THINGS TO DO IN GLASGOW (AND BEYOND!) THIS SEPTEMBER WEEKEND
September weekend is the last long weekend of a year, in a year which has been unlike any we have ever seen before. Many of our attractions are free and perfect for all ages. We have fun for families; great days out for romantic couples; experiences for art lovers of all ages and some top attractions for those who like to shop and eat out while they visit the city.
One of the best ways of seeing Glasgow is on an open top tour bus with City Sightseeing Glasgow. Head to George Square where you can get on the bus to visit Glasgow’s top attractions and see the best the city has to offer. City Sightseeing Glasgow tours offer a choice of recorded commentary via audio channels at every socially distant seat or live commentary courtesy of our friendly, local and knowledgeable tour guides.
Riverside Museum is Glasgow’s award-winning transport museum. Experience displays featuring over 3000 objects, with everything from scooters and skateboards to Stormtroopers. Walk through the streets of Glasgow; visit the subway or climb aboard a train and get a real feel for the public transport of the past. Learn about Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding history, explore the car and motorbike walls and help put out a fire with our interactive fire engine. Entry is free.
The Tall Ship – no trip to the Riverside is complete without popping on to the deck of The Tall Ship The Glenlee and seeing this fantastic piece of naval history. Berthed on The River Clyde in the heart of Glasgow, SV Glenlee was built in 1896 on the River Clyde, which was then the greatest shipbuilding river in the world. She worked as a cargo ship for over 20 years, circumnavigating the globe 4 times. SV Glenlee is now the only remaining Clyde-built sailing vessel afloat in the UK and is an icon of Glasgow’s ship building heritage. It’s a great attraction for all the family – youngsters can ring the bell and scrub the deck and visitors of all ages will enjoy the café and looking around the crew’s quarters. Entry is free but donations are welcome.
The Hunterian is one of Scotland’s greatest museums and home to over a million items ranging from mummies to Mackintosh. Their collections range from art to archaeology and palaeontology to numismatics and our special exhibitions and acclaimed permanent galleries. The Hunterian is the legacy of Dr William Hunter (1718 – 1783), a pioneering obstetrician and teacher with a passion for collecting. He lavished his wealth on building up the vast private collection which he bequeathed to the University of Glasgow in 1783, along with money to create a suitable museum. The Hunterian opened its doors in 1807, making it Scotland’s oldest public museum and giving it a unique place within Scotland’s cultural heritage. Entry is free.
Art lovers will fall for the works of Rubens, Rembrandt, Whistler and Eduardo Paolozzi, amongst others, at the recently reopened Hunterian Art Gallery. Home to one of the most distinguished public art collections in the country and don’t miss their Sculpture Courtyard. Entry is free but booking is necessary.
Take the city sightseeing bus back into city centre and head to Buchanan Street to enjoy a browse round Glasgow’s finest shopping mall, Princes Square. With stores featuring some of the world’s biggest brands including: Kate Spade and Dermalogica. Relax and enjoy lunch or dinner in one of their many bars and restaurants or catch the latest blockbuster or a cult classic in the Everyman Cinema, based in the courtyard – the first of its kind in Scotland.
Situated at 96 Buchanan Street is Willow Tea Rooms. Established in 1983, Willow Tea Rooms are inspired by the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and modelled on Kate Cranston’s original Ingram Street Tea Rooms from the 1900s. The contrast in colours between the White Dining Room and the Chinese (Blue) Room adds to the atmosphere of the Tea Rooms with many of visitors having their own favourite room. Enjoy their world-famous afternoon tea or stop off for a scone and cup of tea to take a break from shopping.
If you fancy escaping the city this weekend, we heartily recommend a trip Loch Lomond to see SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium, just 30 minutes from Glasgow, situated on the stunning Loch Lomond Shores. Get up close to over 1500 creatures, including playful otters and Scotland’s largest collection of shark species. Find out how it feels to touch a starfish and other creatures living in the interactive rockpool then head to their fourth floor Lookout for unrivalled views of Loch Lomond or relax in their Loch View Coffee Shop. Enjoy 30% off when you book on our offers page – https://thingstodoingla.com/offers/
See more of Scotland’s most beautiful loch on a Sweeney’s Cruise. You can enjoy a daily sightseeing cruise on one of their luxury fleet of boats. Sweeney’s are one of the longest running family businesses in Scotland. Sweeney’s Cruise Co. has operated on Loch Lomond since the 1880s and that time has come to know every inch of the Loch’s 23 miles, its varied wildlife, wealth of history, legend and folklore.
Glengoyne Distillery has been described as Scotland’s most beautiful distillery. Nestled below the picturesque Campsie hills, just 40 minutes’ drive from Glasgow and Stirling and close to Loch Lomond, this traditional, hard-working distillery has been producing a unique selection of award-winning Highland Single Malt whiskies since 1833. Glengoyne is open all year for guided distillery tours, whisky tastings, malt master sessions, masterclasses, and unique events.
Whatever your plans are for this weekend, no matter what you like – we have it all!