes of the past still resonate as you explore the remnants of the former Abbey scattered across the lush greenery.

Now, I live in York and I can tell you, that one of the York attractions that leaves everyone fulfilled, maybe even a tad spooked, is the Halloween-themed trail in the Museum Gardens. From spooky Victorian gentlemen to jilted brides, the trail is an absolute hoot. So, whether it’s soaking up history, botany or just a bit of the town’s local spirit, Museum Gardens is a great place to visit. And the icing on the cake? No hole in your pocket, it’s all completely free.

A visit to York wouldn’t be complete without stopping by Rowntree Park. Sprawled across 30 acres, located just a stone’s throw away from York’s city centre, this park is jam-packed with lots to keep everyone occupied. Kids can run wild in the playgrounds, sports enthusiasts can break a sweat in the open fields, and you may even find yourself lost in the peaceful hum of the large pond.

The park itself was a gift from the Rowntree family, and let me tell you, they didn’t skimp. This park has everything. Want a place to skate? There’s a skate park just waiting for your wheels. And if your belly starts growlin’, there’s even a café tucked away inside. Or for a cheaper option, why not pack a picnic? Easy to reach, say from the Skeldergate Bridge on the west side of the River Ouse, it’s an oasis offering relaxation and exploration.

You can get there by walking along the River Ouse, about a 15-minute walk from the city centre. 

York is a city of many bridges, and there’s genuine joy in taking a casual stroll along them. In particular, wandering along Lendal Bridge is nothing short of therapeutic. Nestled next to the River Ouse, you have a mesmerising view of the station. From here, you can spot boats sailing along the river and trains whizzing over the neighbouring Scarborough Bridge. It’s a peaceful yet bustling scene, and in my opinion, it deserves a moment of your day.

Down steps from Lendal Bridge, you’ll find yourself at the banks of the river. Whether it’s summer or winter, the riverside walk is absolutely stunning. After a bit of fresh air, you could pop over to the nearby Museum Gardens or seek out an ice cream boat – yes, you heard it right, an ice cream boat! 

Now, right behind the York Art Gallery, there’s a little secret that is rarely spoken about – York’s Edible Wood. It’s a garden created to spark curiosity about food and permaculture. Here, every plant screams ‘eat me’ – but hold your horses, they do request visitors not to pick the plants.

Though you can’t feast on them, the plants here offer a feast for the eyes. The Edible Wood is part of the Museum Gardens, and the best part, there are no entry fees! If you’ve got a bit of a green thumb or want to learn a thing or two about permaculture, the Edible Wood provides a unique, free experience that’s really worth your time.

In York, green spaces are not hard to come by, and one that always comes to mind is Homestead Park. However, nestled among all these green havens is Dean’s Park, and it’s not your run-of-the-mill patch of green. The park is an oasis of carefully manicured lawns. Trust me when I say that a walk through this park is a breath of fresh, peaceful air.

St Nick’s is a 24-acre nature reserve located smack bang in the centre of Tang Hall. With its beautiful meadows and woods covering a historical rubbish dump site, the park is a testament to the resilience of nature. Whether you’re a nature lover or just enjoy a good wander, a stroll through the lush greens of Dean’s Park offers relaxation at no cost, right in the heart of York.

Visiting our spectacular city doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket! There are so many unique experiences here that are priceless, yet don’t cost a penny. Let’s have a gander at some of ’em.

Who doesn’t love a good chat with a local, especially when it can teach you a thing or two about York’s history? Enter the Association of Voluntary Guides, a top-notch crew who have been offering complimentary guided tours since the early 1950s. True-blue lads and lasses with York running through their veins.

Each tour takes about 2 hours, pouring out insights and stories about our historic city. And here’s the cherry on top – they start these tours twice daily at 10:30 am and 1:15 pm, and you won’t even have to dip into your pocket for a tip. How’s that for a freebie?

Join a free tour here .

Picture this: a sizzling summer day, a historic city, and an army of Vikings, all here in York. Sounds exciting, eh? Well, welcome to the largest Viking Festival in Europe! You’ll get to see a bunch of fearless fellas and lasses in their Viking best – and the best bit is, it’s free for all.

Every year, around May and June, the city centre becomes a bustling hub of free Viking-themed activities. From hammer-holding competitions to storytelling sessions, there’s a flurry of action every Viking enthusiast can partake in. So, if you happen to be visiting York during the Viking Festival, make sure to check it out!

If that’s not enough to give you a Viking fill, wait till you see the famous March to Coppergate. These Vikings leave no stone unturned, or in this case, no street un-marched, to recreate the historic city of York’s ancient traditions. All part of the Viking Festival that turns our quaint town into a Nordic spectacle.

Dressed to the nines in their Viking gear, you can watch men and women as they parade through the city streets, letting out their fiercest war cries. You might think you’ve stepped onto a movie set, but this is as real as it gets. And, it’s completely free to watch!

Down the road in York, at YO26 4XJ, you’ll find a place that’ll rocket you to the stars without charging you a penny – the York Observatory. Just like the historic city walls that have kept our city safe for centuries, the Observatory stands tall, welcoming all with open arms, at no cost.

If you’re up for a self-guided tour, and you’ve got your smartphone at the ready, then the York Selfie Trail is a must-do. Visit York has really pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one. They’ve put together a cracking trail covering the city’s iconic spots, perfect for a click and pose. Stops on the trail, you ask? Well, they’ve got you snapping away in front of Clifford’s Tower, grinning at the Jorvik Centre, and even pulling faces at St Mary’s Abbey. 

And here’s a little insider tip – don’t be shy to sidestep and discover what is known as the ‘chocolate trail.’ For a city famous for its sweet-tooth history, you’ll bet your bottom quid there’s a heap of confectionary-inspired attractions peppered along your way. Quite literally, sweet!

Get the map here .

In The Shambles you can visit the Shrine Of Margaret Clitherow, an English Saint and martyr who was sentenced to death for refusing to enter a plea to the charge of harbouring Catholic priests.

Review the full post here.

Trip Planning

As you can see, plenty of places around here offer up good times without charging. But here’s the magic word: planning. A tickle of forethought can open the gates to many activities without you shelling out a penny.

Sure, you’re dying to visit York, but when’s the best time to do it? Well, the answer to that depends on what you fancy. Every season has something to offer. Late February, for instance, sees York turning into Valhalla for the annual Viking Festival. Then again, if you’re keen on Roman history, then do pack your bags for June. 

Remember, York has a whole host of activities during school holidays. You could check out the Japanese Bullet Train at the National Railway Museum or perhaps, take a stroll along the York City Walls. All of this in York, without costing you a pretty penny. Now that’s what I call a bargain!

Then again, if you’d rather don a Santa hat and soak in the festive spirit, the Christmas markets are quite the crowd-pleaser. Trust me, the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread floating in the crisp winter air is enough to send anyone into a spin. And when spring pops its head around the corner, the parks transform into a floral masterpiece. 

If you ask me, living in the heart of York, I’d say you don’t need much more than a sturdy pair of walking shoes and a healthy dose of curiosity to enjoy this lovely city. Rich history, vibrant culture, lush public spaces, and unique experiences —York packs quite a punch without costing a penny. Rather than splurging on pricey tourist attractions, dare to take the money-free challenge. Get a genuine taste of York—you might just find it more rewarding.

On your journey, you could stumble upon charming spots like Rowntree Park, or even the designer outlet—don’t let the word ‘designer’ put you off, it’s in York after all. Take a gander and you’ll find it’s a feast for the eyes and a test of your self-restraint! But remember, we’re doing this the budget way. And don’t forget North Yorkshire, it’s a stone’s throw away. Gorgeous landscapes, quaint villages—it’s a whole other world. So, come on then, what are you waiting for? Your grand York adventure awaits!

Related posts:

• Best things to do in York at Christmas
• Best things to do with Yorkshire with kids
• Where to go pumpkin picking in York
• Making Friends In A New City
• Most Haunted Places In York
• Kids Eat Free Or £1 Half Term Deals In York

10 comments

So many wonderful things to enjoy in York! I haven’t been to visit here for the longest time, but if/when I get back to the UK, I would love to do some day trips to various places (York included) to see and do some of the things I’ve missed. I could see myself enjoying a long weekend here to see all the museums and parks, etc!

The cat trail and the museum gardens are places I would like to visit if I ever visit York in the future! x

Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

I’ve done a few of these things, but there’s a few I’ve not heard of before. I need to come to York again tbf, it’s been too long!

Claire.X http://www.clairemac.co.uk

York is always on my bucket list. I really hope I will travel to York one day. I love ancient attractions. Thank you for sharing this guide.

York is soo high on my UK bucket list for travel! I can’t wait to plan a trip and wander down cobbled streets and enjoy the local fun! Rosie

That’s great to attend the viking festival, will keep these in mind to try them when going with my partner. Thank you for sharing!

I’m planning a trip to York in a few months, and I don’t want to upset my budget too bad. Thanks so much for sharing–these suggestions look great!

We absolutely love York. And we are long overdue a family weekend stay there. This list is a great resource of free things to do!

Oh.. we were in York some years ago and it was an absolute delight! Your post is like a stroll down memory lane..

Definitely making me want to go to York even more! x

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13 Free Things to do in York: How to visit York on a budget

There’s no denying that York is an expensive city to visit. However, if you want to visit York on a budget, there are lots of free attractions in York that you can visit without paying a penny! Here is you guide to the best free things to do in York on your next visit!

This guide shares 13 free things to do in York to save you money on your next trip. These budget-friendly activities in York include must-see attractions, world famous sights and incredible hidden gems! Keep reading to find out more!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Find out more  here .

Free Things to do in York

The vibrant and historic city of York is a popular tourist destination. Visitors love to immerse themselves in the city’s museums, historic sites, and cathedrals.

But each of those activities comes with a price tag. And they all add up quickly if you want to see a lot of York attractions on your visit!

Fortunately, there are many budget-friendly activities in York so your visit doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune!

Here’s a list of 13 incredible free things to do in York on your next visit!

Is York expensive to visit?

A visit to York is not going to be a cheap trip. York is one of the most expensive cities to visit in Yorkshire. This is in part thanks to its booming tourist industry which attracts around 8.4 million visitors each year.

With such a high demand, costs of hotels and Airbnbs in York are some of the most expensive in the UK. Plus, with soaring fuel and travel costs, visiting York can require quite an investment!

To give you an indication of some of the costs you might incur on a trip to York, here are some of the average costs in the city in 2022:

• Pint of beer – £3.96
• One night in a hotel – £102
• One litre of petrol – £1.60
• Three-course restaurant meal for two people – £55

However, there are many budget hotels and activities in York, so your visit doesn’t need to leave you significantly out of pocket.

So, I’ve complied this list of free things to do in York to show you there is still plenty of York to be enjoyed if you’re visiting with tight purse strings!

Walk the City Walls

Walking the City Walls is one of the most popular things to do in York – and it is completely free!

York has more miles of intact Medieval wall than any other city in England. Today, you can still walk an almost complete circuit right around the heart of the city.

The most spectacular views of York can be seen from the walls, so it is an experience you don’t want to miss.

You can access the walls from 8am until dusk. The whole route will take around two hours to complete, or you can choose to walk just a single section of the walls in a shorter time.

The best time to walk the walls is shortly before they close. In the soft light of dusk, the walls have fewer tourists, and you can soak up the beauty of York in the golden hour light.

