The Top Ten Museums and Galleries in Glasgow

Glasgow is well known for its culture and rich history as a maritime centre and as a result, this Scottish city is home to many museums, galleries, and stunning landmarks dedicated to preserving its past. Don't worry though, we have hand-picked the ten best museums, galleries, and top spots to get a great culture fix in Glasgow.

1.Kelvingrove Museum and Gallery

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions. Home to the world's most well-preserved collection of arms and armour and great painters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet, this museum and art gallery will certainly keep you busy all day. The displays have loving been created with children and families in mind and the site boasts a gift shop, cafe, and restaurant. As well as armour you can expect to find 22 themed galleries and exhibits, including, natural history and French impressionism.

2. Riverside Museum

Home to an astonishing 3,000 objects from skateboards to cars and even a stormtrooper, the Riverside Museum is brimming with interactive displays and incredible stories from local residents. Whether you fancy climbing aboard a train or a tall ship, this museum is the best place for all transport enthusiasts. Best of all the museum is free entry, so your budget doesn't have to stretch. This multi-award winning museum is a great place to spend the day and take a trip through the Victorian streets and shops.

3. Hunterian Art Gallery and Zoology Museum

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg)

The Hunterian Gallery and Zoology Museum houses a wide variety of displays both changing and permanent. With exhibits on archaeology, palaeontology, and zoology, plus much more this highly acclaimed museum and gallery is sure to spark all types of interests. The Hunterian is also home to artefacts and sculptures recovered from the Antonine Wall, a Roman wall that ran coast to coast across Scotland.

4. Scotland Street School Museum

Telling the story of how education grew and developed in Scotland from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. The Scotland Street School Museum is set in an old school building which was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and with detailed stonework and staircases, the building itself begs to be admired both inside and out. Reconstructed classrooms allow visitors to become part of the story, as they dress up as students through the times.

5. Gallery of Modern Art

Opened in 1996, the Gallery of Modern Art is home to ever-changing exhibits and artwork. Displaying both local and internationally renowned artists, the gallery can be found in the Royal Exchange Square and is free to enter. The gallery is housed in a neoclassical building that was originally built in 1778 as the townhouse of a wealthy Glaswegian Tobacco lord. Visitors to this magnificent building and gallery can also explore the library and the gift shop.

6.  The People's Palace

Set in the historic Glasgow Green The People's Palace has a wonderful variety of objects, photographs, and films which give an insight into how Glaswegian residents used to live. This museum tells the history of the residents from 1750 to the present day and includes displays of Glasgow history such as life in one-room tenement houses and nights out at the Barrowland Ballroom. The museum also includes a beautiful glasshouse filled with a small rainforest-like garden.

7.The Lighthouse

Glasgow's centre for design and architecture, The Lighthouse is the epicentre for Glasgow's status as a design capital. Hosting a range of displays from The Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition to the Best Use of Timber Awards, this gallery has something for everyone. At the top of this interesting building, visitors can walk the spiral staircase to the top of the "lighthouse" and view uninterrupted views over the city.

8. Scottish Football Museum

The Scottish Football Museum is Scotland's national museum of Football. For the sport's biggest fans, this is the place to visit. Home to over 2,000 items of memorabilia,  from here sport's fans can tour the Hampden Park Stadium, exploring the underground roadway and changing rooms. Taking you on a journey through the history of Scottish Football this is a must-see, with the museum attracting thousands across the globe each year.

9. The Tenement House

Owned by the National Trust, The Tenement House is a historic house preserved in Glasgow. A time-capsule of how life used to be in the early 1900's the museum provides an insight into how life was. Displays of household medicines, kitchens, and gaslights will lead you through a house that has seemingly stopped in time. Guides are around to answer all the questions you may have and will point out the interesting and unique items that fill the house. This family-friendly museum is the perfect day out in Glasgow.

10. The David Dale Gallery

Last, but not least is the David Dale Gallery and Studios. This not-for-profit art gallery established in 2009 presents a programme of local and international artists. Reflecting passion for art in the world, the gallery is volunteer-run and has transformed the industrial building it is housed in, into a spacious modern venue. Supporting emerging and developing artists, it is now a staple of the Glasgow art scene and has, in recent years become increasingly popular with tourists and locals alike.