Mentioned by mummytravels
16 things to do in Edinburgh with kids
"There’s nowhere quite like the World of Illusions and the range of illusions you’ll find over the five floors here – not to mention the fantastic views of Edinburgh from the rooftop. The 166-year-old Camera Obscura is still the highlight – I remember being wowed when I visited. There’s a 15-minute show with a guide telling tales of Edinburgh history, while showing off the whole city from the rooftop tower using the Victorian contraption, where images of what’s outside are displayed in the room."
"One of the best ways to enjoy the stunning views of the city with your partner is visiting Camera Obscura, which means a dark room. The site is located behind the Edinburgh Castle and it is a Victorian Rooftop chamber with excellent views. It is one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh and accepts visitors since 1892."
"EdinburghMore fun than you can imagine - 5 floors of interactive hands-on fun!. Fantastic views of Edinburgh and 3 galleries full of amazing optical experiences."
"Located just behind the Scottish Parliament Building, Calton Hill is part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the top of this hill are usually the panoramic views you see of Edinburgh. Several of the monuments we have mentioned above will be found here including the National Monument (which resembles an Athenian acropolis), Nelson Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, Robert Burns Monument and the Greek-inspired Old City Observatory, which also holds free exhibitions."
"Boasting gorgeous views, Calton Hill’s central location makes it a popular spot for those wishing to take in the entire city in all its beauty. On top of the hill you’ll find the Nelson Monument and the National Monument, an unfinished acropolis that is better known under its local nickname ‘Edinburgh’s disgrace.’ It may be seen as a failure in architectural endeavours, but it is still a popular place to get some fantastic photos."
"Did you know Edinburgh is often referred to as the Athens of the North?. The reason for this is Calton Hill and its monuments. In fact, Calton Hill is also known as Edinburgh Acropolis."
"It offers an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle, plenty of space to sprawl and stroll and won’t cost you a £ to visit. Dream date idea: pack a picnic basket with your partner’s favourite meal and a bottle of bubbly and spend the day enjoying the great outdoors before you pop the question."
"After your visit, consider a stroll through the Princes Street Gardens or climb the Scott Monument for another bird’s eye view of Edinburgh. Royal Yacht Britannia"
"Princes Street Gardens is the most important public park in the heart of Edinburgh. Created in the 1820s after draining the Nor Loch."
"The grand seat of local government was built in the 1880s at the high point of Glasgow's wealth. The interior is even more extravagant than the exterior, and the chambers have sometimes been used as a movie location to represent the Kremlin or the Vatican. You can have a look at the opulent ground floor during opening hours. To see more, free guided tours are held at 10.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday; it's worth popping in earlier that day to prebook."
"Dominating the east side of George Square, this exuberant expression of Victorian confidence, built by William Young in Italian Renaissance…"
"Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering marvel, a rotating boat lift that raises vessels 115ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. Boat trips depart from the lower basin (eight daily March to October, three daily in winter) and travel into the wheel, which delivers you to the Union Canal high above. Boats then go through Roughcastle Tunnel before the return descent on the wheel."
"The only rotating boat lift in the world, the Falkirk Wheel links two major waterways, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal,…"
"Learn about the creation of our planet and travel through time as we explore Earth's past, present and future. Get thrust back in time to the very beginnings of our universe, and witness first hand the big bang and the very first moments of our galaxy and solar system. Make your way back to the present day through volcanic explosions, landscape-forming glaciers and the evolution of our life on Earth."
"You can discover how our planet evolved millions of years ago at the exciting Dynamic Earth. Let’s start with a bang as we journey through time and learn about our past, present and future with interactive exhibits and mind blowing technology. Another must for family days out."
"The 15th century buildings are tucked away in the east corner of the city, on the edge of Auchinlea Park. A category A-listed building probably isn't what you'd expect from the neighbourhood, and it's a pleasant, and beautiful surprise."
"An independent family-run Italian restaurant is not that uncommon in Edinburgh, but what sets Tempo Perso apart from the others is that many of their ingredients are imported directly from the owner Marcus Iacobelli’s own family farm in Italy. Now it’s hard to get more authentic family-run than that. Following the motto “simple is beautiful”, Tempo Perso further enhances its dishes with locally-sourced and top-quality Scottish ingredients."
