Glasgow

1. Buchanan Street

Known as Glasgow's "style mile," Buchanan Street is lively Pedestrian Street paved with lovely granite stonework and lined on both sides with Victorian architectural gems mixed with modern but impressive new additions. This stylish, well-done combination has won the Buchanan Street coveted Academy of Urbanism "Great Street Award." The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is also here, as well as the controversial statue of the politician Donald Dewar.

At night, beautiful blue neon lights turn the street into a fairytale playground for shoppers and tourists. Nearby are St George's-Tron Church and the building that houses the Glasgow Stock Exchange. The Gallery of Modern Art is situated on the adjacent Royal Exchange Square. Located in the heart of the city, Buchanan Street is shoppers' paradise, with Buchanan Galleries and flagship stores of many upscale designers. Buchanan Street Map

2. East End

Snuggled between High Street and Castle Street with the medieval Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Cross featuring the Tron Steeple, East End is the city's ancient heart. This is the place where you will find Barrowland Ballroom, a legendary Glasgow music venue, the Barras, the biggest and the most popular weekend market, and Glasgow Green, a beautiful park that is one of the oldest in the country. You will also find the People's Palace, a pleasant, unpretentious museum where you can learn about Glasgow's history.

Next door are the Winter Gardens, consisting of a gorgeous, ornate Victorian glasshouse with a water garden and lush tropical greenery. There is also a nice café where you can relax and enjoy the serenity of the vibrant plant world. Outside the Palace is the Doulton Fountain, an ornate, beautifully restored Victorian terracotta monument to the British Empire. East End Map

3. George Square

George Square is Glasgow`s main open space with a grand City Chambers (the city council building) at its focus. At the center, you can see a statue of Sir Walter Scott, Scotland's celebrated writer. There are a few other statues around, such as the one of Robert Burns. The square was established in 1781, and a number of stately homes were built around it between 1787 and the 1820s.

Only one remains, a hotel on the square's north side. The square is often a location for large public gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations, such as the famous one held on Black Friday in 1919. Around Christmas time, the square is festive and cheerful with colorful lights. During the hot summer days, local office workers enjoy the sun from one of many benches. George Square Map

4. Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is one of Scotland's oldest and most magnificent medieval large buildings. Consecrated in 1197, the Cathedral is believed to have been built on the site of the tomb of St. Kentigern, a patron saint of Glasgow, who was buried on the site in AD 612, and the event therefore marks the birthplace of Glasgow.

It is the only Scottish cathedral to survive the 1560 Reformation undamaged. It is an exceptional example of Scottish Gothic architecture. Some of the most interesting features to pay attention to when strolling through the cathedral are stone bosses intricately carved on the ceiling of the Blackadder Aisle and a very fine post post-war collection of stained glass windows.

Glasgow Cathedral, Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-141-552-8198

5. Glasgow Central Tours

Glasgow Central Tours offers a unique glimpse behind the beautiful architecture of the Glasgow Central Station on an hour and half walking tour of dark subterranean passageways, spooky tunnels, noisy boiler rooms, railway vaults, and narrow staircases.

You will be walking deep under the city streets and hear the stories of famous people who waited on the platforms of the iconic historic 1879 building. You will finally get the answer to often asked questions such as why the main gates to the station are painted green and gold or what is supporting the station roof if there are no supporting pillars.

Glasgow Central Tours, Glasgow Central Station 79 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SL, Scotland, Phone: +44-845-711-4141

6. Glasgow Green and the People's Palace

Located in the heart of Glasgow Green, a beautiful old park on the bank of the River Clyde in the east part of Glasgow, the People's Palace is the museum of Glasgow's social history, featuring a collection of original artefacts, photos, film, and prints that offer wonderful insight into the lives of Glasgow residents from the end of 18th century to the 20th century.

The collections cover important aspects of city life such as Tobacco Lords and Trade Unions. Some of the most outstanding collections are Billy Connolly's Banana Boots and Dancing At The Barrowlands. After enjoying the museum, stop by the Winter Gardens for a stroll among exotic tropical plants and have a cup of coffee in the quaint coffee shop.

Glasgow Green and the People's Palace, Glasgow Green, Glasgow G40 1AT, Scotland, Phone: +44-141-276-0788

7. Glasgow School of Art and The Mackintosh Building

The Glasgow School of Art is a public art school founded in 1845 offering university-level programs in fine art, architecture, and design. The school is located in the Mackintosh Building, one of Glasgow's architectural masterpieces designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1897.

The school consists of three academic schools: the Mackintosh School of Architecture, the School of Design, and the School of Fine Arts. Each school has its own academic programs and research centers. In addition, there is the Digital Design Studio, which specializes in visualization and simulation. The Glasgow School of Art organizes a range of events and exhibitions every year.

Glasgow School of Art and The Mackintosh Building, 167 Renfrew St, Glasgow G3 6RQ, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-141-353-4500

8. Glasgow Science Centre

The Glasgow Science Centre is a fascinating attraction for kids and adults that interprets technology and science in inspiring and unique ways. Standing near the River Clyde in the Clyde Waterfront Regeneration area, the Centre was opened in 2001.

There are two acres of exciting interactive exhibits, shows, activities, an IMAX cinema, and a planetarium. Visitors enjoy live science shows with whizzes, pops, and flashes. They can go aboard the Big Explorer in the Waterways exhibit, climb the bubble wall, explore the night sky in the planetarium, or become mesmerized by the Vortex tunnel or the Phantom Hand.

Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA, Scotland, Phone: +44-141-420-5000

9. Glasgow Tigers Speedway

Motorcycle speedway is not very popular in Scotland, and the Glasgow Tigers are the only speedway team in the west Scotland. The team was formed in 1928 and competes in the British Premier League. There are very few speedway tracks in the country, and the Tigers race at Saracen Park and the newly developed Peugeot Ashfield Stadium in the north of Glasgow.

The Tigers have been Premier League champions three times. The racing season runs from March to October, and there are 12 matches at home and 12 away. The Tigers also participate in the Knockout Cup.

Glasgow Tigers Speedway, The Peugeot Ashfield Stadium, 404 Hawthorn St, Glasgow G22 6RU, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-808-252-0576

10. House for an Art Lover

House for an Art Lover is an art gallery, event venue, exhibition space, café, artist studio, and a lovely place to visit. Located in the beautiful Glasgow's Ballahouston Park, the House was designed in 1901 by Glasgow’s leading architect of the time Charles Rennie Mackintosh as an entry for a competition for an Art Lovers House organized by German magazine "Zeitschrift Fur Innendekoration."

The house was not built until 1996 when a group of Mackintosh's admirers decided to build his plans. The house was designed as a posh country retreat for people of taste and culture. Today, the house is used to stimulate interest in art, architecture, and design, and the studios, exhibition spaces, and scholarships are available to everyone.

House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Rd, Glasgow G41 5BW, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-141-353-4770