Glasgow City Guide

Glasgow is a beautiful city filled with a whole host of things to do and see. Immerse in Scottish culture and heritage, explore a range of museums, country parks, and gardens, or discover why the city is renowned as a prime destination for retail therapy. Whatever strikes your fancy, Glasgow’s bustling city centre will not disappoint.

Learn more about booking a city break in Glasgow and discover our hotels near the Hydro in Glasgow.

Culture

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Housed in an architectural gem, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum offers an impressive collection of art and historic artefacts across 22 themed galleries. Learn about Scottish history, world cultures, a range of arms and armour, bees (yes bees), and see a Mark 21 Spitfire as you explore this popular Scottish attraction.

Kelvingrove is open Monday to Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 5pm, with Friday and Sunday opening 11am to 5pm. This beautiful Glasgow landmark offers free entry and is a short from our hotels in Glasgow.


Riverside Museum
Travel through the Riverside Museum and explore ‘the Streets’, ‘Made in Scotland’, ‘Cutting Edge: Past, Present and Future’, ’The River Clyde’, and ‘Transport and Leisure’, to learn a wealth of Glasgow history, heritage, and social development. With locomotives, velocipedes, vintage cars, and a stormtrooper to discover, Riverside Museum provides a fun and exciting day out for all ages.

The museum is open Monday to Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 5pm, with Fridays and Sundays opening 11am to 5pm. Riverside Museum also offers free entry and is located just a short drive from our hotels in Glasgow.
 

The Piping Centre

Bagpipes are synonymous with Scottish Culture and it is hard to imagine visiting anywhere in Scotland without hearing their distinctive voice. The National Piping Centre is the home of the bagpipe and is located just a short drive from our hotel on Great Western Road, with 300 years of heritage contained within its walls. Find out how bagpipes are manufactured and even try out a set of bagpipes yourself!


Gallery of Modern Art
Located in the heart of Glasgow, The Gallery of Modern Art is the second most visited contemporary art gallery outside London. Housed in an iconic building that is shared with Glasgow city library, the gallery offers a thought-provoking programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops. It displays work by local and international artists as well as addressing contemporary social issues through its major biannual projects. This Glasgow attraction allows you to immerse in a world of inspiring art and cultural exploration.

The gallery is open Monday to Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 5pm, with Fridays and Sundays opening 11am to 5pm. Entry is free, and situated in the city centre, the Gallery of Modern Art is just a ten minute walk from our Glasgow hotel. 


The Burrell Collection
Sir William Burrell gifted his collection of over 9,000 works of art to Glasgow, allowing the city acquire one of the greatest collections created by an individual. This incredible cultural gem allows you to peruse medieval art, tapestries, alabasters, stained glass and English oak furniture, European paintings, including works by Degas and Cézanne, a collection of Islamic art, and modern sculpture- including works by Epstein and Rodin.

The Burrell Collection is also located in the heart of the Pollok Country Park, offering visitors the opportunity to explore beautiful woodlands, as well as Pollok House and its grounds for a truly fantastic day out.

The collection is open Monday to Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 5pm, with Fridays and Sundays opening 11am to 5pm. The Burrell Collection offers free entry and is a brief 20 minute drive from our hotels in Glasgow city centre.

Days Out

People's Palace
Immerse yourself in Glasgow's social history at The People's Palace Museum. The museum offers insight into the story of the people of Glasgow, as well as the city’s interesting history from 1750 to the present. Explore paintings, prints, and photographs alongside a wealth of historical artefacts as you learn about the history of Glaswegian life.

Admission is free to the museum, with the Winter Gardens opening between 10am and 5pm daily. The People’s Palace is a leisurely 20 minute walk from our Glasgow hotels, and is open 10am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, with Friday and Sunday opening 11am-5pm. Closed on Mondays.


