The local motto "Peebles for Pleasure" is borne out by the town's attractive setting amongst the hills on the banks of the River Tweed. The wide spacious High Street has an old Mercat Cross and the ruined Cross Kirk, standing high above Eddleston Water, was founded in 1261. The Cornice Museum recreates an ornamental plasterer's workshop, whilst the Chambers Institute features the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery.
Peebles events calendar includes the Beltane Week in June, and Arts Festival at beggining of August, and the Highland Games in September. Golf, fishing, mountain biking and walking are popular pursuits, with the Forest of Tweeddale and the challenging Southern Upland Way easily accessible.
On the edge of the town Neidpath Castle stands high in a rocky outcrop above the River Tweed, and within a short drive are kailzie Gardens and Restaurant and Dawyck Botanic Gardens.
To the east surrounded by the scenic hills and forest of Tweed Valley lies Innerleithen, where St Ronan's Wells interpretative Centre depicts the era of the last century when the town was famed as a spa. Robert Smail's Printing Works give a fascinating insight into the printing processes of the the past. Traquair House, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland has played host to 27 monarchs. Walks, Trails and historic cycle routes can be explored in the forest of Innerleithen, Thornylee and Glentress. Eddleston to the north is in the heart of beautiful wooded countryside and West Linton at the foot of the Pentland Hills is an historic conservation village. The River Tweed rises in these hills and a layby and sculpture on A701 mark the site. Broughton village is noted for its gallery and the John Buchan Centre, which recreates the life of the famous writer, soldier and politician.