Address: Bootham Bar, 2-4 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EH

Time needed: up to two hours

Stroll Down The Shambles

The Shambles is a postcard-ready street with overhanging timber-framed buildings, dating back as far as the fourteenth century. This iconic street where the buildings on opposite sides almost touch is one of the most recognizable spots in York.

The quaint street of The Shambles is the perfect place for a stroll. If you visit during the day, you can pick up some souvenirs from the independent shops that line the street, but window shopping is completely free!

The best time to visit The Shambles is early morning. If you arrive before 9am you can take in the street without the bustle of tourists. There is something very magical about having The Shambles to yourself!

Address: The Shambles, York, YO1 7LZ

Time needed: Up to 30 minutes just to see the street but allow up to two hours if you’re shopping!

Climb Aboard at the National Railway Museum

Whether you’re a train enthusiast or not, you cannot help but feel inspired by the ingenuity of rail travel at the  National Railway Museum .

The National Railway Museum is the largest of the free attractions in York. It houses the national collection of railway paraphernalia, with approximately 100 vehicles on display at any one time.

This creatively displayed museum lets you get up close to the trains, interact with some, and ride aboard others.

You can also watch engineers restoring some of these impressive engines in the workshop and learn about the impact that rail travel has around the world.

Address: National Railway Museum York, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ

Time needed: at least two hours but up to half a day

Visit the Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow could easily be missed!

This tiny little chapel on the Shambles is the former home of Saint Margaret Clitherow, a butcher’s wife who was martyred for her faith in 1586. It is a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Margaret was a convert to Catholicism in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. St Margaret Clitherow ran a clandestine Catholic School in the house and Mass was celebrated there in secret. 

The chapel celebrates Mass every Saturday art 10am. However, space is limited so you are advised to contact ahead of time if you wish to join the service.

Although room for Mass is limited, the Shrine is open daily and welcomes visitors who wish to see the chapel, plus those visiting for private prayer and pilgrimage.

It is well worth popping into The Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow for a look as you pass by on your journey down the Shambles. It is a quiet and peaceful retreat from the bustling street!

Address: Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow, 35 Shambles, York. YO1 7LX

Time needed: up to 30 minutes

Unwind in Museum Gardens

Museum Gardens is a quiet oasis hidden right in the city centre.

The gardens are free to visit, and they are the ideal place to escape the bustle and unwind in nature. In summer, don’t forget to pack a picnic for an extra treat!

Museum Gardens were established in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. They are famed for their fantastic collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. It is a beautiful sight no matter what the season!

The best time to visit Museum Gardens for a quiet walk is shortly after the park opens or just before it closes. On a sunny day, the park is a popular spot to unwind, so a visit at either end of the day helps to avoid the crowds.

Address: Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR

Time needed: 1-2 hours

Discover the Ruins of St Mary’s Abbey

The ruins of St Mary’s Abbey sit in the picturesque surroundings of Museum Gardens.

Built in 1088, St Mary’s Abbey was once one of the most prosperous abbeys in Northern England. Today, the building stands in ruins, but is still a remarkable sight.

Visitors can see the remains of the walls of the nave and crossing of the abbey church, where the monks prayed and sang. And the cloister, where the monks washed their clothes, contemplated, and were allowed to speak.

It is a remarkable sight and a spectacular backdrop for the picturesque Museum Gardens.

Address: St Mary’s Abbey, Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR

Time needed: 30 minutes

Visit Holy Trinity Church

York’s Holy Trinity Church is a small, secluded medieval church hidden in the heart of York. This characterful church has beautiful stained-glass windows, uneven floors, and unique box pews for worshippers.

The church has grown in recognition thanks to the BBC TV series, Gentleman Jack . Holy Trinity Church is where Anne Lister and her lover Ann Walker took communion together in place of a marriage ceremony in 1834. Filming for the BBC series took place inside Holy Trinity Church.

Today, a blue plaque can be found outside the church, dedicated to the woman who has become known as the ‘first modern lesbian.’

Stepping through the doors of Holy Trinity Church is like taking a step back in time. It’s a hidden gem in York that you don’t want to miss!

Address: Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF

Time needed: up to one hour

Explore Rowntree Park

Just a short walk from the city centre you will discover Rowntree Park.

The park is tucked away on the banks of the River Ouse on Terry Avenue. It’s a wonderful hidden gem very few tourists know about!

This beautiful 30-acre park was donated to the city by the Rowntree family in 1921. Rowntree Park is a memorial to the Cocoa Works staff who fell and suffered during World War I.

A set of listed gates can also be found off Terry Avenue. These were added to the park in memory of those who fell in the World War II. You will find bronze plaques to mark both occasions within the park on the Lychgate.

Rowntree Park is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist sights. Be sure to take a peaceful stroll around the lake or through the gardens. It is especially magical around dusk when there are few other visitors.

Address: Rowntree Park, York, YO23 1PW

York Cat Trail

If you are looking for fun, free things to do in York, you should try the York Cat Trail on your next visit. This self-guided tour takes you through the streets of the city to locate 22 historic feline friends.

York has become strongly associated with this furry friend. Many of the buildings and rooftops in York are adorned with cat statues. The York Cat Trail is a free self-guided walk that you can follow to spot all of York’s feline residents.

You can pick up a flyer in many local York stores or download one  online . Then get ready to visit York and walk some of the most famous streets in the city to try and spot the cats of York.

Read more about the York Cat Trail here .

Address: Throughout York

Time needed: approximately two hours

Snickelways

The City of York has a secret network of streets you’ve probably never even noticed!

You could easily stroll through York and never spot the discrete snickelways throughout the city. This warren of tiny footpaths zigzags across York. Many of them retrace medieval streets although there are some modern additions too.

The name ‘snickelway’ was coined as a combination of ‘snicket,’ ‘ginnel,’ and ‘alleyway.’ All local terms for narrow paths between buildings.

And the Snickelways themselves bear equally peculiar names. Streets such as Mad Alice Lane, named after a woman who was hanged in 1823 for poisoning her husband, Nether Hornpot Lane, Pope’s Head Alley and Little Peculiar Lane.

Tracing these obscure streets around York City Centre is a fun and free activity. You might just be surprised where you end up!

Get a complete guide to the snickelways of York here.

York Art Gallery

The collection at York Art Gallery features paintings from the 14th-century to contemporary prints, watercolours, drawings, and ceramics.

Their highlights include 14th century Italian panels and 17th century Dutch masterpieces, plus Victorian narrative paintings and 20th century works by LS Lowry and David Hockney.

York Art Gallery also holds the most extensive and representative collection of British Studio Ceramics.

Whether you are an avid art enthusiast or simply appreciate a stroll around an art gallery, there is something for everyone in the York Art Gallery collection.

You could easily pass an hour or two here, admiring the artwork!

Address: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW

Please note: York Art Gallery has now introduced an entry fee from 1st February 2024.

Window Shopping at York Designer Outlet

York Designer Outlet is located just outside the city and is the ideal place to pick up a bargain!

Admittedly, your visit isn’t going to be free if you’re planning on some retail therapy! But, if you fancy a spot of window shopping it is a wonderful place to be, especially on a rainy day in York !

There are over 120 stores with discount prices on big-name brands. There are also several food outlets where you can get a bite to eat during your visit.

And even if you do choose to treat yourself to something on your visit, the discount outlet prices mean you can get a great designer item at a fraction of the original price!

Address: York Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Ave, York, YO19 4TA

Time needed: at least two hours up to half a day

Is it Free to go in York Minster?

Visitors can enter York Minster for free to pray, light a candle or attend a service. However, it costs £22,000 a day to run York Minster and your admission fee directly supports the future of the cathedral.

If you are able to do so, please consider paying the admission fee or making a donation as part of your visit to York Minster to help cover the staggering maintenance and preservation costs.

Which museums are free in York?

Many of the museums in York do require you pay an entry fee. The largest free museum in York is York Railway Museum, however, many of the others you must pay for.

However, check out the York City Pass below. You can purchase it for a one-off fee, then get free entry to many York museums throughout your trip.

How to see York on a budget with York City Pass

If you want to see more of the York attractions while still saving money, invest in the York City Pass .

The York City Pass is available for either one, two, three or six days and has pricing options available for adults and children. The pass gets you free entry into many of the York attractions, plus a meal at the end of the day.

It is a fantastic way to manage the costs of your trip by paying for the pass upfront, then visit as many attractions as you like without having to worry about admission fees!

York City Pass covers admission to almost 30 top attractions in York. The only limitation is how many you can squeeze into your trip! Attractions covered by the York City Pass include:

• Clifford’s Tower
• Fairfax House
• Jorvik Viking Centre
• The York Dungeon
• York Castle Museum
• York Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
• Van Gogh Immersive Experience
• Plus many more!

Where to Stay in York on a Budget

If you want to stay in York on a budget, here are some cheap hotels in York city centre.

Like many cities, their nightly charge is still fairly high. But if you want to guarantee a comfortable bed for a reasonable cost, these are the best hotels in York to consider.

• Vas’ York House – an ideal guest house for a bargain price, just a short walk from the city centre. Double bedrooms with shared bathrooms available.
• Novotel York – great discounts on mid-week stays in the ideal city-centre location.
• Moxy York – you can get a great bargain on mid-week or last-minute stays. Also located in the city centre.
• DoubleTree by Hilton York – Comfortable rooms available for a reasonable price right at the heart of the city. A slightly more expensive option but convenient location.
• Holgate Bridge Accommodation – located slightly further from the city centre but at a bargain price! Single, double and family rooms available with shared or private bathroom facilities.

Still looking for the perfect hotel in York for you? Check out the map below to find the ideal hotel in the best location for you.

More Things to do in York

Looking for more things to do in York? Here are more York travel guides to help you plan your trip:

• Best Places for Afternoon Tea in York
• Romantic Things to do in York for Couples
• Things to do in York When It Rains
• Magical Things to do in York at Christmas

So, here are the best free things to do in York. What is your favourite budget friendly activity in York? Let me know in the comments below!

And if you want more York inspiration ahead of your visit, download your free York Quick Start Planning Guide for a list of the top 10 attractions in York, plus a guide to where to stay, when to visit and more!

Plus, you’ll get four bonus travel planning printables you can use when it comes to planning and packing for any trip!

Until our next adventure,

Related Articles

P.S. Love it? Pin it!

If you like this guide to the best things to do in York when it rains, be sure to follow  Get Lost on Pinterest . That’s where I’ll be sharing all my great  North Yorkshire travel guides .

Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.

7 thoughts on “13 Free Things to do in York: How to visit York on a budget”

Love such guides on free things to do in various parts of the world. Bookmarking your post for later.

I’m so glad you like the guide! I hope you have the opportunity to visit York one day soon!

I’m glad you like the guide – thanks for reading!

Lovely post! Looks like there’s lots of things to do in York. I hope I can visit some day!

I hope you get the opportunity to visit one day! There are so many great free things to do in York!

York seems to have so many fun things to do for free! I would love to explore Rowntree Park and go window shopping. Thanks for sharing this helpful guide!

Rowntree Park is one of my favourite free things to do in York – it is so beautiful! York isn’t the cheapest city to visit but you can definitely have a great time without spending money on attractions! Thanks for reading!

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Last Updated on May 4, 2023

York is an amazing and vibrant city. The best thing is that there is so much to do for free. If you’re looking to have a trip away on a budget, York is a great place. You could spend a weekend here without spending a penny.

If you have kids and a family there are plenty of free attractions and things to do for the younger generation too.

Read on for lots of ideas.

