Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland

I previously wrote a Top Ten Things to do in Edinburgh post from that which I’d gathered from here there and everywhere. It was a collection of “Best Of”s from around the internet. Now, having been there, I will regale you all with my own personal preferences.

1. Explore the City
Edinburgh is a fabulous city for walkers. You do not need to take a guided tour, or hop on one of the many (four) bus lines that offer prerecorded or live audio tours of the city. All you need to do is put one foot after the other. Your first stop should be the tourist centre on the North Side of Northbridge. There you can pick up a handful of city maps (you will lose them.) They’re free, and they’re accurate. These maps also have locations of free public toilets! An added bonus. What more could you want? Once you have them, you can plan your own route for three distinct tours: New Town, Old Town, and the West End.

2. Eat Deep-Fried Food
I recommend Bene’s located at 162 Canongate. They have all your favourite foods deep fried. Bear with me here, yes they have fries, and cheese sticks. You can understand that – They also have the Scottish favourite, a deep friend Mars Bar. But wait, there’s more. They deep fry Hamburgers, and Pizza, and Haggis as well. This is not a store for tourists, either. It’s a local haunt. This is truly a cultural experience, and you can grab your bottle of IRN-BRU there as well.

3. Make Your Way to the Top of Calton Hill
There are a number of reasons to hike up Calton Hill. Perhaps you’re looking for a nice walk, or you have a desire to see – up close – all those monuments that have been towering over the city. If it’s a sunny day, the view from the top of the hill offers sights of the city, the ocean, or surrounding towns you didn’t even know existed.

4. Visit the National Gallery of Scotland
The National Gallery of Scotland is located on “The Mound.” It’s in the heart of Edinburgh just West of Waverly Bridge. Aside from being a fabulous free art gallery, it also finds itself one of the city’s hubs. There is a grassy park on which you will always see people picnicking, sunning, and running around on, trying to get a kite into the air, or some other such delightful nonsense. This is also a good spot to see yourself a bagpiper playing for tips. Mind you, more often than not these pipers aren’t Scottish – still, you can keep the dream alive.


The only strange thing about this gallery is that they keep the Scottish collection hidden away in the basement, at the back of the main hall, and down some stairs. Unless you were looking, it can easily be overlooked. I highly recommend you view this area, as it had some of my favourite art, including my now-favourite piece, The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania.

5. Visit the Modern Art Galleris
You thought that you’d seen it all once you visited the National Gallery, but no: there is still the Modern Art Gallery. These too are free. The only slight downside about these galleries is that they are somewhat removed from the city centre. The Dean Gallery is in the North West part of Edinburgh but it can easily be made part of a trip to view the beautiful Dean Village.

6. Take a Trip through the Dean Village
The Village, itself, is worth the time. It’s quaint little area so close to the city that it can be easily overlooked. But try to make time to stroll through the streets, and take in the waterwheels still in operation. Joining the Village and the Modern Galleries is a riverside path called The Waters of Leith walk. It also makes for a beautiful little journey.

7. Lounge Around in Princes Street Gardens
Want to spend a day reading? Enjoy people watching? Looking for a great place to have a picnic? Princes Street Gardens is the place to go. You can walk the short paths, view the flowers (there is a clock here completely covered in them. I mean, sure? Why not?) or grab an ice cream from any number of vendors that make this area their home. But best of all, the view of the castle, overlooking an ornate fountain is one of the best castle views the city has to offer, and believe you me, the city offers a lot of those views.

8. Enjoy the National Museum of Scotland
Do not confuse this for the Museum of Edinburgh, the Museum of Childhood, or the People’s Story Museum (all free, and located within a half mile of each other on the Royal Mile). No, this is the Museum of Scotland (which, you know, is also free. You’d hardly need ever open your wallet in this city!) It is located just across the street from Greyfriars Bobby (literally – turn around in this image, and you’ll see the statue of the Dog.)

This is a fantastic Museum where you can visit Dolly, everyone’s favourite cloned sheep. Don’t be shocked when you find her stuffed, and no longer living though. Even sheep have a time when they must pass.

