Things to Do in Glasgow
If you want to know what to do in Glasgow, you do not need a list. Glasgow is a city with a lot of things to see and do. It has buildings, great museums, fun music venues and very friendly people. Glasgow is not trying to be like Edinburgh. That is what makes Glasgow special. This guide will show you the things to do in Glasgow including the places to visit, food to eat, nightlife and a day trip that is worth taking.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a red building with a lot of interesting things inside. You can see paintings by Salvador Dalí and a real Spitfire plane hanging from the ceiling. The best part is that it is free to get in. There are lots of things to see including animals, things from ancient Egypt and Scottish art. Families love to spend time (at the museum because it is fun and interactive. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a place to start your trip to Glasgow.
Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis
Glasgow Cathedral is an old church that is still in good condition. Inside it is dark and quiet with ceilings that make you feel like you are in a place from time ago. Behind the church there is a place called the Necropolis, which is a hill with old tombs and monuments. You can walk around. You can see the whole city from the top. It is quiet and nice. It is free to visit. The Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis are cool places to visit in Glasgow.
Riverside Museum and Tall Ship Glenlee
The Riverside Museum was designed by an architect named Zaha Hadid. It has a lot of cars, trams and bicycles that show you what transportation was like in the past. Outside there is a ship called the Glenlee that you can go on. The Riverside Museum and Tall Ship Glenlee are places to spend a few hours especially if you like engineering or ships. You can learn a lot about Glasgow. You can have fun at the same time.
Gallery of Modern Art and the Hunterian Museum
Glasgow has a lot of museums including the Gallery of Modern Art and the Hunterian Museum. The Gallery of Modern Art always has art. The Hunterian Museum is about science and nature. You can easily visit both of these museums in one day. They are both worth seeing. You can learn something new and have fun in Glasgow. The Gallery of Modern Art and the Hunterian Museum are two of the things to do in Glasgow.
Glasgow Green and Kelvingrove Park
Glasgow Green is an old park in the city. It has a building called the Peoples Palace and Winter Gardens. You can walk around Glasgow Green in an afternoon. Kelvingrove Park is another place to visit. It is near the River Kelvin. It connects to the West End. Both Glasgow Green and Kelvingrove Park are great for walking or having a picnic during a day. You can also watch people.
The Lighthouse and Mackintosh Architecture
The Lighthouse is a place for design and architecture in Scotland. A man named Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed it. You can go up to the top of The Lighthouse. You can see the whole city. Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed a lot of things in Glasgow. He designed the Willow Tea Rooms and the Glasgow School of Art building. You can see his style in places.
University of Glasgows Historic Campus
The University of Glasgow has an old and pretty tower. A lot of people take pictures of it. The campus has buildings with nice courtyards. You can walk around the campus. You can visit the Hunterian Museum next door. The museum and the campus are great to visit.
West End — Shops, Cafes, and Street Art
The West End is an area with many small shops and cafes. You can find books and vintage clothes on Byres Road and Ashton Lane. There are also nice coffee shops. The West End has a lot of street art with vibrant colors. Locals like to recommend the West End to visitors who want to relax.
Finniestons Bars and Eateries
Finnieston used to be an area. Now it is a place for food and drink. You can find small restaurants and bars on Argyle Street. There are also places that serve beers and gin. Finnieston is a place to go out in the evening. You can visit the Riverside Museum before or after going to Finnieston.
Buchanan Street and Style Mile Shopping
Buchanan Street is what people around here call the “Style Mile”. It goes along Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street to make the shopping area in Glasgow. You will find shops next to the fancy Princes Square shopping centre. Sometimes you will hear music from people performing on the street, which makes shopping fun.
The Barras Market
The Barras Market is a market that happens on weekends in Glasgow. You can find antiques, souvenirs, or vintage items, old clothes and meet interesting people. It is not as fancy as Buchanan Street. That is what makes it special. People who like to find deals and people who just like to look around usually find something they do not expect.
Scottish Food and Whisky Bars
You can find Scottish food like haggis, neeps and tatties and fresh seafood in many places in Glasgow. These foods are often made in interesting ways. If you like whisky you can go to bars like The Pot Still or Bon Accord. You can also visit places where whisky is made and take a tour. There are also options for people who do not eat meat or animal products.
Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre is a museum where you can touch and try things. It is next to the River Clyde. It has a big cinema and a tower that turns around so you can see the whole city. You can learn about space and the human body. Many people think it is one of the places to go with your family in Scotland.
