Free Entry to Riverside Museum — Glasgow's Award-Winning Transport Museum

Another Glasgow Gem That's Completely Free — The Riverside Museum

The Riverside Museum, designed by the legendary Zaha Hadid, is one of Glasgow's most stunning buildings — and it's completely free to visit. It won the European Museum of the Year Award and houses over 3,000 objects telling the story of Glasgow's transport and engineering heritage.

What You'll See

• Vintage cars — from a 1930s Rolls-Royce to a DeLorean
• Steam locomotives — including the famous South African Class 15F
• Glasgow trams — beautifully restored 1940s trams you can sit in
• Recreated Glasgow street — a full-size 1930s Glasgow street with shops, a pub, and a cinema
• Bicycles through the ages — from penny-farthings to modern racing bikes
• Ship models — Glasgow was once the shipbuilding capital of the world
• Skateboard collection — one of the UK's largest collections of vintage skateboards

The Tall Ship Glenlee

Moored right outside the museum is the Tall Ship Glenlee — one of only five Clyde-built sailing ships still afloat in the world. You can explore the ship for free, including below decks.

The Building

The building itself is worth the visit. Zaha Hadid's design features a dramatic zigzag roof that mirrors the cranes that once lined the Clyde. The interior is a single vast space with no internal walls — objects are arranged in themed "streets" that you can explore in any order.

For Families

Kids love the Riverside Museum. Highlights include:

• Sitting in real vehicles — climb into a fire engine, police car, and ambulance
• The recreated street — ring the doorbell, peek in the shops
• Interactive displays — design your own vehicle, test wind resistance
• The play area — soft play for under-5s

Practical Information

• Opening hours: Monday–Thursday & Saturday 10am–5pm, Friday & Sunday 11am–5pm
• Getting there: Bus 100 from city centre, or a 25-minute walk along the Clyde
• Parking: Free on-site parking
• Café: The museum café has river views and decent food
• Combine with: Glasgow Science Centre (across the river) or a walk to the SEC