1. The Tenement House
The Tenement House is an authentic 19th century Glasgow apartment which has has survived almost unchanged for over a century. For over 50 years it was the home of Miss Agnes Toward, who came to live here in 1911. You can still see the kitchen with its Victorian cast iron kitchen range and coalbunker, the traditional recess bed and an original fitted bathroom from 1892, which was considered luxurious by the standards of the day.
2. Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art offers a thought-provoking programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops, and displays work by local and international artists. The Gallery is housed in an elegant, neo-classical building in the heart of the city centre. It’s an appealing combination of old and new architecture, incorporating a number of artists’ commissions. An impressive library in the basement, incorporates a café, free Internet access, multimedia, art, and book-lending facilities.
3. Mackintosh House
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) is synonymous with the architecture of Glasgow. His buildings were a fusion of Scots Baronial, Gothic, Art Nouveau and modern design, and mostly conceieved at the turn of the 20th century. The Mackintosh House is a reconstruction of the principal interiors from the home which he shared with his wife. Alternatively, why not buy a Mackintosh Trail Ticket, which includes entry to twelve principal Mackintosh buildings.
4. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The huge Victorian building of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a much loved Glasgow institution. It contains collections of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and textiles, and masterpieces by artists including Van Gough, Whistler, Rembrant and Dali. Other themes include Human History and anthropology, Natural History and Transport and Technology. The museum also hosts a variety of impressive temporary exhibitions.
5. Shopping in Glasgow
Glasgow is reputedly second only to London in terms of the quantity and quality of places to spend your cash.The main shopping area in the city centre is formed by the Z-shaped and mostly pedestrianized route of Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets, with Princes Square and the city’s poshest malls. Otherwise, make for the West End – or the Merchant City, with its chichi and pricey Italian Centre. In general the Merchant City and West End have more eccentric and individual offerings.
6. The Burrell Collection
Located in Pollok Park some six miles southwest of the city centre, the outstanding Burrell Collection contains the lifelong aquisitions of shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861 – 1958). His only real criterion for buying a piece was whether he liked it or not, enabling hime to buy many unfashionable works which cost very little but subsequently proved their worth. The light and airy building, its woodland setting and the amazing breadth of the collection make a visit here worthwhile.
7. The Necropolis
Rising up behind Glasgow Cathedral and inspired by the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, the atmospheric Necropolis is a grassy mound covered in a fantastic assortment of crumbling gravestones, ornate urns, gloomy catacombs and Neoclassical temples. Various paths lead through the rows of eroding, neglected graves, and from the summit there are superb views of the city with its mix of grit and grace. Free one hour tours of the cemetery are run by Glasgow City Council.
8. The Glasgow Science Centre
Aimed squarely at children and the education market, Glasgow Science Centre presents a series of interactive displays and exhibitions on science and technology, with themes including Astronomy, The Human Body, The Environment, Planet Earth and Life and Health. In addition, there’s an IMAX Cinema and Scotland’s best planetarium, which will keep both adults and kids entertained!
9. King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut is one of Glasgow’s leading concert venues, renowned in Scotland as an exciting showcase for new and emerging bands and as the venue that supported some of the UK music industry’s biggest names at the start of their careers. It’s played host to bands including Radiohead, Blur, Travis, Pulp and The Verve before they reached the heights of music superstardom. There’s now also a comedy night once per month.
10. Glasgow Guided Park Walks
Glasgow Guided Park Walks introduce people to the wealth of history attached to Glasgow’s parks and are popular with people of all ages. Find out more about the Botanic Gardens and their connection with a famous Victorian murder trial, Glasgow Green with its monument to Nelson, Kelvingrove Park which dates from 1852, Tollcross Park and Winter Gardens, and the famous Necropolis.