Location: City Centre
Top Things to do in City Centre
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What to do and see in City Centre, Scotland: The Best Things to do
As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is famed for its culture, shopping and people. Spend your day exploring a wide range of fascinating free museums and galleries, enjoying the UK’s best shopping outside of London, and taking advantage of tips from friendly local people on the city’s hidden gems — then choose from 130+ weekly musical events for a special night out. Glasgow is also the perfect base for exploring more of Scotland, with great connections to the Highlands and the islands.
Restaurants in Glasgow
1. The Glasgow School of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,849 reviews
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.
2. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 798 reviews
Most of the city's major musical performances and operas are held here.
Reviewed By LinguiJosh - Gosport, United Kingdom
I came here from Edinburgh on 3rd February for the Boyzlife (support 'Katie Kittermaster') concert, and was immediately welcomed into the venue. The front of house usher was very friendly, directing me where to go and ensuring that I was aware of anything necessary. They made all the adjustments for others that you could possibly ask for, and were accommodating. During the concert itself, the staff were very lenient but firm when they needed to be (and given the type of concert that it was, unlike many others), this is something I imagine they needed to take into consideration greatly. Presentation-wise, it's clear that they care greatly; the toilets were spotless, the venue itself was immaculate, and they made good use of the function room afterwards for the merchandise stalls. I had absolutely no issues here, and was happy with the service I received.
3. Merchant City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 761 reviews
Self-guided walking tour maps are available from George Square Tourist Office of Merchant City, now a vibrant historic cafe quarter and designer-shopping mecca. Highlights of this tour, which dates back to medieval times, include the grand neo-classical halls and Georgian townhouses built for Glasgow's rich tobacco barons and shipping merchants.
Reviewed By ian_dempster - Wigan, United Kingdom
Merchant city is a great area full of splendid buildings restaurants bars and as a great vibe. Love the converted fruit market.
4. The Tenement House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 697 reviews
** 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.
Reviewed By Medievalhistorylover
Looked after by the NTS, the House gives an insight into tenement dwellings in the early 1900's. Photos (without flash) can be taken; the guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. If walking to the property, the easiest (and quickest) route is from Sauchiehall Street and following the brown tourist attraction signs.
5. City Chambers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 983 reviews
Inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1888, Glasgow City Chambers dominates George Square and is currently home to Glasgow City Council. The grand marble staircase and banqueting hall are among the building's many highlights. Free guided tours are conducted at 10:30am and 2:30pm on weekdays except public holidays and special events.
Reviewed By cindyb1973
Although we did not get to actually tour this building, we were able to walk around the lobby/reception area, Absolutely gorgeous place, gorgeous marble and stairways, I believe guided tours are also available, we were just there after hours but there was a staff person at the reception desk and he was very helpful. And the United States Statue of Liberty stands on top of this building!!! Across the street from this building is George Square that boasts several statues and memorial sites, easy walk around and informative as well.
6. Duke of Wellington Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 691 reviews
An iron statue of the Duke of Wellington.
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Arguably, in a country festooned with thousands of historic grand and artistic statues, this one of the Duke of Wellington in Glasgow city centre is the most iconic. I read an article by a Glasgow journalist and her opening lines seemed to explain it all. “Edinburgh has the Castle. London has Big Ben. And Glasgow? Well, Glasgow has a statue with a traffic cone on its head.” But before further comment re the traffic cone, here’s the official bit: The equestrian Wellington Statue is a statue of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. It is located on Royal Exchange Square, outside the Gallery of Modern Art near the end of Ingram Street and was sculpted by Italian artist Carlo Marochetti and erected in 1844. For the best part of 140 years, the statue stood on its plinth without much fanfare, but that all changed in the early 1980s, when a traffic cone mysteriously started appearing on top of the Duke of Wellington’s head. Nobody knows how the practice began and most theories suggest that a drunk reveller in the city centre scaled the statue after a night out in order to adorn the Duke with his new accessory. In Glasgow? Surely not! At various stages, the city council has removed the cones and tried to come up with schemes to halt the practice altogether. Despite such attempts however, the cone has remained for over 30 years, and whenever a cone is removed, it is only a matter of days before a new one appears in its place. In 2013, the council proposed a scheme to double the height of the plinth in order to deter intrepid cone fans, but the immediate and emphatic backlash from the Glaswegian public showed that the practice was not widely considered an act of vandalism, but rather a representation of local culture, and within 24 hours, a ‘Keep the Cone’ Facebook page had accumulated over 72,000 fans who united in opposition of the council’s plans. It is clear that the statue with the cone on its heid has become one of Glasgow’s most iconic images and in 2011 the ‘Coneheid’ statue was named by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten most bizarre monuments on Earth. And I must say that I agree with the founder member of the Keep the Cone campaign when he said: “The cone represents an important part of the city’s identity – Glasgow’s unique sense of humour. It’s a harmless way of ‘sticking it to The Man’ and it simply gives people a laugh or reminds them of good times.” And even the authorities have shown a bit of pragmatic common sense and have finally realised that the statue with the traffic cone means more to the heritage of Glasgow than the statue itself ever has.
