The city of Glasgow has an enduring place in my heart for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is the birthplace of my lovely wife, Mandi. In our many travels there, we have found the people in Glasgow to be very kind and hospitable. Further, though it is often overlooked and overshadowed by the more popular tourist destination of Edinburgh in Scotland, Glasgow has a great many things to make it a valuable and enjoyable stop when visiting the United Kingdom.
Sauchiehall and Buchanan Streets in Glasgow’s City Centre offer the high street shopper a chance to enjoy a uniquely British shopping experience. Those streets and the surrounding area offer a broad selection of large department chains based in the UK including Marks and Spencer and Debenham’s, as well as smaller chains like Watt Brothers. The bargain hunter will be pleased to find many pound shops, the British equivalent to the American dollar store (only with far superior products in value and quality.) This area is also home to a great many charming cafes, pubs and restaurants. It reminds me of the convenience and vitality of the American main street, sadly replaced in many cities and towns in the US over the last 30 years by the shopping mall.
A short walk past these streets will bring you to historic George Square, also in the City Centre. The season will dictate exactly what you will find in the square, but the spectacular architecture near the war memorial is there year round. From December to early January, the square is adorned with a lovely nativity scene for Christmas and a carnival that includes a ferris wheel and other activities for the whole family. In the summertime, it’s a great place to sit and have lunch and watch the crowds of people pass.
The West End of the city hosts a great many museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Riverside Museum and Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery are all located in this part of Glasgow. Donations are gladly accepted at the Kelvingrove, but admission is free. It is a wonderful place to spend the day gazing at it’s many exhibits, including Creatures of the Past, Scotland’s Wildlife and Scottish Art.
Glasgow has an excellent public transportation system and infrastructure that make getting around easy and relatively inexpensive. Trains and buses operate from hubs in the city centre and there is even a limited subway line. As the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014, Glasgow is poised to build on a new reputation for being a fine tourist destination with a little something for everyone.