Opening times
Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00. Closed 25 December; open 12:00 - 17:00 on 26 December and 1 January.
National Museum of Scotland is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with free general entry and charges only for some special exhibitions. For families, the best approach is to choose a few child-friendly galleries first—such as Imagine, Adventure Planet, Explore and Animal World—rather than trying to cover the entire museum in one visit.
Best for Rainy Edinburgh days, free family days out, mixed-age siblings, and children who like animals, science, and hands-on exhibits
Opening times
Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00. Closed 25 December; open 12:00 - 17:00 on 26 December and 1 January.
Tickets
Free general entry; charges apply for some special exhibitions.
Entry type
Free general museum entry; charges for some special exhibitions
Address
Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Visit length
2-4 hours
It combines free entry, central Edinburgh location, and genuinely hands-on family galleries, so it is easier to recommend than a museum that relies on reading-heavy displays.
Access
The Tower Entrance provides level access to the main part of the museum, and exhibitions and galleries are accessible via lifts and ramps.
Packed lunches
The Lunch Space in the Entrance Hall on Level 0 is available for eating your own food.
Disabled parking
There are four designated public parking spaces for disabled visitors on Chambers Street. They are free and cannot be booked in advance.
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