CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Museums in Glasgow
Glasgow does museums brilliantly, and almost all of them are free. Riverside Museum on the Clyde has trams, cars and the Tall Ship to explore, Kelvingrove in the West End mixes art with animals and a daily organ recital, and the Hunterian covers anatomy and science over at the University. St Mungo Museum and Provand's Lordship, Glasgow's oldest house, sit close together in the Merchant City if you fancy pairing two in one visit. For toddlers, Kibble Palace's glasshouse and garden trails are an easy, gentle option, while older kids might prefer designing their own medal at the Royal Highland Fusiliers museum or digging into police history at the small Glasgow Police Museum. North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre out in Motherwell, about 11 miles from the centre, adds a climbing tower and outdoor play with a water table, handy if the museum itself only holds their attention for so long. The National Piping Centre charges from £9 but runs a Santa disco and Hogmanay events each winter.
13 places 4 upcoming events 12 free to visit
What's on: museums
Places for museums
FreeAuld Kirk Museum
Kirkintilloch
Free local museum in Kirkintilloch where kids can wander round objects of local and international significance.
Parking
FreeFriends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum
Glasgow
Free museum tracing the history of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and its medical breakthroughs, with a small medicinal garden next door.
FreeGlasgow Police Museum
Glasgow
A free look at Glasgow's police history, packed into a small museum with a proper city centre location.
FreeKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow
Free West End museum with art, animals and daily organ - Soft Play N never.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+10 more
FreeKibble Palace
Glasgow
A free glasshouse full of odd plants to spot, plus waymarked trails through the gardens outside for younger explorers.
Blue badge parkingPublic transport nearby
FreeNorth Lanarkshire Heritage Centre
Motherwell
Free museum with a climbing tower and an outdoor play area with a water table, five minutes' walk from Motherwell station.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingFree parkingOutdoor play+2 more
FreeProvand's Lordship
Glasgow
Free Provand's Lordship - Glasgow's oldest house Soft Play N.
Baby changeParkingWheelchair accessible
FreeRiverside Museum
Glasgow
Free Glasgow transport museum on the Clyde - cars, trams and the Tall Ship.
Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+2 more
FreeRoyal Highland Fusiliers Regimental Museum
Glasgow
Free museum where kids can design their own medal and pore over real uniforms and memorabilia.
Accessible toiletPublic transport nearbyToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeScotland Street School Museum
Glasgow
Mackintosh school museum in Glasgow - Soft Play N free.
ToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeSt Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
Glasgow
Free St Mungo Museum Glasgow - Soft Play N.
Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyEV charging+8 more
FreeThe Hunterian
Glasgow
Glasgow University museum - anatomy, science and art without Soft Play.
Accessible toiletToiletsWheelchair accessible
from £9The National Piping Centre
Glasgow
A bagpipe museum that puts on a Santa disco, a Santa breakfast and a Hogmanay do for kids each winter.
Group bookingsParty roomsRestaurant
Good to know: museums in Glasgow
Are any of them free?
Yes, Auld Kirk Museum, Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum, Glasgow Police Museum, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and 8 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £9 at The National Piping Centre. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find museums in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow and Motherwell. Every place we list is in or around Glasgow, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
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