Glasgow’s Coolest Neighborhoods
Although far from intimidating, Glasgow is still big enough to facilitate several days of exploration. Its different areas all have their own fascinating quirks and highlights. From the gritty East End of the city, containing such places as Glasgow Green and Barrowlands, to city center enclaves such as Garnethill and Merchant City, to the leafier environs of the West End and Southside, the city boasts a wealth of possibilities in every direction.
Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG, UK
An ornate late-Victorian heap of red sandstone, the Kelvingrove (located within a lovely park of the same name) is Glasgow’s signature museum—and one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. Free to enter, it features a full house of historic exhibitions on everything from animals to Ancient Egypt and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, plus a wide range of important Scottish art (like Colourist Samuel John Peploe’s Roses), several French and Dutch works, and Salvador Dalí’s iconic Christ of Saint John of the Cross. Visiting exhibitions, such as Leonardo da Vinci drawings, round out the offerings. There are also regular organ recitals and free tours on weekends, making the Kelvingrove a perfect family attraction.
The chance to browse through Europe’s largest collection of civic art, all under one lavishly vaulted roof, for free? Little wonder that the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Scotland. The permanent collection here includes myriad works by French Impressionists (including Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, and Van Gogh), as well as major pieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Salvador Dalí. For medieval-history buffs (and Game of Thrones fans), there’s an one of the finest collections of European arms and armor in the world; and hometown art heroes are celebrated in galleries devoted to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the late-19th-century painters’ collective known as The Glasgow Boys.
The chance to browse through Europe’s largest collection of civic art, all under one lavishly vaulted roof, for free? Little wonder that the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Scotland. The permanent collection here includes myriad works by French Impressionists (including Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, and Van Gogh), as well as major pieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Salvador Dalí. For medieval-history buffs (and Game of Thrones fans), there’s an one of the finest collections of European arms and armor in the world; and hometown art heroes are celebrated in galleries devoted to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the late-19th-century painters’ collective known as The Glasgow Boys.
Cresswell Ln, Glasgow G12, UK
While Glasgow’s city centre is the place to go for high-end international names, the cobbled lanes of the West End shelter a more eclectic range of shops. At the centre of this scene is Cresswell Lane, which is a one stop shop for everything from homeware to jewellery and one off gifts.
Ingram St, Glasgow G1, UK
An important element of Merchant City’s transformation into one of Glasgow’s most important tourist areas is high-end shopping. The streets and lanes close to the River Clyde are packed with studios, workshops and galleries, but closer to Ingram Street the enclave is more famous for its bars, restaurants and retail options such as Boudiche, a lingere specialist, and Niche Optical Tailor, an outlet for bespoke eyewear.
