Attractions
Glasgow is a wonderful, friendly place. It has a vibrant nightlife and a fantastic choice of restaurants, pubs, wine bars, clubs and cafes.
For a more relaxing stay there are parks, gardens, museums and galleries to visit with many offering free admission.
To help you get out and about Glasgow offers an excellent transport network of trains, buses and the underground. This extensive public transport system also makes it easy to travel around with children.
Architecture, Museums, Art Galleries & Attractions
When you visit Glasgow you will discover why the city was awarded UK City of Architecture and Design 1999.
East of the City Centre you can see the outstanding medieval Glasgow Cathedral at Cathedral Square. Glasgow City Chambers in George Square is over 100 years old and is one of Glasgow's finest examples of 19th Century architecture.
At Glasgow Green, wander around The People's Palace and see the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to present day. Visit the largest terracotta fountain in the word, the beautifully restored Doulton Fountain and afterwards relax in the Winter Gardens.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow - free entry
Open Mon-Thurs & Sat 10am to 5pm and Fri & Sun 11am to 5pm
Only a few minutes walk from Glasgow Youth Hostel you will find Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, one of the most-visited museums in the UK. Among well-loved exhibits on display are Rembrandt's Man in Armour; as well as masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Whistler and Botticelli plus its unique arms and armour collection and Ancient Egyptian artefacts. Other galleries to name but a few include Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style, Creatures of the Past, Environment Discovery Centre and Scotland's Wildlife.
Museum of Transport, 1 Bunhouse Road, Glasgow - free entry
Open Mon-Thurs & Sat 10am to 5pm, Fri & Sun 11am to 5pm
Across the road from Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is the Museum of Transport, one of the most popular museums of transport in the UK, attracting half a million visitors a year.
The collection is very impressive, featuring all forms of transport from horse-drawn vehicles to fire engines, trams and motorcycles to caravans. You will even find the oldest surviving pedal cycle and the finest collection in the world of Scottish-built cars. Toy cars and prams are also included and in the Clyde Room are some 250 fascinating ship models. It has something for all ages and the kids will love it.
Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow - free entry
Open Mon-Wed & Sat 10am to 5pm, Thurs 10am to 8pm, Fri & Sun 11am to 5pm
GoMA is the second most visited contemporary art gallery outside London, displaying work by local and international artists.
Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow - free entry
Open Daily 10am to 5pm
The Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
(NTS property - free entry Nov-March)
Open Mon-Thurs & Sat 10am to 5pm, Fri & Sun 11am to 5pm
Pollok House is an impressive 18th century mansion filled with wonderful collections of Spanish art, antique furniture, glass, silverware and ceramics, and an impressive library. Visit the house's beautiful gardens with its collection of over 1,000 species of rhododendrons.
The Burrell Collection, William Burrell's collection of over 9,000 works of art from all over the world is situated about 10 minutes' walk from Pollok House with a shuttle bus service running between the two buildings.
Scottish Football Museum, Hampden Park, Glasgow
Entry Adults £5.50, Children (5-16), Snr Citizens, Students £2.75, Under 5's - free
Open Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 11am to 5pm
A great day out for football fans, young and old. This is one of Glasgow's leading attractions. There are over 2,000 pieces of impressive football memorabilia on display including the world's oldest national trophy, the Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup from 1873. You can also take a tour of Hampden Stadium, the home of Scottish football (additional cost).
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow - free entry
Daily 7am to dusk (Tel. 0141 334 2422)
One of the largest glasshouses in the UK, the Botanic Gardens are a major tourist attraction as well as a centre of education, conservation and research. The main glasshouse range contains a collection of tropical plants including cacti, orchids, begonias, ferns and tropical fruit.
