Discover Enchanting Edinburgh

16th March 2017

Enjoy a fun filled day out in Edinburgh, enjoying some exhilarating and memorable attractions.

Nothing beats seeing a child’s face light up when they catch sight of Edinburgh castle for the first time, so why not book some train tickets and take your whole family to visit its impressive boundaries? From centuries old buildings with thrilling back stories to the charming cobblestone streets of the Royal Mile, Scotland’s historic capital is a haven for those looking for a unique day out rich with cultural heritage and plenty of family friendly activities. Known for being one of Europe’s most child friendly cities, set your sights on Edinburgh and enjoy a fun filled day out enjoying some exhilarating and memorable attractions.

Face Your Fears

Navigating the city centre is as easy as can be, with Edinburgh Waverley station located smack bang in the middle and most attractions being within 5 – 10 minutes’ walk. When you arrive, if you’re feeling brave, you could head straight for The Edinburgh Dungeon, where you can get 2FOR1 entry when travelling by train. You’ll soon be shrieking with excitement and fear as Scotland’s gruesome past comes alive in front of your very eyes. If you’ve got a shopping obsessed teen with you who don’t fancy joining, they can head to nearby Princes Street and indulge in some retail therapy instead.

Merging Cultures

Despite its strong Scottish heritage, Edinburgh is a very diverse city with plenty of international cuisines to choose from for a tasty lunch. La Favorita Pizzeria on Leith Walk is a good shout, as is Burger Meats Bun on Forth Street. Both are family-friendly and offer food that’s lip-smackingly good. You can enjoy more good food and culture if you head to the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, as it has the Museum Brasserie for classics with a Scottish twist, or the Balcony Café for lighter bites.

Blast from the Past

The 1pm firing of the cannon at Edinburgh castle is not to be missed, and if you take advantage of the complementary guided tour you’ll learn a lot about the history of the castle. There’ll be opportunities to hear from Cromwellian soldiers, 18th century prisoners and a Jacobite lady. We recommend booking your tickets online to save yourself both money and time as the queues can be long!

After visiting the castle, head to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions which is located at the top of the Royal Mile. The city’s oldest visitor attraction has lots of fun interactive exhibits as well as being the best place to see the city from up high. Kids will love the magic gallery, 3D holograms and tunnel of never ending stars.

Monkeying Around

If you have time and the weather is fine, why not catch a bus from Waverley station to Edinburgh Zoo? A guaranteed crowd pleaser, especially for the kids, you’ll be able to see the famous giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang and spot a whole host of other exotic animals from around the world including koalas, monkeys, lions, and penguins. Other nature themed attractions in Edinburgh that are well worth checking out include Butterfly and Insect World, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Gorgie City Farm.

Improve your knowledge of British history and get up close and personal with your kids’ favourite animals when you treat your family to a trip to enchanting Edinburgh.

The Loch Ness Monster

The legend of the Loch Ness Monster is so famous that adults and kids alike are sure to know of it. Day tours to the breathtaking Scottish Highlands are available from the city, and Loch Ness is a must-visit while you’re in the area. You’ll stop at plenty of beautiful castles and stunning spots along the way- we cannot recommend it enough. 

If all of this has enticed you, use our journey planner and get ready to experience the Scottish capital. What’s more, when you invest in a Railcard you’ll have some extra money spare to splash on enjoying this magical city.

That's not all, take a look at our Pinterest board and discover even more places to explore in Edinburgh.