10 Fun Things to Do in Glasgow When Traveling with Friends

Planning a group trip through the U.K. and wondering what Glasgow is all about?

No trip to the British Isles is complete without visiting historic Glasgow, Scotland's largest city that provides plenty of amazing places to visit and things to see to make your trip unforgettable.

Once voted the world's friendliest city, Glasgow is known for its banter, football rivalries and beautiful architecture.

And don't worry, you don't need to pack a lunch—we don't just eat fried Mars bars in Glasgow (though, as a local, I will admit, I do fancy them!).

In short, Glasgow has you covered, from free galleries and museums to the best tearooms and tranquil parks.

If you're looking for fun things to do in Glasgow when planning your group trip, here are my personal favorites. I've lived in Glasgow for years and it's a charming city with, in my opinion, more grit than Edinburgh (though of course there are lots of things to do in Edinburgh too!).

Our playful, sometimes teasing chat, even if you can't understand Scottish accents, is worth a visit alone, I promise!

So, find out what it means to be a Weegie as you discover all the best things to do when you visit Glasgow.

Is Glasgow a Great Place for Tourists?

Glasgow is an amazing place to visit for backpackers, friends and first-time visitors because of its stunning beauty, unique history and amazing tourist attractions.

What makes Glasgow so rich in history?

To start, Glasgow was once part of the Roman Empire, settled by the Romans in the 1st century. Some of the city's Roman walls still stand today and parts of the famous Antonine Wall are on display at the Hunterian Museum.

Glasgow also has a long history of shipbuilding. A Glasgow-based company built the HMS Hood, the largest warship in the world at the time that infamously sank in WWII.

If you're looking for a fun night out, check out one of Glasgow's many pubs or clubs. 

Glasgow's scotch culture is unmatched and Glasgow has many famous whisky bars (sorry, over here, we spell whisky without the "e"!). Just bear in mind that the Scots will drink you under the table. I don't make the rules.

Glasgow is also close to Scotland's largest loch (Scottish for lake), Loch Lomond. Its beauty and surrounding forests make visiting Loch Lomond one of the best places to visit in Scotland, perfect for packing for a hiking trip or going on a day trip from Glasgow to cruise on the water!

Whether you're embarking on Contiki tours in Europe with friends or exploring Glasgow solo, add these activities and sights to the top of your Glasgow travel list.

Let's discover the top things to do in Glasgow so you and your friends can have the best time on your trip. As a frequent traveler myself who has settled down in Glasgow, I know how amazing this city is and I want to share all my favorite spots.

10 Unique Things to Do in Glasgow

1. Check Out Glasgow Cathedral and the Glasgow Necropolis

The Glasgow Necropolis is an eerie but beautiful cemetery overlooking the awe-inspiring Glasgow Cathedral. It's home to some of the world's most impressive Victorian funeral monuments.

Whether you're interested in Gothic architecture or simply want to explore a unique cemetery, the Glasgow Necropolis is a fascinating place to visit.

The only medieval cathedral in Scotland to survive the Protestant Reformation, the nearby Glasgow Cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Scotland.

Its classic pointed arches, windows with slender tracery and stunning interior make it a worthwhile tourist attraction. Check the visiting hours of the Glasgow Cathedral to know when the building is open to the public and when the church is in service.

The Glasgow Necropolis hugs a low hill to the east of the Glasgow Cathedral, so you can easily visit both places in one day as they're a mere three-minute walk from each other.

Visiting the Glasgow Necropolis and Glasgow Cathedral offers a glimpse into the city's past and will leave you with a greater appreciation for Glasgow's rich culture.

2. Relax in Pollok Country Park

If you and your friends are nature lovers and looking for a free thing to do in Glasgow, take a stroll through Glasgow's largest public park, Pollok Country Park!

The park covers over 360 acres and is home to a variety of local wildlife, including pedigree Highland cattle—Scotland's adorable cows that always look in need of a haircut.