Pollok Country Park and the Burrell Collection
Pollok Country Park is a green area with woods and some Highland cows that kids love to see. The Burrell Collection is an art museum that is also in the park. You can go to the park. You can see art at the same time. It is a way to be outside and learn something new.
Live Music at King Tuts and Barrowland Ballroom
King Tuts Wah Wah Hut is a place for new bands to start out. Famous bands like Oasis actually started at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut. The Barrowland Ballroom is another spot where you can see music. It has a bright neon sign and an old dance floor. You can catch a show at King Tuts and Barrowland Ballroom most nights. Live music at King Tuts and Barrowland Ballroom is definitely something you should check out. King Tuts and Barrowland Ballroom are places to see live music.
Rooftop and Speakeasy Bars
In the city centre there are some bars that are kind of hidden. These bars are like secret places. You need to know where to find them or ask someone who works there to show you the way. This makes it more fun to go to these bars. They are places to go for a night out. You can find rooftop bars and speakeasy bars in the city centre which is really cool. Rooftop and speakeasy bars are a lot of fun to visit.
River Clyde Walking and Cycling Trails
There is a path that runs along the River Clyde from the city centre to the Riverside Museum and beyond. Lots of people like to walk or jog or cycle along this path. If you want to cycle you can rent bikes near the path. The River Clyde has some cycling trails for people who love nature and being outdoors. The River Clyde is a place to walk or cycle.
Botanic Gardens Glasgow
The Botanic Gardens in Glasgows West End have these glasshouses with tropical plants. There are also lawns where you can have a picnic. The best part is that it is free to get in. It is a place to escape the city streets. Locals love to visit the Botanic Gardens Glasgow to relax and unwind. The Botanic Gardens Glasgow is a place to visit.
Best Day Trip from Glasgow
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is less than an hour from Glasgow so it is a great place to visit for the day. You can take a boat trip. You can go hiking or just enjoy the views. It is a way to see the countryside. A day trip to Loch Lomond, from Glasgow is an idea. You can visit Loch Lomond. You can enjoy the scenery, which is really beautiful. Loch Lomond is a place to visit.
Where to Stay in Glasgow for Easy Access to Attractions
The city centre and Merchant City areas are great for people who want to walk to most of the sights and shopping streets in Glasgow. The West End is a bit quieter. It feels more like a neighborhood but it is still close to Kelvingrove and the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow. If you like food and nightlife Finnieston is a choice because the Riverside Museum is just a short walk away in Glasgow. The public transport in Glasgow is really good so no matter where you stay you will be okay.
Tips for Planning Your Glasgow Itinerary
If you plan ahead a little you will have a great time in Glasgow. A lot of the attractions in Glasgow are close to each other so you can see a lot in one day. The weather in Glasgow is usually nice from spring to early autumn and that is when a lot of events happen in Glasgow. If you go to Glasgow in the winter it will be cheaper and you can still have fun in Glasgow. The subway in Glasgow, which people call the “Clockwork Orange” makes it easy to get to the city centre and the West End in Glasgow. There are also buses that go to parts of Glasgow. You can walk around the city centre in Glasgow because it is not too big.
Conclusion
Glasgow is a city that you should take your time to explore rather than just running from one place to another in Glasgow. We have picked 19 things to do in Glasgow, including the museums, music venues and day trips to the countryside in Glasgow. These things to do in Glasgow are worth planning your trip and they will not be too much for a short visit to Glasgow. Whether you want to spend an afternoon in the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow or go to a late night show at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow you will really like the city of Glasgow and it will stay with you.
FAQs
How many days are enough to see Glasgow?
You can see the main attractions in Glasgow in two or three days. If you want to visit a place near Glasgow like Loch Lomond you will need a day.
Is Glasgow expensive to visit?
Glasgow is not too expensive. Many of the museums in Glasgow are free to visit. The public transport in Glasgow is also very good. It is easy to get around without spending a lot of money especially when you compare it to other cities in the United Kingdom.
What is Glasgow best known for?
Glasgow is best known for its old buildings from the Victorian time. Glasgow also has a music scene, very friendly people and a lot of art and design things to see.
Is Glasgow safe for tourists?
Glasgow is generally a safe city for tourists. The areas where tourists like to go are generally safe. You still need to be careful at night just like you would in any other city.
Can Glasgow be visited as a day trip from Edinburgh?
Yes, you can visit Glasgow as a day trip from Edinburgh. The train from Edinburgh to Glasgow only takes less than one hour so it is easy to go to Glasgow and come back to Edinburgh in one day.
