Location: New Town
Top Things to do in New Town
What to do and see in New Town, Scotland: The Best Things to do
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Kask Whisky
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Our themed whisky tasting events regularly take place in and around Edinburgh and our drams always speak for themselves. There’s no whisky snobbery here. Just a relaxed environment to enjoy some delicious drams with people who, if not your friends when you start, will be by the time you leave. If you're looking for a bespoke tour, visiting Scotland's whisky distilleries, we can create whisky experiences for everyone, from the whisky novice to the connoisseur. We also arrange walking tours of Leith, celebrating the port's whisky heritage by way of a few 'blast from the past' drams!
Reviewed By benjamin_s_uk - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Fantastic. (See photo for proof of good day out!) My gf, my sister and her bf all attended the tour as part of my birthday celebrations. We all had a super time and enjoyed a fair bit of phenomenal whisky after the really informative tour by Justine. Amiable, knowledgeable and gregarious, she put on a great tour. I would definitely go again and recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get out of Edinburgh, enjoys a bit of history and a lot of whisky...
2. Sip Antics
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Sip Antics is a Drinks Experience company centered around a Micro Distillery and Gin School in Edinburgh.
Reviewed By mhairimackenzie31
My friend and I had such a good time at Gary's new gin tasting session, we got a gin and tonic on arrival and then got to taste a large selection of gins of different categories (which meant there was something for everyone) that Gary makes himself, with his own recipes on bespoke copper stills! At the end you even get to choose between loads of different gins he's made as a wee extra. I tasted the chilli chocolate orange gin, as well as the raspberry and ginger one. They were both fab!! All the gins we tasted were Gary's, but all around the room were lots of other scottish gins on display, and Gary would answer any questions we had about them. Gary was so informative and friendly and made the whole experience so much more enjoyable, and it felt so much more personal as it was a nice small group in a small distillery that is there to provide a fun experience rather than just make money! Overall it was a fantastic experience and I would love to come back again and try the other experiences such as the one where i can make my own gin and take it away with me at the Sip Antics Gin School!! Thanks Gary, would 100% recommend.
3. Georgian House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,184 reviews
Enjoy a visit to the past and experience what life was like for the Lamonts family in 18th and 19th century New Town. The Georgian era produced some of Scotland’s most distinctive architecture. In the late 1700s, this grand townhouse was at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town development. The house was designed by acclaimed architect Robert Adam and was a true statement of luxury in an era of enlightenment, for those who could afford it. The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town house of the late 18th and early 19th century. The fine collections of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass reflect the Lamonts’ lifestyle and the social and economic context of the time. The kitchen and servants’ room give a glimpse of the arduous ‘below stairs’ life of the servants, who made the Lamonts’ elegant lifestyle possible.
Reviewed By HSeeingtheworld - Welwyn, United Kingdom
We came during our recent visit to the fringe and are very pleased we did The house is owned and run by the National Trust for Scotland and is next door to the First Minster's office, also owned by the Trust The house contains many items of furniture and artefacts related to the period as well as various paintings by Scottish artists. There is an introductory film and various information sheets as well as well informed volunteers who are happy to answer visitor's questions Well worth a visit
4. Princes Street Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,323 reviews
Reviewed By wanderlustsurvivor
This large and beautiful park is situated perfectly in town, and large enough to stroll for hours and wander, or sit on a bench, or by the fountain, etc. Would have liked to spend more time here.
5. New Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 476 reviews
The modern face of Edinburgh, with lots of restaurants, pubs, museums and galleries.
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
The first thoughts of some people might be that a “new town” is not the sort of place to visit during a touring holiday, but it should be noted here that the term is only used here to differentiate this part of the city centre from the decidedly ancient bit across the road! Edinburgh’s New Town is most definitely worth a long, slow visit. The architecture is mainly Georgian and is a delight of grand buildings and beautiful squares, all set out within a convenient grid pattern. It’s a place where you can visit some nice historic houses and museums as well as very good independent shops, cafes, restaurants and the occasional pub. In other words - there is plenty to do and admire; or even just a place to relax.
6. General Register House
7. West Register House
8. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,670 reviews
Come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. One of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings, the Gallery opened to the public in 1889 as the world’s first purpose-built portrait gallery. Displays at the Gallery explore different aspects of the story of Scotland and her people, told through a wealth of imagery including portraits of famous historical figures such as Mary Sommeville, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts including Emeli Sandé, Billy Connolly and Tilda Swinton. Round off your trip with a visit to Café Portrait for a delicious lunch or coffee. Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is part of the National Galleries of Scotland, which also includes the Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Reviewed By mg706 - Arlington, United States
This is a large museum dedicated to portraiture of all types. The building is a beautiful Neo-Gothic palace with many rooms to explore. One can easily spend several hours here, both admiring the art and learning about Scottish history and culture. My own favorite parts of the museum were the Main Hall, with elaborate decorative friezes of many historical Scottish figures, and the top-floor galleries of seventeenth and eighteenth century portraits. Free admission. Highly recommended.
9. Stockbridge Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
The market has been open every Sunday from 10am-5pm from 11th September 2011, and trades year round. It's a foodie heaven and hosts the best street food in Edinburgh, so whether you're looking for something special for supper, a continental style lunch, or planning a dinner party - the Stockbridge Market will have some new produce for you to try. How about some olives as an aperitif, quality meat or fish with locally grown vegetables, followed by a selection of French cheeses and nutty brown bread, and finish things off with some traditional crepe suzettes or 'latest craze' macaroons or home baked cakes.....Or local jams, cakes and lots of crafts to take home as pressies!!! Eat, meet, great or treat there's something here for everyone, a truely wonderful experience
Reviewed By DavidDundonald - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Great place to go for a mooch about, buy some locally produced food and go to some of the many cafes, bars and charity shops in the area. Best time to go is around 11.30am. It closes up around 4.30/5pm.
10. ScotlandsPeople Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Bean-astair
I use this facility regularly, and have done so since 1984. It has developed and improved a very great deal since I first used it, and beats most countries' corresponding service into a cocked hat in a distant corner. It is well organised and makes the information quickly and easiy accessible. You pay £15 for a day and you get a desk with a computer terminal and a socket for a laptop and access to all the statutory records of births, marriages and deaths and the census. You can print out (at an additional charge) birth certificates more than 110 years old, marriage certificates more than 75 years old, death certificates more than 50 years old, and census records, or you can just transcribe them. If you are struggling with the system, or having trouble deciphering something, the staff are very helpful. Incidentally SunTanScott who complained in his review about being ripped off was factually incorrect. Contrary to what he claimed, you cannot view births less than 100 years ago on either of the Irish sites he mentioned. For online access to the GRONI site he mentioned the cost per certificate is £2, and you cannot save or print it, and it expires after a few weeks, while the cost of the corresponding certificate from Scotland's People online is £1.50, and you can save it or print it and view it indefinitely. You only have to pay the (admittedly hefty) fee for a certificate from Scotland's People if you choose to get a certificate of an event more recent than the cut-off dates. If you are in a Scotland's People Centre there is no additional charge if you transcribe the information in-house, even after the cut-off dates. There is an in-house cafe with a modest menu, and there are changing exhibitions in the main bulding which are free of charge. The building itself warrants a visit just to see the inside of the dome, and of the Historical Search Room upstairs.
