Glasgow On a Rainy Day: 13 Things To Do

As the biggest city in Scotland, Glasgow certainly doesn't lack things to keep you entertained. Whether you're looking for an escape room to test your brain, the best Glasgow museums and art galleries to expose you to the work of Scottish artists and internationally famous painters, or lively pubs where you can immerse yourself in Scottish hospitality and enjoy the Glasgow food and beverage scene, you'll find something to please just about everyone here.

Strolling through Glasgow Green, taking a walking tour of the work of renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, or enjoying panoramic views of the city from Glasgow Tower are all great activities to do in the city. But they aren't the ideal pastimes for a rainy day in Glasgow. And unfortunately, Glasgow gets more than its share of rainy days. One hundred and seventy of them each year, in fact, meaning that no matter when you visit Scotland's largest city, chances are good you'll encounter some wet weather.

But you don't have to wait out the rain in a cheesy gift shop or huddle for shelter under the awnings of the city's restaurants. Glasgow has tons of indoor attractions that make for guaranteed fun, no matter what you like to do on vacation. So drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage locker in Glasgow city centre and get ready to enjoy Glasgow in the rain. There's so much to do indoors here that you may not even notice what the weather is doing outside.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery

Located on Argyle Street, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Glasgow's most popular tourist attractions. And with good reason - it's free to enter, and it houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, as well as a variety of historical artifacts.

The gallery was closed for refurbishment for several years but reopened in 2006. It's since become one of the top places to visit in Glasgow, especially on a rainy day. The large building means there's plenty of space to explore, and you can easily spend an entire afternoon here soaking up the culture.

The museum is known for housing an extensive collection of both historic artifacts and priceless works of art in its art galleries. Pride of place goes to a haunting painting by Salvador Dali, but there are centuries worth of great works of art to discover here. There are few better places to be in Glasgow on a rainy day than this.

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. It's located in the heart of the historic city and dates back to the 12th century, making it the oldest building in town and one of the oldest in Scotland. It's also a fantastic place to visit in Glasgow on a rainy day thanks to its stunning Gothic architecture.

The cathedral is open to the public and offers guided tours, which are a great way to learn about the history of this fascinating building. You can also just explore on your own, and take in the beauty of the stained glass windows, ornate carvings, and grand scale of the building itself.

If you're looking for something a little bit different, then Glasgow Cathedral also houses the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. This museum is dedicated to exploring religion from a global perspective and features exhibitions on topics such as world religions, faith in Scotland, and spirituality. It's a great option if you're interested in learning more about different cultures and religions.

Loch Lomond Aquarium

Located just outside of Glasgow in the town of Dumbarton, Loch Lomond Aquarium is a great option for a rainy day activity. The aquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, seahorses, and jellyfish.

There are also several interactive exhibits, where you can touch stingrays and starfish, or feed the fish in the freshwater tropical tank. The aquarium also has a 4D cinema, which shows short films about the local environment and the creatures that live there.

Loch Lomond Aquarium is perfect for a rainy day activity because it's mostly indoors, and it's a great way to learn about the local wildlife. It's also a great option if you're traveling with kids, as they're sure to love getting up close to the animals.

The Glasgow Science Centre

The Glasgow Science Centre is a great option for a rainy day activity. It's located on the banks of the River Clyde, and it's made up of three main buildings - the Science Mall, the Tower, and the IMAX Cinema.

The Science Mall is home to a variety of interactive exhibits, which are designed to teach visitors about science, technology, and engineering. The Tower is a 115-meter tall observation tower with panoramic views of the city. And the IMAX Cinema shows educational films on a giant screen. In all, it's one of the best things to do with kids in Glasgow on a rainy day. They're sure to love the interactive exhibits and the chance to see a film on the big screen.

The Glasgow Science Centre is perfect for a rainy day activity because it's mostly indoors, and there's plenty to see and do here.

Merchant City

Merchant City is a nice area to visit in Glasgow on a rainy day. It's located in the heart of the city, and it's full of historic buildings, independent shops, and cafes.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Merchant City, and it's easy to spend an entire afternoon here exploring. If you're interested in history, then you can visit the Gallery of Modern Art, which is housed in a former tobacco warehouse. Or if you're looking for somewhere to eat, then there are plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from.

