Glasgow with teenagers

[Igmum]

Hi lovely Mumsnetters, I'm going to be in Glasgow after Easter with a couple of bored teens (DD16 and a friend's son 14). Friend and I are taking it in turns to juggle work and teenager wrangling. Any suggestions for activities and places to go which might appeal? Long walks won't appeal to DD sadly. We're staying in the centre. And many thanks in advance for the ideas

Oh yes, DD would like to know if there's a fairground or theme park nearby

There’s M&D’s theme park at Strathclyde park.
are they into museums, activities, shopping?

DD16 totally into shopping. Friend's son not sure (have a horrible feeling we've got opposites on our hands!)

have a look a Braehead, there’s a shopping centre but also an indoor ski place and I think there might be a cinema etc

M&ds is awful very little there. Silverburn has a fair on over the Easter break. Can get tickets on line and there are some decent food places there too.

In the merchant city there is a bar/cafe that does footpool which is good fun, there is also arcade games, vr etc there. Under 18s allowed in until early evening I think.

Axe throwing / escape rooms are also in the city centre.

In door ski centre closed down but braehead (there is a shopping part and the recreation part) has bowling, climbing wall thing, crazy golf, arcade.

i Don’t know what terms like so not sure I’m much help

I think the ski place closed but there is still quite a choice of activities for teens there. Laser station, massive climbing/high ropes area above the main walkway, bowling alley. Arcades, trampoline park...lots of chain eating places. And it's right next to Braehead shopping centre if they want to browse the shops. They could get a bus out to there for a whole day.

If you want them to stay in the city centre then there is a newish place called Level X at the top of the St Enoch centre which has bowling/arcades but also VR experiences which are fun.

Loads of escape rooms in the city centre too.

Don’t go to M&Ds it’s awful. Shopping in Buchanan and Argyle street are the main bits. There is a new fair ground thing opened up but not sure the age range allowed in https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/glasgow-host-scotlands-first-ever-26322169.amp

There’s mini golf in town I think it’s called jungle golf or something. There’s a whole thing in St Enochs centre that has a virtual reality centre and like other games.
https://st-enoch.com/leisure/level-x/

You also have the Science centre down near the river.

If your daughter uses tik tok ask her to search for Glasgow and she might find things coming up, that’s how I find out about most things.

Brilliant thanks all and great tip re TikTok!

Our teens enjoyed the Riverside and Kelvingrove museums, but they might not be everyone's cup of tea!

You could probably do a day in the west end - very much a bubble tea scene these days, wander round the uni as it's very Hogwarts. Cool places to eat. Could see what's on at Oran Mor for A play, a pie and a pint (no age restriction but might be too grown up depending what's on).Easy to get to on the subway from city centre.

Mural trail is pretty cool/good for insta backdrops.

Would either be interested in a tour of one of the old firm stadiums?

Braehead is a good shout for shopping/bowling etc.

Riverside museum has a biggish fair on outside it.
definitely a west end wander day. Could also do a Southside day.
what about city tour bus?
are they active? Look up pinkston water sports.

Ashton lane cinema in the west end

Ah you'll have a blast. Some options are:

• Tantrum Doughnuts opposite Glasgow Central for some cracking doughnuts
• GoMA or Kelvingrove Museum if they are into art
• a walk up to the Glasgow Necropolis if they're into spooky historic stuff (great views & very interesting to see the lives of those from yester years)
• lots of shops in the centre so lots to window shop & shop for, can easily spend a day just mooching around the shops
• MASSIVE Cineworld cinema at the end of Renfrew Street to catch a film
• IMAX cinema over at Glasgow Science Centre
• NAF! Salon if they're into cool nail art
• a ride on the teeny weeny Glasgow Subway is always fun
• Glasgow Botanic Gardens is nice & lots of nice walks around there
• If it's there thing then Glasgow Uni to see some of the local architecture (it's gained a bit of a cult following thanks to looking very Harry Potter film-like)
• usually some cheap seats at local theatres so worth checking if there's anything at Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Symphony Orchestra etc. if you're after something cultural
• I LOVE Chaakoo Bombay Cafe for a lovely cheapish meal out with great non-alcoholic cocktails too
• The Lighthouse usually has some great free exhibitions on and I love the view from the top at the viewing platform
• The Willow Tea Rooms is also fun for a scone, cream & jam with tea with lots of art deco features and Rennie Mackintosh history
• a look around the jewellery shops is always fun. Me and my cousin used to pick out rings in the windows and make up lots of scenarios like what ring would you pick if you were going to the Oscars etc. (head to Argyll Arcade)
• Today at Apple has free events in the Apple Store which I love. Everything from graphic design to DJ mixing which might be fun
• Church on the Hill is a big church that's been turned into a pub but family friendly during the day and gets you out of the City Centre which might be nice
• if you've got access to a car you can also escape the City and take a lovely drive up towards Loch Lomond which amazing views and have a BBQ or picnic out for not much of a drive
• and last wee tip is to chat to locals for any recommendations. Glasgow, for the most part, is super friendly and I'm sure they'll be even more fab things to add to the suggestions everyone's made so far

Have fun! 🤗

If they are into gaming, look up rcadeglasgow. It's a retro gaming place with cafe attached.
The science centre is worth a visit for all ages and if you want to splash out they have a flight simulator there but need to book - Newton Flight Academy.
There are cinemas in centre if you want to offload them whilst you shop (St enoch vue, cineworld, everyman, gft).

Depending on their height, they might like the Glasgow underground, aka Clockwork Orange.

Whats their height got to do with the subway?