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Nelson Monument (Calton Hill, Edinburgh) – looking like a tall stone telescope from afar, this is a monument for Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. This monument contains a time ball which is dropped daily at 1:00 pm. The top of the monument provides visitors with views of the city and the sea. Admission: £4 (both adults and children). Hours: 10 am – 7 pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 pm – 5 pm (Sunday) (April 1 – Sept. 30); 10 am – 3 pm (Monday – Saturday)(October 1 – March 31).

National War Museum (Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh) – located within Edinburgh Castle, visitors can learn more life for Scots at war from the field of battle to the Home Front. Visitors can also learn about the courage of Scots men and women in wartime, discover war stories and Scottish military life from weapons to the reality of war. Admission: free. Hours: 9:45 am – 5:45 pm (daily / April 30 – Sept. 9), 9:45 am – 4:45 pm (daily / October 1 – March 31).

National Museum of Scotland (Chambers Street, Edinburgh) – visitors can explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof at this museum. One ongoing exhibit here is “Mammoths of the Ice Age” (providing visitors with details on the lives of these prehistoric creatures and their daily lives & diet). Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (daily).

Museum on the Mound (The Mound, Edinburgh) — opened in 2006, this fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more. Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. Money matters to all of us – it is part of our daily lives. Although we think of money today as banknotes and coins, things like tea, shells and even feathers have been used in the past. Find out how money has evolved over the past 4,000 years, see £1 million pounds and have a go at cracking a safe! Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Tuesday – Friday), 1 pm – 5 pm (Saturday – Sunday, and Monday during holiday weekends).

Museum of Edinburgh (Huntly House, 142 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh) — this is the “go to” place for learning more about the history of the Scottish capital from the earliest times to the present. Visitors can admire the silverware – work produced by metalworkers called hammermen whose craft guild owned part of this building in previous times. There is also the glassware, much of it made and engraved in the Canongate close by the Museum. There are long case clocks from Edinburgh and a wide range of Scottish pottery.

Visitors are urged to see the Museum’s newest attraction, “Foundation – the Story of a City”, for a unique journey through Edinburgh’s history. Watch the city grow beneath your feet in the Museum’s new blacked-out theatre. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 pm – 5 pm (Sunday).

Museum of Childhood (42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh) – this museum is a fun day out for the whole family. Visiting youth can learn about the children of the past and see a fantastic range of toys and games, while adults can enjoy a trip down memory lane. Youngsters and adults can learn about growing up through the previous ages, from toys and games to health and school days. Hands-on activities, including a puppet theatre and dressing up area, together with its fantastic museum shop, help to make this visit a memorable one. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 pm – 5 pm (Sunday).

Lauriston Castle (2a Cramond Road South, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh) — this 16th century tower house of Lauriston Castle looks over the Firth of Forth from its beautiful manicured gardens, which include the Japanese garden and several croquet courts. A wide range of art and craft workshops, living history events and lectures take place throughout the year, including historically themed puppet shows for children and lectures in the evening. Admission: the Castle is open by guided tour only; there is no need to book in advance. Tours take place daily at 2 pm (except Friday) (April – October), from November to March, tours only take place on Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm. Cost of tour: £5 (adult), £3 (seniors and children under 16 years), £12.50 (family of four).

Edinburgh Castle (Castle Hill, Edinburgh) — Perched high above the capital, this is Scotland’s most important and famous castle. There has been a castle here since the 11th century and today’s castle is a mix of military barracks, palace, fortress and war memorial. The oldest part, St Margaret’s Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War

The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O’ Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland. Admission: £16 (adult), £12.80 (seniors), £9.60 (child). Hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm (April 1 – Sept. 30), 9:30 am – 5 pm (October 1 – March 31). See the castle’s website for more info: www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre (Culloden Moor, Inverness, Highland) – located nearly 3 hours north of Edinburgh (via route A9), this site was the last full-scale battle to be fought in Scotland (April 1746), when Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army were defeated by English government troops, ending any hope of restoring the Royal House of Stuart to the throne in Scotland.

A visitor centre that was set up lets tourists listen to accounts from genuine characters who were involved in the Battle of Culloden. Imagine what it was like to be at the centre of the action when you visit the Battle immersion theatre. Here a 4 minute long, 360 degree film relives the horror of the battle. Admission: £10.50 (adult), £8 (seniors), £25 (family). Times vary. Check Culloden’s website for an updated schedule: www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Visit/Times/

City Art Centre (2 Market Street, Edinburgh) – this gallery has a busy program of exhibitions which change regularly to suit the interests of its visitors. Visitors come to see favorites from the City’s nationally recognized collection of Scottish art; new work from local or international artists or exhibitions from other countries. Exhibitions shown here include historic and modern photography, contemporary art and design, and architecture. Egyptian and Roman objects, and even featured artwork & costumes from the Star Wars films have been shown here as well. Admission: free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday – Saturday), 12 pm – 5 pm (Sunday).