9. Explore the Bus System
Do not be afraid of the buses. Just grab a Lotian bus map from their store front near Waverly Bridge. From here you’ll want to take the 26 all the way to Portobello Beach. It’s a beautiful beachfront, and an enjoying ride out. If you stay on the bus after the beach, until is stops at Seaton Sands, and then get off on the return you’ll be treated to a lovely vision of the eve stretching oceanfront through the left side window.

10. Make the Journey to The Forth
This will take you out of the city, but the Forth Bridge is so close that a return train ticket is only 6 pounds. The bridge is a Scottish Icon. Feel free to read the Wikipedia article about it. It is not to be missed, and there are few better ways to see it then by walking across the automobile / pedestrian bridge that runs parallel to it. You can read part of my own Bridge Crossing tale here.

Remember:
There is so much to do in this city, and this is a very limited list. I didn’t even touch on the castle itself, or a day trip into Glasgow. Edinburgh is a tourist’s city. It’s as if Disney Land made a “Scotland: The Ride.” It’s not a city to be missed, and most-definitely, if you’re feeling up to it, spend an hour climbing up Arthur’s Seat. What’s that you ask? Oh – the second you get into the city and see it looming over you to the south, you’ll know.

Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh (or so I'm told...)

There is a lack of Top Ten things to do in Edinburgh. So here, I present you with the Top 10 things [the internet has told me] to do in Edinburgh. [Note: Also see my Edinburgh Personal Top 10 List.]

The Top Ten List

1. Visit Edinburgh Castle
2. Take in a Festival
3. Enjoy Historic Scotland
4. Take a Free Tour
5. Take a Ten Pound Ghost Tour
6. The Scotch Whiskey Experience
7. Get Yourself Cultured
8. Look up a Kilt
9. National Portrait Gallery
10. Leave Edinburgh

Before we go to far, I'll just add this youtube video, and let you watch it. I want you to press play and really focus on what they're suggesting, because there will be a debriefing afterward.



So did you catch it? Did you see what they suggested were the best things to do in all of Edinburgh? Eating and drinking! That's is. That's all there is. You eat, and you drink. And you leave Edinburgh! Ohh, you've had some food, and you've had some beer - well that's great. Now it's time to go and see the castles, and climb hills, and take pictures, and - so help me, but one of them actually said - get out of Edinburgh! This is not filling me with confidence. Luckily, I am not the type of person to be led astray by one video made by who knows whom.

I will reload, double back, and get my nose to the grind stone. That, and I will also start playing an MP3 play list with the 19 songs I saw the Police play a year and a half ago at the Air Canada Centre. This will fill me with energy, I'm sure. The Police were a band I knew nothing about, and didn't think I would like all that much, before deciding to drop silly amounts of money on concert tickets, just to try it out. As it played out, I found it one of my favourite shows of all time (see the potential connection to my Edinburgh journey here? High hopes!)

The list of things to do... [in no particular order]

1. Visit Edinburgh Castle
This is the one thing that all the internet seems to agree upon. Apparently it's beautiful, and fantastic, and wonderful, and my goodness if you miss this castle, then why did you even bother coming in the first place? Wikipedia can tell you even more!

(Police subnote: the song Synchronicity II just mentioned a Dark Scottish Loch so I feel that this is even more of a fantastic sign.)

2. Take in a Festival
This isn't very helpful, as who knows when festivals might be happening, right? Wrong! The internet, my friends, is your most useful of all tools. And here I happen to be with just the link for you! As it turns out, I will be there during the Edinburgh Film Festival, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I just bought tickets to watch Romeo and Juliet vs. Zombies! Things are looking up - some say tomorrow's another day, you say I may as well play.

3. Enjoy Historic Scotland
The government's website lists many things to do in and around Edinburgh. Not only that, but it also comes with a handy interactive map that will show you exactly where everything is located. The incredible amount of information located here is - well - incredible. This is definately the first place to check out when trying to find the hotspots.

