Kiddo

Hi Fodorites,

My husband is going to Glasgow on a business trip and I am planning to tag along with him. This will be our first time there and I would like to know what's 'not to miss' in and around Glasgow. We will probably be there for about a week so we may even have time for some short excursions.

Hotel recommendations would also be appreciated. I think we will probably want to stay in the downtown area within walking distance to shops etc. and my husband can cab or take public transit to his meetings.

Look forward to hearing your ideas. Many thanks.

Kiddo

janisj

a short list of things in/near Glasgow: Burrell Collection, the Cathedral, several Mackintosh bldgs, Hill House up in Helensburgh - which is just over the hill from Loch Lomond.

A nice full day drive would take you up Gare Loch, visit the Hill House, up to Gairlochhead, along Loch Long to Tarbet, then down the west shore of Loch Lomond, and back to Glasgow.

And you will be a short train ride from central Glasgow to central Edinburgh

noe847

Some miscellaneous recommendations:

It's fun to wander the pedestrian streets Sauchiehall and Buchanan.

Merchant City is a bustling lively area of the city. The Cathedral of St. Mungo, a beautiful medieval church, is nearby. Just behind the cathedral is the Necropolis, which is an extensive Victorian cemetary - very interesting to walk through. We have stayed at the Brunswick Hotel in Merchant City, which is contemporary in decor. Our favorite restaurant (more pubbish actually) in Merchant City is Babbity Bowster - the best haggis I have tasted, bar none.

The People's Palace on Glasgow Green is a fascinating museum of the city of Glasgow - lots of artefacts. I found the re-creations of the tenement houses very interesting.

For art, in addition to the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Gallery is highly recommended, and I believe it has reopened after renovations.

If you like Indian food, Mother India on Westminster Terrace is supposed to be wonderful. We have eaten at its satellite restaurant, the Wee Curry Shop, where we were sure we had died and gone to heaven.

The town of Stirling is under an hour by train. It has a compact and historic old downtown, with a wonderful castle on the top of the hill. From the castle you have lovely views over the plains around Stirling.

You don't say how soon this trip is. If you have the time, you might want to order the book Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine. It is my 'bible' when I visit Scotland, and has a large sections for Glasgow and Edinburgh, with tons of recommendations for restaurants and attractions. Always right on the money, in my experience.

caroline_edinburgh

What is your budget for a hotel, please ?

Other have given you good advice on what to see. I also suggest buying 'The List' - the fortnightly local listings magazine covering Glasgow & Edinburgh- when you arrive.

And here's a link to the local tourist board's website : http://www.seeglasgow.com/

noe847

Glasgow is also THE place to be if you are interested in the work of the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

His best work is the Glasgow School of Art, which is in walking distance of the center of town. It is a working school, but you can take guided tours of the building.

Right off Buchanan Street, a building Mackintosh designed has been turned into an architecture and design museum featuring the work of Mackintosh as well as changing exhibits. It is called the Lighthouse. There's a tower that gives great views of the city. http://www.thelighthouse.co.uk/

Kiddo

Thank you Janis, Noe and Caroline. Those are great suggestions.

We're not sure how soon we'll be leaving. It really depends on my husband's clients and when it will convenient for them. We're thinking perhaps in a month or so.

As far as a hotel budget goes, my husband's employer will be paying for it and we'd like to keep it within a reasonable amount. I've done some quick searching on Expedia and Travelocity and it seems you can get a moderately priced hotel about CDN$200. Can you give us some suggestions that would be within walking distance for sightseeing and shopping?

Thanks again.

Kiddo

Hotel suggestions anyone?

carylspall

I like the Carlton George Hotel -very near the Queen Street Rail Station.
Nice rooms and free mini bar!

JJBhoy

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum reopens to the public next Tuesday July 11 after a major refurbishment. I was lucky enough to attend a preview last week & it is well worth a visit.

Here's a link to the official website;

http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4

With a week in the city I would certainly recommend a day trip to Edinburgh by train as well.

