Free Museums in Water of Leith

"Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF Open daily from 10.30 to 16.30 Free to enter, donations welcome. Arguably Edinburgh's largest and busiest museum, the National Museum of Scotland has a range of exhibits from around the world, showcasing the Natural World, World Cultures and Scottish History and Archaeology. Before you explore the exhibits on display, take a moment to take in the striking architecture of the Grand Gallery, a beautiful example of Victorian design with soaring high pillars, large windows and a magnificent glass ceiling that floors the gallery with light."

"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."

"Want to see a dinosaur, a shark, and a bunch of artifacts all under one roof?. Then come on down to the National Museum of Scotland!. The amount of exhibits is astounding – and it’s all free!"

"Well worth a visit to find out how the children of Edinburgh past the time through the years. Filled with toys, games, clothes, books and dolls dating back to the 18th Century, this museum is packed with plenty of interesting artefacts to keep you entertained for an hour or two. Highlights include a teddy that was on the last train out of Vienna to rescue Jewish children from Nazi Germany in 1939, a large doll’s house with running water and electricity and a doll from 1905 made from the sole of a shoe, showing the ingenuity of a family struggling to make ends meet."

"You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the Museum of Childhood, but it definitely is a place for the kids to go and see the toys of years past and get to try some of them out. This is the first museum of its kind that was dedicated to the culture of childhood and preserving toys and childhood culture, which also means adults will take great joy in seeing toys from their own childhoods. Of course, no one visiting would be old enough to remember playing with the Queen Anne Doll on display, as this dates back to 1740, but perhaps you remember the Peter Rabbit toy."

"Getting to Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood : Located on the Royal Mile, the museum is a 5 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: Museum of Childhood. Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood was the world’s first museum dedicated solely to the history of children."

"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."

"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."

"You can explore Leith and visit the Trinity House Maritime Museum, stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway or see the latest exhibits on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art."

"This museum is housed in the Canongate Tolbooth, an iconic building located on the Royal Mile. If you’d like to get a true insight into the lives of the working class of Edinburgh during the course of the last 3 centuries, then head to the People’s Story Museum. This museum is housed in an iconic building on the Royal Mile – the Canongate Tolbooth."

"Getting to the People’s Story Museum : This museum is located on the other side of the road to the Museum of Edinburgh. So just a 9 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: The People's Story Museum"

"There isn’t a single vacation that we have been on that we haven’t stopped at a Hard Rock Cafe if it was available. Sometimes more than once if we are feeling extra lazy with decision making and just want to grab American style food. Each restaurant has a different local burger on their menu."

"Tuck into all the American classics, including burgers, steaks, indulgent desserts and classic cocktails in this rock n roll themed resultant. Outdoor seating is unreserved and available on a first-come-first-served basis. Hard Rock Cafe20 George Street, Edinburgh."

"Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh, 20 George Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF. Things to do at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh review. The legendary Hard Rock Cafe was established in Edinburgh city centre in 1998."

"With many of its original Victorian features intact, such as stained-glass windows, reliefs depicting nautical scenes, dark-wood panelling and a long bar, this place wears its old-world charm on its sleeve. Under the management of Fay and Niall since 2010, the bar has built up a stellar reputation for its food and drink offerings, and for fiercely supporting Scotland’s best craft brewers and food producers. The lip-smacking brunch menu includes a decadent full Scottish with Stornoway black pudding and haggis."

"The trendy Leith Shore area has become one of the hottest places in Edinburgh to visit, with a growing scene of cool bars and restaurants. Nobles stands out from the crowd with its gorgeous premises, featuring large stained glass windows and original Victorian features. The ambience here is incredibly relaxed, so feel free to chat to the staff about the craft beers they have on offer that day, then sit back and relax while sampling your latest find from one of their quality local brewers."

"With it's pretty nautical-themed stained-glass windows, this award winning pub and restaurant in the heart of Leith serves seasonal dishes using the best Scottish ingredients, as well as an extensive selection of local craft beers, exquisite wines and cocktails. Small number of outdoor tables."