4. Take a Free Tour
I am not sure why this group offers free tours of Edinburgh, and am somewhat convinced there may be a scam involved. It seems that free three hours tours meet at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm everyday infront of the Starbucks by the Tron Kirk on High Street. I am hoping it is legit, and that they just try to convince you to take other tours with them that cost money.

5. Take the £10 Ghost Tour
This may seem like a cop-out, as it's put on by the same fine folks that have the free tour listed above. But, lets be honest - if they give free tours, the pay tours must be fantastic. And this one includes a free pint of beer, so who can complain? Am I right? But - why I put this on the list is that I'm told that Edinburgh Ghost Tours really are fantastic, and if you don't trust this group, then just search for some of your own.

(Police subnote: Don't Stand so Close is not an accurate representation of your average teacher. Teachers, by all means, keep your students away from your warm dry cars. You'd not want to find yourself in the Blue Pages.)

6. The Scotch Whiskey Experience
I really don't think I need to expand on this. This one really speaks for itself, and if you enjoy adult beverages, then off you go. It does cost 11 pounds, on the off chance that you're wondering. But really - would you rather see a museum, or embrace the Scotch Whiskey Experience? EXPERIENCE! That's how you know you need to see it. How many Experiences have you embraced?

7. Get Yourself Cultured
So you're not much for the Experience huh? But you do like some culture? Well good - me too. And I'll point you right towards it. There are all number of monuments, and museums, and other such delightful things in the city of Edinburgh. Don't let the terrible web design of this site throw you off, the information is quite useful.

8. Look up a Kilt
Look, I don't know how much I Think this is a good idea, but the internet really seems to be pushing it as a viable option. And who am I to argue with the internet? Why, the internet brought us The Game, and Lolcats, and other terrible things. Am I really so powerful that I think I can argue with something on this caliber? So - take heed, take peek, take off running! (I just used a literary device known as asyndeton there - impressed, aren't you?)

(Police subnote: Every little thing she does is magic - and she just happens to be working at item 9)

9. National Portrait Gallery
Now, the thing about the National Portrait Gallery is that it is currently being refurbished, so this isn't the most useful link. But it will re-open in late 2011, so look at your calendar. Is it then, or after then? If so, by all means go and check it out. It will focus on Scottish art. Now if this really did sound fantastic - don't worry, because there are many other galleries in Scotland. Check them out as well.

10.Leave Edinburgh
Look, I said that I'd just be telling you random things the internet ordered me to do, and it seems that I just can not avoid being ordered to leave the city. And you know what, I will be doing just that. Personally, I will be embarking on the three day Haggis Tours Skye High trip. For only 99 pounds you can take yourself on a cross country expedition and see just what the country has to offer. Honestly, the one thing I keep hearing when I mention I'm headed to Edinburgh is how beautiful the country is. How could I pass up a perfect chance to truly experience that country?

(Police subnote: De do do do, De da da da!)

So there we have it ladies, gentlemen, and those who choose to associate as neither. A list of ten things to do in Edinburgh (kind of.) I'll be reporting back on these in the future - explaining my success, and my failures, and how much I'd really advise them having experienced them for myself. Keep your eyes peeled.

Top 10 New York City Resources

Planning a trip to New York City? Here you will find links to various resources that you might find valuable. All of these entries were previously posted on my site - but rather than wading through the depths of my entire trip, I have consolidated them down to the top ten.

You will find a brief summary below the link, listing their key points as well as reasons why you might find them useful.

Full maps and itineraries can be found here, as well as offbeat sights nestled in with those that are obvious, but still not to be missed. Tips, flips [literally], and restaurant tricks can all be found below.

1. A Week in New York City
Looking for things to see? City walks to take? A way to budget all your desires into a limited amount of time? This article has it all - complete with a custom made google map detailing a variety of interesting locations.

2. How to Avoid Being Scammed
There is a lot of hustling in the city, and it's not limited to the people trying to quickly get from one location to the next. Con Artists are all around. Take some advice, and be prepared to deal with it. Unless you want to end up paying a lot for a little, take heed of these fine words.