Snow Factor
The only place in Glasgow where it’s winter all year round, Snow Factor is home to the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope. New skiers of all ages can take lessons, or more experienced skiers can simply hit the main slope. If skiing isn’t your thing, why not try the ice climbing wall, Bavarian Restaurant or Festive Grotto? The Ice Bar is also worth a couple of drinks and all of this is just 20 minutes away from Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End.


Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Escape to a beautiful urban oasis just outside the city centre. Glasgow Botanic Gardens offer a variety of horticultural and botanical houses, as well as lush gardens covering 42 acres. Take a picturesque walk by the River Kelvin, follow the heritage trail, or wander the formal gardens and arboretum, for a truly tranquil break from the city bustle.

Entry is free and there is a tearoom with terrace for refreshments. The gardens open Monday to Sunday 7am-dusk, while the Glasshouses are open 10am-6pm in summer and close at 4.15 in winter. The Botanic Gardens are less than a 20 minute walk from Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End.


Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Science Centre is an incredible centre of learning, engagement, and interactive fun! With three floors of interactive exhibits enticing all explorers into the world of science, it’s the perfect a day out for all the family.

The Science Mall is packed with exhibits, interactive workshops, and live science shows, while the IMAX cinema shows 2D and 3D films that will amaze and astound. Don’t forget to check out the incredible planetarium where you can immerse in the stars and heavens for an unforgettable experience.

The Glasgow Science Centre is open Monday to Sunday 10am-5pm. Ticket prices depend on the attraction - the science mall tickets cost £11 for an adult and £9 for a child. Our Glasgow hotels are just a short drive from the centre.


The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour
The Tall Ship has it all from Pirates and Mermaids to exhibitions and conferences – there’s something for everyone! Explore the main deckhouse, the galley, the ‘poop cabin’, the saloon, and so much more. There is a gift shop and café, and the ship runs a range of events, so it’s worth checking out ‘What’s On’ before your visit!

The Tall Ship is open 7 days a week throughout the year - 10am - 5pm February - October, but closing at 4pm November - January. Entry is free but you can buy audio guides and a guide book to help towards the running costs. The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour is a brief drive from Leonardo Hotel Glasgow and Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End.


Glasgow, is a vibrant and eclectic destination known for its unique blend of history, culture, and, of course, fantastic shopping opportunities. A day out shopping in Glasgow is a delightful experience that takes you through bustling streets, historic arcades, and modern malls. Join us on a retail journey through this dynamic city.

Shopping

St Enoch Shopping Centre
Enjoy a day of immersive retail therapy at the St Enoch Shopping Centre. Housing all of your favourite high street stores, this shopping hub is ideal for those looking for some personal pampering. The centre is open 9am to 7pm Monday to Fridays, 9am to 6pm Saturday, opening an hour later on Sunday. St Enoch Shopping Centre is a brief walk from our Leonardo Hotel Glasgow.


Buchanan Galleries
Found in the heart of Glasgow, Buchanan Galleries offers a prime retail destination. Home to John Lewis Glasgow, the centre houses a whole host of big names, as well as a range smaller independent stores, all awaiting your discovery. The Galleries is open 9am to 7pm most days, closing an hour earlier on Sunday and an hour later on Thursdays. Buchanan Galleries is just minutes from Leonardo Hotel Glasgow and Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End.


Princes Square
Housed in grand Grade B listed buildings that are combined with a modern and stylish centre, Prince’s Square offers ‘speciality’ shopping with a unique mix of high street stores, designer brands, and boutique shopping. Take a look at the centre’s opening hours or browse the stores and restaurants available. Princes Square is a short six minute walk from our hotel in Glasgow.


Braehead Shopping Centre
Close to Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End, Byres Road in the west end has an eclectic mix of shops, and Braehead shopping centre is an edge of town shopping complex for those who need more than the town centre.

Glasgow, is a vibrant and eclectic destination known for its unique blend of history, culture, and, of course, fantastic shopping opportunities. A day out shopping in Glasgow is a delightful experience that takes you through bustling streets, historic arcades, and modern malls. Join us on a retail journey through this dynamic city.