Edinburgh day trip - free attractions

[koster]

What are the best things to do and see for free in Edinburgh?

[Buenchico]

(AB's server is only accepting short posts, so I'll have to split this up):

First, call in at the Tourist Information Office (on Princes Street, next to Edinburgh Waverley Station) to pick up a free map. Then check out the Museum of Childhood and 'The People's Story'. They're both free, as is the Museum of Edinburgh.

[Buenchico]

Other places to consider are the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Museum and the City Art Museum. (They're all free but there are charges for some special exhibitions).

There's more free art at the four National galleries of Scotland. (National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art & Dean Gallery).

[Buenchico]

The National Library of Scotland has a small but interesting exhibition about wildlife artist J.J. Audubon.

A ticket for unlimited travel on Lothian buses will cost you �2.30 but will give you access to other free attractions, such as Newhaven Heritage Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden. (Note that only the outside areas of the garden are free. Admission to the glasshouses is �3.50).

[Buenchico]

As far as I know, admission to St Giles' Cathedral is still free.

To get away from the hustle and bustle, take a stroll in the attractive Princes Street Gardens.

Chris

[nickmo]

give up... - trying to post the info really as above, except to add - Fringe Sunday is 13th August on the Meadows- free all day event.

http://www.edinburgh.org/events tourist board events listings for info.

[wonderwoman1]

me!!!! lol

[koster]

Thank you!

It's also interesting to know that an unlimited ticket for Lothian buses (presumably for one day?) is �2.30. Are most buses run by Lothian? They also run a hop-on, hop-off city tour for �9 - could you do the same route (minus audio-guide and open top) for the �2.30?

What happens on Fringe Sunday?

[Buenchico]

Almost all buses in Edinburgh are run by Lothian. Confirmation of that �2.30 price is here:
http://www.lothianbuses.co.uk/tickets/dayTicke ts.asp
(NB: Lothian Buses operate an 'exact fares' system. The drivers can't give change, so you must have the right money to hand before boarding).

Lothian buses run various tour buses. The �9 fare refers to the 'City Sightseeing' tour, which basically goes around the Old Town area:
http://www.lothianbuses.com/edinburghbustours/ Sightseeing/interactive_map/highlights.html
Most of the places along the route are within walking distance of each other. (It's about 1.5 miles from one end of Old Town to the other).

You can certainly get around all of the main tourist attractions without buying the �9 ticket. Either walk or buy a �2.30 day ticket. For a map of bus services, go here:
http://www.lothianbuses.co.uk/howto/findRoute. asp
(Click on the City Centre to bring up a detailed map for that area).

Chris

[koster]

Thanks!