3. Brooklyn Bridge Crossing
Walking across Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan is a fantastic experience. Even if it is pouring rain, it is an sight and an event not to be missed. Here you will find text, and images that will hopefully convince you of this.

4. New York Subway Tips
If it's your first time in the big city, you might find it daunting to get around. Fear not, because the MTA (New York’s Subway) is a very reliable and efficient service. However, if it is your first time in the big city wrapping your head around that might cause problems enough. Fear not: help is here.

5. 5 Pointz
A graffiti Mecca just outside of Manhattan. If you can't take the trip, at least view the images here and appreciate the art form, imagining the diverse range of artists who came together to make this site what it is.

6. Quickly Move through the Customs Line
No one likes waiting in hour long lines. But when we get off at any major airport, that's what we're always up against. Follow these simple steps and you will be breezing through to your connecting flight in no time. You just might feel a little less good about yourself.

7. New York City's [big] Apple Store
Pun aside, this is a building you will want to see for yourself. Sure you'll be surrounded by hipsters, but then perhaps you are one - then it will be even more perfect for you. Take the great glass elevator down to the iProduct filled depths below and shop to your hearts content. Or just view the cube. Best viewed at night, it's worth the trip at any time of day.

8. Twenty Minutes in Harlem
There is so much more to Harlem than I saw in my limited time. And for that, I regret not finding a chance to return. But in my limited time I saw a very different community. One that exists just north of Central Park. By all means, explore the world north of 114th.

9. Ground Zero
September 11th is something that many of us will remember our entire lives. A day which seemed to pause - stretching into weeks, into years. Ground Zero remains a testament of what happened on that day. But the question is: should ground zero still remain, with MTA lines reading "this stop is temporarily out of service."? At what point should new growth and the construction of Freedom Tower to commence?


10. The Jump
Street theatre is abundant in this city. Here is the literal flip you were promised.

New York City Attractions (Top 10?)

I hate to say it, but it's true. My image of New York has been heavily influenced by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When I picture Manhattan, I see a walking turtle in a trench coat who has just finished watching the movie Critters. To me, central park is a place where goalie-masked individuals protect citizens while not engaging in witty repartee about Jose Canseco. And pizza stores? Well, as we all know "Wise man say, forgiveness is divine; but, never pay full price for late pizza."

The eight year old version of myself took all of these things to heart. Rooftops were places to to fight master-ninjas, who blended in seamlessly with the crowd. Pickpockets were terrible organized, requiring at least three people for the perfect wallet hand off, and seedy graffiti coated skate parks offered anything a troubled youth could ever dream of. You want cigarettes? There they'd simply ask, "menthol or regular," before tossing you a carton. And in New York City? Everybody loved M.C. Hammer.

For myself, this was a time when New York City was coloured by mutants. And the only mutants I knew of were Lean Green Fighting Machines.

So at this point you might be asking yourself, what right do I have to write about a city, so immersed in fictionality, that I'm yet to even step foot into? Well: I feel I know this city. I feel that I have spent years of my life there. And, to be sure, I can tell you all number of places you might want to visit.

Not to mention, I've spent the last week reading just about every book, every website, and every map I could get my hands on. So, for your benefit, let me try and show you...


The Best Places to Visit in New York City

Bronx Zoo - Not only does the Bronx zoo allow you the afternoon to explore a fantastic zoological exhibit, it also gives you reason to leave the downtown Manhattan area, and explore the more northern areas of the city. Access to the Zoo Grounds are free on Wednesday.

Whitehall Ferry Terminal - The Ferry here runs every half hour, taking people back and forth from Staten Island. The ferry offers a wide range of photographic opportunities, as you are set out on the water, with great views of the city skyline. As an added little bonus, it just so happens to be free.

The Empire State Building - Not only is it a must see, but it's also an impossible to miss. Towering over the city, the building has become iconic with New York. Made famous, only a few years after construction, this building is the very one that King Kong climbed up time and time again - in every subsequent remake. Access to the observation level will cost you about $40.00 if all my pricing is correct. This is one of those choices where you have to think, hmm... Tokyo offers it for free, and even Toronto is pushing the envelope with the C.N. Towers $25.00 price tag.

