Things to Do in Glasgow
As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow attracts millions of tourists each year. Known for its rich culture and thriving music scene, the city offers many fun and exciting things to do. Whether you want to see a concert or tour local museums, Glasgow has something for every traveler.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Argyle Street is a family-friendly activity that offers a wide range of exhibitions and shows.
The museum is open: 10am to 5pm Monday-Thursday and Saturday, and 11am-5pm Friday and Sunday.
The gallery and museum is home to one of the greatest art collections in all of Europe, and is free to enter. As one of the most visited museums in the UK outside of London, all visitors are encouraged to stop in to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum during their stay in Glasgow.
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
Located on Pointhouse Place, the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel is an award-winning museum that houses more than 3,000 objects related to Glasgow’s past. From its days as a maritime powerhouse to the daily life in the 20th century, the museum covers a large swath of the city’s rich transportation history.
The museums collection includes skateboards, locomotives, prams, vintage cars and even a stormtrooper. There’s something for everyone that visits this fun museum in the heart of Glasgow.
The museum also features three interactive streets that date from 1895 to the 1980s. The streets feature shops, such as an Italian Café from the 1930s and even a 1960s garage.
There are more than 90 touchscreen displays that educate visitors on the past, and guests can even take advantage of 20 hands-on, interactive displays.
Riverside is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday 10am-5pm, and Friday and Sunday 11am-5pm.
Buchanan Street
Home to some of the best shopping in Glasgow, Buchanan Street is right at the centre of the city’s famous shopping district.
Most of the shops are high-end, with several high-end brands having flagship stores on the strip. With rents of up to £250 per square foot, Buchanan Street is the sixth most expensive street in the UK. It’s also the second-busiest shopping district in the UK next to Oxford Street in London.
Visitors looking for a little retail therapy should put Buchanan Street at the top of their must-see list.
Pollok Country Park
Situated in south Glasgow, Pollok Country Park is a 146-hectare park that is a nature-lover’s paradise.
The park is so revered for its beauty, it was named the best park in Britain in 2006 and the Best Park in Europe in 2008 – beating competition from parks in Germany, Italy, France, Sweden and Poland.
Pollok Park was initially a part of the Old Pollock Estate, which belonged to the Maxwell family for over 700 years. The house was gifted to the Glasgow Corporation under the condition that it would remain a public park.
Along with the gorgeous park and house, the property also houses the renowned Burrell Collection. The collection, named after its donor Sir William Burrell, a shipping magnate, features artwork from all over the world.
The park also features a walled garden, play park, Old Stable Courtyard and Sawmill, riverside walks, woodland walks, wildlife garden, mountain bike trails and Highland cattle.
Pollok Country Park is open daily year-round.
House for an Art Lover
House for an Art Lover is a unique destination which features an art gallery, events venue, exhibition space, café, artists studio and visitor attraction.
The house was originally designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh as a country retreat. Today, more than a hundred years later, the house serves as a place to stimulate interest in art and design.
During your stay, don’t forget to check out the walled garden, maze, glasshouse and art sheds. These are just a few of the many things to do during your stay at the house. Hungry guests can stop in to the Art Lover’s Café, which is open from 10am to 4pm daily.
Opening times vary throughout the year, as the house is available for hire for weddings and other events. Be sure to check the house’s official website for information on opening times and admission prices.
Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery
The Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery takes visitors behind the scenes to see what the brewing process is like first-hand. The brewing tradition has been alive and well in Glasgow for more than 450 years, so beer-lovers will want to put this brewery at the top of their must-visit list.
The tour takes guests from the origins of brewing to the present day. A rare collection of retro Tennet’s packaging is also on display. Stop in to the shop to buy exclusive merchandise, and enjoy a taste of Scotland’s Favourite at the tour’s end.