8 Free And Fun Things To Do Around Glasgow City Centre
All students know that it can be tough living on a tight budget, so any recommendations on free things to do for fun are always very welcome.
Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city, and there are plenty of ways to have fun (for free!) perfect for people who don’t want to splash the cash.
We’ve compiled a list of 8 free and fun things to do around Glasgow City Centre.
1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
A staple in Glasgow’s culture, Kelvingrove is a must-see for anyone spending time in Glasgow. After a three year refurbishment, it re-opened to the public in 2006 and has since become one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions. Located in the West End of the City Centre, right next to Glasgow University, you can’t miss it! Not only is it free to enter, but it’s situated in the middle Kelvingrove Park, which is brilliant for walks, the kids park and the skate park.
2. The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse, otherwise known as Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture is one of Glasgow’s go-to stops. It’s free to enter, and if you’re brave enough, you can climb the spiral staircase to enjoy the city centre views or have a browse of the Rennie Mackintosh collection. Perfect for any art lovers or for a quick photo op.
3. Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls and Tennis Centre
Situated right next to Kelvingrove Museum, you can play Lawn Bowls and Tennis on their lovely grass courts for free (though you have to hire or bring your own tennis equipment!). If you want to try your hand at something new, giving bowls a go is a great idea, perfect for friends and families. Best of all, it means you can learn a new skill for free!
4. Glasgow Cathedral And The Necropolis
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and by far the oldest building in Glasgow, it is surrounded by The Glasgow Necropolis, a cemetery full of history, in which over 50,000 people have been buried. Walking around the cathedral and the cemetery is a very interesting and historical experience and also makes for a very pretty photo.
5. Pollock Country Park
Located in Glasgow’s green southside, and feels just like you’re stepping out of the city and into the countryside. It’s ideal for couples and friends who enjoy walking and taking in the greenery around them, but also ideal for a longer day out for families. The park features 361 acres of greenery to explore, gardens, a playground for kids and seasonal events. Keeping everyone entertained!
6. Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace
Located in Glasgow’s West End, The Botanic Gardens make for the ideal day out. If the weather is in your favour you can enjoy a walk through the gardens or chill on the grass with some snacks. Though if its cold or starts to rain, you can head into Kibble Palace, a large glass house full of beautiful exotic plants and decorations. When its all for free, it’s definitely worth a visit!
7. Gallery of Modern Art
A perfect stop on your trip for any art lover, GoMA is quite the spectacle! Located right in the heart of the city centre in the Royal Exchange Square, its easy to get to and free to enter. As Scotland’s most-visited art gallery, the art and exhibitions themselves are ever-changing and there’s always new features to check out. The gallery is located right behind the famous Duke of Wellington statue, who has become a main part of Glasgow’s culture ever since his head was donned with a traffic cone. Glasgow never fails to entertain!
8. Riverside Museum
This travel and transport-focused museum provides a great day out for family and friends. Located just on the banks of the River Clyde, it’s pretty easy to get to from the city centre. It’s won countless awards (including the 2013 European Museum Of The Year Award) for showcasing Glasgow’s rich history and has over 3000 objects on display. Its home to a host of vintage cars and bikes, steam trains, trams and you can even enter the Tall Ship Glenlee outside, all for free!
There’s our list of 8 free and fun things to do around Glasgow’s City Centre. Glasgow is an amazing city full of things to do, people to meet and experiences to be had. These are just a few of the many enjoyable things to do, so get out there if you’re ever visiting (or even if you live here) and give a few of them a go!
