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Things to do in Glasgow alone, with your partner, with friends or with family

things to do in Glasgow
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Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 22 August 2019

It is hard to get bored in Glasgow with the abundance of activities always going on. Scotland's culture capital offers something for every kind of crowd there are many things you can do on your own or with your friends, as well as many romantic activities for couples. If you have a family in Glasgow or your relatives are visiting, there is also a great number of family-friendly activities available.

Things you can do on your own in Glasgow

Introverted, lone wolf, or just looking for something to do on your own when everyone else is busy? There is plenty of fun, solitary activities to do in Glasgow. Visiting a café or browsing a bookshop are great activities to do on your own. So why not combine the two? Waterstones bookshop and café is a great place to have some cake and a cup of coffee in between perusing books in the largest bookstore in Glasgow. You can also go there to study or to read one of their many books.

Another great activity to do on your own is visiting a museum. Glasgow is home to over 20 museums and galleries of which many have free entry for everyone. A famous museum is the Riverside museum, which is dedicated to transport and displays everything from historical vehicles to modern interactive exhibitions. Another must-see is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, considered one of the best art museums in the UK with 22 separate galleries within the museum.

Romantic activities to do with your partner in Glasgow

Besides eating at one of Glasgow's many great restaurants, there are many things couples can get up to in Glasgow on their date night. A popular activity for couples anywhere in the world is going to see a movie. Why not do it at the world's tallest cinema? Cineworld on Renfrew Street is over 60 m tall and has seating for over 4,000 people. It is a popular cinema with many movie screenings every day. However, if you prefer something cosier, Grosvenor cinema in the West End and the Glasgow Film Theatre in the city centre have smaller screens and fewer films - but for a lower price.

Another date idea for couples is driving or taking the 77 Hospital Connect bus southside to Braehead to visit intu Braehead shopping centre. In addition to 102 different stores, Intu also offers fun activities like roller skating, climbing walls, bowling, laser tag and an indoor ski slope. There is also an IKEA store within walking distance from the shopping centre, where couples who live together can find affordable new furniture or just eat IKEA's classic Swedish meatballs.

Things to do in Glasgow with your family or friends

Going to one of Glasgow's many museums or visiting Intu Braehead shopping centre are of course things that are also perfectly suitable for families and groups of friends. If the weather allows it, packing a nice lunch, walking to a nearby park and having a picnic is something that everyone will enjoy - no matter how old they are. There are many parks to choose between in Glasgow, but if you want to take a nice stroll there, you might want to choose the one that is closest to you. For those living in the West End, Glasgow Botanic Gardens or Kelvingrove Park are two very popular and spacious green areas to have your picnic in. In the North, there is Ruchill Park, which has a nice view over Maryhill. Glasgow Necropolis and Glasgow Green are great places for those living in the city centre or in the East. Lastly, Queen's Park is a great park for those residing southside.

If you don't mind taking the train to get to your destination, Pollok Country Park is the largest park in Glasgow and also has the most stunning nature. You can also spot famous Scottish Highland cows - that is something everyone living in Scotland should do. Bring some bread, cheese and other picnic foods but remember to clean up and throw your rubbish in the bins when leaving. And remember that drinking alcohol in public is illegal in Glasgow and can actually give you a criminal record and a fine of up to £500.

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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