Princes Street Gardens is a dramatic swathe of greenery in Edinburgh’s very centre, directly beneath Castle Rock. These twin parks — East and West — were created in the 1820s after the draining of the polluted Nor Loch, a medieval defensive lake. They are separated by The Mound, an artificial hill formed from excavation debris during the New Town’s construction. The West Garden is larger and home to the Ross Bandstand, a stage for summer concerts and Hogmanay celebrations. Near The Mound entrance, the intricate Floral Clock blooms with a new design each year since 1903. More than just a scenic shortcut, the gardens are a testament to city-making: a Victorian solution to urban blight that became one of Edinburgh’s most beloved civic spaces, perfect for a stroll, a picnic, or simply admiring the iconic views.

The Civic Center Mall is a verdant pedestrian mall right next to the vibrant Old Town. Some of Scottsdale’s prominent public art collections make their home at the Civic Center, including Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture and James Turrell’s “Knight Rise” Skyspace at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. There are over 21 acres of lush landscaping, a lagoon, an amphitheater, and more.

The National Museum of Scotland presents the nation's history and global collections across two architecturally distinct buildings. The modern Museum of Scotland building (opened in 1998) is dedicated to Scottish history, from geological origins to the 20th century. It connects to the original Royal Museum, a Victorian masterpiece with a stunning glass-roofed Grand Gallery housing an eclectic collection of artefacts from world cultures, rare gems of natural history, and numerous science exhibits. Together, they showcase everything from Dolly the Sheep and Ancient Egyptian mummies to the Scottish Maiden — a predecessor to the French guillotine.

The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre stands as one of the world's largest museum complexes, a sprawling institution dedicated to science, history and the arts. It houses six distinct museums under one vast roof: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum and a Fine Arts Centre. The six museums are housed in a series of interconnected buildings, surrounded by extensive gardens, plazas and public squares. With over 22 galleries and 3,000 interactive exhibits, it offers an immersive, educational experience designed to engage all ages.