Best things to see and do in Edinburgh

[Monr0e]

We are going to Edinburgh in May, myself, DH, DS age 11 and DD age 8. My dad is also joining us and we are looking for things to do for the 4 days we will be there.

I have been pricing up different things and a lot of the organised activities e.g. Dynamic Earth, Mary King's Close all cost around £60 for the 5 of us so looking for ideas that may not be so pricey!

We are happy to just mooch around also and take in the sights if anyone can recommend some nice walks or areas that would be interesting. Thank you.

Waves to @Frosty! A fellow Herioter!

Just seen the latest advice, thank you

We are there Mon - Fri so will miss any weekend activities. And I promise not to rub any noses!

This thread is amazing. Can we please report so it gets moved to travel!

Hi @Mrsfloss - good idea, done! Have a great time @Monr0e

Anyone been to Mamma's Pizza in the Grassmarket recently? Used to go regularly about a gazillion years ago ... wondering if it's still as good? And why is Dynamic Earth getting such a bad press?

I rather like Dynamic Earth actually! Also a fab location

We really liked Dynamic earth and our boys (10 and 7) found it really interesting and want to go back

I think Dynamic Earth gets a bad press because it doesn’t cater to the tinies - I’m in Fife and every time someone asks if it’s good on the local mums FB group they get loads of responses saying they took their 2-5 year olds and it was over their heads. It’s actually one of the few things that’s great for the 6+ age group without having toddler concessions all over the place.

Thanks for explaining about Dynamic Earth - that makes perfect sense.

The underground city tour.

Yes about not bothering with Dynamiv Earth.

I liked Dynamic Earth.

Just thought I'd come back and give a bit of an update to thank everyone for their time and advice and also in case it helps anyone else heading their soon.

We got back yesterday and had a brilliant time. We stayed in Stockbridge, we loved it there and spent our first afternoon / evening wandering around the area and going for a walk along the river.

We only really had 3 full days so tried to fit in as much as possible.
We bought day travel passes for the Lothian buses, only 10 minute bus ride from where we were staying and we also walked back one evening as well.
We did the castle, wandered along the Royal Mile, did Princes Street gardens, museum of childhood, Scottish history museum (lost nearly a day in there and were told to leave as they were closing!) walked around the city lots, said hello to Greyfriars Bobby, did not rub his nose (may have stroked his paw) popped into the Elephant house, visited the Royal Yacht Britannia (did not notice any smell) and spent a lovely afternoon in the Botanic Gardens.

We unfortunately ran out of time and energy to do any more however we fell in love with the city and would go back in a heart beat.

Thank you again for all your help, it most definitely helped us make the most of our visit.

The Botanics are lovely, and across the way, from the West Gate, there's Inverleith Park with a playground. Walk down through the park, heading south to Inverleith Pond. A walk through Raeburn Place, StockBridge, into the New Town, back up in to town (or take a bus) is lovely too. Portobello beach might be worth a visit too, or out to Crammond. Just a few ideas to take you beyond the usual sights. You can get good value all-day bus tickets.

Thank you midsomer, but if you see my post just above yours you'll see we've just got back

And we did do some of your suggestions, the botanic gardens and walk from the New Town to Stockbridge were lovely.