EDINBURGH - Other than the zoo and castel what else can we as a family do?

[ukgirlatheart]

Going at Easter and hotel is next to the zoo and plan to do the Castel one day - what else can we do?

Also decent places to eat at night

[bloodymaria]

The museum on chambers street, botanic gardens, Deep Sea World, Dynamic Earth, walk up the Pentlands or Arthur's Seat, dry ski slope, Camera Obscura . There's loads of underground tours to do, most are ghost themed but the Mary Kings Close is more informative and suitable for older children. PVG, there's heaps to do! I'm moving back to Edinburgh this month and I'm rather excited.

For eating, try Mamma's pizza, or La Favorita. There's lots of nice places on Lothian Road.

[bloodymaria]

Not sure what PVG is. Or even what it's meant to be.

Enjoy your holiday!

[starsandamoon]

definitely camera obscura

[Gazelda]

Dynamic Earth is brilliant! And the ghost walks either around the city or local to Princes Street. The bus tours are great, and the walk up to Arthur's Seat.

[NotCitrus]

Camera obscura! My kids were 2 and 5, the elder was scared of the dark so had to take him out, and the 2yo liked it for about half an hour, but the rest of the building entertained us for hours - optical illusions, holograms, random shiny light displays and bits of history...

We walked round the castle but didn't go in as people said it wasn't so interesting for kids. Zoo was a fab day out - book the pandas in advance. The harbour north of Leith and all the ships were good too (we stayed near there)

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

If you go to the Museum on Chambers St (recommended) then visit the statue of Greyfriars Bobby at the top (over the road) read about it beforehand too. There is also the museum of Childhood on the High Street and The Science festival might be on depending on your dates?

www.sciencefestival.co.uk/

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Oh and the national Story Telling centre sometimes have stuff on.

[Basketofchocolate]

I looooove Camera Obscura. Eat first as you'll be there for ages :)

Find out the tide times for Cramond Island? A great thing for kids to walk across there and back.

Portobello beach?

There's the big ship....the Queen's old one.....forget the name, but might be something they're interested in?

Otherwise, it's a beautiful city so walking around and stopping to look at stuff can take some time. DS loves the alleyways and steps going off the Royal Mile - if you have good calf muscles then that sort of thing can amuse little ones for a while if you let them up and down any they fancy.

Wallace Monument is great for views, but not for the faint hearted on a windy day.

There's also Calton Hill - a short walk and can go up there and have a poke about.

Tbh, I found the castle rather dull inside compared to outside. I love walking down from there to Princes Gardens.

Eating - we stick to ones we know so no real recommendations. All the usual chains are about. There is the Omni Centre for some chains and for coffee shops, the road back from Princes St - the name escapes me....George St? is quite good and usually quieter than the main drag.

Can be gorgeous and sunny at Easter - esp if up a hill and exposed. However, I think the long range forecast is chilly and snow so wrap up warm!

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

You mean the Scott Monument basket :o

[redannie118]

My two very picky and easily bored absolutely loved Camera obscura and Real Mary Kings Close. If they are a bit older the dungeons are a total hoot and although its ridiculous over priced the Hard Rock Cafe is great for a meal

[PiggyPlumPie]

Camera obscura, dynamic earth are both fab! Don't do as I did this weekend and take a group of guides to the dungeons.

The open top bus tour is also good, our one had a horrible histories commentary.

[ukgirlatheart]

wow so many great ideas to fill our 4-5 days. Def camera obscura then and Dynamic Earth DS loves sciencey/geeky things to do!

Think we will do the Castle anyway

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

If the dates fit definitely get a day pass for the science festival family centre then - you can book individual sessions within that day, unwrapping mummies, building robots - honestly it's fab. It will fill a whole day and you will be up and down steps for most of it.

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Be in Princes street at 1pm on one day to see and hear the gun go off. I'd personally not do the Castle to be honest unless DC are very very interested.

[ukgirlatheart]

Are all the attractions in the city by the way

Festival finishes on 10th and we are there from 11th or I might be able to go 9th or 10th could look at that if its really worth it.

We are on Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh and have been told its a 10min bus ride away from the city

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Yes most of those are in the City - Dynamic earth is down by Holyrood Palace and the Scottish parliament buildings. It's 10 minutes into the City Centre, if you are doing a few things then a day pass on the bus might be worth it as there will be a fair bit of walking and it's hilly.

I'd skip the Castle, do one day zoo, one day down to Dynamic earth and go and look at the Palace and if it's nice, take a walk up Arthurs seat, go by the pond and feed the swans and get some views of the City.

If you can manage to change the dates then I'd do a day at the SCience festival.

Otherwise, A trip to the Museum on Chambers street, walk up to see Greyfriars bobby, on to Camera Obscura for the afternoon or vice versa.

You could go down to ship and take a trip along the coast in either direction to Cramond or Portobello for some sea air.

And other day, doing a bus tour, wandering up the high street and Princes street gardens, there is a play park at the west end and the Flower Clock at the junction with The Mound. maybe a trip into jenners toy hall if they still have it or up to Harvey Niks for the Chocolate café for a treat.

There are Theatres and cinemas too if you want stuff for the evening? Loads of independent Italian restaurants for dinner or visit Jimmy Chungs Chinese buffet near Waverly Station for a quick meal.

[Tfoot75]

There's the big ship....the Queen's old one.....forget the name, but might be something they're interested in?

The royal yacht Britannia, bus ride away at Leith (I think) but definitely worth a visit.

It's a great place to visit. Mary Kings Close great but too creepy for young children.

[tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit]

How old are your DC? Do they know Tea Cup Travels on CBeebies? If so you need to at least walk past the building used as the outside of the Gran's house.

It's in Princes St Gardens in the city centre IIRC.

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

I meant to add that the festival runs at Easter every year so if you can't make it this time then plan ahead for your return trip as I am positive that you will be back. I know I am biased, but Edinburgh is fabulous :)

Its expensive to come at the real Festival time (August) but it is brilliant with all the street theatre and Book festival etc.

[Dowser]

The royal yacht britannia is a must do...you know ...the queens boat...that one ! ;-)