This is one of the most popular art galleries in the city. Fronted by imposing Corinthian columns and housing four distinct galleries inside, each of which is devoted to an element: fire, air, earth, and water. The earth collection is most popular, focusing on works from Scottish artists such as John Bellamy and Ken Curry. The top-floor air gallery offers some recent cutting-edge paintings and three-dimensional pieces, and the elaborately decorated café on this floor is an intriguing place to take a break.

On the campus of Glasgow Caledonian University, this museum is devoted to the exploration of social work and welfare in Europe. Peruse the journals of social workers, photographs, and work archives. Most of the exhibits point to welfare needs that still exist. Bring the family ­ the children's area has a fun collection of traditional European toys to try.

Designed by celebrated local Rennie Mackintosh, who drew the plans for the home to enter a contest in 1901, this house wasn't actually built until the mid-1990s. Several permanent exhibitions are on display in rooms such as the Music Room and the Oval Room, most showing Mackintosh's designs and some of his crafts and drawings. But the main exhibit here is the house itself, with stark contrasts, ornate metalwork, and massive doors leading to graceful balconies.

Opened in 1807, this is the oldest public museum in Scotland. The facility is spacious and topped with a specially made roof that lets in plenty of natural light. Part of the University of Glasgow, the gallery showcases several schools of art, including 16th and 17th century paintings, British and French paintings from 1700-1840, Scottish Colourists, and the Whistler Collection. There is also an interesting assortment of Roman coins and a group of dinosaur fossils.

You can't miss the facade of this landmark, with its red sandstone walls and high, majestic turrets. Another point of interest is the road leading to the back entrance; though some will tell you the building was accidentally built backwards, the truth is, the position of the road changed at the last minute. Whether entered from the back or the front, you won't be disappointed by the well-organized collection of great paintings by Botticelli, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. You'll also find suits of armor and sections on natural history.