Glasgow Science Centre, Pacific Quay, Glasgow
Open (Apr-Oct, Mon-Sun 10am to 6pm) (Nov-March, Tues-Sun 10am to 6pm)
Entry (depending on attraction) Adult £6.95-£9.95 Concession/Child £4.95- £7.95 Groups 4+ 10% discount on admission
One of Scotland's must-see attractions, Glasgow Science Centre has over 300 interactive exhibits, the ScottishPower Planetarium, the 127m Glasgow Tower and Scotland's only IMAX cinema. Learn more about the world of science and technology in new, fun and exciting ways.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, architect, designer and artist is celebrated around the world as one of the most creative figures of the early 20th century. He was born one of eleven children in the Townhead area of Glasgow, close to Glasgow Cathedral and took his inspiration for his designs from Scottish traditions blended with Art Nouveau and the simplicity of Japanese forms. He has become one of the most celebrated architects of his generation.
Some of his work can be admired in the following places of interest throughout the city:
House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow
Opening Times Vary Throughout the Year (Tel. 0141 353 4770)
Entry Adults 3.50 Children/OAPs/Students £2.50 Under 10's free,
Family (2+2) £7.00
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and situated in a beautiful park setting, House for an Art Lover represents one of the most exciting pieces of recent research on Glasgow's most famous architect and provides an excellent resource for visitors.
Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow
Entry £6.50 (£4.50 concession)
Tour Times (Apr-Sept, Mon-Sun) 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2pm and 2.30pm
(Oct-March, closed Sun) 11am and 2pm
The history of the Glasgow School of Art is inextricably linked to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. A graduate of the School, Mackintosh's 1896 design for a new School of Art building heralded the birth of a new style in 20th Century European architecture and remains at the centre of the campus.
Still a working art school, the guided tour takes you along the corridors of the school, through the gallery to the Mackintosh Room, and finishing in one of Mackintosh's most celebrated interiors, the Library. Along the way you will learn about Mackintosh's life and the history of The Glasgow School of Art. You will be able to admire Mackintosh's design and see his inspired transformation of everyday objects, such as chairs, tables and even doors into works of art.
The Willow Tearooms, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
In this unique tearoom, relax and enjoy a coffee, tea (29 loose leaf varieties!) or light meal whilst admiring the fine interiors which feature many of Mackintosh's original fittings, even down to the teaspoons!
Mackintosh Festival - September 2006
For tickets visit www.glasgow-mackintosh2006.com
Throughout 2006, with a special focus of events in September, Glasgow celebrates the world renowned architect, designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh and plays host to a programme of exhibitions, talks, tours, children's activities, musical and dramatic performances, contemporary design, and much more, in the first-ever city-wide festival showcasing Charles Rennie Mackintosh's genius.
Activities & Entertainment
Braehead Skating Rink, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow
Open 7 Days
Prices Adult £2.50 Child/Snr Citizen £2.25 Family (2+2) £7.75 Skate Hire £0.75
Family fun, 7 days a week.
Jongleurs, UGC Development Buildings, Renfrew Street, Glasgow
Open Thurs, Fri & Sat
Comedy club with food served till 8.30pm on show nights and licensed till 3am.
City Sightseeing Glasgow Ltd, 153 Queen Street, Glasgow
Tickets Adult £9 Student/Snr Citizen £7 Child £3 Under 5's free Family (2+ up to four children) £20
City Sightseeing Glasgow Tour is the best way to see the city! Starting at George Square hop on an open top bus for a full guided tour around all the main sights of Glasgow. Tour lasts over 1 hour but you can use this frequent service for the rest of the day, getting on and off to visit places of interest. Buy a day ticket, travel the next day free. Save £1 each ticket by booking online.
Shopping
Glasgow is the second largest shopping centre in the UK so Glasgow is the place to be for shopaholics!
The main shopping area can be found along Sauchiehall Street where you will find The Buchanan Galleries. The stylish Princes Square can be found in the popular Buchanan Street which equally has lots of shopping facilities such as Borders Books, Starbucks, Virgin Megastore, to name but a few! In the contemporary Merchant City area of the city you will find the stunning Italian Centre and various other designer boutiques. Braehead Shopping Centre with over 100 shops and its own ice-skating arena is only 5 miles from Glasgow's city centre.
