St Giles' Cathedral, the historic "Mother Kirk of Scotland", has been a focal point of religious and civic life on the Royal Mile since 1124. Its architecture is a tapestry of centuries, but the cathedral is most famous as the epicentre of the Scottish Reformation under firebrand minister John Knox. While the main body of the kirk is imposing, its greatest artistic treasure is the Thistle Chapel, an astonishingly detailed 1911 Gothic space housing Scotland's chivalric order. You can admire the beautiful stained-glass windows, see an original National Covenant, and find the bronze memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson. Just outside the west door, the Heart of Midlothian set into the cobbles is traditionally spat upon for luck. Free tours and audio guides help unravel the complex history within this essential Edinburgh landmark.

Calton Hill offers one of Edinburgh's most accessible and spectacular viewpoints with a 360-degree panorama of the city, the Firth of Forth and Arthur's Seat. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its summit is dotted with neoclassical monuments, earning it the nickname "Edinburgh's Acropolis". Key structures include the unfinished National Monument, modelled after the Parthenon; the Nelson Monument with its time-ball telescope; and the Dugald Stewart Monument, a familiar city landmark. Importantly, the hill is also home to St Andrew's House, the headquarters of the Scottish Government, and the historic Old Royal High School. Today, the former City Observatory houses Collective, a contemporary art gallery. A short, gentle climb from Princes Street, Calton Hill is an unmissable stop for any traveller.

The true "ringing in" of Independence Day in the Twin Cities, the Bloomington Summer Fete occurs every year on July 3 at Normandale Lake Park. A carnival, two entertainment stages with musical performances, and a fireworks display provide fun for the whole family.