Table of Contents

National Railway Museum

The National Railway museum is an amazing place to visit, even if you’re not a massive fan of trains. There is so much to see including a massive collection of trains including Royal carriages, Army trains and a bullet train from Japan. Also look out for Stephen’s Rocket which is the first steam locomotive and The Mallard. which still holds the record for the fastest Steam Train in the world.

If you’re with kids, there’s an outdoor play area too.

The railway museum is free but you have to book in advance via the website. They do ask for a donation if  you can afford it, but otherwise it’s free of charge.

Find out more at the National Railway Museum 

Walk the York Walls

The York old city walls are still standing from the 13th century and you can walk around the whole of the walls for free.

If you just want to do one section, I like the section by York Minster as you get some lovely views.

Find out more about the York Walls .

Attend a Service at York Minster

You have to pay to visit and walk around inside York Minster (unless you are a resident of York). If you are resident of York or a York student you can visit the Minster for free. You’ll need proof of address which could be a York Card, driving licence or utility bill. Students must have a local College/Uni ID card with valid date. Tickets still need to be booked in advance.

However, even if you’re not a resident you can attend a service at the Minster for free. You won’t be able to walk around the whole building but you can experience the peaceful atmosphere and stunning interior during the service.

Find out when you can attend a service at the York Minster website .

Of course, it’s free of charge to walk around the outside of York Minster and view the impressive and stunning building.

Children are also free to visit the York Minster with a paying adult (up to four children go free with one paying adult).

Visit Dean’s Park

Dean’s Park is at the back of York Minster. It’s a small green space but lovely to walk around and get a view of the other site of the Minster. It’s a lot quieter than the surround streets, making it a peaceful place to stop and rest on one of the benches.

Walk down The Shambles

The Shambles is a quaint and pretty street with buildings still standing from medieval times.

It’s said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movie and a must for Harry Potter fans.

Even if you’re not interested in Harry Potter, it’s a stunning street where tops of the houses hang over the bottom half. You can also visit and browse in the small little shops and eateries which include a fudge shop, chocolate shop and themed Harry Potter shop.

If you’re a Christmas fan,  you’ll love a nose round the Christmas shop too.

Top Tip – if you don’t like crowds go early in the morning as it can get very busy during the day.

Museum Gardens

The Museum Gardens are lovely for a stroll about, particularly on a sunny day.  You can see St Mary’s Abbey which is a stunning piece of architecture within the gardens. A great place for kids to run around and let off some steam. If the weather is good, why not take a picnic.

Kids will also enjoy doing the free Squirrel trail.

Free Walking Tours

While you’re in York, why not take advantage of a free walking tour.

The Association of Voluntary Guides for York , lead regular free walking tours and no tip is expected at the end of the tour.  Pre-booking is recommended.

White Rose York tours also lead free walking tours around York and have excellent reviews.

Little Viking Ispy Walking Trail for Kids

Pop into York tourist office and pick up a free Little Viking walking trail for kids. It’s described as a fun walking trail for families that’s available all year round. It encourages families to explore York and helps them discover places they might not otherwise have seen.

Find out more here:

Do the York Cat Trail

The York lucky cat trail is a really fun way for kids to explore the city whilst finding hidden statues of cats! You can pick up a leaflet with the clues from the lucky cat shop.

Find out more at York Lucky Cats

Selfie Trail

Another self guided trail is the Selfie Trail. The trail takes you on the most iconic photo spots around the city and you can share them with your Instagram followers as you go! A good trail for older kids. Post your best York selfies online and be sure to tag @visityork and #yorkselfie on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Mythical Creature Trail Quest

Another free trail, perfect for kids created by the York Mumbler. It takes you on a short but magical trip of York where you help discover the eight mythical creatures hiding in the city.

York Art Gallery

General admission to the York Art Gallery is free but you’ll need to book your tickets in advance. However, there are charges for special exhibitions. The gallery is open on Wednesdays to Sundays.

The gallery is very family friendly and there are worksheets and activity sheets you can download and print off from York Art Gallery website to get kids involved during their visit.

Rowntree Park

You can walk along the river to Rowntree Park . There is great for kids as they will enjoy the playground and the duck pond. Older kids can shoot some hoops on the basketball courts or play some table tennis (you’ll need to bring your own bats!).

Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church is very beautiful with stunning stain glass windows. It’s also peaceful and quiet and despite it’s beauty lacks the number of tourists that visit the Minster. A must while you’re in York if you enjoy looking at places of worship and historical churches.

Watch the Street Performers

York is a city full of tourists and there are often street performers entertaining them for free (especially in the summer months). The renowned place for street-performers to do their performances is in the Kings Square.

Enjoy a Festival

York has many festivals with free events throughout the year. Some to look out for are the Ice Trail in March (or sometimes Februrary) when ice sculptures transform the city centre. At Christmas, York becomes very festive with Christmas activities and experiences including the St Nicholas Fair which you can browse around for free. You can find out when the York festivals take place here and  see if there are any free events as part of the festivals during your visit.

Visit the Library

Next to the museum gardens, you’ll find York library . It’s a great place to pop in and have a break for the tourist attractions by reading a book of the shelf. There is also a cafe inside.

Edible York

A free initiative that you can look out for when your in York is Edible York . The initiative is run by volunteers to show how One of they’ve done is created public veg beds that you can see throughout the city. If there’s food to pick, you can pick some.

You can go on a self guided tour to see the different veg beds and edible gardens througout York. If you’re a resident of York, get involved with planting and other activities too.

Blue Plaque Trail

York is full of free trails and there is one to suit every interest and age range. A blue plaque trail is another brilliant walking activity where you can learn so much about York as you go.

York Civic Trust has been placing commemorative plaques to people and places on buildings in York since the 1940s. There are four trails that are available on their website. There’s something for everyone, with trails on Literary York, Artistic York, Scientific York and Radical York. Each takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

York Civic Trust has created a PDF for each trail with information on the person behind each Blue plaque. The PDFs are fascinating and point out other landmarks and places of interest on your trail too. These are often hidden gems you wouldn’t have already noticed. The PDF can be downloaded onto a smart phone or printed.

Where to Stay

York has some pretty amazing youth hostels. The YHA York has a central location and excellent reviews. You can check out more hostels and places to stay on Booking.com

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THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in York

Best free things to do in york.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. National Railway Museum

2. Shambles

3. York City Walls

4. Museum Gardens

5. York Cat Trail

6. Holy Trinity Church

7. St. Mary's Abbey

8. Designer Outlet York

9. York Railway Station

10. Shambles Market

11. Spark:york Cic

12. Stonegate

13. Rowntree Park

14. All Saints Church

15. The Homestead

16. St. Michael le Belfrey Church

17. Pyramid Gallery

18. The Bars

19. Monk Bar

20. Parish of All Saints' Pavement

21. Dean's Park

22. Curlew Fields Dairies

23. Shrine of Saint Margaret Clitherow

24. St. Crux Parish Hall

25. The Red House Antique Centre

26. York Oratory

27. Spurriergate Centre

28. St. Olave's Church

29. The Balloon Tree

30. Priory Church of the Holy Trinity

What travellers are saying

Free Things to do in York, England

As New Yorkers, it was great fun to visit our city’s namesake. And just like in NYC, t here are also plenty of free things to do in York for those on a budget!

Originally founded by the Romans in 71 AD, York is full of layers of history. Chances are, you may know York as the home of the Vikings. Indeed, the city became an important trading port while under Viking rule. The Jorvik Viking Centre details this time period, though this is not one of the free museums in York (more on those to come).

Because York is such a beautiful, historic, and heavily touristed city, there aren’t a ton of free attractions in York . Many of the main attractions are paid, and if you’re on a budget, paying each time can quickly add up. Luckily, there are still some great things to do in York for free – read on for our recommendations!

York is small so you’ll get to see everything worth seeing within a few days. It’s a perfect weekend getaway or even a day trip.

1. Walking Tour of Free Things to Do in York

Walking tours are one of our favorite ways to get to know a city when we first arrive. It’s great to get an overview of all the attractions, so we can know what to prioritize during our stay. It’s also wonderful to have a local guide to whom you can ask questions.

These tours cover most of the free attractions in York, so it’s a great way to cover a lot of ground, especially if you have limited time. There’s no need to book in advance, just show up at the appointed time and place.

Because of the high demand, there are several free walking tour options in York:

Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York runs the original and actually free walking tour of York! They’ve been offering free tours of York since 1951 and stress that there is no need to tip at the end. There are several tours daily – check their website for seasonal times.

White Rose York Tours run free walking tours daily (sometimes twice daily depending on the season). Just remember that although they are advertised as “free tours,” remember to tip your tour guide what you think is fair for the tour you received. The tour guides are self-employed and tips are their only form of payment!

If you prefer to visit free stuff in York on your own, read on for our guide of free activities in York.

2. Admire The Minster (Or Visit During a Service!)

The Minster is likely the reason most people come to York. It’s the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and is just as impressive as that sounds. The epic building dominates the city skyline – you can see it from everywhere while you’re walking along the historic medieval walls. Parts of the building date to the 8th century!

According to the Minster’s website , it costs £23,000 a day to run York Minster. As to be expected, entering the Minster is not one of the free things to do in York. However, you can still enjoy the beauty of the Minster from the outside! Take a picnic to one of the parks with fantastic views of the Minister and the square out front.

Or, if you want to be sneaky, you can experience the York Minister’s interior for free by going to a church service 😉

You can go inside and climb the tower for views of the city, but we opted for the free option: circumnavigating the city via the medieval walls.

3. Walk The York City Wall s

Walking along the medieval city walls was one of our favorite free things to do in York. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city, get some great views (weather permitting of course), and learn a bit about the city’s history in the process.

There is an official “wall trail” consisting of pl aques at the ends of segments. These signs provide short but detailed explanations of the historical significance of each part. You can also read more in detail about the walls on the highly informative website for the Friends of the York Walls .

700 years ago, t he walls used to entirely surround the city, but today there a few gaps. Most sections are still intact, with the tops restored so that visitors can walk the length of it. Get into the spirit and pretend to dodge enemy fire!

There’s even a cafe in the gatehouse (appropriately named Gatehouse Cafe ). Just in case it’s chilly and you need to warm up with a cuppa!

The York city walls open at 8 am and close at dusk, which of course varies throughout the year. The walls are closed on Christmas Day and during dangerous weather, such as icy or excessively stormy weather. Except service animals, dogs are not allowed along the walls.

4. Explore The Shambles

England’s most medieval street  may well be The Shambles! Here you can still see buildings from the 14th century leaning tiredly on their original foundations.  

The Shambles is an old term for an open-air slaughterhouse and meat market. There used to be dozens of butcher stalls lining the street – thankfully none of that remains to this day. Head to the nearby Shambles Market for some old photos of what the area used to look like.

Today’s shoppes hardly have the original slingers, but some are older than others, so poke around.

5. Discover York’s Market s

The Shambles also has a great outdoor market. You can find some decent deals on produce, which was quite a surprise. You can also of course just walk around for free, which is a great way to experience local life.

6. Get Lost in The Snickelways

The Shambles are part of the network of Snickelways – the medieval alleys of the center of York. No visit to York is complete without wandering down them in search of a hidden alleyway or unique shop!

There are too many snickelways to get into them all here. This blog post is a great guide to the best snickelways in York . For now, here are a glimpse of a few:

7. Stroll Along t he River Ouse

The river Ouse (pronounced like ‘Ooze’) cuts right through the town. During different times of the year, the river swells and floods the city. There have been many instances of flooding damaging the city over the years. It’s such an issue that there’s even a Twitter account that tweets the latest river level!

If you feel like a long walk, head to Rowantree Park just outside of the city center.