Buchanan Galleries, 220 Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Located in the centre of Glasgow this is the first stop for serious shopping! Buchanan Galleries has over 80 of the best high street shops.
Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Set within a magnificent listed building, Glasgow's Princes Square is full of designer boutiques, bars and restaurants.
The Italian Centre, 7 John Street, Glasgow
Set within the Merchant City area of the city, The Italian Centre offers luxury stores with designer clothing, trendy bars cafes and restaurants.
Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow
5 miles from the city centre you can find this huge shopping complex which has over 100 shops and its very own arena.
Cinemas, Theatres, Concert Venues and Nightclubs
Glasgow is full of venues hosting live music, rock concerts, films, plays, clubbing etc. To check out your scene buy The List a fortnightly events guide available from newsagents and bookshops, pick up a copy of the Gig Guide available free in most pubs and venues or www.gigguide.co.uk or visit the venues website (see below). Here are a few of Glasgow's finest:
UGC Cinema, 7 Renfrew Street, Glasgow
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
The Pavillion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, Glasgow
Hampden, Hampden Park, Glasgow
Kings Tut's Wah Wah Hut, 272a St Vincent Street, Glasgow
Glasgow Carling Academy, 121 Eglinton Street, Glasgow
SECC, Finnieston Street, Glasgow
Barrowland, 244 Gallowgate, Glasgow
The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow
ABC Glasgow, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow
Kings Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow
Braehead Arena, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow
For a day out of Glasgow
M&D's Theme Park, Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell
Open (Sept-Oct Sat & Sun 11am to 6pm)
(March-Aug weekdays 11am to 6pm, weekends 11am to 8pm)
Entry (Day Ticket) Persons Over 1.35m £14.50 Under 1.35m £10.50
Family (any 4 people) £42
12 miles from our hostel, Scotland's Theme Park, M&D's is bursting with family favourites as well as a large collection of thrill rides, including Scotland's largest ever roller coaster 'Tornado'. There is also an Indoor Complex with restaurants, bowling and so much more for all the family. For ticket savings buy direct online at www.scotlandsthemepark.com.
David Livingstone Centre, 165 Station Road, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Open 1 April to 24 December Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm and Sun 12.30 to 5pm
Entry Adults £5, Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) £14, 1 Parent (1 adult and up to 4 children) £10 and Concession (children, snr citizens, NUS etc) £4
Only 11 miles from Glasgow Youth Hostel, you can visit the home of Scotland's more famous explorer, Dr David Livingstone. He was born here in a single-room tenement in 1813 and it's now part of a museum showing his extraordinary achievements. Find out how he grew from a lowly factory boy to become an African explorer and a hero of the Victorian age.
Many of Livingstone's personal belongings are on display including journals, and navigational and medical equipment. This is an engaging story for all ages and for youngsters there's plenty to do - including quizzes, dressing up, and even a lion hunt.
The Centre is also an ideal starting point for walks towards Bothwell Castle along the picturesque and wildlife-rich Clyde Walkway.
Images courtesy of www.seeglasgow.com
Architecture, Museums, Art Galleries & Attractions
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
- Museum of Transport
- Gallery of Modern Art
- Pollok House
- The Burrell Collection
- Scottish Football Museum, Hampden
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- Glasgow Science Centre
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Activities & Entertainment
Shopping
Cinemas, Theatres, Concert Venues & Nightclubs
- UGC Cinema
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
- The Pavillion Theatre
- Hampden
- Kings Tut's Wah Wah Hut
- Glasgow Carling Academy
- SECC
- Barrowland
- The Arches
- ABC Glasgow
- Theatre Royal
- Kings Theatre
- Braehead Arena
For a day out of Glasgow
