Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland: The Best Museums

Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) is the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements, with a lending library, archive collections and innovative programme of public events and learning opportunities. The organisation has grown from a small grassroots project into the main hub for information by, for and about women in Scotland and it is visited and enjoyed by people from around the world and around the corner. Based in an awarding-winning building in Glasgow's East End, GWL is open to all and has a presence across Scotland through their National programme of events and activities. Glasgow Women's Library was a finalist for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2018. In the spring and summer months, GWL run their popular Women's Heritage Walks around Glasgow.

Glasgow Art Club founded in 1867 and recently restored has occupied two handsome Georgian terrace houses since 1893. They were converted into a 19thC Gentlemen’s club. The jewel is the iconic art Gallery largely designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The Scottish Design Exchange is a social enterprise business that provides space for over 300 artists and designers from all over Scotland to display their products for sale. We have many original designs from jewellery, prints, pottery, glassware and original art.

This gallery houses the largest collection of Whistlers in the world.

The Glasgow School of Art is currently closed to visitors following a fire on 15th June 2018, with all tours cancelled until further notice. This includes access to the visitor centre, GSA Shop and exhibitions in the Reid Building, Mackintosh at the GSA Tours and Mackintosh's Glasgow Walking Tours.

Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901 and built in the attractive setting of Bellahouston Park in the 1990s, House for an Art Lover allows the visitor an insight into Mackintosh's renowned talent not just as an architect, but as a an artist, designer and pioneer of the Modern Movement. The venue runs regular arts themed events and is home to the popular Art Lover's Cafe.

Free Entry. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Mu​seum is Scotland's most visited free attraction.​ With 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects, the collections are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally-significant.

** Currently closed due to Covid 19 crisis ** The Tenement House is a National Trust for Scotland property in Glasgow's City Centre. With 1892 original features it provides a rare glimpse into life in Glasgow in the early 20th century. The house, lived in by Miss Agnes Toward for over half a century is a unique opportunity to experience collections in their unchanged environment. See what it meant to be an 'independent woman' in the first half of the 20th century; experience how ordinary folk lived, and appreciate how many of the household amenities we now take for granted were considered luxuries less than a century ago. Authentic gas lighting has been installed to recreate the atmosphere of the house, which didn't have electric lighting until 1960. An exhibition on the ground floor makes the most of Miss Toward's extensive personal archive, providing a valuable time capsule for visitors today. Toilet facilities and a gift shop are available on the exhibition floor.