Riverside Museum

Glasgow showing modern architecture and night scenes
Riverside Museum
Glasgow which includes interior views
Glasgow featuring interior views
Glasgow showing modern architecture and a sunset


Travel through the history of transport in a modern museum that features interactive exhibits, a wide variety of vehicles and replicas of old Glaswegian streets.

Marvel at the vast array of locomotives, boats, cars and bicycles on display in Glasgow’s award-winning Riverside Museum. The building itself is astonishing, a curvy, modernist masterpiece designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Inside, it contains a wealth of transport treasures that make for an engaging and exciting day out with the whole family.

The collections here were originally housed in the Transport Museum. Witness the result of Zaha Hadid’s distinctive blend of metal, glass and curves in the new building, which was commissioned in 2004. The design is intended to reflect the connection between the city and the River Clyde.

Allow plenty of time to experience everything on display in the museum. The history of transport is chronicled across nine different display themes such as Crossing the World, Made in Scotland and Transport and Leisure. The collection of over 3,000 items includes early car models, a South African steam locomotive and an old train carriage with an interior you can explore.

The Riverside Museum prides itself on the breadth of interactive displays across its exhibits. Get interactive with the touch screens that are spread throughout the galleries, each containing a wealth of information on the museum’s collections.

Walk down a street from late 19th-century Glasgow. This is one of the museum’s three impressive street replicas. Old-world trams pass traditional store fronts, giving visitors an authentic look at the city between 1895 and 1930. Discover other immersive exhibits, including an Edwardian photography studio and a car garage from the 1960s.

Head to the riverfront outside the main entrance to visit the Tall Ship, which is berthed next to the museum. This three-masted steel ship was built in the late 19th century and is open for guided tours.

The Riverside Museum is open daily and guided tours are available with advance booking. Walk to the museum along the banks of the Clyde. Partick train and subway station is 10 minutes away by foot. Metered parking is available for those driving to the museum.

Tours & day trips

See all 207 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 102 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 31 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 16 activities

Shows & concerts

See all 4 activities

Reviews of Riverside Museum

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
55
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
40
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic for all the family from 3 to 90

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Having motor cars on shelves high up on a wall where they can't be seen seems a bit pointless. Probably due to lack of space.

Popular places to visit


Top Riverside Museum Hotel Deals

citizenM Glasgow
citizenM Glasgow
4 out of 5
60 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland
citizenM Glasgow
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
4 out of 5
50 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
Clayton Hotel Glasgow
Clayton Hotel Glasgow
4 out of 5
298 Clyde Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Clayton Hotel Glasgow
The Social Hub Glasgow
The Social Hub Glasgow
4 out of 5
15 Candleriggs, Glasgow, Scotland
The Social Hub Glasgow
ibis budget Glasgow
ibis budget Glasgow
2 out of 5
2a Springfield Quay, Glasgow, Scotland
ibis budget Glasgow
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central
4 out of 5
36 Cambridge Street, Glasgow, Scotland
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central
Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel
Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel
4 out of 5
375 West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
4 out of 5
5 DIXON STREET, Glasgow, Scotland
Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central
Best Western Glasgow Hotel
Best Western Glasgow Hotel
3 out of 5
931 Sauchiehill Street, West End, Glasgow, Scotland
Best Western Glasgow Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Book Flight + Lodging, save up to 100% of flight price - Savings based on flight + lodging package prices as compared to the price of the same components available for booking separately before all discounts and rewards applied. Your bundled savings cover up to 100% of your flight. Savings vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all flight + lodging package bookings.