Day in Glasgow with adult son. What/where?

[bournevilleismyfavourite]

I'm from Edinburgh but was at Strathclyde and have great memories of my time in Glasgow.
My son is 22, likes cities/photography/street art and vintage/thrift shops. I thought we could go to the Barra at the weekend and then where? West End? Finnieston? I haven't lived here for 30 years! Where would people recommend? Thanks very much.🙏

I’d probably go to the barras for earlyish then head to the Southside for a dawdle and lunch.

Southside seems to be where all the young people are aspiring to live these days and there’s a good number of interesting/old school or viral businesses there.

If you’re spending a whole day maybe wrap up in West End - you could go opulent at Crabshakk or Gaga or trendy at Kapao or Paesano. I’d book ahead (Paesano is no bookings) as all are popular of a weekend.

I left 30 years ago too, but it does sound lovely to go back. I hope you have a good time.

Where are you staying or are you going back to Edinburgh in the evening?

Ooooh I’ve never really been to the south side, not properly . I lived centrally and then west end. Thanks!

Thanks!

Back to Edinburgh

Southside you want to either get the 38 bus over or the train (one stop) to Crossmyloof.

Shawlands, Strathbungo for food, drink and shopping, Queens Park for good dog spotting and photography. The Tramway often has interesting exhibitions on.

if you’re heading back to Edinburgh that might be an ambitious itinerary. I think you need a couple of visits!

There is a Glasgow mural trail if he's into street art. Takes about an hour 30 mins to walk it. www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/
There's a few vintage/thrift shops up byres rd way off down the side streets and Ashton lane too.
And of course Kelvingrove art gallery. There's also that other museum off of Buchanan street, if it's still there, you can go up to the roof and walk round to look at the city from above, can't remember it's name right now though.
Also the gallery of modern art is pretty good too.

If you're heading back to Edinburgh and are using public transport it's easy enough to go from Partick / Kelvingrove / Byres Road back on the direct train from Partick or Charing Cross that goes through Armadale. Shawlands, Queen's park etc is a bit more fiddly but easy enough I guess if you're driving. I'd go for the West end as you won't be short of things to do.

Thanks all this is great! I think we’ll train to QS then walk to Barras. Then maybe uber to West End or Southside. I can’t really be bothered driving. It’s quite stressful with the motorway on and off both sides. Being an Edinburgh girl I’ve never got used to it!

The Riverside Museum has a Stsr Wars exhibit if it's the kind of thing they like. Loads of very cool cars, buses and trains on display.

Entry is free.

It's well worth the effort, could easily eat into a couple of hours.

Best bet is to walk over from Partick Train Station.

I think I'd stick to town and west end if I had one day. Transport is easier. You could do the mural trail then head to west end on subway for a mooch around the vintage shops. Ruthven Mews is good and lots of vintage shops on great western road. The Hidden Lane at Finnieston is quite cool. Finnieston will be very different to your day - lots of fabulous restaurants and bars.

Thanks @Only2WeeksToGo I don’t think I’d heard of Finnieston when I lived in Glasgow! I used to live in Baird Hall (!), then Merchant City then off Byres Road, loved that area.

@Tallyrand that sounds good. He’s not a big fan but I am!

If you drive, you can park at Duke Street car park for £6 for up to 24 hours, and it’s only a handful of turns from the motorway. Come off at the springburn exit, going left at the first set of traffic lights, left at the second then right at the third. You’ll drive down past the hospital and take a slight left to continue down with the necropolis on your left. Right then at the lights at the bottom of that hill and then a quick left turn into Duke street car park.

That sounds a lot more complicated than it is! It’s only about 2 minutes of driving, very easy, and if you take a wrong turn, it’s very easy to fix.

Merchant City and West End both still fantastic areas!

If in Shawlands, brunch in Cafe Strange Brew is a must!

Drop by, leave your number, have a wander and they will text you with your table.

Some great indie shops, charity shops and plant shops. We also love the Glad Cafe for their ethos, vintage clothing and live entertainment.

I think I’m going to have to do a few trips!

I always recommend Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, v quirky and totally unique! Also the Britannica Panopticon Music Hall virtually next door, if he likes interesting vintage buildings.

The Barras aren't what they used to be - not much of interest after being 'sanitised', so many of the little nooks and crannies of stuff to rake through have long gone, along with the atmosphere. In my opinion.

Finnieston has changed so much since my day, that end of Argyle St has really been improved, good for a wander. Agree that the Hidden Lane is good!

Also all the charity shops and lanes off Byres Rd are good.

Don't now if you can get into the CR Mackintosh church/building in Maryhill? Also is the white CRM House at the top of University Avenue still open?

The Sharmanka animatronic theatre at the Tron is highly recommended.