The River Ouse runs through the heart of York, dividing the city's old commercial quarter from the area around the Minster and the castle. The riverside walk from Lendal Bridge south to Skeldergate Bridge, and then back on the opposite bank, is one of the pleasant walks in the city — taking in the backs of the Georgian terraces, the boatyards, and the open space of the riverbanks. In summer the river is busy with hired rowing boats and pleasure cruisers; in winter it sometimes floods, and the lower riverside paths can be submerged.
Several companies offer boat trips from King's Staith and Lendal Bridge, ranging from short sightseeing circuits to longer trips upriver towards Poppleton or Naburn. A boat trip gives a completely different perspective on the city — the walls, the backs of the medieval buildings, and the Minster seen from the river have nothing in common with the view from the streets. Kayaks can also be hired from a couple of operators.