It also contains the Pollok House, an 18th-century building now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland and previously home to the Maxwells, an ancient Scottish family, that wouldn't have been out of place in a Jane Austen novel.

Pollok Country Park is a great place to visit with friends to enjoy a cute picnic, riverside walks, a round of golf and outdoor concerts during summer, making Pollok Country Park one of the best things to do in Glasgow!

3. Let Loose at The Pot Still on Hope Street

The Pot Still is one of the most iconic pubs in Glasgow, especially if you love whisky. It's won several restaurant awards, including Pub of the Year in Scotland, and still has a reputation for being the top whisky bar to visit in Glasgow.

What makes The Pot Still so unique? First, it's been around since 1867, so it has lots of history.

And the pub itself is tiny, appearing slightly crooked when you first walk in, but that only adds to its charm. It makes up for it with its collection of over 800 whiskies.

Whisky pubs are a must-see attraction in Scotland, not least because Scotland has such an historic whisky culture (we don't really bother saying "Scotch" here in Scotland).

Whisky as a beverage traces its roots to Scotland and Ireland—where they scandalously spell whisky as whiskey—since the Middle Ages. If you're planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland, be sure to try Scotch whisky vs. Irish whiskey, though I'm biasedly confident you'll prefer ours!

So if you and your friends are looking for a fun night out while traveling to Glasgow, definitely add Scotland's most-renowned whisky pub The Pot Still to your itinerary.

4. Nerd Out at the Glasgow Science Center

The Glasgow Science Center is one of the many fun things to do in Glasgow. Located in the heart of Glasgow overlooking the River Clyde, it's perfect if you're hoping to find things to do in Glasgow's city center.

There are plenty of exhibits to revel in, including a planetarium, a full-motion flight simulator and an IMAX theater that shows sci-fi movies & cool nature documentaries, plus a café if you need to take a break!

The Science Center is open every day, 10 a.m.–5 p.m (though hours are more restricted during the winter months). Admission isn't free but a single day ticket isn't more expensive than a couple of pints at the pub.

The planetarium is particularly worth visiting, as it features exciting full-dome digital-projection shows about astronomy.

I've checked it out a few times myself and have always been enthralled with the immersive experience—as if I'm actually traveling in space!—not to mention happy with the exceptionally comfy seats, which are great if you've just walked all through the Science Center.

5. Explore Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

You can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. With 22 galleries and over 8,000 objects on display, it's one of the best places to visit in Glasgow.

The exhibits feature a piece by the famous Spanish painter Salvador Dalí, a 15th-century suit of armor made in Italy and a collection by the Glasgow Boys, influential Scottish painters from the late 19th century.

Best of all, Kelvingrove is another great destination if you're traveling on a budget, as it's free.

Or if you and your friends want to experience Glasgow with a local expert, go on a guided tour of the top art & culture spots in Glasgow's West End, which includes a visit to Kelvingrove!

6. Enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Willow Tearooms

Glasgow is known for its tearooms, which became popular at the turn of the 20th century as the temperance movement—socializing with little or no alcohol—gained prominence.

The original Willow Tearooms building on Sauchiehall Street is an iconic establishment opened by Glasgow-based entrepreneur Kate Cranston in 1903, who developed the idea of "art tearooms" in response to the temperance movement.

Cranston's idea was to offer the public a venue to relax and enjoy non-alcoholic beverages like tea in different rooms with unique designs in the same building.

Alongside renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who designed the tearoom interiors, she launched the Willow Tearooms, which became so historic, the building at its original location is now operated by the National Trust for Scotland.

The surroundings, which have been artfully restored and maintained, are what make the Willow Tearooms so special. They're simply breathtaking, particularly if you like Art Nouveau decor. You can enjoy a beautiful afternoon tea here and pretend you've traveled back in time to 1900.

On the occasions I've visited, I found both the food and drinks delicious and the atmosphere of the rooms stunning. It's a little on the pricey side, but well worth a visit if you're looking for a fun thing to do in Glasgow.