And while you can stroll along the riverbanks for free, a paid yet budget-friendly option is taking a river cruise. There are cruises for every time of day, including evening:

8. Museum Gardens, The Ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey + More

The Museum Gardens are a treasure trove of things to do in York for free. We spent a lovely afternoon here and we still didn’t see everything!

St. Mary’s Abbey originated in the 1000s and used to be the richest abbey in northern England. Walking the quiet grounds, you can almost imagine the monks walking what would have been the halls and corridors.

Yet even though the church of England was incredibly powerful, the large ruins are a testament to the fact that nothing lasts forever.

The abbey was dissolved in the 1500s during the mass dissolution of the monasteries during Henry the 8th’s reign.

The Museum Gardens are also home to Yorkshire’s oldest working observatory , which you can visit daily between 11.30am to 2.30pm. The observatory contains 19th century refractor telescope and a clock from 1811, which people could check their timepieces against for a sixpence.

9. Gardens of Historic Homes

There are so many historic homes in York that it’d be impossible to see them all. Besides, none of these make the list of free things to do in York – all of them are paid entry. However, the good news is that you can meander the gardens for free at some of these homes.

Treasurer’s House : Located right behind the York Minster, this home was the residence of the treasurer of the York Minster. While the first treasurer took up his post in 1091, the structure of the current house was built in the 16th century and restored in the 19th century. The house is built over an old Roman road, and Roman soldiers are said to haunt the building.

You can stroll the award-winning gardens of Treasurer’s House whenever the museum is open. Read more about the gardens here.

Merchant Adventurer’s Hall : A medieval guildhall turned museum and event space. Originally built in 1357, merchant adventurers were those who “adventured” aka invested their money in overseas trade. Visit the gardens and cafe for free.

10. Free Museums in York: National Railway Museum

In truth, there was only one free museum in York that I was able to uncover. Even some of the free attractions in York that I visited on my first time visiting the city are now paid attractions. If you know of any other free museums in York, please let us know in the comments!

The National Railway Museum is the only always free museum in York. Explore their permanent and temporary collections, including historic carriages (including royal ones), photography exhibitions, and more.

Bonus!: Unusual Things to Do in York for Free

At this point, you may be chock full of history and just want a break. While a lot of free stuff in York is focused on history, even if you’re not a history buff you can enjoy some of these unusual things to do in York for free! Just be aware that most shops do close at 5 pm. This was quite the shock for us, being used to Spanish hours!

The Cat Gallery AKA Crazy Cat Lady Store

If you’re a cat fan, The Cat Gallery cannot be missed. With some of the silliest cat memorabilia around, you may even consider buying some.

Fire Juggling Street Performer

I swear he was here last time I was in York, and I wouldn’t be surprised – he’s earning his keep. Quite the dashing daredevil, juggling fire on top of an 8-foot unicycle blindfolded – he certainly captured our attention.

We were so enraptured we completely forgot to take photos, so you’ll just have to find him (or another street performer) yourself!

Here’s another lovely photo of York instead:

If you find yourself exploring the North of England, don’t miss York! If you were coming from Glasgow as we did, we’d recommend taking the train to Edinburgh, then stopping here on your way down to London.

Do you know any other free things to do in York? Share in the comments below! 

This post was originally written in 2017 and has since been updated. Last update: July 2019.

Samantha Anthony

Sam is a nomadic writer and photographer that freelances as an editor and proofreader, which may make her insufferable if you make any grammar mistakes in her presence. She has done stints as an archaeologist and tech writer in NYC and an English teacher in Madrid. She enjoys eating and photographing all the vegan food that Veren cooks.

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Adventures of Alice

9 Amazing Free Things to Do in York

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Looking for the best free things to do in York, England? These are my 9 top attractions that you can see in York without paying a penny!

York is one of those cities that actually surprised me. As one of the most visited cities in England, I knew that I wanted to see the Minster. I also knew that I wanted to see the Shambles as I’m a massive Harry Potter fan, but had no real expectations for the rest of York.

I was pleasantly surprised though. If you’re looking for a fun and affordable trip, look no further than the city of York! This vibrant city has something to offer everyone, and many of the top attractions are free.

So, from sightseeing to shopping to cultural experiences, these are the best free things to do in York!

My favourite travel resources for York

✅ Here are the best hotels in York . ✅ Don’t miss: York Chocolate Workshop and York Dungeon .

What should I see in York?

If this is your first time in the city, there are certainly some things that you shouldn’t leave off your York itinerary regardless of whether or not they have free entry.

For example, you can’t go to York and not see the York Minster. The Gothic cathedral is one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the north of England and a great way to learn about York’s fascinating history.

Other top sights include the National Railway Museum, Jorvik Viking Center, Clifford’s Tower, and York Castle Museum.

Check out my guide of the best things to do in York below, for all the top sights!

The best free things to do in York

However, if you’re after free activities, York doesn’t disappoint there either. You can find plenty of activities to keep you occupied whether you’re into history, nature, or even trains!

So, without further ado, here are the top free things to do in York.

1. Explore the Museum Gardens

Located in the heart of the York city centre, Museum Gardens are a great place to relax and take in York’s history. The beautiful gardens are home to some of York’s most important archaeological finds including Roman ruins, medieval sculptures, and an ancient Egyptian obelisk.

This includes the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, which dates back to 1294, and the creepy crypt of the old St. Leonard’s Hospital.

In the springtime, this spot is the most beautiful in my opinion – with flowers in bloom everywhere you look, it’s one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces. There is also a children’s playground, making it a great spot for families.

2. Take a Walk Along the York City Walls

York’s city walls are the longest of any town or city in England and offer fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.

The walls are free to walk on and open 24 hours a day, so you can explore them at your leisure. In some sections, you can also see some great views of the York Minster from above.

The walls stretch approximately two miles in total. Be sure to stop by one of the many gates and towers along the way, each with its own unique history.

These are also perfect stopping points if you don’t fancy doing the entire two-mile walk.

3. Walk along the Shambles

If you’ve ever wanted to walk down Diagon Alley in real life, then you’ll absolutely love the Shambles. Despite the Minster being beautiful, this was actually my favourite of all the free things to do in York.

The Shambles is one of the most famous streets in England, and it’s said to have served as the inspiration for the infamous Diagon Alley from J.K. Rowling’s book series.

And merchants in the areas have certainly taken full advantage of the resemblance as you’ll see windows full of potions, broomsticks, and Harry Potter merchandise.

The picturesque, quintessentially ancient English road is a pretty impressive sight. As well as the wizarding world store, you’ll also a range of independent shops; boutique stores selling arty-crafty bits, cute coffee shops, and sweet shops (that may or may not sell Every-Flavor Beans!).

4. Explore the York Railway Museum

For those interested in locomotives besides the Hogwarts Express, The York Railway Museum is a must. It’s one of the largest railway museums in the country and houses an impressive collection of locomotives, carriages, and railway equipment.

The museum, which is located 10 minutes from the city centre, traces the history of 200 years of train developments and station life over time. The museum is spread out over eight acres and has interactive exhibits as well as a working steam train. You can even ride in one of the old carriages!

Best of all, it’s completely free admission. Just be sure to check the opening times as they vary throughout the year.

5. Attend a Service at York Minster

So, as I’ve mentioned, you can’t go to York without viewing the York Minster . Now, to visit the Minster normally, you need to pay the entrance fee of £18.00, however, the building is still a working church which means there are still church services.

If you attend the Minster for a service, then you can still see inside the beautiful building without paying a fee. Of course, you won’t be able to see many of the aspects of the building such as the tower, but you’ll be able to see much more than you would from the outside.

6. Go on a Free Walking Tour

Many cities offer a free walking tour – such as London , Cambridge , or Edinburgh – and York is no different. These tours are a great way to see the city, learn about its history, and get your bearings.

The walking tour I went on lasted for two hours (most last between two and three hours) and covered most of York’s iconic sights including the Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the Shambles (among many others).

My guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the beautiful city, which made the tour even more enjoyable.

There are plenty of operators that offer free walking tours, but a few of my favourites are the Association of Voluntary Guides and White Rose York Tours .

I would recommend doing a free walking tour when you first arrive in York. It’s a great way to get orientated and find your way around the city whilst learning some history.

7. Have a Picnic in Rowntree Park

For those who like relaxing in nature, you’ll love Rowntree Park. The park is situated in the centre of York and is a great place to relax, have a picnic, take in the sights of the city, or go for a leisurely walk.

The park also has a playground for children, a lake with ducks, and plenty of green space to just sit back and relax. Don’t forget to check out the amphitheatre and the picturesque lake as well!

Rowntree Park is definitely one of the best free things to do in York if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

8. Walk along the Banks of the River Ouse

Most cities are built along a river and York is no exception, The river running through the heart of the city is the River Ouse and it’s lovely to walk along.

There are plenty of bridges to cross the river such as Skeldergate Bridge to Lendal Bridge – in fact, one of the best walks along the river would be a loop between the two.

This is also very popular with runners and cyclists and also a great way to relax on a sunny day.

9. Visit the Markets

Last but not least, York’s markets are well worth a visit. The most famous market is the Shambles Market which is located on, you guessed it, The Shambles.

The market sells everything from fresh produce to souvenirs and is definitely worth a stroll around. There are also other markets located around the city such as Newgate Market, Stonegate Market, and Coppergate Market.

We actually visited York at Christmas time, so the markets were even more spectacular with twinkling lights, mulled wine stalls, roasting chestnuts, and, of course, a giant Christmas tree. But the markets are good all year round as well and are easily one of the best free things to do in York.

Final Thoughts on the Best Free Things to Do in York

Overall, whilst there are definitely some must-visit paid attractions in York (I would never tell you not to visit the Minster!), you can have a pretty good time in York without spending anything at all.

The city has some wonderful free attractions and is a great place to visit all year round – the Christmas markets are some of the best in England!

So, if you want a wonderful dose of rich history, Harry Potter vibes , and fantastic architecture, you’re going to love York!

My favourite tools for finding cheap travel

• SKYSCANNER – For amazing flight deals.
• BOOKING.COM – For affordable hotels and accommodation.
• SAFETY WING – For affordable, reliable travel insurance.
• DISCOVER CARS – For cheap car hire around the world.
• OMIO – For trains, coaches, and transfers.
• GET YOUR GUIDE – For attractions and tours.
• AIRALO – For a global eSim that keeps you connected.

Disclosure: Some of the links above may be affiliate links that earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. If you purchase through my links – THANK YOU! It allows me to keep doing this! I only recommend products and companies that I use and love.

Alice Smith is a full-time travel blogger and content creator and the founder of Adventures of Alice. Following an unexpected redundancy from her career as a Content Marketing Specialist, she embraced her passion for exploration and turned her hobby of travel blogging into a full-time career.

From her roots near Cambridge, UK, she's ventured to over 30 countries since 2016. With a passion for the outdoors and a knack for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, Alice is on a mission to show that budget travel can still be luxurious and that every destination, no matter how touristy, holds hidden gems.

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Discover York on a Budget: Top 12 Free Things to Do in York, UK

Looking to explore the beautiful city of York without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! York is home to a wide range of free activities and attractions that offer something for everyone.

From historic landmarks and stunning parks to museums and art galleries, there are plenty of ways to experience the city’s rich history and vibrant culture without spending a penny. There’s a reason it’s one of my favourite places in the UK. You can see so much but spend so little.

In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the top free things to do in York, UK, so you can make the most of your visit without putting a dent in your wallet.

