What To Do In Glasgow For A Day Exploring West End

Spend a day in Glasgow’s vibrant West End! From the Botanic Gardens to the Riverside Museum, discover what to do in Glasgow for a day.

Glasgow is one of my favorite cities in the UK.

It has history, it feels youthful and dare I say gritty.

The West End neighborhood is one of the most popular areas to visit in Glasgow—and it’s also one of my personal favorites.

This vibrant area offers plenty to see and do, starting with a stroll through the manicured lawns and glasshouses of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

You can end your day dining at one of the restaurants on Byres Road or Ashton Lane, and even catch a movie at the Grosvenor Picture Theatre.

Let me share my favorite things to do when visiting Glasgow’s West End.

Getting to the West End

If you’re staying in the city center near a subway entrance, the easiest and best way to reach the West End is to take the subway and get out at Hillhead Subway Station.

You can also take the L100 bus to Byers Road.

Uber and taxis are also an alternative although a little more expensive.

Exploring the Neighborhood

The West End neighborhood is filled with Victorian and Edwardian homes.

Built during Glasgow’s industrial pinnacle, these homes often feature intricate stonework, large bay windows, and steeply pitched roofs.

To admire the elegant architecture and breathe in the spirit of the neighborhood, cross the street from the subway station.

There you can take a stroll around the Athole and Huntley Gardens.

While visiting the area recently, I passed by the Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church.

I later read that the church was designed by architect James Sellars and its French Gothic style was inspired by Sainte-Chapelle, one of my favorite churches in Paris.

Visit the Botanic Garden and Kibble Palace

You’ll find the Botanic Gardens at the corner of Byres Road and Great Western Road.

With its spectacularly manicured grounds, the gardens are perfect for spending several hours on a sunny day.

If the weather is dreary, the glasshouses provide a cozy refuge from the rain and cold.

Take a break at the on-site café after exploring the gardens.

On a visit during a sunny day, I enjoyed a snack from one of the outdoor vendors while relaxing on a bench.

It was a perfect way to enjoy the sunshine and the stunning colors of the flower beds.

The highlight of the Botanic Gardens is the iconic Kibble Palace.

As the UK’s largest glasshouse, Kibble Palace houses the national collection of tree ferns alongside tropical plants from five continents.

Originally designed by John Kibble as a private conservatory, the magnificent glass, steel, and wrought iron structure was sold to the Royal Botanic Institution of Glasgow in 1871.

Glasgow University and The Hunterian Museum

Another great thing to do in the West End of Glasgow is to visit Glasgow University.

The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world.

It is a public research university founded in 1405.

The University is a conglomerate of modern and old buildings and is worth exploring.

However, a must-do while wandering the university is to visit the Hunterian Museum.

 The museum features extensive displays relating to scientific instruments, the Begg Collection of fossils, and a high number of scientific instruments owned by or created by Lor Kelvin.

As a scientist, it was exciting to see the instruments of Lord Kelvin a physicist I had studied in school.

The exhibits feature an eclectic mix, including fossils, engines, anatomy, and more.

I tend to enjoy these smaller museums with a large variety of topics as I don’t get bored of seeing just one thing.

Something else I loved when visiting The Hunterian was the actual Cloisters where the museum is housed.

Although the Harry Potter films were never filmed at the University, the gothic revival period architecture of the Quadrangles and Cloisters will transport fans to the corridors of Hogwarts.

It’s worth mentioning that The Hunterian Museum is a group of five museums that include The Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery, the Mackintosh House, the Zoology Museum, and the Anatomy Museum,

The museums are located in various buildings on the main campus of the university and are free of charge.

If you’re a fan of Charles Mackintosh and his wife Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh don’t miss a visit to “The Mackintosh House”.

A rebuilt terraced house designed, and furnished for architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his artist wife Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh (one of the MacDonald Sisters).

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Speaking of art, my favorite place to see art in the West End is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

A short walk from the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum, this magnificent building houses some stunning artwork.

During my last visit, I had lunch at the museum cafeteria which has an excellent view of the park outside.

As I finished lunch, I was lucky to catch the 1:00 PM playing of the organ.

This is a major highlight as the organ is one of the centerpieces of the museum.

The organist was excellent and the experience was sensational.

After enjoying the music I explored the art wing.

The exhibit features paintings by local artists, including the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists.

Be sure to read and enjoy the work of the MacDonald sisters and don’t forget to search out Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross.

In addition to local and international artwork, the Kelvingrove has a wing dedicated to natural history and other types of collections.

You are sure to find many things of interest during your visit.

Visit the Riverside Museum of Transportation

A little farther from the heart of the West End, you’ll find one of Glasgow’s most fascinating attractions: the Riverside Museum of Transportation.

The museum building, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is a fun place to explore.

It showcases a wide range of objects, from skateboards and vintage cars to prams and powerful locomotives.

The highlight of my visit was the recreated cobbled Glasgow street, complete with shops from 1895 to the 1980s—it felt like stepping back in time.

I also enjoyed the exhibit on the original cable-operated Glasgow Subway.

Many exhibits are interactive – perfect for kids. You can climb aboard a train, tram, or bus to experience what public transport once felt like.

The museum’s open, light-filled design makes it easy to explore as you discover Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding heritage and marvel at the car and motorbike wall.

Just outside, on the River Clyde, you can visit the Glenlee, a spectacular Tall Ship and the UK’s only floating Clyde-built sailing ship.

Closing the day in the West End

If you’ve been around Rosas Viajeras for a while you know that we love ice cream.

Two of my favorite places to eat ice cream in this area are Minted on Byers Road and Loop & Scoop on Great Western Road.

Minted is very close to the subway station while Loop & Scoop is near the Botanic Gardens.

They both make for a great snack stop while exploring the West End.

Also close to the subway station is the charming Ashton Lane.

An alleyway filled with traditional and fun bars and restaurants.

Ashton Lane is also the home of Grosvenor Picture Theatre, Glasgow’s oldest cinema.

The place has been restored to its original beauty and is a favorite of locals.

For hours and current exhibits visit The Grosvenor Picture Theatre website.

In addition to Ashton Lane, Byres Road, and its surrounding streets are packed with bars and restaurants, offering options for every taste and budget.

Glasgow’s West End a Must-Visit

When you visit Glasgow, make sure to spend time in the West End—it’s a must-see destination.

With so much to explore in this vibrant neighborhood, you might find that a single day isn’t enough.

If you’re short on time, I hope this list of activities and attractions in the West End will help you make the most of your visit

Have fun exploring the West End of Glasgow!