7. Mitchell Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Reviewed By SusanR159 - Kilsyth, United Kingdom
We went on a guided tour of the library which included a behind the scenes treat. This is a regular event. The Mitchell is an incredible library which houses many original manuscripts and letters as well as an immense collection of historical and contemporary books. There is a genealogy section, music pods for practising complete with pianos, computers available for use, quiet study areas, maps, newspaper archives, and so much more. We were amazed to be told that we could become members even though we didn't live in the Glasgow area. So we did just that and are looking forward to going back very soon.
8. Glasgow Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,963 reviews
The medieval Glasgow Cathedral has been in constant use for worship for over 800 years, and is of great architectural and historic interest. Highlights include one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows in Britain, and the ceiling in the Blackadder Aisle which was built around 1500 by Archbishop Blackadder. Cared for by Historic Scotland and open to visitors throughout the year from 9.30am except Sundays when it is open at 1pm. Recitals and special family events are a regular feature. Closing times vary seasonally.
Reviewed By 743iftikhara
We arrived 2 days earlier than our guided Scotland and Ireland tour. These are the things everyone must do here. The Glasgow Cathedral, The Necropolis and the Tennent's Brewery. Tennent's Lager is on tap in every bar in Scotland and Ireland. Even if you dont like beer. You must have a pint from a tap. At the Cathedral, St. Mungo , Glasgow's patron saint from the 6th century, lies buried under the slabs of the church, we met a gentleman volunteer who took us on a tour and was a wealth of knowledge. He refused to accept money. Find a volunteer/guide. You will not return as the same person. The Necropolis is so amazing. Read up on it before you go. Also get on the hop on hop off to see other sites. Its cheap. You will not regret it. (We went in 2017) Need at least 2 to 3 days.
9. Provand's Lordship
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 406 reviews
Reviewed By P4339WFanthonyp - Brighton, United Kingdom
This was on our to do list, its full of real history, all the display give a real insight to people´s lives and hardships, the video displays are also very good. A nice cafe and gift shop finish off a very interesting visit
10. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Hundreds of carved figures and pieces of old scrap perform an incredible choreography to haunting music and synchronised light, telling the funny and tragic stories of the human spirit as it struggles against the relentless circles of life and death. Audiences in many countries have been fascinated by its magic. In Glasgow it has gained a reputation as one of the city’s hidden treasures. Very gripping theatre. - The Times Unforgettable experience. - The Herald An icon-painter for our times. - Scotsman For SEASONAL TIMETABLE OF SHOWS please visit our website. Special / group shows out-with the opening hours can also be booked via the website. For ticket prices and TO BOOK TICKETS please visit our website. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Reviewed By sofiasW5271KN
A truly unforgettable cultural experience: the pieces are rich with symbolism and the accompaniment of music, lights and movement turned it into a performance that was both touching and entertaining. The gallery manager was enthusiastic and informative in his explanations on the art pieces; and he was attentive and professional in regards to all the measures put in place for Covid-19 safety. I would definitely recommend Sharmanka to anyone looking for a cultural experience in Glasgow!