Read More: 16 Of The Best Day Trips From Leeds

Is York Expensive To Visit?

As one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations, York isn’t cheap. You can easily spend over £100 per person a day to see all its historic sights and attractions. 

However, it’s possible to do it for so much less than this. I always think places are as expensive as you want to make them. Sure, you might not be eating at the fanciest restaurants, or drinking cocktails every night until the early hours, but you can easily visit York on a budget and have a great time. That’s why this guide gives you top tips on the best free things to do in York.

There are also plenty of choices for budget hotels and self catering accommodation in York. Many of these are walking distance to the city centre!

Read More: 6 Independent Coffee Shops In York You Need To Visit

How Can I Visit York On A Budget?

Firstly, you don’t need to spend a lot to have a great time in York or to see some of its most famous sights. Stretch your budget even further though by taking advantage of these money saving tips for a visit to York:

Buy A Visit York Pass

From £35, the Visit York Pass allows you to visit so many York attractions for free! Visit the Barley Hall, take a boat ride down the River Ouse with City Cruises York, explore the newly renovated Clifford’s Tower, step into the past at the JORVIK Viking Centre and learn about York’s connection to chocolate at York Cocoa House.

The Visit York Pass is a great purchase if you’re visiting York for 1, 2 or 3 days. In fact, you can see suggested itineraries for York to make sure you’re getting the best value from your pass!

It’s worth noting that for some attractions you will have to book and this is a good idea too if you want to skip the queues and maximise your time in York.

Make Use Of The Park And Ride In York

With various locations and hubs around York city centre (Askham Bar, Designer Outlet, Grimston Bar, Monks Cross, Poppleton Bar and Rawcliffe Bar), the York’s Park and Ride is a handy way to get into York and to avoid high parking costs!

Plus, unless you’re in York early, it can be a difficult place to park so York’s Park and Ride enables you to get into the city stress free and with ease!

A standard return is from £3.60, so save your money to spend on other things to do in York!

13 Free Things To Do In York, UK

1. the national railway museum.

Exploring the past, present and future of the railways, the National Railway Museum showcases pieces of locomotive engineering and railway history from around the world. Get up close to the world’s fastest steam locomotive, the Mallard and the incredible Japanese invention of the Bullet Train.

Booking a ticket is recommended so that you can save time getting in. It’s easy to book via the National Railway Museum website. Tickets are usually released around 6 weeks in advance, with tickets released more more in advance for the school holidays.

Book Free Tickets For The National Railway Museum

Entry is free but if you’re able to, a donation is always appreciated!

Address: Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ Opening Times:  Wednesday – Sunday: 10am to 5pm

2. Take A Free Walking Tour

A free walking tour of York is a great way to learn about the history of York while getting your bearings at the same time. The AVG , or Association of Voluntary Guides to the City Of York, have been offering free tours of the city since 1951. They have around 80 guides whose knowledge of York will bring the city to life.

The free walking tours of York take around 2 hours , walking a route around sights such as Museum Gardens, Bootham Bar, York Minster and The Shambles. I recommend to pre-book a ticket for the walking tours – these start at 10.30am and 13.15pm each day!

Visit the AVG website to learn more about free walking tours in York.

3. Watch A Fudge Making Demonstration At The Fudge Kitchen

Nearly every time I visit York, I head in to The Fudge Kitchen on Low Petergate. I just can’t resist. Now just a word of warning, it is free to come in here and watch the fudge making demonstration – highly recommended if you have a sweet tooth like me. You’ll see first hand the syrupy mixture poured onto a cold, hard slab before being moulded into a delicious roll of soft fudge.

However, the fudge is that good, you might end up spending a fiver to take some home with you. If you do have the willpower though, try the free sample after the fudge making demonstration, and exit back out onto the street 20 minutes later without spending a penny!

Address: 58 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HZ

Opening Times: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5.30pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm

4. Walk Along The York City Walls

Fancy stretching those legs? Then take a walk along the York City Walls. Built in the 13th century, and at 3.4km long, these city walls are the longest medieval town walls in England. 

Taking around 2 hours to navigate, longer if you stop to take in the views and small details of the past such as arrow slits and mason marks, a walk along the York City Walls is a great free way to understand more about this city. That’s right, you don’t have to pay to walk along the walls of York. You can even download the free text guide which starts from Exhibition Square, or download the audio guide , for a small fee, to learn as you walk the walls.

The section between the Bootham Bar and Monk Bar is a favourite of many people. So if you only have time to do a short part of the York City Walls, do this bit as you’ll get to see unique views of York Minster as well as remains of the moat that used to act as an added defence for the city.

Open from 8am until dusk every day apart from Christmas Day, if there’s one thing to do in York, it’s this. The York City walls aren’t difficult to walk but you just need to be careful on some steps and on the parts of the wall where there might not be any railing. In bad weather, some parts of the wall get closed due to ice or if the paths are slippy. 

5. Explore The Shambles

One of the most famous streets and landmarks in York, The Shambles is a well preserved medieval shopping street that is still busy and thriving with visitors today. Although you won’t find any of the original shop fronts here today, you can imagine what used to be shops serving meat. In fact, the design of the street was purposefully narrow to keep the sunlight off the meat to help keep it fresh.

Thought to be the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – the street even has shops leaning into this fandom – these days you’ll find quirky shops, boutiques and places to grab a coffee.

Visit the Shambles as early as you can to enjoy the experience of wandering this famous street! If you’re a chocolate fan, make sure you pay Monk Bar Chocolatiers a visit too. This family owned chocolate shop is a treat and dishes up some of the best chocolate in York.

6. York Museum Gardens

Next to the River Ouse, and covering a space of around 10 acres, York Museum Gardens is a great free place to visit in York – especially on a sunny day! 

There’s so much to see here including the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. Originally built in 1088, and was once one of the wealthiest Benadictine monasteries in England, all that remains here now are the ruins. However, the walls that surround the abbey are the most complete set of walls of any abbey in the country!

At York Museum Gardens you can also see the ruins of St Leonard’s Hospital, York Observatory, The Multangular Tower, and the Hospitium. If you’ve seen enough historic sights for one day though, and if the weather is nice, bring a picnic to enjoy while sitting on the grass!

7. Watch The Street Performers

One thing you’ll likely see on your visit to York are the street performers. You’ll find them mainly on weekends and during holidays around King’s Square. Audience participation is sometimes required – I once had to throw swords up to a guy on a unicycle, not terrifying at all! But it’s all good fun and some of the tricks and stunts the street performers do are so impressive. A great way to spend 20 minutes or so!

8. Visit York’s Smaller Churches

Although visiting York Minster is one of the best things to do in York, sadly it isn’t free. However, in York there are so many churches to visit including Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate. Hidden through a gate and along a path, this church is hidden away from the hustle and bustle. A small donation is appreciated, but isn’t necessary, and it’s a great way to learn a bit more about York’s history. There are even laminated sheets of information explaining information about the stained glass windows and engravings in the church.

Other churches in York include St. Olave’s Church, St. Michael le Belfrey, and Holy Trinity Micklegate.

9. Explore The Snickelways of York

York is a maze. A maze full of gorgeous streets and narrow lanes and alleyways. Get your bearings and find streets you’d probably never come across on a regular stroll around the city, by exploring the Snickelways of York . A mixture of the words snicket, ginnel, and alleyway, the Snickelways are narrow passages connecting streets and other Snickleways around York.

There is an official guide to York’s Snickelways – The Snickelways of York, created in 1983 by Mark W. Jones. This book takes in 50 Snickelways around York however if you don’t want to follow this specific route, take in some of the most well known on your own terms, including Hole-In-The-Wall, Coffee Yard, and Mad Alice Lane.

10. Enjoy The Markets In York

The main market in York is the Shambles Market. Every day you’ll find loads of food stalls here as well as locals selling their homemade items and crafts. If you’re here during the festive season, on Parliament Street you’ll get to enjoy York’s Christmas Market, the St. Nicholas Fair! Feast on roast chestnuts, keep warm with a delicious hot chocolate and pick up a Christmas memento as a souvenir of your day in York.

11. Walk Through Dean’s Park

Dean’s Park is the area behind York Minster and is a wonderful place to get a great view of both York Minster and York City Walls. Visiting in spring time is a magical time to be here as all the flowers are coming into bloom. If you’re not visiting York in Spring though, it’s still a great place to walk through and best of all, it’s totally free!

12. Do Some Window Shopping In York

York is a wonderful place to do some shopping. If you’re on a budget though, enjoy some window shopping and make a list for your next visit. Coney Street is full of your high street shops including Lush and Waterstones. Coppergate is home to Primark, Flying Tiger, The Body Shop and Urban Outfitters. More independent shops can be found down Fossgate and if you do want to splash the cash one day, head to Low Petergate and Stonegate.

Do you have any other ideas for free things to do in York? Hopefully this guide will give you a good start on enjoying a budget weekend in York where you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy this old city.

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Free (+ budget) things to do in york | uk (including virtual options).

York is a wonderful historic city to visit in the UK . There are plenty of things to do on a visit to York.

It’s important to make travel accessible for everyone, no matter what your budget, here are the best free things you can do in York .

Plus a few other things you can see and do if you’re travelling on a budget but still want the awesome York experience.

Here are all the free and budget things I did on my York trip. Let me know if you have any other ideas for things to do.

Update May 2020 – Since many of these things are not open at the moment, I’ve included a range of virtual tours and videos you can watch to immerse yourself into everything York!

Or simply use them to help decide which things you want to do when you do get around to visiting York

Free Things to do in York, England

Well, I’m starting with all the free things to do in York, because who doesn’t love a freebie!

York is one of those cities that you can very quickly fall in love with because there’s so much to see and do.

Walking the Walls of York

The walls of York are what drew me to this city 6 years ago. I spent an hour waiting for a train and I walked along the walls instead of sitting around at the station and fell in love with the city. They have a fascinating history too, you can read more about the ‘bar walls’ here .

The walls don’t circle the entire city of York but there are still large sections remaining in three large parts.

My favourite section was the wall near the York Arts Centre which gives you stunning views of York Minster. You can also walk along the section near the train station (where I previously walked), which also gives you great views of the Minster too.

• Check the weather during your visit and aim to walk the walls of York when it’s not raining.
• (There’s no shelter up there unless you take an umbrella!)

York Free Walking Tour

Free walking tours are now popular in many big tourist cities, I’ve done them whilst visiting Berlin , Budapest and even Reykjavik in Iceland .

The York free walking tour lasts about 2 hours and starts outside the York City Art Gallery in Exhibition Square and finishes on the famous street The Shambles.

The tours run all year round, starting at 10.15 am and 1.15 pm. In peak season, between June to August there is also a night walking tour starting at 6.15 pm.

You can find more information here on the free walking tours .

National Railway Museum in York

Cost: Free (Donations welcome)

For a train lover, the National Railway Museum was a real highlight for me. The museum is totally free and it’s huge and filled with stunning steam trains, trains and much more.

It feels amazing walking into such a huge museum with trains in immaculate condition. There are huge halls both inside and outdoors, with a mix of old and modern trains

There are also demonstrations throughout the day so be sure to plan your visit with what you’re interested in.

The museum is open daily from 10.00 and closes at 17.00 in winter and 18.00 in the summer months. Be sure to check before you visit.

• The National Railway Museum is away from the city centre.
• Since you can spend several hours there be sure to take drinks and snacks if you want to keep the costs down.

Virtual option – Read historic railway stories here online

Walk the York Cat Trail

The official cat trail takes you around the streets of York in search of its resident cats which are dotted around the city. You can see how many you can spot on your trip or follow the official cat walk around York.

