Edinburgh at half term

[supersun23]

We're going for 3 nights. Me, DH, DS12, and DD8. What would you recommend to do and where to eat? Also, best day trips by train from Edinburgh? TIA

You could easily spend all that time in Edinburgh. National Museum, Castle, Dynamic Earth, Holyrood, Arthurs Seat, Camera Obscura , Mary Kings close, Grassmarket(Harry Potter), bus tours etc. Vittoria on the Bridge is a reasonably priced Italian, Mimis bakehouse for tea

You'll have a great time ! My recommendations, based on what we did last year would be

Camera Obscura
Dynamic Earth
Mary King's Close
Choclatarium
Walk up Calton Hill for the views or Arthur's Seat if you want something a bit more challenging
Musuem of Scotland
The Castle

In previous visits we've also been to the Brittania and walk round to see Greyfriars Bobby, Musuem of Childhood, Holyrood Palace if you like a bit of royal history.
As you only have 3 days I wouldn't go out of Edinburgh - there's so much to do

My kids have ASD so we tend to stick to the chain restaurants - Zizzi, Pizza Express, Bella Italia etc of which there are many around
Have fun

Why would you take day trips from Edinburgh? You will be too busy!

Portobello. If the weather is half decent, anyway! The prom, arcade, the beach, lovely independent shops and cafés. If you can time it to have a meal at the Forresters pub, you won’t regret it. The most delicious fish and chips ever.

I agree with PP that you could easily spend all 3 days in Edinburgh and still not see everything, but if you do decide to do a day trip, the ScotRail "Kids for a quid" is really good value. Even better as you can also get a free kids ticket to various attractions with in, including Camera Obscura, which is brilliant!

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/kids-for-a-quid

Also, the National Museum of Scotland is free and excellent for kids, as are the Botanic Gardens, if the weather holds up. If you visit the gardens, visit Chulo's in Stockbridge for stuffed cookies on the way back into town!

Edited for spelling.

This!! 3 nights in only 2 full days and you will easily fill it in Edinburgh itself.
Where are you staying so we can recommend places to eat without you having to hike across town?

Thanks all, great tips! Yes, maybe a day trip was a bit of a silly idea! We are staying at the Travel Lodge Central, St Mary's Street. Very central. Yes, any further recommendations are appreciated!

Evenings can be harder to fill with kids on a city break.
There's a large cinema complex at the Omni centre, also bowling, cinema and miniature golf at Fountainpark.
Edinburgh Capitals ice hockey team play at Murrayfield ice rink and can be a fun evening out if there's a home game while you're here 24/25 SNL Fixtures – Edinburgh Capitals

How about the zoo - worth a trip?

Suggestions for places to eat:
Holyrood 9A pub - very traditional pub near your hotel with an extensive burger menu. Kids menu says served until 10pm but I'd be surprised if they're allowed in that late.
Makar's mash bar
Vittoria's Italian on George IV bridge
Edinburgh Street food or Bonnie & Wild if you all like different types of cuisine
Salerno pizza in the St James centre
Howies if you want something Scottish and a bit more formal
Whiski Bar on the Royal Mile for decent pub grub in a traditional setting
Berties Fish & Chips

I think Edinburgh Zoo is great! One warning - it's quite hilly.

Take plenty of trainers, Edinburgh is all hills and steep staircases topped off with cobbled roads. You will walk 20k steps a day!

In 3 days you won't get to all the family attractions.

Maybe do the open top bus do it takes you round most of them?

Greyfriars Bobby
Victoria Street (the colourful bendy street you always see in photos!)
The museum of childhood
The parliament (it has a crèche if you want a break!)
St Mary's loch which has a nice viewpoint you don't need to walk far to get to
The Stockbridge shops
South Queensferry - lovely beaches with sea glass & the best views of the 3 bridges
The ice cream shop at Grassmarket
The cat cafe opposite

In addition to the attractions recommended, I second a wander through Dean Village and Stockbridge (it can get busy but there's a reason people visit), and above all do climb Arthurs Seat BUT go down the other side having already booked lunch or dinner at the Sheep's Heid Inn so you can all play in the skittles alley after https://www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/skittlesalley#/

Oh o so want to go back now !!