In one sense, the whole of York is a kind of museum, a living insight into the past that continues to be a thriving and evolving present-day city. So it is not surprising that the city is also home to a number of more conventional museums.

Major museums

York museums specialise in social history. They deal with the past in an accessible, hands-on way, which makes them ideal for visitors of all ages.

• At the National Railway Museum you can climb on the exhibits.
• At the Castle Museum you can walk down a nineteenth century street.
• At the Yorkshire Museum children can try on costumes. The current Dionosaurs in Yorkshire exhibition is proving a big hit.
• DIG gives its visitors the chance to discover objects using archaeological techniques.
• At Barley Hall you can wander round re-created medieval rooms and touch what you like.
• And York's Chocolate Story gives an experience of the city's sweet history, guided by greeters in period costume.
• Jorvik allows you to ride through a viking village, with all its sights, sounds and smells.