Virtual option – Watch the cats of York trail including what the streets look like during the UK lockdown.

Exploring the Shambles

Cost: Free (Shopping £££!)

This wonderfully cute street is a delight to explore , it also gets very busy so be sure to pick your time wisely. It’s perfect for window shopping as there are so many cute shops.

This street was the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films, another reason this street is so popular!

Of course, any shopping that you might treat yourself too isn’t free and there are plenty of shops to tempt you to spend.

My favourites were, of course, the Harry Potter shops (there are three in total), plus a great tea shop that had every different kind of tea you could imagine plus beautifully decorated teapots, cups and mugs.

You can also visit York Market which is next to the Shambles, for cheap food and great deals.

• For a quieter experience, be sure to visit early in the morning.
• But it’s also wonderful to walk down at night too when it feels very different with all the shops closed.

Exploring the Streets of York

York is a great city to explore, there are so many streets and alleyways that you can wander and get lost in. I could have spent hours walking around the city, finding little shops and doors to new places each time I wandered!

York Riverside Walk

York has not one but two rivers, for a free way to enjoy the rivers you can take a lovely walk past the bridges.

I loved the section between Low Ousegate and Skeldergate Bridge (pictured above) which finishes very close to Clifford Tower.

Since the river runs very close to the city centre, it’s a must-do activity on your York trip.

More Free Things to do in York City

• Visit Yorkshire Museum and Gardens
• Go to Rowntree Park
• York St Mary’s Church – go inside for free
• See Clifford’s Tower from the outside – York Castle

How to Save Money?

Should you buy the york pass .

That’s most of the free things you can do in York , although keep reading there are still some options for more free things to see!

If you are visiting York on a budget then one option to still see everything at a lower cost is to purchase the York Pass. You can buy a 1, 2, 3 or 6-day option.

The important thing is to plan what you want to see and then you can decide which York Pass to buy that will save you the most money!

Please note that the York Pass also includes other activities away from the city so if you’re interested in a couple of day trips from York then be sure to factor those costs in too.

You can read more ideas here for day trips from York which includes the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, National Bird of Prey Centre and Rievaulx Abbey in Hemsley.

York Pass prices – adults/ children

• 1 day – £42/ £26
• 2 days – £60/ £30
• 3 days – £70/ £35
• 6 days – £120/ £60

Read next – Is the York Pass worth it? Will you save money or not?

More things to do in York

Attraction costs (adult prices) from £3.50 – £16.95.

All the below options are not free to enter but if you would like to see them from the outside they are free . I do sometimes think that buildings are beautiful from the outside, especially York Minster, just wow!

These things to do are all included in the York Pass so if you take a read and are planning to do at least 3 or 4 of these things then consider the 1-day York Pass and plan your visit around these attractions.

Visit York Minster

Cost: £10/£11 adults/ £0 children or Free with the York Pass*

Time: 1-1.5 hours (depending on whether you do the Central Tower)

York Minster is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Europe and took 250 years to build!  York Minster is free to explore from the outside including the gardens around the beautiful building.

However, if you would like to see inside you can pay to explore . The York Minster is wonderful inside and those stained glass windows look spectacular.

Throughout the day there are various tours that take place within the Minster, check out the signs as you walk into the Minster.

What do you need to know about visiting York Minster’s Central Tower?

Cost: £15 (or £5 if you already have the York Pass)

If you want to visit the Central Tower (which I would recommend) you will need to pay extra to do this. There is no lift to the top, if you want to climb to the top then you will need to climb the 275 narrow stone spiral staircase.

The stone staircase is pretty much spiral all the way so you might find it makes you slightly dizzy, especially on the walk down. It takes about 10 minutes to climb up to the top.

You will need to book a time slot to go up to the Central Tower and will all go up at the same time. It’s not possible for people to overtake on the stair so you will all go to the top, have time to explore, then descend before the next group go up.

Please note – on very windy, icy or snowy days the Central Tower may be closed. Be sure to check the weather when you visit to fit in if you can.

The York Minster tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance online.

Virtual option – Go online and discover more about York Minster’s history , including behind the scenes work on the Minster. You can even look into the detail of the beautiful stained glass windows .

Stop off at the Treasurer’s House Garden

Cost: Free (gardens only) or £8.10/ £4.05

These gardens are beautiful to walk around and free too. For the best view of the house, go up the steps next to the gate on the left.

You can also go inside the house too, although I ran out of time on my York visit.

Fun Fact about the Treasurer’s House in York – The House is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the ‘Ghosts of Greatest Longevity’. You can take part in Ghost Towers during your evening visit to York.

Climb the Steps of Clifford’s Tower

Cost: £5.40 adults/ £3.60 children or Free with the York Pass*

Time: 30-45 minutes

The Clifford’s Tower is great (and free) to explore from the outside, albeit you cannot climb on the grassy verge surrounding the castle. This becomes a huge memorial in early spring and the whole hill is covered in daffodils which I can image looks stunning.

For some awesome views of York city you can climb the steps, then the spiral staircase within the tower to walk along the turret walls and get great views of the city.

There’s also a small shop and information inside too. If you haven’t gone up the Central Tower at York Minster this is probably the second-best viewpoint of the city. But the York Minster is by far the best view.

JORVIK Museum

Cost: £11 adults/ £8 children or Free with the York Pass*

Time: 1 hour

First, you go into a room where there are old extracts and you walk on a glass floor (which feels a bit strange). Then it’s the main attraction, a 6-seater ride that takes you on a journey through time which lasts about 15 minutes.

You have an audio playing during the entire experience (or text on a screen). I loved this part although I felt like I wanted to do it twice as there was so much to see and listen to via the audio and visuals I feel I missed parts.

The highlights were the characters bought to life and real-life smells which bring the whole experience to life. Be sure to look out for the man on the toilet, he certainly made me smile!

After the JORVIK experience, you can explore the interactive exhibition which includes two of the full skeleton which was found during the excavations as well as an assortment of pans, knives, tools and coins.

Top tip 

• The JORVIK Museum is a very popular attraction in York .
• There can be long queues, especially at weekends and rainy days so be sure to book your ticket in advance to jump in the Fast Pass queue.

Virtual option – Check out the JORVIK museum online, ‘ Discover from home ‘ and their range of interactive online fun activities and videos for both children and adults. There’s also one which includes tips on how to make your own Viking helmet. 

York Brewery tour + beers

Time: 45 minutes + drinking time after the tour

One for the beer lovers. Book on one of the tours to visit the brewery.

This was one of my least favourite tours in York, 25 minutes of the tour takes place in one room, where they describe nearly every single beer before you are shown around the main brewing equipment, which is the last 20 minutes.

The tour lasts 45 minutes, but also includes tokens for beer. If you pay for the tour individually then you’ll be given four tokens but with the York Pass, you’ll only receive one token .

York Castle Museum

Cost: £10 adults/ £0 children or Free with the York Pass*

Time: 1.5-2 hours

The York Castle Museum is huge, in fact, it’s so big it’s actually split into two sections. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore and learn about life many years ago.

The highlight is the fully created street with cobbled stones, traditional shops and even a horse and cart. This was one of my favourite parts of the museum and it’s much bigger than the one photo I’ve added above.

The museum is split into two parts and you’re given a wristband so you can continue exploring the other part of the museum. There’s so much to see, it’s great to split up your visit, maybe stopping for a coffee or cake at the cafe.

York Chocolate Story

Cost: £12.50 adults/ £10 children or Free with the York Pass*

Who knew that York was so big in the chocolate making business? Find out all about the York chocolate making businesses including Nestle and Terry’s chocolate.

The York Chocolate tour lasts about 45 minutes, taking you through different rooms and experiences. I won’t spoil the surprise but there are a few clever and quirky parts to the tour, as well as chocolate samples too!

After the tour, you then have the opportunity to make your own free chocolate lolly as well as seeing a demonstration of how the chocolate is made for the shop below.

This was one of my favourite tours, it was interactive and very interesting, unlike any other tours I’ve done before. A must-see thing to do on your visit to York.

You might like to read – 24 hours in Bath, UK

More things to do in York with the ‘York Pass’

If you decide to buy the York Pass then make the most of it by visiting all these attractions in York too!

Remember all of these will be free with the York Pass.

(Prices in brackets if you don’t have the York Pass – adults/children)

• Mansion Hosue – great views from outside (£6.50/ £3.50)
• Merchant Adventures Hall – perfect for photos too (£6.50/ £0)
• Roman Bath Museum – (£3.50/ £2)
• York Dungeon – (£16.95/ £14.95)
• Bar Covent Living Heritage – (£5/ £2)

Also, visit Castle Howard as a day trip from York (they are currently sharing online Q&A sessions about the house. Watch via YouTube here.

Where to Stay in York?

You can read my review of my stay at B+B York here

Or maybe check out Airbnb for your York trip –  £25 off your first Airbnb stay

Are you planning a visit to York? Are you wondering whether to buy the York Pass? Ask me any questions in the comments below

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*Visit York provided me with the York Pass for my visit . However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here .

Becky the Traveller

2 thoughts on “ free (+ budget) things to do in york | uk (including virtual options) ”.

Great ideas, Becky! I was only there for a couple of nights so I hit a couple of your ideas. I highly recommend Evensong at the Minster. And I wish I had done the brewery tour!!

Ah thanks Lynne, yes there’s so much to do! I did the ghost tour one evening but the Evensong does sound wonderful. I loved York Minster 🙂

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15 of the best things to do in New York City in 2024

Mar 23, 2024 • 9 min read

A trip to Central Park is a classic stop on any NYC itinerary © Marco Rubino / Shutterstock

Three life-changing words: New York City .

Millions are drawn to it; some never shake it. Monumental, artistic, cultural, commercial, cosmopolitan – the City That Never Sleeps is everything you've imagined. You'll never be bored here – the only problem is narrowing down what to do from the endless list of possibilities.

To help you get started, here's a list of my favorite inspirational highlights – all perfect experiences for your next trip. However, the big sights lure big crowds, so brace yourself. If you're after a calmer NYC experience, sights in the "outer borough" (beyond Manhattan) will generally be less crowded. 

Ticket costs can also be substantial, so consider purchasing a New York CityPASS , which offers good discounts on top attractions.

Where Locals Go: NYC locals share their favorite nearby vacation spots

1. Visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The iconic copper-green  Statue of Liberty dominates a small island in New York Harbor, casting a protective shadow over neighboring Ellis Island , the site of a stirring Immigration Museum . Still symbolic today, these two landmarks served as an uplifting gateway through which over 12 million soon-to-be-Americans passed from 1892 to 1924.

Planning tip: Boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from The Battery in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The monuments are often visited on a combined ticket – book well ahead, especially if you hope to spend time in Liberty's pedestal or crown.

2. Soak up the views from the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings

The tallest building in the world when it opened in 1931, the 1454ft  Empire State Building remains a much-loved character on the NYC skyline, although somewhat controversially, street-level views of this New York City skyline icon are about to be obscured by a luxury condo apartment. Vistas from the outdoor, 360-degree view, 86th-floor deck and the indoor 102nd-floor observatory are breathtaking, though – particularly at sunset. Look northeast at the art deco Chrysler Building , also once the world's tallest before being dethroned by the Empire State.

Planning tip:  Buy tickets in advance and devote a few moments to the second-floor Story of an Icon museum.

