In Three Days

Even with only 3 days, you can still see a good portion of Scotland's largest city.

Day 1: Central Glasgow

Drop your bags at the hotel or guest house and get moving into the heart of Glasgow. The bustling City Centre offers a host of monumental Victorian buildings and a couple of landmarks designed by the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh, such as his Glasgow School of Art. The city also boasts another great 19th-century design genius, Alexander "Greek" Thomson. Have a gander at his St. Vincent Street Church, with its exotic mix of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Just southeast of the city's commercial center is the Merchant City, Glasgow's version of New York's SoHo, with loft apartments and trendy bars. This is the historic core of the city, but alas most of its historic buildings are long gone. The strongest surviving remnant of Glasgow's rich Medieval history is Glasgow Cathedral.

Day 2: The West End

Glasgow's West End is the most prosperous and attractive district in the city. Opening after a 3-year multimillion pound refurbishment, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum offers an expansive collection of paintings and artifacts -- one of the best held by any city in Europe. Take a stroll through adjacent Kelvingrove Park and then stop at the University of Glasgow, where you can see at the Hunterian Art Gallery the complete interiors of the home where Mackintosh lived. The West End's "Main Street" is Byres Road, with bars, restaurants, shops and more. Detour onto cobbled Ashton Lane, or, on fine days, take in the city's Botanic Garden at the top of Byres Road.

Day 3: The Southside

Glasgow is bisected by the River Clyde, and the city's Southside is considered, by some, to be the real Glasgow. Perhaps, but while mostly residential, there are some highlights to visit. First and foremost is the Burrell, a custom-made museum holding the vast collection of art and artifacts collected by a local industrialist who bequeathed the entire wonderful lot to the city. If you find that "Greek" Thomson intrigues you, then definitely go to Holmwood House; it's the best example of his sumptuous and timeless villas. Families will enjoy the Science Centre on the southern banks of the Clyde.