Jim

kswl

We've only been once and stayed in the Hilton because it was near the big convention center. It is a lovely hotel, but very expensive restaurants and not that delicious. If we returned I would stay in the university area--lots going on, many restaurants and pubs, people everywhere, etc.

kswl

ps we had friends who went at the same time and stayed in a Thistle and were very pleased with it.

noe847

You might check the Millennium Hotel. It's on George Square, which is in the heart of the city. I think the rates are around £100/night. I haven't stayed there, but I like this location. Peter Irvine gives it a "√" (supposed to be a check mark).

Also, we did like the Brunswick in the Merchant City area. The rate there would be under £70 for a basic double. http://www.brunswickhotel.co.uk/sleep.asp

carylspall

The Thistle Hotel is in a good location.
However, it has seen better days. It is in great need of a revamp. Some rooms are very tatty as are some public areas.
If you want a nice hotel - dont go there!

GregY2

The Carlton George is ideally located near one of the main train stations, the underground loop, George Square, and the shopping area. It is reasobaly priced and, as noted, it does have a free mini-bar. The breakfast room is on ther top floor with quite nice views across the Glasgow rooftops. For a similar price, the Fraser Suites in the merchant city offer more room and some limited capacity to prepare light meals. They are more modern and light and comfortable, but do not have much character. Be aware that the Hilton and several 'mainstream' hotels are actually located a bit out of the town centre. You will get a nice coffee - sometimes hard to find in Glasgow - at 'Fantoosh' downstairs at Princes Square shopping centre off Buchanan Street. Take the underground to Hillhead station and take a stroll around the West End - there are some lovely restored tenement houses - and then consider walking back into town past the University & though Kelvingrove Park. In my opinion the Burrell Collection is superb and, while out in that area, the House for an Art Lover, is also not to be missed. If possible take a guided tour of the town hall - they are conducted daily (I think) - and the interiors are worth seeing.

sheila

The Arthouse Hotel gets a good name- never stayed there, but... Malmaison does too.

I have friends who swear by Babbity Bowster, but it may not be everyone's taste. You should certainly eat there.

I have a Word doc of things to see and do I'll happily send you if you email me.

caroline_edinburgh

Sheila, I once booked to stay at the Arthouse Hotel (for my birthday) - took one look at the room & checked straight out again. It was tiny and not worth what they were charging. (We ended up at the Holoiday Inn instead.) I understand the rooms are different sizes but I don't know how you make sure of getting a decent one. It's called Abode now.

I've stayed at Babbity Bowsters a couple of times, although some years ago, and it was fine in a simple sort of way. If you do eat there I don't recommend the oysters : they made me ill twice - the second time was the illest I've ever been - and I now seem permanently to be allergic to them

zippo

If going to the Burrel museum , dont miss Pollock House nearby.Downside is you have to pay for entrance as its National Trust - most other museums etc in Glasgow are free.Kelvingrove museum is fun.
Bus or train to Oban is a good day out.

kswl

We hired a delightful retired teacher as our guide one day, Alastair . . . can't remember the last name but would be happy to look through my notes if you're interested. He came complete with a Land Rover, a complete tea in the boot of the car which we ate as a picnic at Stirling Castle, and a wealth of knowledge about the town and highlands. Wonderful time, interesting guide.

KidsToLondon

There are two Hiltons in Glasgow--we stayed at the one on William Street. Although it is physically close to the center of the city, it is almost impossible to walk to/from the hotel (this part of Glasgow has been haphazardously redeveloped). The hotel was nice enough, modern...and often used by business/convention groups.

I agree with the another poster who said that the area near the university was a good choice.

SusannahMcM

A lovely restaurant in The Sisters either in Jordanhill, which is really cosy and homely, or they have one on Kelvingrove Street, which is a bit more a la mode. They do really good Scots home cooking and it's not too expensive. A good fish restaurant is Two Fat Ladies on Dumbarton Road.