3. Pay tribute to lost lives at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum

The National 9/11 Memorial is located where the World Trade Center Twin Towers once stood. It features sobering tributes to the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, most poignantly two sunken pools with cascades of water pouring into the fallen towers' footprints. Adjacent to the memorial is a profoundly moving museum with remnants and reminders of the tragic day.

Planning tip:  The memorial is free; museum tickets are best bought online in advance.

4. Have family-friendly seaside fun at Coney Island

Jutting like a Brooklyn thumb out into New York Harbor's Lower Bay, Coney Island boasts a wide beach, a popular seaside boardwalk and a lively amusement park, all reachable by subway in about an hour from Midtown Manhattan. Popular attractions include the family-friendly New York Aquarium , Nathan's Famous hot dogs , Deno's Wonder Wheel and thrill-filled Luna Park , featuring the wooden Cyclone rollercoaster – a city and national historic landmark.

Planning tip:  Walk to nearby Brighton Beach for classic Russian and Ukrainian eats.

5. Tour the vast collections at NYC's major museums

The Met  is NYC's most visited museum for very good reasons. With 5000 years of art from all over the world, two million individual objects and 17 acres of exhibition space, it's massive, astounding and seemingly inexhaustible.

An inside tip – the Met's often bypassed uptown Cloisters were cobbled together from authentic sections of European medieval monasteries. Tickets cover three-day admission to both Met branches.

Directly across Central Park from the Met is another significant museum with a broad scope: the American Museum of Natural History , where your ticket grants you access to more than 50 exhibits and 34 million artifacts!

Art lovers will find modern masterpieces from Warhol, Pollock and more in the Museum of Modern Art ; book ahead to skip the line, particularly at weekends. Somewhat smaller and less crowded, though definitely still comprehensive, is the Brooklyn Museum .

Detour: For something much more contemporary and free of hordes, try Brooklyn's Bushwick Collective Street Art .

Use this guide to plan the ultimate museum tour of New York City

6. Hang out in Central Park

Hemmed in by buildings, Central Park serves up 843 acres of green space – meadows, groves, gardens and lakes, as well as restaurants, theaters, concert venues, fountains, skating rinks, ballfields, playgrounds and much more. Park Drive, although often crowded, is a favorite route for runners, skaters and cyclists.

Seeking some green space with fewer people? Brooklyn's Prospect Park , created by the same landscapers as Central Park, has all the same charm with far less throng.

Detour: For a leafy overview of Manhattan, consider cycling along sections of the 31-mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway , especially the Hudson River Greenway segment.

Can't get enough of Central Park? Our local tells you where to find Central Park's best corners

7. Walk across Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Undoubtedly NYC's most beautiful river crossing, the 1596ft-long, stone-towered Brooklyn Bridge was one of the world's first steel suspension bridges when it opened in 1883. Today, a walk along its pedestrian passageway delivers delightful Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views.

Brooklyn Bridge Park , the 1.3-mile, 85-acre green space on Brooklyn's East River shoreline, prolongs the pleasure (and the Manhattan views). Check out the waterfront, glass-enclosed Jane's Carousel and multiple revitalized pier-based leisure and activity areas.

Save these restaurants to your Brooklyn itinerary

8. Gaze upon the Manhattan skyline  

Manhattan's tumble of buildings is a mesmerizing spectacle, changing in natural and artificial light, particularly at dusk and night. Harbor cruises are a fantastic way to enjoy it, but there are also numerous land-based vantage points along the East River.

In Brooklyn, head for Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, East River State Park in Williamsburg and Transmitter Park in Greenpoint. Over in Queens, go to Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City and Astoria Park.

Planning tip:  For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge and unbeatable views, take a helicopter tour over NYC; yes, it's pricey, but it's worth it.

9. See art and architecture on the High Line and at Hudson Yards 

The 1.5-mile-long High Line is one of New York's great surprises. This art-filled, community green space – featuring gardens, events, and amazing city outlooks – was crafted from an abandoned elevated railway. It can be packed on warm evenings when the unique modern architecture on all sides is illuminated.

The northern terminus of the High Line is at the Hudson Yards , Manhattan's newest luxury development, with gourmet restaurants, upscale shops and singular attractions like Vessel , a multilevel public landmark, and The Edge , the city's highest (101st-floor) open-air observatory.

10. Visit the landmark Rockefeller Center

Perhaps best known for its winter backdrop – a world-famous ice-skating rink and New York's giant ceremoniously-lit Christmas tree – the art deco Rockefeller Center is a busy, art-filled national historic landmark all year round.

Named for its entrepreneurial developer – John D Rockefeller Jr, America's first billionaire – it claims highlights such as the 70th-floor Top of the Rock observation deck, the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios Tours , as well as plenty of Midtown shopping and dining.

11. Be dazzled by the lights of Times Square and the Theater District

The neon lights really do shine bright on Broadway, especially in Times Square at the heart of the world's most celebrated theater district. Day and night, it provides billboarded sensory overload. In the area are dozens of marquee-fronted playhouses hosting box-office hits, alongside Madame Tussauds and National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey . Bryant Park, Midtown's small but activity-filled green oasis, and the lion-flanked entrance of the New York Public Library , a national historic landmark, are also nearby.

12. Ride the New York City Subway and Staten Island Ferry

The wheels never stop turning in NYC, aided by its sleepless subway , one of the world's biggest mass transit systems. Another iconic part of the New York transport network is the free, orange Staten Island Ferry , the cheapest way to grab pics of Lady Liberty.

For NYC urban transport history, the kid-friendly Transit Museum has climb-aboard subway cars from all eras. There's a museum annex and shop in Grand Central Terminal , a Midtown beaux-arts wonder with an unforgettably grand main concourse.

13. Support conservation at the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens

Who'd have thought the US's biggest and oldest zoo is in NYC? The conservation-minded Bronx Zoo hosts 6000-plus animals in 265 acres of specially designed habitats. Adjacent to it is the New York Botanical Garden , a 250-acre, year-round nature showcase with dozens of indoor and outdoor gardens included in your ticket.

Planning tip: Smaller but impressive alternative zoos can be found at Central Park, Prospect Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens). The 50-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden is famous for its seasonally blossoming cherry trees.

14. Find art and entrepreneurs in Brooklyn

In a city that places a high premium on space, Brooklyn now claims three hip, rehabilitated industrial areas commandeered by entrepreneurs, artisanal makers, retailers, artists, start-ups and nonprofits. Industry City occupies six large warehouses on the Sunset Park waterfront.

Further south, 100-plus companies fill the vast and storied Brooklyn Army Terminal . And east of Downtown Brooklyn, the expansive, historic Brooklyn Navy Yard is a modern made-in-Brooklyn manufacturing hub.

15. Go to a game at a New York stadium

New Yorkers take outsize pride in their sports teams, so how better to absorb the city's energy than at a game? The Bronx's Yankee Stadium and Mets' Citi Field in Queens are grand open-air stadiums, while Manhattan's Madison Square Garden , home of Knicks and Liberty basketball and Rangers hockey, and Brooklyn's futuristic Barclays Center , where the Nets basketball and Islanders hockey teams play, are enclosed, so good for rainy days.

Planning tip:  If you'd prefer to see the Giants and Jets compete in the National Football League, their arenas are in nearby New Jersey .

And now for the hard part: should you go to a Mets or Yankees game? Two local experts weigh in

Keep planning your trip to NYC:

• Find out which NYC neighborhood fits your vibe
• Find the best time of year to visit
• Getting around NYC is fairly straightforward –  find out how in our full transportation guide
• Even better, read on for top tips to see New York on two wheels

This article was first published May 25, 2021 and updated Mar 23, 2024.

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The 13 best parks in NYC

The best NYC parks are oases of greenspace where you can enjoy fresh air away from the stresses of the city.

Regardless of the season, New York City’s parks offer a refuge from the stresses of everyday life in the city as well as prime spots for outdoor gatherings. The best NYC parks provide plenty of space and fresh air, perfect for soaking up the sun in summer or taking some time for quiet contemplation in the winter. Whether you’re looking for a bit of nature, a path for jogging or biking, a spot for a picnic or a place to walk your dog, these parks offer all that and much more.

Did you know that there are around 1,700 parks within the five boroughs? From pocket parks to dog parks to massive beauties like Central Park and Prospect Park, NYC’s parks have their own unique characteristics, and all are cherished as jewels among the concrete landscape of the city. While the winter months may not be the best for boating or picnicking, NYC’s parks are still one of the top things to do outside year-round. Central Park is the most popular park in New York for sure, but there may be another you find is the most beautiful—it's all in the eye of the beholder.

These parks are a must for locals and visitors alike. They offer picturesque views, fresh air, and seasonal programming and activities. Be on the lookout for movie screenings, outdoor concerts, holiday markets, hiking , and ice skating . While some are peaceful and some are buzzy hotspots, they all offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy being outside.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC

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Best NYC parks

1.  Prospect Park

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• Prospect Park

Urban visionaries Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who most famously designed Central Park, also put their stamp on bucolic Prospect Park. Amenities like the Long Meadow and Nethermead offer plenty of space to pull up on a patch of grass and indulge in some people-watching, and the woodland expanse of the Ravine is a towering forest within bustling Brooklyn. Be sure to check out the  Endale Arch and Concert Grove Pavilion .

2.  Central Park

• Central Park

To feel truly out of the city, head to the 38-acre wilderness area known as the Ramble. The area has a storied history, and its winding trails, rocks, and streams await discovery. If you want plenty of sunshine and more of a social vibe, spread out a blanket at Sheep Meadow, where groups playing guitar, catching frisbees, and tanning are sprawled out as far as the eye can see. It's also, of course, the most famous park in New York City. 

3.  Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Brooklyn Heights

Some city parks were built to replicate rustic fields and preserve serene woodland. Brooklyn Bridge Park, however, was not—and that’s precisely why it has become so popular. The project has transformed a chunk of the Brooklyn waterfront into a nearly 85-acre expanse; several sections house unique attractions such as Jane’s Carousel, a restored 1920s merry-go-round, and riverside esplanades with gorgeous Manhattan views. Pier 5 is complete with sports fields and a playground, and nearby Pier 2 has basketball courts and a skating rink. 

4.  Bryant Park

• Midtown West

Situated behind the New York Public Library is Bryant Park, a well-cultivated retreat that hosts a dizzying schedule of free entertainment during the summer. In the winter, look for an ice skating rink and pop-up shops during the Bank of America Winter Village. Added bonus: The park also boasts free wireless access making it the perfect place to work while basking in the sun. 

5.  Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Give the city’s second-biggest park a day and it’ll show you the world: Its most enduring icon is the Unisphere, the mammoth steel globe created for the 1964 World’s Fair.

But there’s also first-rate culture and sports at the New York Hall of Science, Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Citi Field (depending on how the Mets are doing). The rolling green fields also encompass a zoo, a boating lake, a skate park, a barbecue area, playfields, and a $66 million aquatic and hockey center. Wetland plants such as swamp azalea and swamp milkweed help to handle the park’s water runoff, improving the catch-and-release fishing in Meadow Lake.

6.  The Hills at Governors Island

• Governors Island

Listen to the hum of parkgoers and their bicycles as they tool around the island’s two-plus-mile promenade, the gleeful squeals of folks slithering down one of the four massive slides and the delighted gasps of visitors ogling perfect views of the New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan. While much of the green space’s landscape has changed, preexisting features such as Hammock Grove and Picnic Point are still major focal points. The park also offers an adventure playground where revelers can go rock climbing and wander through a maze.

7.  Washington Square Park

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While it's less green than most of the parks on this list, Washington Square Park is undoubtedly a staple. The hippies who famously turned up and tuned out in the attractions are still there in spirit, and indeed often in person amidst large groups of NYU students.

