Looking for fun things to do in and around Glasgow? You're in for a treat! Whether you're up for a peaceful stroll through beautiful parks, soaking in some history at iconic museums, or just exploring the city's unique vibe, Glasgow's got something for everyone.

It doesn't matter if you're out with family, hanging with friends, or flying solo - there's plenty to keep you busy. Plus, everything's super east to get to by bus. Just pop where you're starting from and where you want to go into our handy journey planner, and we'll show you the best way to get there. Easy, right?

      


Parks

Bellahouston Park

This extensive park has many features and facilities to tempt visitors and local residents to its grounds. It boasts formal gardens and open parkland in which to relax and take in views over the city and beyond. Quiet contemplation can also be had at the House for an Art Lover and for the more active and adventurous there are extensive sports facilities.

Website: Bellahouston Park
Services: 9, 9A, 10, 34

 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is known internationally for its impressive glasshouses and extensive tropical and temperate plant collections from around the world. Covering an area of 2137 sq. metre, the Kibble Palace (dating from 1873) is one of the largest glasshouses in Britain and contains a marvellous collection of tree ferns from Australia and New Zealand, and plants from Africa, the Americas and the Far East.

Eleven other linked glasshouses contain a wide variety of plants including cacti and a noteworthy collection of orchids.

Services: 6, 6A, 8, 90

Website: Glasgow Botanic Garden

Calderglen Country Park

This Country Park in East Kilbride has a wide variety of attractions and facilities to appeal to all ages. Within the park there are nature trails, the Calderglen Conservatory, a children's play area, a children's zoo and an ornamental garden.

Eleven other linked glasshouses contain a wide variety of plants including cacti and a noteworthy collection of orchids.

Services: 21

Website: Calderglen Country Park

Pollok Country Park

Pollok Country Park is Glasgow's largest park and its only Country Park. The Park won the accolade of 'Britain's Best Park' in 2007 and then won 'Europe's Best Park' in 2008 making a visit to this stunning 'piece of the country' in Glasgow's southside well worth it!

In the grounds you can find Highland Cattle, mountain bike trails, woodland walks, a children's playpark and walled gardens.

Services: 34, 57, 57A

Website: Pollok Country Park

Queen's Park

Queen's Park is a beautiful Paxton creation that offers something for everyone, from manicured lawns and bedding areas for the gardening enthusiast to peaceful naturalised walks rich in wildlife. The Park also boasts a boating lake and a children's playpark as well as sport's facilities.

Services: 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 34, 57, 57A, 90

Website: Queen's Park

Victoria Park

Victoria Park (20 hectares/50 acres) was originally acquired by the Burgh of Partick. The park was named for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887 and is considered to be Glasgow's prettiest park. The park boasts an extensive range of formal floral displays and hollies.

Services: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2, 3, X4

Website: Victoria Park


Museums

 

Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, University of Glasgow & Visitor Centre

Glasgow University Campus on University Avenue is the oldest campus in the City and the main building is a beautiful example of neo-Gothic architecture. The visitor centre provides visitors with a wealth of information on the history and present times of the University.

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery are both housed on the main campus. Both have extensive collections with the museum highlighting 4500 years of evolution and the Art Gallery hosting work by Rembrandt and Pissaro amongst others.

Services: 4/4A

​The Auld Kirk Museum

The Auld Kirk and its graveyard are Grade A listed and together form one of the finest and oldest sites in the town of Kirkintilloch. The church was built in 1644 to replace the twelfth century St Ninian's Church beside the Old Aisle Graveyard, in the south-eastern quarter of Kirkintilloch. The site at Kirkintilloch Cross had previously been occupied by a fourteenth century Chapel to the Virgin Mary. The building is of Greek cruciform plan, with a steeply pitched roof and crow-stepped gables. Some of the older features, such as the raked balconies and their pews, remain, but the pews in the 'body of the kirk' have been removed.

Services: X85, X87, 88, 89

Venue website: The Auld Kirk Museum
 

Clydebank Museum

Clydebank Museum is situated beside the shipyard where many of the famous liners of the Clyde were built. The museum collections include local, social and industrial history artefacts relating to life in Clydebank both past and present and to shipbuilding and engineering in a town which became world famous for building ships.

Services: 1/1A/1B/1D/1E, 2, 6, 60, 81, M60

Venue website: Clydebank Museum

Low Parks Museum and Hamilton Mausoleum

Low Parks Museum and Hamilton Mausoleum are a fascinating insight into this part of the Clyde Valley with entertaining and informative displays about the history of South Lanarkshire.

