What to do at your summer York reunion
York is a city that is great to visit at any time of year, but visiting in summer often means you get to enjoy the city without worrying as much about the weather. We know that many reunions include a quick drink (or two) but what else could you do during your day? Whether you’re meticulously planning your reunion itinerary, or you’re going to see where the day takes you, we’ve got some ideas for you!
For sunny days
Enjoy the city from above
York City Walls are a fantastic way to see the city, enjoy some of its history and take the scenic route! With just over 2 miles of intact wall encircling the city centre, you can walk the walls by joining at one of the City Bars (no, not those ones!).
Open until dusk, if you’re worried about crowds, we’d recommend walking them early in the morning or in the late afternoon. During your walk, look out for some of the best views in York, including one of our campus! Please note that due to the age and construction of the walls, that there is limited access to the wall tops.
The Friends of York Walls have compiled a wall walking route, an audio guide and a map for how to enjoy the walls from ground level. You can find out more about the Walls on their website.
Picnic in the park
If you’re looking for a low cost way of getting together, enjoying a picnic in one of York’s parks is a great place to start. York has several public parks and green spaces, including the scenic city centre Museum Gardens, and river side Rowntree Park. Although the parks do get busy in summer, they’re the perfect spot for a relaxed get-together, and even better, you don’t need to book a table!
You can find out more about York’s green spaces on the City of York website. The website includes park opening times and facilities.
Find the city’s cats
Did you know that York has a Cat Trail? Scattered around the city centre are 22 cat figures prowling up buildings, sitting on windowsills or peering down from eaves. Cat sculptures were originally added to buildings to scare away rats and mice. But they were also thought to protect homes from other forces! Most of the current cats were added to buildings in the past 200 years, but records suggest cats have been protecting buildings since the medieval period.
The Cat Trail is free to complete and can be downloaded from the York Lucky Cats website.
For rainy days
We all know that the British summer can be fickle. If rain is due during your reunion, here are a few cheap ideas for how to spend your time!
Visit a museum or art gallery
Relive your student days by exploring one of the fantastic museums or galleries York has to offer. Travel through time from the Mesolithic Age at the Yorkshire Museum’s new exhibit, to York’s viking past at Jorvik, to a nearer past at York Castle Museum. If you’d rather do something a little different, York is home to plenty of other historical sites and attractions. These include the National Railway Museum, Fairfax House and York Mansion House.
This year, York Art Gallery is hosting Monet’s famous The Water-Lily Pond. See one of the world’s most famous paintings, alongside work by Monet’s contemporaries and local artwork. You can also still enjoy the Van Gogh immersive experience which includes 360 degree projections and soundscapes.
Live like a student – enjoy a local coffee shop or cafe
If you walk into almost any coffee shop or cafe in York, you’ll see students working on their laptops. With so many options to choose from, including big chains and independents, York has plenty of places to enjoy a tasty treat and hot drink to banish the summer storms. Visit York have a list of Coffee Shops and Cafes and Tearooms for inspiration.
Enjoy the ballroom
From 3pm , Roxy Ballroom is open for a range of fun activities! Including air hockey, pool, batting cages, bowling and even karaoke, Roxy Ballroom has it all. If you’re looking for something a little different to enjoy, the Ballroom is the place to be! You can find out more on their website.
Reunions come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re struggling with where to start when planning your reunion, we created a short guide to help. You can also check out the Visit York website for inspiration for your reunion, and find out what’s on during your visit.