Ground Zero - September Eleventh, Two Thousand and One. Where were you when you heard the news? It's something that all of us remember. To be honest, I'm shocked that nothing has been rebuilt in the eight years since the incident. For me, September Eleventh was my very first day of University - all the way there and back on the bus people were talking about how a plane hit the towers, but I assumed it was a tiny one. For the next few weeks our communal T.V. would show nothing else. Visiting this site, to me, seem like an obvious choice. A reminded how for that one short year everything seemed off balance, and emotions ran raw.

5 Pointz - Located at 45 - 46 Davis Street, this place claims to be a Graffiti Mecca. There are few forms of art that I love more, and this open gallery is notorious for being one of the most sought after hot-spots in that particular art world.

Frick Collection - The Frick collection, to some, is an Art Reference library. To me, however, it is better known as the Avengers Mansion from Marvel Comics. Though the Avengers Mansion was destroyed in the comics, it still lives on in real New York City.

Central Park - Without a doubt, there is more to see here than can ever be seen, and more to do than can ever be done. It's the circle of... Well, it's a circular path at some points? To be honest, the biggest draw for me is the Alice in Wonderland statue that resides somewhere within the park's boundaries.

Brooklyn Bridge - I have been told that walking this bridge is, without a doubt, one of the most important things one can do in New York City. But, to be honest, I'm more interested in seeing it so as I can finally develop a visual representation of where, exactly, it was that the Green Goblin pushed Gwen Stacy, ultimately causing her death in one form or another. Be it the fall, or the sudden stop caused by Spider-Mans (snap!) webbing.

Museum of Modern Art - Somewhere between Ottawa and Winnipeg, back in 2006, I developed a love of Art Galleries, and Museums. I'm told that the MOMA is one not to be missed. From its opening hall, to its elaborate galleries, this is one stop that no tourist should pass up. Apparently it's worth skipping the Guggenheim for.

FAO Schwarz Toy Store - For those of you who remember the movie Big (you know, the Tom Hanks film that says, it's o.k. for older women to fall in love with and engage in acts of sexual deviancy with young children, provided they look "of age" - pretty much the reverse of Twilight) will delight in wandering this toy store, and browsing row after row of childhood playthings. Plus, you know... the keyboard!


Again, this is by no means a complete list, and as you've gathered it was created by a product of the eighties who has never walked a single foot into the city. But, that being the case, hopefully this was of some help to you. You can view the map below which has far more hot spots (as well as walking tour paths) listed. It is my personal map of New York, detailing what I want to do, and where I want to go.

Best of luck to you, as you plan your own World Class City get-away.




View Larger Map

Top 10 Things to Always Pack

One of the best things leading up to any trip, aside from watching as your friends go from sounding interested, to pretending to be interested, to simply nodding and occasionally grunting the odd syllable as you talk endlessly, is planning what you’re going to take.

But what should you take? What do you need to take? Allow this guide to help you. This is a list of the top ten things you should never leave home without.

1. Compass

This is one thing that so few people think to bring with them. And in this day and age of cell phones, GPS units, pocket guides, maps, and all sorts of other things that make us feel slightly superior, it’s no surprise. However, when you’re getting off the London Underground, with directions to simply head South, how will you have any idea where to go? And that’s in a well marked city. The worst that could happen is you reach a corner and a sign points you elsewhere, as if the city was one giant amusement park. In other parts of the world? This is a must. For five dollars, you can’t go wrong.

2. Pillow Case

Not a pillow. Just a pillow case. A pillow can take up a lot of room in your pack, room that you need for other, more important things. You need room for the latest travel guide, that darling Mexican blanket, or - let's face it, few people can resist - a six dollar bottle of rum. Not only can a pillow case act as a sac to contain items, preventing them from shifting, but if you stuff it full of your clothes, it also doubles as a great place to rest your head, for when your arm won’t do, and you just don’t trust the weird stains on the linen that the hostel is offering you. A couple of bucks here and you’re set.