Merchant City is also home to a number of art galleries, so if you're looking for something a little bit different to do on a rainy day then this is the place to go.

The Glasgow Film Theatre

The Glasgow Film Theatre is a great option for a rainy day activity. It's located in the West End of the city, and it's home to a variety of independent and foreign films.

The Glasgow Film Theatre is perfect for a rainy day activity because it's mostly indoors, and it's a great way to escape the rain and enjoy some culture. It's also a good option if you're looking for something a little bit different to do, as you're sure to find an interesting film to watch here.

Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art is another great place to visit in Glasgow on a rainy day. It's located in the Merchant City district of the city, and it's home to a variety of modern and contemporary art.

There are plenty of things to see and do at the Gallery of Modern Art, and it's easy to spend an entire afternoon here exploring. If you're interested in art, then you can check out the paintings, sculptures, and installations on display. Or if you're looking for somewhere to eat, then there are tons of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from in the area.

The Gallery of Modern Art is also home to a number of events and exhibitions, so if you're lucky, one of these events might just coincide with a rainy day during your trip.

Go Ax Throwing

Hatchet Harry's is a place where you can channel your inner Viking and let out some frustration at bad weather by hurling axes at a target on the wall. Experienced throwing instructors are there to guide you so that you can improve your ax-throwing technique, and who knows? You may find you have a hidden talent for wielding the hatchet.

People's Palace and Winter Garden

The People's Palace and Winter Garden is a wonderful location in Glasgow to spend at least part of a rainy day. It's located in the east end of the city, and it's home to a variety of exhibitions, events, and activities.

There are plenty of things to intrigue you at the People's Palace and Winter Garden, and it's easy to spend an entire afternoon here seeing it all. If you're interested in history, then you can check out the exhibitions on Glasgow's past. Or if you're looking for somewhere to relax, then you can take a damp stroll through the Winter Garden or have a cup of tea in the palace cafe.

Experience Winter Sports

During a Scottish winter, rain in Glasgow can often fall as snow on the mountains of the Highlands, making this one of the best destinations for winter sports in the UK. But thanks to Glasgow's own Snow Factor, you can go skiing or snowboarding at any time of year when you visit the city.

At Snow Factor, you can enjoy real snow all year round, and there are a variety of slopes to suit all abilities. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier or snowboarder, you're sure to have a great time at Snow Factor.

So if you're looking for something to do on a rainy day in Glasgow, why not head to Snow Factor and experience some winter fun?

Glasgow Pub Crawl

Glasgow is home to a huge number of pubs, and what better way to spend a rainy day than by crawling from one to the other?

There are a number of pub crawls you can do in Glasgow, and they're a great way to explore the city's different bars and pubs. You'll get to try some of the local beers and ciders, and you might even find your new favorite pub. And, you're bound to run into some of the best street food in Glasgow along the way.

Take a Spa Day

For something a little more refined, few things beat the chill of Glasgow on a rainy day than the soothing warmth of a spa. There are a number of excellent spas in Glasgow, and they offer a variety of treatments and therapies to help you relax and unwind. Pair this with some shopping in the city centre and you can keep the decadence going a bit longer.

Go Golfing

Scotland is golf's spiritual home, so if a rainy day keeps you off the links, you'll be pleased to know you have other options. Head to the Golf Lounge, Scotland's first indoor golf facility that allows you to play on virtual versions of 50 famous courses from around the world. It may not be the Scottish golf trip you had in mind, but it's a good way to keep in practice in any kind of weather.

Conclusion

Rain is a fact of life in Glasgow, but don't let it get you down. In fact, the locals take some pride in remaining practically oblivious to the weather and living their lives no matter what the climate decides to throw at them. When visiting Glasgow, it's a good idea to take a leaf out of their book.

But if you haven't mastered the skill of enjoying liquid sunshine the way the Scots do, you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of indoor activities in the city that can keep you occupied. Drop off your bags at a luggage locker in Glasgow, and you'll be ready to make the most of your trip to the city no matter what the clouds are doing. These mostly indoor activities will take you to some of the best locations in the city and keep you entertained while you wait for the rain to pass. And even if it doesn't, you can still have a great trip to Glasgow anyway.