Services: 201, 255, 226, 266

Venue website: Low Parks Museum
Venue website: Hamilton Mausoleum

People's Palace and Winter Gardens

The People's Palace in Glasgow Green is Glasgow's social history museum and a chance to see the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to the present. Visitors can see paintings, prints and photographs displayed alongside a wealth of historic artefacts, film and computer interactives.

Services: 18, 46, 64, 263

Venue website: People's Palace and Winter Gardens

Scotland Street School Museum

Experience what school was like in Scotland in years gone by. Scotland Street School Museum is also a great destination for Mackintosh enthusiasts as the school was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh between 1903 and 1906.

At the museum you learn about developments in education in Scotland. Displays, audio-visuals and reconstructed and restored classrooms will make your visit an interactive one.

You can listen to and read former pupils' recollections of their schooldays from classroom discipline, evacuation and the Second World War to school uniform and playground activities.
Services: 90

Venue website: Scotland Street School Museum

Exhibitions

Hampden Experience

Find out all about the history of Scotland's favourite sport at Scotland's national stadium! There are 14 galleries to enjoy during a visit including the notable 'Hall of Fame' charting Scotland's best national players and the Stadium Tour that allows you to visit areas of the stadium normally closed to the public like the players' tunnel. Children under 5 can visit free and tickets are available at a discount for concessions.

Venue website: Hampden Experience
Services: 5, 6, 7/A, 31, 34, 75, 90

North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre

North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre is a distinctive building in the modern style which first opened its doors in November 1996. 

Discover the fascinating history of North Lanarkshire with the whole family through a variety of exhibitions and archives collection. Learn more through the permanent collection that explores the history of the Motherwell area and admire the view over Campsie Fells, the Clyde Valley and Ben Lomond.

Venue website: North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre

Services: 201, 240, 241, 242, 266, X11

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Summerlee Museum is situated on a 20 acre site with free admission and all-weather facilities. Situated in Coatbridge, Summerlee Museum is a great day out for all the family. Explore the exhibition hall, home to an amazing array of social history and working machinery; then take a ride on the tram to miners’ row and a visit to the Wee Sweetie Shop, before enjoying a stroll along the canal to create your own adventure at the play park.

Website: Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre
Services: 201

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City. Spanning six floors, The Lighthouse provides an unrivalled opportunity to experience architecture and design through a changing programme of exhibitions, education and life long learning, networking, events and initiatives.

Venue website: The Lighthouse
Services: All of First's City Centre services pass within short walking distance of The Lighthouse.


Outdoor Attractions

Loch Lomond & Helensburgh

Both Balloch and Helensburgh are a step away from the City in one easy journey; Balloch is on the banks of Loch Lomond with Helensburgh a pretty town close-by.

Balloch is a popular starting point for boat trips on Loch Lomond being home to the paddle steamer "Maid of the Loch". You can enjoy watersports or walking as well as visiting the local Visitor Centre for an understanding of the local wildlife and area.

The country park in Balloch is 200 acres of woodland, parkland and ornamental gardens with pathways which go down to the shores of Loch Lomond. 

Website: Loch Lomond
Services: 1/1A/1B

Auchentoshan Distillery

Auchentoshan Distillery opened in 1823 near Dalmuir. The distillery, which produces a delicate, smooth and light Single Malt Whiskey, has a Visitor Centre which is accessible to all and which will allow visitors to understand how this traditional Scottish drink is made as well as browsing the gift shop and meeting Hamish, the Highland Cow and his family.

Website: Auchentoshan Distillery
Services: 1D

Dumbarton Castle

Site of the ancient capital of Strathclyde, Mary Queen of Scots sailed to France from here as a child in 1548. The castle is spectacularly sited on a volcanic rock overlooking the River Clyde.

Regrettably with 547 steps throughout the castle the property is not suitable for visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Website: Dumbarton Castle
Services: 1/1A, 1B, 206, 208

Bothwell Castle

Bothwell Castle is Scotland's largest and finest remaining 13th century castle. Involved in the Wars of Independence of 1296 the castle was then passed on to the Black Douglas family who restored and rebuilt many parts of the castle. One of the most famous original features still remains today in the form of a large donjon, or tower.

Website: Bothwell Castle
Services: 255

We haven’t been able to list all the great places you can visit by bus, so if you need more ideas or details on anything to do in the area, try checking out these websites:

Visit Scotland