During the warmer months the park is one of the best people-watching spots in the city, humming with musicians and street artists. Skateboarders clatter near the base of the iconic 1895 Washington Arch (a modest replica of the Arc de Triomphe), and kiddos can splash in the area's fountain on sweltering days.

8.  The High Line

The High Line came to life in 2009, when an old piece of elevated railway track on the Lower West Side of Manhattan was transformed into a verdant floating garden. Now plants and flowers flourish along the walkway, which stretches for almost two miles. Take your time strolling along it and stop to check out the sculptures, beautiful plantings, food vendors, and the view of the Hudson.

9.  Riverside Park

• Upper West Side

This scenic four-mile waterfront park extends from 72nd to 158th Streets along the Hudson River in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Facilities include sports courts, a skate park, bike paths on the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, and a public marina at 79th Street. Fans of You’ve Got Mail will recall that the promenade at 91st Street is the spot where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan finally revealed their true identities.

10.  Hudson River Park

This strip of waterfront park stretches from Battery Park to 59th Street, allowing you to walk, bike, or skate while gazing at the Hudson River and New Jersey. There are flowers, benches, piers and lots of programs—including youth sports and kayak rides in the river. On Friday evenings, you can spot everything from people at lawnside boot camps to senior citizen singing groups belting it out next to a waterside piano.

11.  Fort Greene Park

• Fort Greene

Brooklyn's first park is also one of its loveliest. Explore the 30-acres designed by Olmstead and Vaux, which comprise open meadows, playgrounds, and a designated space for all sorts of recreational activities. If you’re simply looking for a peaceful space to contemplate the meaning of life, you’ll have no problem finding a quiet haven for your thoughts.

12.  Pelham Bay Park

Jutting into the Long Island Sound with rocky outcroppings, marshy inlets, and lush forest, Pelham Bay Park looks more like Maine than the Bronx. The city’s largest park at 2,766 acres—three times the size of Central Park—it takes hours to explore. Among the massive park's attractions are Orchard Beach, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, and the Pelham Bay Golf Course.

13.  Inwood Hill Park

There’s a unique reward for trekking to the northernmost corner of Manhattan, where you’ll find enormous trees in the island’s last virgin forest. Much of the park has never been developed; due to its comparatively remote location, the land remained rural up until its 1916 purchase by the Parks Department, who decided to leave Inwood as natural as possible. As a result, the area remains very similar to the way the island was 500 years ago.

Want to have a picnic in the park?

Here are the best picnic spots in NYC

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Pack blankets and fill your picnic basket with snacks for an alfresco feast at the best picnic spots in NYC.

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New bill passed in this state takes restaurant reservations off the resale market

New York’s state legislature has passed a new bill that will require third-party reservation services to obtain permission from restaurants to book on their behalf.

The bill, dubbed the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act , says that third party reservation services such as Resy and OpenTable cannot “advertise, promote, or sell reservations” on its platforms for a “food service establishment” without a written agreement with the establishments.

The legislation makes New York the “first state in the nation to pass legislation intending to combat the trend of predatory software flooding the online restaurant reservation marketplace,” according to a press release issued by the New York State Restaurant Association on June 6.

The bill was introduced in May by Senator Nathalia Fernandez, passed the State Assembly June 3 and passed the state Senate three days later. It now awaits a signature from Governor Kathy Hochul to become law.

Fernandez said in the press release that the bill will curb “the rampant exploitation of online restaurant reservations.”

“Between charging exorbitant rates for a reservation, to double-booking reservations, to phantom reservations leaving diners with less options and restaurants with empty tables—the onus is on us in the Legislature to take action,” she continued.

Making black market reservations in New York had become a side business, with practitioners snapping up blocks of meal times at the hottest restaurants with the intention of selling them back to people who want to dine there, NBC News reported . A student at Brown University made $100,000 over the course of 19 months from selling reservations, according to NBC News.

Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, called the bill “a major victory” in the press release.

“Our members work hard each day to create a desirable dining experience,” she said. “Now, when diners do have the ability to dine out, they will no longer have to compete with predatory bots capturing reservations and reselling them at exorbitant prices.”

The CEOs of OpenTable and Resy, Debby Soo and Pablo Rivero, respectively, also applauded the legislation in the release.

“The passage of this bill is a meaningful one for restaurants and will help protect their bottom lines by reducing the ‘no shows’ caused by fraudulent reservations,” Soo said. “We are pleased to see New York take a strong stance to support its restaurants.”

“Resy joins many of its New York restaurant partners in applauding the New York State Legislature for passing the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act,” Rivero said. “This important legislation is a significant step forward to protect restaurants and diners from reservation fraud.”

Randi Richardson is a reporter for NBC News' TODAY.com based in Brooklyn.

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At Justice Alito’s House, a ‘Stop the Steal’ Symbol on Display

An upside-down flag, adopted by Trump supporters contesting the Biden victory, flew over the justice’s front lawn as the Supreme Court was considering an election case.

A photo obtained by The Times shows an inverted flag at the Alito residence on Jan. 17, 2021, three days before the Biden inauguration. Credit...

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By Jodi Kantor

Jodi Kantor, who has been reporting on the Supreme Court, including the behind-the-scenes story of how the justices overturned the right to abortion, welcomes tips at nytimes.com/tips .

• May 16, 2024

After the 2020 presidential election, as some Trump supporters falsely claimed that President Biden had stolen the office, many of them displayed a startling symbol outside their homes, on their cars and in online posts: an upside-down American flag.

One of the homes flying an inverted flag during that time was the residence of Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., in Alexandria, Va., according to photographs and interviews with neighbors.

The upside-down flag was aloft on Jan. 17, 2021, the images showed. President Donald J. Trump’s supporters, including some brandishing the same symbol, had rioted at the Capitol a little over a week before. Mr. Biden’s inauguration was three days away. Alarmed neighbors snapped photographs, some of which were recently obtained by The New York Times. Word of the flag filtered back to the court, people who worked there said in interviews.

While the flag was up, the court was still contending with whether to hear a 2020 election case, with Justice Alito on the losing end of that decision. In coming weeks, the justices will rule on two climactic cases involving the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, including whether Mr. Trump has immunity for his actions. Their decisions will shape how accountable he can be held for trying to overturn the last presidential election and his chances for re-election in the upcoming one.

“I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” Justice Alito said in an emailed statement to The Times. “It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”

Judicial experts said in interviews that the flag was a clear violation of ethics rules, which seek to avoid even the appearance of bias, and could sow doubt about Justice Alito’s impartiality in cases related to the election and the Capitol riot.

The mere impression of political opinion can be a problem, the ethics experts said. “It might be his spouse or someone else living in his home, but he shouldn’t have it in his yard as his message to the world,” said Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia.

This is “the equivalent of putting a ‘Stop the Steal’ sign in your yard, which is a problem if you’re deciding election-related cases,” she said.

Interviews show that the justice’s wife, Martha-Ann Alito, had been in a dispute with another family on the block over an anti-Trump sign on their lawn, but given the timing and the starkness of the symbol, neighbors interpreted the inverted flag as a political statement by the couple.

The longstanding ethics code for the lower courts, as well as the recent one adopted by the Supreme Court, stresses the need for judges to remain independent and avoid political statements or opinions on matters that could come before them.

“You always want to be proactive about the appearance of impartiality,” Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge and the director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute, said in an interview. “The best practice would be to make sure that nothing like that is in front of your house.”

The court has also repeatedly warned its own employees against public displays of partisan views, according to guidelines circulated to the staff and reviewed by The Times. Displaying signs or bumper stickers is not permitted, according to the court’s internal rule book and a 2022 memo reiterating the ban on political activity.

Asked if these rules also apply to justices, the court declined to respond.

The exact duration that the flag flew outside the Alito residence is unclear. In an email from Jan. 18, 2021, reviewed by The Times, a neighbor wrote to a relative that the flag had been upside down for several days at that point.

In recent years, the quiet sanctuary of his street, with residents who are Republicans and Democrats, has tensed with conflict, neighbors said. Around the 2020 election , a family on the block displayed an anti-Trump sign with an expletive. It apparently offended Mrs. Alito and led to an escalating clash between her and the family, according to interviews.

Some residents have also bridled at the noise and intrusion brought by protesters, who started showing up outside the Alito residence in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion. Other neighbors have joined the demonstrators, whose intent was “to bring the protest to their personal lives because the decisions affect our personal lives,” said Heather-Ann Irons, who came to the street to protest.

The half-dozen neighbors who saw the flag, or knew of it, requested anonymity because they said they did not want to add to the contentiousness on the block and feared reprisal. Last Saturday, May 11, protesters returned to the street, waving flags of their own (“Don’t Tread on My Uterus”) and using a megaphone to broadcast expletives at Justice Alito, who was in Ohio giving a commencement address . Mrs. Alito appeared in a window, complaining to the Supreme Court security detail outside.

Turning the American flag upside down is a symbol of emergency and distress, first used as a military S.O.S., historians said in interviews. In recent decades, it has increasingly been used as a political protest symbol — a controversial one, because the flag code and military tradition require the paramount symbol of the United States to be treated with respect.

Over the years, upside-down flags have been displayed by both the right and the left as an outcry over a range of issues, including the Vietnam War, gun violence , the Supreme Court’s overturning of the constitutional right to abortion and, in particular, election results. In 2012, Tea Party followers inverted flags at their homes to signal disgust at the re-election of President Barack Obama. Four years later, some liberals advised doing the same after Mr. Trump was elected.

During Mr. Trump’s quest to win, and then subvert, the 2020 election, the gesture took off as never before, becoming “really established as a symbol of the ‘Stop the Steal’ campaign,” according to Alex Newhouse, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder.

A flood of social media posts exhorted Trump supporters to flip over their flags or purchase new ones to display upside down.

“If Jan. 6 rolls around and Biden is confirmed by the Electoral College our nation is in distress!!” a poster wrote on Patriots.win, a forum for Trump supporters, garnering over a thousand “up” votes. “If you cannot go to the DC rally then you must do your duty and show your support for our president by flying the flag upside down!!!!”

Local newspapers from Lexington, Ky. , to Sun City, Ariz., to North Jersey wrote about the flags cropping up nearby. A few days before the inauguration, a Senate candidate in Minnesota flew an upside-down flag on his campaign vehicle .

Hanging an inverted flag outside a home was “an explicit signifier that you are part of this community that believes America has been taken and needs to be taken back,” Mr. Newhouse said.

This spring, the justices are already laboring under suspicion by many Americans that whatever decisions they make about the Jan. 6 cases will be partisan. Justice Clarence Thomas has declined to recuse himself despite the direct involvement of his wife, Virginia Thomas, in efforts to overturn the election.

Now, with decisions in the Jan. 6 cases expected in just a few weeks, a similar debate may unfurl about Justice Alito, the ethics experts said. “It really is a question of appearances and the potential impact on public confidence in the court,” Mr. Fogel said. “I think it would be better for the court if he weren’t involved in cases arising from the 2020 election. But I’m pretty certain that he will see that differently.”

If Justice Alito were on another court, Mr. Fogel said, the flag could also trigger some sort of review to determine if there was any misconduct. But because the Supreme Court serves as the arbiter of its own behavior, “you don’t really have anywhere to take it,” he said.

Aric Toler contributed reporting. Julie Tate contributed research.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of “She Said,” which recounts how she and Megan Twohey broke the story of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, helping to ignite the #MeToo movement.    Instagram • More about Jodi Kantor

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