"Osteria Del Tempo Perso ("the lost time eatery") is a delightfully cozy new Italian restaurant on the corner of Bruntsfield Place. Patron Matteo Iacobelli has another restaurant with the same name located in Lazio, and he is clearly passionate about bringing an authentic Italian experience to Edinburgh. The interior is warm and welcoming."
"Just a short walk from Haymarket station you’ll find a little bit of Naples in Edinburgh. Chef Rosario Sartore (pictured) imports Denominazione di Origine Protetta (D.O.P) artisan produce from Italy, combining them with prime Scottish ingredients to recreate authentic dishes from southern Italy. The menu changes daily and includes fresh fish and seafood, hand-made pasta and cakes, with gluten-free options always available."
"Locanda De Gusti is a warm and friendly Italian restaurant on Dalry Road, in the west end of Edinburgh. The chef and owner Rosario Sartore made his mark on the Edinburgh food scene over a decade ago with the popular La Partenope. Locanda De Gusti is a smaller and more intimate affair, but lacks none of the charm of his earlier venture."
"When walking in, do not expect to find a modern and sophisticated place. This Italian restaurant has a more familiar and traditional style, where you will eat as if you were in the Italian Peninsula. Everything tastes like it looks, incredible, but without a doubt, fish and seafood in general are among their specialties."
"This classic, dark wood-lined pub has a laid-back appearance and friendly, laid-back staff to match. It's a welcoming pub with a great range of drinks and a lively conversational atmosphere. A more mature crowd meets here for real ale made on the premises along with all the classic British favorites."
" Housed in a former parsonage adjacent to St Michael’s and All Saints Church, Cloisters has been a magnet for students, tourists and discerning beer ..."
"These guys do both sit-in and takeaway meals, and a quick glance at the reviews reveals that their dim sum is an out-and-out treat. For the restaurant to have had almost 1000 reviews and still sit near the top of the pile with such a fantastic rating tells you how good it is. However some do say it's a touch on the small side, so best to book to make sure you get a table."
"If the name isn’t enough of a lure (it should be), then the food will do the job. Hypnotic and boldly brilliant – just like a unicorn – Karen’s Unicorn successfully stays true to real Cantonese cooking, with the ingredients serving as the star of the show. Perfectly seasoned and meticulously crafted, each dish is authentic and unashamedly traditional."
"You'll find traditional Cantonese cuisine on offer at the extremely popular Karen's Unicorn Chinese Restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town. It has been so successful that there are actually two restaurants now within a few streets of each other. They offer a huge menu packed with tempting house specialties and a number of set banquets."
"Why: Operating since 1984, this can almost be considered an old-school Chinese in Edinburgh – we guess the Georgian design details play their part, too. The fare is Scottish Cantonese, using proud local ingredients (largely seafood) with Chinese cooking techniques. The spiced and salted monkfish with chilli is a winner, and so are the scallops with cashew nuts served in a nest."
"Specializing in authentic Cantonese fare, this upscale restaurant is popular among the local business crowd. The soft music playing helps to create a pleasant atmosphere. Evenings provide a wonderful opportunity for adults to enjoy a relaxed meal, as they do not allow children."
"Why: B&D’s Kitchen has been serving up traditional Cantonese food to the hungry people of Edinburgh since 2012, and has since then climbed to the upper tiers of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Limited seating, phone-booking only and its no-corkage BYOB policy mean this is a popular spot. Turning out all the usual suspects from the Cantonese kitchen, dishes such as the Peking duck and lobster with ginger and spring onion should be on your hit-list."
"This restaurant on Dalry Road is quite simply the best in the business according to TripAdvisor reveiewers. It's had hundreds of positive reviews while it doesn't take long to count up the number who were unimpressed. One reviewer said that the experience of visiting the restaurant was like "sitting in the owner's kitchen as it's so small and intimate"."
"B&D's Kitchen is a real treat for lovers of Cantonese and Chinese food. Hiding behind an unassuming shop front on Dalry Road, the simple decor and unfussy approach is a refreshing change from the ornate and rather kitsch style adopted by many Chinese restaurants. Bare stone walls are adorned by a few well-chosen pictures and decorations."