To avoid confusion, I should clarify that the classic location managed as a heritage site had to change its name to Mackintosh at the Willow. A newer, privately owned business at a separate location calls itself the Willow Tearooms because they won the trademark.

7. Visit the Riverside Museum

The award-winning Riverside Museum is one of the most popular museums in Glasgow.

What is the Riverside Museum known for? It's dedicated to the world of transportation, showing off Scotland's contributions to automobile, shipbuilding and train-manufacturing industries.

The museum houses more than 3,000 artifacts, ranging from vintage cars to an old South African steam train.

Formerly the Museum of Transportation, the museum relocated to a state-of-the-art building near the confluence of the Rivers Clyde & Kelvin (hence the museum's new name, too!).

Inside are replica cobbled streets with shops, houses and a recreated subway station to transport visitors to what it was like walking around old neighborhoods with horse buggies and classic automobiles & trams.

And docked nearby in the River Clyde rests the Glenlee, a 19th-century Scottish three-masted sailing ship that's over 245 feet long and was once a training ship for the Spanish Navy.

The museum is open to the public Mondays–Thursdays & Saturdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Fridays & Sundays. It's free to visit (though donations are encouraged!).

8. Marvel the Beautiful Plants at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

There are many free things to do in Glasgow, but visiting the Glasgow Botanic Gardens is one of the best.

Open from 7 a.m. to nightfall, all year round, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a true hidden gem. Tucked away in the West End, it offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Founded in 1817, it contains nearly 30 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and is home to a huge variety of plant life, including some rare and endangered species. Don't miss the incredible Dendrobium orchids, tree ferns and Begonias!

The gardens also feature some impressive greenhouses with tropical plants from around the world. Plus, they've got lots of cool events, like orchid tours and composting workshops.

9. Admire the Architecture of City Chambers

I know, visiting a government building sounds like it could be lame—but hear me out!

The Glasgow City Chambers, where the city council convenes, is stunning. It's even protected by the U.K. government as a Category A Listed Building for being a structure of special architectural and historic interest.

If you're looking for a great thing to do in Glasgow, add the Glasgow City Chambers to your list of places to visit!

Constructed in the 1880s, it's a point of pride for Glaswegians, reflecting the city's historical growth period from the 1830s to the start of the First World War, when Glasgow surpassed Edinburgh in population size and became known as the "Second City of the Empire."

Free tours of the City Chambers are available twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. They last about 45 minutes and are perfect as a pre- or post-lunch activity with friends to get some local culture in!

Heads-up: the tours are first-come, first-served, with signups offered on the spot starting a half-hour in advance.

Whether you're interested in learning about Glasgow's rich history or simply want to enjoy a unique experience, this is a stop you won't want to miss.

10. Get Sucked into Football Fever

America has American football, Canada has hockey, India has cricket and New Zealand has rugby, but here in the U.K., we love our football, what the Yanks call soccer.

Football is a way of life in Scotland. The sport is in the blood of most Glaswegians. Entire families are staunch fans of particular clubs—usually either Celtic F.C. or Rangers F.C., the two Glasgow-based teams in the Scottish Premiership, the top league in all of Scotland.

The historic rivalry between Celtic and Ranger is so entertaining and tense, the two teams are collectively known as Old Firm, so-called after a cartoon from 1904 that satirized the then-held notion the two teams were in cahoots.

When they play each other, it's known as an Old Firm match. Attending an Old Firm game is one of the most exciting things to do in Glasgow. To buy tickets, check either the Celtics schedule or the Rangers schedule, depending on which team is the home team.

Find the Best Things to Do in Glasgow with the Pilot Trip Planner

There's no shortage of sights and activities in Glasgow!

If you're ready to explore Scotland with friends, whether backpacking through the U.K. or taking a British vacay with your crew, pop into Glasgow to drink in its charm and start planning a Scottish itinerary.

Learn how to plan a trip with friends to enjoy stress-free sightseeing and maximize your time in Glasgow with a trip planner like Pilot. With AI tools to help you find the best attractions and tips for staying under budget, Pilot makes travel easier than ever!