Edinburgh with teens

[daisymay133]

Hi looking to book a 3 day trip to edimburgh early August with 2 teenage dds 15&13
Just after some ideas of things to do given all the restrictions ? Me and dh last went pre kids about 18 yrs ago but dds haven’t

Not interested in museums etc - happy to see castle but after a bit more excitement really!

Any nearby trips or events? We like many things but they won’t thank me for anything ‘educational’!
They’ll be happy shopping and eating but could do with a couple half day things - anything very local? It’s a 4 hr drive to get there so ideally don’t wanna drive to much when there

Thanks!

This watersports place is open Fox Lake

Camera Obscura definitely
Walk up Arthur’s Seat
The National Museum of Scotland isn’t a ‘normal’ museum, it’s actually really good for all ages
Ghost tours are pretty eerie, haven’t done the ones in York but the ones here go down into the vaults underground, and through the graveyard so fairly unusual.
Grass market is good for views and that and Victoria Street (which curves up from it) have lots of quirky wee shops. As does Cockburn Street.
George and Princes Street you’ll get your standard shops.

Also you can climb Arthur's Seat!

Are they Oor Wullies still there?
I was brought up with an Oor Wullie annual every Christmas so I loved them. DD was fairly amused

The Oor Wullies have gone.

I would recommend the balmoral for afternoon tea. It's fantastic.

All sounds great thanks so much

In terms of accommodation we love Victorian buildings etc so I presume old town over new town? Is that right ?

How far is portabello beach/south walk can you walk? We have car but I expect parking issue

I’ve seen a few mention camera andvuds but website looks a bit underwhelming is it good?!

Camera Obscura

Yes I fancy a ghost tour 👻my dd loves vampire diaries and all that stuff so would appreciate that I think 🤣🤣

here is a list of all of the boat tours from South Queensferry which is around 1/2 an hour drive from Edinburgh, I highly recommend them.

I don't know if any of the ghost tours are running at night but they are fantastic.

There's a quirky anime type shop in the Waverley Centre, also a wander up Cockburn street will give you loads of interesting shops.

I wouldn't drive to Portobello as parking is hard, but you can get the bus for a short journey or cycle.

Quirky restaurants and shops aren't quite working at the moment with limited numbers and booking etc - but there are nice promenade cafes and restaurants and Portobello and the Shore at Leith. There's a pub at at the Shore called Teuchter's Landing with a large outside area on the water. It does nice food but you have to queue if the tables are full just now. Mimi's Bakehouse at the Shore is an award-winning teashop with amazing cakes and cute decor. Afternoon tea is popular there. You'd have to look it up first and book.

Wander up the Royal Mile and along South Bridge and Cockburn Street, Victoria Street and the Grassmarket for shops. Also across the Meadows to Bruntsfield and Morningside for window shopping.

In terms of accommodation we love Victorian buildings etc so I presume old town over new town? Is that right ?

The New Town is older than Victorian! It was built mid-18th to mid-19th century. The Old Town is older - it's been going for hundreds of years. There are some elements still there from the 15th century but a lot has been built over since. It's still quite old though

Thanks all loads ideas

Only going 3-4 days so we be fine with all suggested 👍 can’t wait as been years! Nice for change scene if nothing else

Rubbish

Haha I see - old town just sounds nicer doesn’t it 🤣

Mary kings close tour is excellent, if it is open. It is not a "ghost tour" really (though there's a ghost) but a trip under the city to a closed off lane/close which had plague victims in it (hence why they bricked it up). Don't take the idea back to England and give Boris any ideas
Again, not sure if open but the museum has a rooftop terrace with great views over the city. Your dds might enjoy Armstrong's which is a large vintage clothes shop in the grass market (check if open - you can see a theme here!) Grassmarket great for a wander and lunch.

The Newtown is Georgian in architecture.
George Street has fancier shops (and bars) than Princes Street. The Dome is a popular bar/restaurant on George Street that might be worth a visit, lovely building.

Have a great time. It won't be a full Edinburgh experience but as you say, good for a change of scene. I hope you manage to find accommodation.

@daisymay133
Other activities:
Boat trip to Inchcolme island
Gilmerton cove

The three birds, The Apiary or Educated flea for lunch/dinner

Lovecrumbs or Millie's bakehouse for coffee and cake

Walk along the water of Leith to the shore with drinks/food at Teuchters landing or the Roseleaf, or dinner at a room in the town

Yes accommodation seems easy - loads on booking com thankfully 👍

All fab ideas so grateful

pop on the train to Glasgow.. fantastic city.
Edinburgh is too touristy and fake.
you don't get a feel.for the real.place

You’d have to do a wee bit of checking to see if they are open but this list gives you a starter for non-chain restaurants: www.timeout.com/edinburgh/restaurants/the-best-restaurants-in-edinburgh

We spent one of our days walking to Portobello (3 miles from city centre) where we had lunch, a play on the beach and a mooch around the shops.

The open top bus tours are running and are a fantastic way to acquaint yourself with such a beautiful city.

Have a wonderful time, don’t forget your masks!

There's a really good indoor climbing centre if your teens are into it but it's not in the city so you would need transport.

We found not many places would let kids in during the day, if you just wanted a drink
A Mexican called miros was very nice. And our teens really enjoyed camera obsucura.
There was lots of walking

Edinburgh is too touristy and fake.
you don't get a feel.for the real.place

Oh yeah it's basically the Truman show here Don't pull at the beautiful architecture or the set will fall down, totally fake.

Has it not occurred that a) OP is a tourist and so will be contributing to that 'touristyness'
b) if she wanted to go to Glasgow she'd have booked a trip to Glasgow

If they’re into Harry Potter, have tea and cake at The Elephant House And a wander round nearby Greyfriars churchyard for names that inspired characters in the books. Kids might like a pic with Bobby the dog too.