Must sees in Edinburgh?

I recommend Calton Hill - gorgeous views, and interesting constructions up there.

The National Gallery is a wonderful smallish art gallery with a fine collection displayed in unusually good light (and it is not crowded!). Arthur's Seat is a good-size hill in Holyrood Park that makes for a nice walk, or a more serious hike, depending on your preference; it gives you great views over the whole area.

The Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace (and in that direction if you want to continue to Arthur's Seat) is a worthwhile walk; check out the "closes" that lead off from the main road.

The Sheep Heid Inn (a pub) apparently has been going since the late-ish middle ages.

If you are into single malt whisky, the Scotch Whisky experience on the Royal Mile is amazing.

Have a great trip!

Take a look at www.TripAdvisor.com. There are listings there for accommodation, restaurants, things to do, tours, etc., along with qualitative ratings for each that might be quite helpful to you.

If you go to the National Museum of Scotland (worthwhile), be sure to go up to the roof terrace for the views.

Also, I thoroughly enjoyed my morning at the Royal Yacht Britannia, but it's probably only a "must see" if you're into either boats or the royal family.

Edinburgh Castle! Several museums inside an active military installation. A must see for anyone with an interest in Scottish military history. Great views of the city from the ramparts.

Holyrood Palace is interesting as is the Castle previously mentioned. Are you driving yourself or on a tour? We purchased ticket for a hop on-hop off bus which circumnavigated most of the sights in Edinburgh. We then got off where we wanted and when we were done with any particular sight, we just waited for the bus again, got back on and continued to our next point of interest.

http://www.royal-mile.com/
this is quite a good website for info in and around the main tourist area.
an interesting thing to do is a tour of the University, some wonderful buildings and courtyards, you won't get access to many if any of the buildings but still be able to see some amazing places with little effort.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/visit/tours/self-guided
I actually work for the University but am based in a campus on the south side of the city but am very pround of some of the outstanding buildings we have.

We had a great time in Edinburgh and I would strongly recommend seeing Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland.
Since you have so much time, perhaps you can venture out to the Highlands? Keep in mind the one-day tours offered by many companies are quite-rushed with a lot of time inside the bus.

Another thing I do recommend is the real Mary King's Close. It is somewhat touristy for sure, but if you can ignore that aspect it is an interesting look at life from a different time.

Have a good trip.

I start my visits to Edinburgh by going to the Castle. I like the views and how it orients me to the country and city. There are lots of things to so on the Royal Mile. I like Gladstone's Land because it's fantastic insight into what it was like in medieval Edinburgh. I then enjoy The Georgian House in New Town as it sheds light on Georgian history and the Scottish Enlightenment and Edinburgh. I liked visiting Holyrood Palace, There is a nice gallery that may have a good exhibit. I would second the recommendation of the National Museum. Another museum which doesn't appeal to all, but which I enjoyed, was Dynamic Earth. You've probably been to similar museums in the US, but this ones gives you the Scottish geology. The perspective on the ice age and glaciation in Scotland is particularly good. The art galleries are also great. You can walk along Leith Water to get to the contemporary art museums.

Pam

Day trips are great, I took the train to Stirling for the day to Stirling castle. Also a day trip to Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey was very nice by van. Check out the area around Greyfriars Kirk. Afternoon tea anywhere!. St. Giles Cathedral is breathaking. You will have a wonderful time.

While in Edinburgh, you have to visit the Castle. It was the highlight of our trip. One other suggestion is to climb Arthur's Seat. The climb is not that difficult and the views on clear day are fantastic.

Edinburgh is a fun city to just walk the Royal Mile and people watch. Have fun.

Edinburgh Castle - fascinating and informative. Also great views of the city.

I loved the tour of Mary King's Close.

Food - get a sandwich from Oink. We tried all available toppings and liked apple + crackling and sage + crackling the best. The Piglet size are the right size if you want to try two different toppings.

Whisky - visit Cadenhead for a tasting and get a bottle filled. Or take a chance on one of their cask ends.

Try to be at the castle at 1pm when they shoot off the cannon. Also, we too loved seeing Mary Kings Close. We also really seeing the Royal Yacht, I seem to remember is was only maybe 15 minutes by bus from town.

Definitely the castle. We also took the hop on hop off bus, well worth not having to drive in Edinburgh. Just walking the Royal mile was fascinating. We didn't have time, but next trip would be the University (Observatory) and Edinburgh Underground tour. We loved our 4 days there. We were stranded as the car rental gave away our car. We took a bus to St. Andrews and that was an experience in itself.
We rented a car on Monday and drove up to Balmoral up to Elgin (Cashmere factory) and around through Loch Ness, Fort William and back through the Highlands. We were not on a tour and stayed in B & B's and Best Western's. 1400 mile adventure! Can't wait to go back.

I always visit the People's Story, http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/The-People-s-Story, and the Museum of Edinburgh is almost across the street, http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Museum-of-Edinburgh. They are on the lower end of the Royal Mile. The MoE has a nice Greyfriar's Bobby display, if you like the Bobby story.

Of course, the Castle is terrific, the roof top of the National Museum has good views, I love getting an expensive (delicious!) cupcake from http://www.cuckoosbakery.co.uk, if you're there on a Saturday there's the market http://www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk.

What things do you like to do here? Research the equivalent for there on the web. I worked in libraries a long time, so a visit to a library or two is enjoyable. I have an interest in genealogy now and was able to attend a terrific workshop at the Scottish Genealogy Society, http://www.scotsgenealogy.com/. One time I found the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, http://www.entcs.co.uk/, and attended a session.

Perhaps some ideas from here: https://www.timeout.com/edinburgh