Edinburgh - first time, 3 or 4 nights

[Mumxtoxonex]

Hi all, Im looking at a trip to Edinburgh in the Feb half term with my 9 year old. Never been to Scotland but have always wanted to visit!

Im trying to decide between 3 or 4 nights. Going to try do the trip budget friendly. Travelling from Yorkshire about 3.5 - 4 hours on the train.

Would 3 nights be enough? Arriving in Edinburgh for 1pm-ish on the first day and leave around the same time on the 4th day? Its quite a trip and would require some strict budgeting to make work so dont want it to feel super rushed!

Also any tips on places to stay / visit / passes? Places to eat (we are vegan)

Thanks in advance!😊

I did an extreme day trip last week with my 10 year old and he LOVED the National Museum of Scotland. It's so interactive and well laid out, lots of hands on things to do. We only had a couple of hours there but he would have spent all day there given the chance!

Oh and it's free entry!

For vegan options, here's some I saved (haven't tried them all yet):

Happy fish (vegan fish and chips)
Seitanic vegan
Rishis (Indian with a vegan menu)
Green Fork Cafe
Sora Diana (vegan Italian)
Considerit chocolate

The Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile might be of interest?

https://cultureedinburgh.com/our-venues/museum-of-childhood

I live here. Hotels are expensive so if you're on a budget, keep it to 3 nights.
Google for the rest.

Who is going and what are your interests? Accommodation is v expensive as pp said, we often stay in Stirling or Falkirk but that's not so easy if arriving by train.

Assuming you are with DC, the zoo is good, Dynamic Earth, Camera Obscura, National Museim, Museum of Childhood.

Edinburgh is a very walkable city and bus links are good (e.g. out to the zoo, or down to Leith - or if your accommodation is a bit out of town).

February will be COLD! Edinburgh often has a biting wind.

If you are coming during the English half term, Scottish schools will all likely be back from ours, so it won't be too busy.

Tram to Leith is great!

If you are at the museum on Chambers Street, Paradise Palms just round the corner on Teviot Street has a great kid friendly vegan menu (& a fun & funky vibe). A bus to Stockbridge to walk along the Water of Leith to the Botanic Gardens is enjoyable and the newly reopened palm houses will be cosy on a driech February day. Public transport is great - you can hop on and off buses, tap to pay and the fare is capped at a daily rate of around £5 for adults.

We stayed at a Travelodge off the royal mile and walked everywhere other than the zoo.

If you do go to the National Museum of Scotland be sure to go up to the roof. Wonderful view up there. Don't eat in the cafe/restaurant on the lowest floor. I made that mistake and it wasn't very good (and there was no wifi reception at all). The cafe on the first floor gallery is much better if you do want to have a drink and something to eat there - lovely outlook and better menu.

If you're interested in history I'd definitely go to the castle and/or Holyroodhouse. I was taken to both as a child and loved them. Those are pricy but the NMS is free, as already mentioned, and absolutely enormous, so a good place to spend time in. I really love the National Gallery of Scotland too (also free).

Another place with a wonderful view is the cafe near the top of the John Lewis in the centre.

Travel on public buses is capped per day. There is an information centre on Waverley Bridge near the Wetherspoons. Agree Museum of Scotland is a must and take in Greyfriars Bobby on the way. Walk up Calton Hill for a view. There is a Lego store in St James Quarter. Hop on Hop off Bus tour is a good way to see places further out, like Botanic Gardens and Leith, and hear some of the history. There are several routes departing from St Andrews Square iirc.

Premier Inn is showing very good rates for February. I don’t know when your half term is but it’s less than £200 for 3 nights in a family room.

That's a bargain for Edinburgh!

I too was going to suggest museum of Scotland. Its free, massive and SO interesting. DH and I went a few years ago because he had a conference and I spent 2 days in the museum!
I think we went in Jan. I just wore jeans, boots, warm jacket and scarf. No idea why, but I assumed there would be snow sitting around but we never saw a flake.

Meant to say to also check the cost of Airbnb/aparthotel options. If you have a kitchenette, you could at least have breakfast in your room, bring snacks back to re heat etc. Eating out for EVERY meal can add to the cost and can sometimes be offset when comparing hotel room prices. We stayed just off Dalry rd. Google says it was between Haymarket and but there was a lidl nearby and lots of little cafes/restaurants too. It also wasn't too far to walk or get a bus to the main sights.

I took DS for 3 nights when he was 11. We did all the usual top 10 type things. Dynamic Earth was crap but we enjoyed the rest.

Visit the New Town. The Georgian architecture and beautiful pubs and restaurants and elegant wide streets are amazing… I love it. Often gets overlooked for the medieval old town areas.
also Dean Village is beautiful in the river gorge in central Edinburgh. The water of Leith is a beautiful walk & st Bernard’s Well.
climb Arthur’s Seat obviously!! This can not be missed!!

We went to Edinburgh for three nights last year. Enjoyed it so much, and felt that there was so much to see and do, that we’re going again this year - for 4 nights.

For a 9yo I recommend the Real Mary King and the National Museum.

I think 3 nights is the minimum but you won't run out of things to see and do if you stay an extra night! And you could easily have a day out of the city to see a bit more of Scotland.