What to do in Glasgow while house and pet sitting

Wondering what to do in Glasgow during your next pet sit? Scotland’s largest city is home to a colourful array of unique experiences from fantastic art galleries and historical National Trust properties to leafy green spaces and great shopping. In our handy travel guide we’ll share the top things to do in Glasgow, from the unmissable tourist attractions to the best spots to head to with your new pet sitting pal in tow.

Glasgow attractions

Glasgow is an easy city to fall in love with thanks to its welcoming residents, burgeoning museums and attractions – not to mention a thriving music scene! Here’s our top 3 things to do in Glasgow in terms of attractions:

1. The Riverside Museum: Award-winning transport museum Riverside was the first purpose-built museum created by Glasgow Life in the 21st century. It features over 3,000 objects of amazing transport and technology collections amassed over the centuries from the shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering industries. 

2. The West End: Glasgow’s “West End” is a popular spot renowned for its beautiful architecture, picturesque shops and leafy parks. It encompasses several areas, including Hillhead and Dowanhill, which are considered the busiest thanks to the plethora of shops, restaurants and cafes. 

3. Glasgow Cathedral: Glasgow’s cathedral is one of the most incredible mediaeval buildings in all of Scotland. Built between the 13th to 15th centuries, the breathtaking cathedral has one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows and incredible stone bosses on the ceiling. 

Free things to do in Glasgow

Luckily, Glasgow is a really budget-friendly city – so the good news is, planning a trip there means you can see a lot without spending the earth. Read on to discover our favourite free things to do in Glasgow below:

1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: A firm favourite of locals and visitors alike, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has a warm and inviting atmosphere housed inside a stunning architecture dating back to 1901. There are 22 galleries in total displaying everything from Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and more. There’s also a wide variety of ever-changing temporary exhibits so there will always be something new to discover when you visit. 

2. Pollok Country Park: Glasgow’s largest and only country park is a serene spot with extensive woodlands and gardens. The park is home to masses of rural and cultural history being the ancestral home to the Maxwell family and the famous Burrell Collection – an international art collection. The best part? Your furry friend can join you for a frolic around the park!

3. City Centre Mural Trail: Aimed at rejuvenating the streets of Glasgow, the Mural Trail is a project aimed at brightening up vacant sites and tired-looking buildings around the city. The trail is easily accessible from the city centre and features a diverse range of artwork from conservative works to the quirky and just plain weird! 

Fun things to do in Glasgow

From shopping til’ you drop to exploring the city’s beautiful green parks, there’s an abundance of fun things to do in Glasgow. 

1. Shopping on Buchanan Street: Fancy a spot of shopping? Buchanan Street is home to high-end fashion shops, high street favourites and independent boutiques unique to the area. There’s plenty of gift shops too if you want to take home a souvenir.

2. Kelvingrove Park: Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, Kelvingrove Park is a beautiful 85 acre Victorian Park. Set on the banks of the River Kelvin, the park is surrounded by many incredible attractions including the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries, the bandstand, five bowling greens and four synthetic tennis courts so you’ll literally never be short of activities in Glasgow. 

3. Charles Rennie Mackintosh: Opportunities to see the work of famous architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s artwork is plentiful around Glasgow. The Lighthouse down Mitchel Lane, the ‘Willow Tea Room’ and the Mackintosh church (look up to see the incredible spire) are just some of the best examples!

What to do in Glasgow with pets

Dog sitting in Glasgow? Good news! This pup-friendly city is a great place to explore with your latest pet sitting pal in tow. With plenty of green spaces to explore as well as great cafes and brunch spots that welcome furry friends, it's a firm favourite in our - and our pet sitter's - books. Feline fanatic? Don't worry, we've got you covered too.

1. Glasgow Green: With its wide-open spaces, Glasgow Green is a great option if you want to take your new furry friend for a long walk or a game of fetch. The large flat park spans 55 hectares and is accessible from all areas of the city so wherever you’re located you can easily get there. 

2. Glasgow Botanic Gardens: The Glasgow Botanic Gardens in the West End is renowned for its Victorian glasshouses and the most famous is called Kibble Palace – ideal for dog lovers! Pups are not allowed inside but there’s plenty of good sniffing to be had all around the 200-year old gardens. 

3. Purrple Cat Cafe: Looking to get your kitty fix? The Purrple Cat Cafe is a light and spacious cafe that’s home to over 30 rescue cats. Enjoy lunch or a hot drink and relax in the company of Glasgow’s coolest felines. Wondering "what is a cat cafe"? Check out our guide to this furry phenomenon and where it all came from!  

Best restaurants in Glasgow: Food and drink

Looking for the best restaurants in Glasgow? Glasgow’s foodie scene is filled with sleek brasseries, cool cafes and laid-back eateries, with a strong focus on traditional Scottish grub and international bites. Here’s our pick of the top restaurants in Glasgow.

1. The Ubiquitous Chip: The Chip (as it’s fondly referred to) is one of the most gorgeous spots in town, with a main room housed in a pretty courtyard underneath a green awning. The menu celebrates traditional Scottish cuisine including their famous haggis. Where possible, they try to locally source seasonal food and even forage where possible. 

2. Ox and Finch: A must-visit, Ox and Finch is a fashionable spot for Mediterranean food with a Scottish twist. Dishes are super innovative. Think confit duck leg with yellow curry. There’s a great range of vegetarian options too with highlights including halloumi and tahini yoghurt. 

3. Papercup Coffee Roasters: Glasgow’s selection of artisan coffee options is ever-growing and great java is everywhere. Papercup Coffee Roasters is a cute little place with sustainably sourced beans roasted on-site. They do some seriously impressive latte art, too, if you need (yet) another photo to add to your IG feed.

House and pet sitting in Glasgow

Now you’ve had a good old peruse of our ‘what to do in Glasgow’ guide, we’re bet you can't wait to start your Scottish pet sitting adventure. With the city’s castles, museums and stunning parks to explore, you’ll never be short of things to do in Glasgow. Ready to get started? Simply head over here to connect with your next pet sitting family.