Things to do in Edinburgh that won't break the bank!

[YellowDinosaur]

So we're off to Edinburgh tomorrow for a couple of days. Myself, dh and both boys aged 5 and 7. We're planning to visit the zoo on one day and are staying in a hotel near there but would be grateful for recommendations for the other day.

On a quick look it does appear that it will be very easy to bankrupt ourselves with most of the major attractions costing around £50 for the 4 of us to get in. And i'm sure those of you with small boys will know that it's not a simple as thinking 'it might cost £50 but we can stay there all morning and get our moneys worth' because the boys will charge in, run round, and be ready to leave after half an hour.

So it would be great to hear what is worth spending money on, what is good for free, and any tips for getting discounts. We've discovered Edinburgh pass which for an upfront fee will let us into lots of places for free but i'm not sure how many of them will be good for the boys - if you think otherwise let me know!

Cross posting to days out to get the most input before we go tomorrow. Thanks in advance for your help

The museum is amazing, and free :)

Go to the National Museum of Scotland which is free. Lots of interactive exhibits to amuse the kids - that will easily take up half a day.

Another one voting for the national museum of Scotland - we happily spent from 11am to 5pm there just last week with a 4yo, 7yo and 9yo. We did pay the extra for the Viking exhibition that's on at the moment (one of the DDs is 'doing' the Vikings next term at school) but that was £18 for Dh and I and free for the children. Otherwise, loads of hands-on stuff and they loved it.

The national museum at Chambers Street. The childhood museum on the royal mile. The People's story is further down too which is fun.

The botanical gardens are lovely and you have Princes Street Gardens.

Are you staying at the Holiday Inn or another hotel? As there are lovely walks round there.

Lots of lovely restaurants too.

Plus Edinburgh's state schools are back at school so it may be quieter

The major galleries are free for children. Or drive up the back of Arthur's seat and walk the last bit for a great view. Get a posh picnic from M and S and people watch in Princess St gardens. Get on a normal double decker bus (not expensive tourist one) for tour of centre unless your dcs are townies and would be bored by that ours had never been on a bus

Great ideas thanks. We're staying at the Marriott hotel.

National museum of Scotland sounds fab does arthurs seat walk. Cheers!

There's a banking museum that's free, halfway up the mound. NMS is great too, especially the interactive bit.
Botanical gardens are good for a run about on a dry day too.

Another one for museum of Scotland which is free and fantastic. And not really abetting Scotland although there is a Scottish bit!

We went to Edinburgh at half term, did:

Day one museum of Scotland
Day two zoo
Day three princes st gardens, Scott monument, bagpipers and saw gun at one from there, them we had to leave in afternoon

We only paid for zoo, public transport was cheap too.

Have done botanical gardens before, love them, the palm houses are great and its all free too.

Agree with the NMS, it is brilliant

The Childhood Museum is also really good, and free!

The bus tours are fantastic too, really good for seeing the city and you can jump on and off. Edinburgh is such a beautiful and amazing place