20 Things to do in Glasgow’s West End

Here are just some of our favourite things to do in Glasgow’s West End.

1. Glasgow International Comedy Festival – Get your laugh on with up-in-coming acts in Glasgow’s West End before they appear on Mock The Week.
2. The Hunterian Museum – Stroll into the heart of the University of Glasgow campus and take heed of this underrated weird and wonderful permanent collection.
3. Glasgow’s Forgotten Subway – Search the West End’s Botanic Gardens where you can seek out the ruins of the little-known spooky abandoned underground station.
4. Glasgow’s West End Festival – Family fun – and often free – events, shows, stalls, walks and talks around the West End from history to experimental performances.
5. Visit Hogwarts (sort of) – Glasgow University’s main building cloisters – free to wander around – will make you feel like a bit of a real wizard.
6. Bargain hunt – Glasgow’s West End features Ruthven Lane, a treasure trove of antique and vintage shops to suit all budgets or window shopping needs.
7. Park Circus – Feel footloose and fancy free while strolling alongside some of Glasgow’s most glamorous and expensive houses without worrying about your bank balance.
8. Kelvingrove Park – Fresh air is always free — there’s plenty of things to see and do in Glasgow’s premier green space come rain or shine.
9. Book lovers’ paradise – Weather not playing ball? Voltaire and Rousseau or Alba Books off Great Western Road are Glasgow’s best bookshops for browsing or buying.
10. Glasgow Riverside Transport Museum – Experience a whole fun, free day out, especially for kids, with travel themed treasures to see and things to do.
11. Ashton Lane – Wait till dusk and walk down the West End’s favourite cobbled lane with its sparkling lights and soak up those achingly cool vibes.
12. Canal stroll – Start at the top of Queen Margaret Drive and enjoy a brisk canal side walk as far as Milngavie in East Dumbartonshire.
13. The Grosvenor Cinema – A licensed independent cinema with sofas showing movies new and old — you can kick back and relax as if you’re home!
14. The Mackintosh House – A beautiful recreation of the home of Scotland’s finest designer and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh in his characteristic art nouveau style.
15. Clydeside walk – Head towards Glasgow harbour to enjoy free riverside views and air. Spot the SECC, BBC studios and Transport Museum en route.
16. A Play, A Pie and a Pint – Oran Mor’s theatre meets culinary experience is one of the West End of Glasgow’s finest institutions.
17. Cottiers Theatre – Check what’s on at Hyndland’s old church or its sister venue Websters – now bohemian theatre venues with plenty of things to see.
18. De Coury’s Arcade – Plundering the haven of independent gift shops and cute boutiques on Cresswell Lane in the West End is a must do.
19. Kelvingrove Bandstand – Visiting Glasgow in the summer months? See if you can catch a gig to see at the park’s newly renovated music venue.
20. Day Spa – Get away from it all and have the ultimate “treat yourself” day on the edge of Kelvingrove at 15 Royal Terrace spa.