Free Museums in Howgate

"As one of the largest museums in Edinburgh and my personal favorite, the National Museum of Scotland is a great thing to do in Edinburgh for couples thanks to the immersive exhibits and sheer amount of things to do there. Whether you’re interested in flying technology or old Roman ruins or natural history exhibits, there is something for you to explore here. The open air feeling of the main building helps create a welcoming atmosphere, and the café is also in a lovely spot for people watching and getting to know each other."

"This great museum has some fantastic ways to get hands on, so it’s worth a visit at any time of year – although especially if you’re looking for things to do in Edinburgh in the rain with kids. The different galleries have different themes – creativity in Imagine for example, plus science and technology, as well as Adventure. You could climb into a human hamster wheel, or dig for dinosaur bones in the Adventure Planet gallery if they fancy themselves as mini archaeologists."

"From giant T-Rex skeletons to space rocks via fashion and human history, this is Edinburgh’s largest museum. The museum sits on Chambers Street, a few minutes walk from the University of Edinburgh’s central campus. And entry is FREE, which makes it even better."

"Be warned, if you take your children to visit the world's first museum devoted to childhood, you probably won't have time to do much of anything else. Full of exhibits and hands-on experiences with toys of the past and present, there are dozens of Dinky cars, doll houses, games, puppets, child-sized cars, and model planes to look at, and sometimes handle. The exhibits of children's clothes chart the development of the concept of childhood and the museum explores the process of growing up."

"Highlights of this stretch of street include a wander into St Giles’ Cathedral (a Roman Catholic church founded in the 12th-century), and the Museum of Childhood (the first museum in the world dedicated to childhood). Along the Royal Mile, there are also plenty of local Scottish pubs. While in the city, I highly recommend sampling one of the many local Scottish beers served throughout the capital, or even trying some local Scottish wine!"

"Both adults and children can enjoy a trip down memory lane and discover a range of bygone games and toys of the past at the Museum of Childhood. With interactive exhibitions including a puppet theatre and dress up area, a trip to the museum is one to be enjoyed by all the family. 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG"

"Take an interactive journey through the history of the earth. Go to the tundra or the bottom of the ocean, never being more than a stone’s throw from the Scottish Parliament and Arthur’s Seat.Holyrood Road, 550 7800, dynamicearth.co.uk. Daily 10am–5.30pm (until 6pm in Jul & Aug; closed Mon & Tue Nov–Mar)."

"If you like fun, interactive science museums, then Dynamic Earth is a must-visit. Right next to the Scottish Parliament building and underneath the stunning backdrop of the Crags and Arthur’s Seat, Dynamic Earth tells the story of the history of the Earth."

"Canongate, The Royal Mile, EH8 8DX (website) Open daily 9:30am-6pm (26 March to 31 October) and 9:30am-4.30pm (1 November to 25 March)Adult: £6.70, Over 60/Students £6.10, Under 17/Disabled: £3.40, unders 5's go free. If you like art but find conventional art galleries too big and daunting, then the Queen's Gallery is the answer, as it hosts small intimate exhibitions as part of the Royal Collection Trust. The building is a conversion of a former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School and features a beautiful teak and sycamore staircase."

"I went to the Queen’s Gallery instead, which showcases a small subset of the art that is found within the royal, private collection. ***For the Queen’s Gallery, tickets are £7.00 for adults, £6.40 for adults over 60 or students (with valid ID), £3.50 for children under 17 or the disabled, and children under 5 are free.The Queen’s Gallery is open daily from 9:30 am – 6:00 pm."

"The Queen's Gallery, located in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in November 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Now, it hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. A worthwhile stop on a visit to the Royal Mile."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is actually two institutions—Modern One and Modern Two—situated within two grand Georgian mansions flanking a sculpture park. Modern One has British artists like Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin; American artists like Andy Warhol; and legends like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Modern Two has a particularly impressive Dada and Surrealism collection; you can arrange a private viewing of the archives, a real treasure trove of those movements."

"From Cubism and Expressionism to 20th-century Russian and French pieces, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is unmissable for art buffs. With two early-19th-century buildings to explore (Modern One and Modern Two) and sweeping green spaces dotted with sculptures (including monumental earthworks by Charles Jencks), it’s well worth leaving the city centre to explore the galleries. Modern Two contains the intact studio of erstwhile Edinburgh sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi."

"The People's Story details the history of the residents of Edinburgh from the 18th century to the modern day. The museum is housed in the historic Canongate Tollbooth, an impressive Edinburgh landmark built in 1591, in the heart of the Royal Mile. The exhibition includes fascinating displays such as a recreation of the jail which was once housed in the building, an 18th century book binder's workshop and a wartime kitchen."

"The People's Story - as the name suggests - tells the story of the regular people of Edinburgh, not just the great and the good. Pay a visit to this museum to get a real flavour of day-to-day life in in the city throughout the 18th to 20th centuries. Learn about crime and punishment, crafts, trade and the culture of Edinburgh."

"Transport yourself to the Outlander set at Callendar Park & House. Callendar Park & House was used for one of the most well-known Outlander scenes as the Duke of Sandringham’s home."

"A post shared by Eilidh Barbour (@eilidh_barbour) on Mar 28, 2017 at 6:35am PDT. Stylish and impressive, this is a lovely restaurant to go to when you are on a special date – or just whenever you want to feel a little fancy. The menu here is a classy one: think aubergine with miso, seared swordfish, and seafood salad to start with."

"Kanpai Sushi has become so popular in Edinburgh, that they have opened a new sister restaurant, Yamato. It's doing just as well, so again, you'll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. The setting is beautiful and the selection of sushi is mouth-watering and perfectly presented."

"I was always a big fan of Kanpai on Grindlay St, but their sister restaurant Yamato is my new go-to place. I love Japanese cuisine anyway but they always have Toro Tuna belly which I love."

"You'll find an interesting and eclectic menu on at Treacle on Broughton Street. Sandwiches, burgers, pies, and noodles, alongside sharing platters and small snacks, ensure that there's always something on offer to satisfy your craving. There are some irresistible desserts to finish off and the drinks menu includes a stunning array of delectable cocktails."

"Treacle sits handily located on Broughton Street, close to the Playhouse Theatre, Vue Cinema and Princes Street shopping. It is a relaxed, quirky bar offering Asian inspired pub food. So, it’s a bit different from your average Scottish pub fare."