Edinburgh

If you walk down the Royal Mile from the castle to Holyrood Palace and find yourself in need of a cup of tea there’s a nice cafe in the courtyard so no need to pay for entry to the Palace unless you want to see it. I’m there so often I’ve got a loyalty card . Leave by the garden exit and take a wander into Holyrood Park. The tourist bus stops there I’m sure.

Have a lovely time.

Consider Dynamic Earth? Just round the corner from Holyrood Palace and the Parliament building (which I would also recommend entering)

I was in Edinburgh yesterday and I hope this isn't relevant but there was a bomb scare and Princes st was closed off for several hours. It was a public holiday so loads of children. I got talking to a family on the bus. The 8yr old child said they had been to the zoo but she hadn't liked it much. No snow leopards! but there are now 2 giraffes and the pandas of course.
A tourist bus is a good idea, from Waverley Bridge and you can get on and off to save a lot of walking.
The Gallery of Modern art also has a nice cafe with an outside garden.
Did someone mention the Botanics?
The great thing is that the museums and galleries are free!
The castle is not and to do it justice you would need to devote a few hours but a walk from there down the Royal Mile is a must..
Leith walk is disrupted by tram works so getting to Britannia could be tricky.
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

Have a lovely time. There is a LOT to see.

Nobody's mentioned the Castle! Followed by a walk down the Royal Mile.

Another vote here for the National Portrait Gallery. Also the National Museum of Scotland.

Me, I'd give the Britannia a miss.

My youngest is going tomorrow Lucca and for her birthday on Thursday they are going to the Chuahauau Cafe! I'm not sure whether I heard correctly but there might be 7 of the little dogs in the cafe. Not sure how you would feel about that one!????

They are also going to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and te Botanics as previously mentioned.
Hope you havea fab break.

If you have time Britannia is always a worth a visit. On a nice day the Botanics are lovely (no booking required).

I agree with humbertbear that the tourist bus is a great way to see the city and you can stop off places on the way.

We did a ghost walk around the city on Halloween night, was great fun. Agree with the open top bus tour, gets around. Also a trip to see the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith. It’s moored at a shopping centre, think we took a bus there. When I went the tram system was just being built, so you may have more options. Have fun x

We did a nighttime walk around the city, really enjoyed it, part of it was in the underground tunnels. A very interesting talk and walk seeing a different side of the city.

If it's rainy, head for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Apart from the paintings the interior is beautiful and the café is airy and inviting.
If you have the energy, climb Calton Hill for a panoramic view.
Have a great time. I wish I was going.

Take the tourist bus and sit on the top deck.