3. Day Pack

As much fun as it is to lug around your eight liter backpack all day, so you have your camera close and your travel guide handy, after about thirty minutes the sweat will start to build, and you’ll curse everyone and everything around you. A day pack, in the twenty liter range is optimal. And while a backpack is more comfortable, and harder to swipe (due to the two straps) I prefer a messenger bag. Not so much for style, as for convenience. Although the style is a nice bonus. It’s hard not to look like you missed the bus home from school when you spend all day with a small pack securely attached to you. You might as well just wear your key on a string around your neck while you’re at it. These can run from twenty to a hundred dollars. Your back will thank you in the long run.

4. Notebook

“I’ll remember this night forever!” “Man, you guys are the best, how could I ever forget you?” “O.K. so it’s three blocks north and then one block south?” Do any of these lines sound familiar? You know, those moments you have committed to full long term memory the moment you experience them... but are somehow missing by the time your trip ends? It’s for this reason that you always need a notebook. Travelogues can be just as engaging as a photo album. They also work as great Mnemonic devices later on when you want to remember the name of the guy you met in Tokyo who made swords in Oregon. Having something on hand to write directions, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers on is just an added bonus. Any dollar store will have these.

5. Sleeping Bag Liner

If you’ve ever been to a hostel, this needs no explanation. While some countries have great standards, where linens are washed all the time, and you never need to worry – others are not. Think of a sleeping bag liner as the flip-flops of night time. You wouldn’t stand on that shower floor barefoot for ten minutes, but you’d sleep in the bed all night? I don’t think so. They also help against bedbugs. Which is nice. These can run thirty dollars for cotton, to eighty for silk. Silk is lighter, and packs smaller – aside from that, they’re mostly the same.

6. Loop Wallet / Money Belt

Girls can stuff money in their bras, and look sexy doing it, but if you ever think of reaching down the front of your pants to grab a twenty from your crotch then you are doing it wrong. Get yourself a money belt to be worn as high up on your chest, under your shirt, as you can or a loop wallet to attach to your belt and hang down your pant leg. This is where your money and passport will live for the entirety of your trip. Remember to always have some quick cash out of the wallet for easy access, and never reveal this item in public. These can be purchased for under ten dollars.

7. Novel

There will be days when you are bored. If you’re on a week long tourist blitz, you might be alright but if your travels involve train rides, airport stopovers, bus rides, or just nights sitting in your hotel alone a novel will become your best friend. Or perhaps more like an undesired lover; you don’t want to make the call, but when you’ve had a long day and you’re unable to sleep at two aye em, it’s nice to have something there. Prices vary from free to expensive.

8. Pens

You will need many. The cold will make them stop working. The heat will make them work too well. They will die on you. They will explode on you. But you need them. How else will you get that cute person’s phone number? Or more alarmingly, how will you let them know how they can get in touch with you? Ten cents. That’s all these cost - though I am of the mind that no one actually buys pens. They all just get stolen in a large communal circle. Honestly, when was the last time you paid money for one?

9. Flash Light

It’s three aye em, you’re in your hostel dorm, and you need to grab something from your pack. What do you do? Do you turn on the lights and face the wrath of a dozen angry travelers? No you do not. You blunder around making noise until you wake up a dozen angry travelers and then face their wrath. Why? Because you have no idea where your urgently needed item is. I prefer a crank flashlight, so you never run out of batteries but they can make some noise if you need to charge it up. I’ve also known some people who swear by head lamps. Fifteen dollars and you’re good to go.

10. First Aid Kit

You may think that you know how to heal wounds with plant extracts, and bandages made of palm leaves, but that’s the heat and alcohol talking. You have no real survival skills. The small quantities of painkillers, bandages, creams, and other much needed items are there to literally save your life. Do not skimp on this. Create it yourself for about forty bucks.

Bonus: Sewing Kit
Your pants will rip, your buttons will come off, your mosquito nets will have holes in them. With this precious tool? All will be ok.