When you visit Glasgow you are not just visiting for the museums and other attractions. You’re visiting it to meet the people! Glasgow is known for being an incredibly friendly city and is great for those who like to socialise! Read on for a fantastic Glasgow Weekend away.
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Where To Stay in Glasgow
There are lots of great places to stay in Glasgow. From the usual hotel chains such as Premier Inn, Hilton and Radisson. However you can also find some other interesting luxury hotel, which may a little more expensive. But they have some awesome rooms and views!
For somewhere a bit different but mid-range price the Cathedral House, Glasgow is a beautiful place to stay in the heart of Glasgow. With views either over to Glasgow Cathedral or the Glasgow Necropolis, it’s a stunning location.
Or go all out and stay in a castle in the South side! Sherbrooke Castle Hotel in Pollockshields is a stunning baronial building with luxury bedrooms, bar and restaurant. It’s definitely a beautiful place to stay!
Alternatively you can stay outside the City of Glasgow. It’ s only 30 minutes away from the Southern end of Loch Lomond and there are plenty of beautiful places to stay around the city.
Day 1
On day one you arrive in Glasgow. With the International airport being close to the city centre and major roads connecting Glasgow to the rest of the country, it’s easy to get here. If you arrive late morning then you will have plenty of time to explore in the afternoon. Dump your bags at the hotel and get out into the town!
Start your weekend with a visit to Glasgow Botanic Gardens, wandering through the pretty flowerbeds and tropical glasshouses. Make sure you don’t miss the beautiful Kibble Palace too, perfect for your Instagram photos!
After the Botanics head South to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Either take a taxi or walk it, it’s only a 15 minute walk. Here you can explore the museum which was opened in 1901. There’s always a lovely atmosphere here, with a mix of locals and tourists. There are 22 galleries to explore from Egyptians to natural history and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It also has a lovely cafe where you can get a bite to eat. Across the road, a short walk away, is Kelvingrove park, a great place for the kids to play and adults to wander.
If you have time to spare book tickets for sledging at the Snow Factor at Braehead. Either catch a bus or take a taxi out to Braehead for a fun filled sledging session. After enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the shopping centre. There’s also a cinema and bowling alley if you feel like another activity after dinner!
Day 2
Your first full day and you will be kept busy over in the West side of the city. Start by catching a bus over to the Riverside Museum. Here you can indulge in walking down memory lane, or even your grandparents time, with all things transport. We love the old fashioned street with horse and cart, plus the trams, steam trains and so many other types of transport. Plenty of interactive things and a great cafe and restaurant too.
Outside the Riverside Museum on the river is the tall ship Glenlee is the last 3 masted tall ship still afloat in the UK. She was built in 1896 at Port Glasgow and has had a varied working life in Dundee, Italy and even working for the Spanish Royal Navy. She was finally brought back to Scotland and restored to what she looks like today. Now you can visit various exhibitions on board, a softplay and café.
Next head across the river to Glasgow Science Centre. Have lunch at the café here if you didn’t already eat at the Riverside and Glenlee before you explore. There are plenty of fascinating exhibits to keep you occupied, or visit the planetarium for a show about the stars. There’s also the IMAX theatre near the entrance, which is excellent for watching a film!
If you’re feeling really brave you could also bungee jump from the Titan crane on the Clyde (age 14+). It’s a great way to get a birds eye view of the Clyde and visit a Glasgow icon.
After dinner in the city head to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for an evening show. You will need to book in advance, but there’s a huge variety of shows on for all tastes. From musicals, to the National Orchestra or music concerts.
Day 3
Today you’re heading into Glasgow city centre. If you feel like a little shopping then this is the place to go, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street are the main shopping areas, including a few shopping centres.
Once you’re finished browsing the shops your next stop should be The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is just off Buchanan Street and is Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture. It’s the Glasgow Herald’s old buildings which were renovated into this design space. There are changing exhibitions and also a Rennie Mackintosh room. The winding staircase to the top of the water tower was also designed by Rennie Mackintosh. Taking you to a viewing platform looking out over Glasgow and even a small platform outside to look over the rooftops. Please check the website for opening times first, it was still closed in early 2022.
Book a guided tour with the Wee Food Tour. Run by Glaswegian-American Madeline, you are taken to around 6 different restaurants, speciality shops and independent businesses to taste test Scottish foods, You’ll have a chance to test over 20 different foods! Plus a £5 donation is made to the local food bank for every tour taken. These type of small walking tours are an enjoyable experience as well as helping to get to know the city center.
Walk through from Buchanan Street into Royal Exchange Square to where Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is located. Outside the entrance you can spot the well known and iconic Duke of Wellington statue that permanently has a traffic cone on his head. It’s free to enter GOMA, spend some time looking at the modern art before heading out to a local cafe for a bite to eat.
If you’re feeling crafty (and have time available!) book a 1.5 hour taster session at the Craft Pottery. Just a 10 minute walk from Glasgow Central Station. For adults and 14+ you can have a taster session at the potters wheel. Alternatively you can try your hand at pottery painting. Leave it to be fired and glazed overnight!
Day 4 – Optional
Pick up your pottery this morning before heading home from your busy Glasgow weekend. Then if you have some time before you travel elsewhere consider these options.
Chris Hoy Glasgow Velodrome – Try a taster session cycling in the velodrome built for the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. It’s £10 for a 45 minute session for adults or £8 for children. Bike, helmet and shoe hire is included.
Ashton Lane – A pretty cobbled lane in the West End of Glasgow noted for its bars and restaurants. A well known student hang-out.
Necropolis – A Victorian garden cemetery with notable architecture, sculptures and many famous citizens with interesting stories.
Tennents Brewery – Take a tour of the famous Scottish brewery or even try a masterclass!
People’s Palace – The People’s Palace is located in Glasgow Green. You can visit the museum to learn about life in Glasgow from 1750 to the present day. Unfortunately the Winter Gardens will not be reopened.
Hunterian Museum, Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House are all located on the University of Glasgow campus. They are the perfect place to learn about a diverse range of artefacts and art pieces
The Burrell Collection has recently reopened in 2022. Located in the beautiful gardens of Pollok Country Park it’s one of Scotland’s most beautiful museums. Enjoy wandering through the museum of Burrell’s collection of art from a huge range of international artists. The museum now has many interactive exhibits exploring Burrell’s life.
Or travel outside Glasgow to visit Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle or the Trossachs National Park (only 30-45 minutes to each of these destinations by car or train).
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