Long weekend in Edinburgh with 11 & 9 yr old. Any tips?

[Topbird29]

Hi. We are going to Edinburgh for the last weekend of Easter hols to take advantage of the inset daytagged on the end. My DH family used to visit a lot due to his great gran living there. I've been once, but as a child free adult! Looking for any ideas of what to do with out DS (9 & 11). Have got the castle, camera obscure and possibly going up Arthur's Seat on the list. Any suggestions welcome. Any ghost tours that aren't too grisly in their explanations? We went on one before and did the torture museum as part of it and they were quite detailed in explaining the instruments. Think my DS would get nightmares! Have also seen some Harry Potter tours advertised - anyone been on one they would recommend? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Love Edinbugh so much

Calton Hill is a much easier walk and you still get great views over the city. The burial ground at the bottom is has some interesting monuments.
Dynamic Earth is good, opposite Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament, and Arthur's seat.
The Brittania out at Leith was a nice couple of hours, especially the afternoon tea.
Open top bus.
I'm not a huge fan of zoos, but Edi zoo is one of the better ones though the pandas have just gone back to China.
Boat trip on the Firth of Forth, if you are lucky you will see some seals

Have fun

My DC 9 & 11 at the time loved it here, not scary, but really interesting!

www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Edinburgh dungeon if they like grisly stuff or Surgeons hall museum.
Mary King's close.
Coro chocolate cafe on Frederick st is always a hit with my two. Or there's a new dessert place in the St James Quarter, can't remember what it's called.
Lane 7 for bowling and virtual darts, or Roxy lanes on Rose St.
80s / Stranger things themed golf at the Corn Exchange.
Mine love Cosmo buffet for food, but I think there are a few across the UK so that's not unique to Edinburgh.
Chamber St museum of Scotland is excellent and free.
A walk round the botanic gardens.

Did the Potter Trail walking tour not so long ago with DD and it was good - there's not masses of walking. It was free to book, but they do ask for donations at the end, which I was happy to give as the tour guide was really good
It's also quite close to the Museum of Scotland, which is free and always good for a mooch around
13 year old DD also likes shops at the St James Centre and food there

Mary kings close so interesting.

Take plenty money! 😬

https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/museum-childhood

The museum of childhood on the Royal Mile is excellent and everybody I have been with from 6 to 80s has enjoyed it. It is also free.

A walk from the top to bottom of the Royal Mile is also great with various attractions on the way down.

I also recommend the Museum of Scotland, it's also free and the science museum on the ground floor is really good for kids.

The Chocolatarium | Edinburgh Micro Chocolate Factory & Tour

The Real Mary Kings Close is very interesting.

Camera Obscura also brilliant, mine went at the same ages and really enjoyed it

Oh bum, just re-read properly and saw you e already booked it! Ignore me!

@EvilHerbivore - not booked the obscure yet but on our list. Good to know you enjoyed it.

Thanks all - will look into the suggestions..