Housed in a futuristic, angular building on Glasgow’s waterfront, the Riverside Museum is a delight for adults and kids alike. Delving into the city’s history of shipbuilding and industry, the museum offers a great take on the fast-paced changes which affected Glasgow during the 20th century.

Just outside of the city centre, the Burrell Collection plays home to one of Scotland’s finest selections of art. Built up by industrialist Sir William Burrell, the collection was handed to the city in 1944. Everything from Islamic art to modern, abstract works are on show.

Designed by the renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh, this is the best place to see the architect and artist’s work after a fire ripped through his other Glasgow masterpiece, the Glasgow School of Art. A great example of CRM’s ‘Glasgow Style’.

The home of Mackintosh and his wife during the early 20th century is another must-see. Original fixtures and fittings and CRM’s own art are on display, in a carefully curated recreation of the original house house on Gilmorehill campus.

Take a trip out to Hampden Park, the home of Scottish football and a museum detailing the history of the game north of the border. See classic kits, trophies and learn how the game became the be all and end all in this football-mad city.

Another outpost of Glasgow’s booming museum scene. The Hunterian Museum dates back to 1807, its collection focusing on surgery and medicine throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Implements used by Joseph Lister and James Watt form just part of a fascinating collection.

As well as the science-focused Hunterian Museum, the art gallery of the same name is well worth your time. It has the largest permanent display of Whistler paintings in the world, as well as stunning works by the Scottish Colourists.

Another Mackintosh-designed building, housed in a school constructed at the start of the 20th century. Reconstructed classrooms shows visitors how education changed from Victorian times through to the 1960s.

A dark, brooding building, Glasgow Cathedral, also known as St Mungo’s, is one of the finest churches in Scotland. Dating back to the 12th century, its interior is full of unique artefacts, including a beautiful rood screen.

These sensational gardens rival London’s Kew Gardens in terms of the breadth of plants and flowers on show. If the weather is good, stroll the well-tended gardens. If not, pop into the greenhouses for a taste of more tropical climes.

Back in the early 1990s, the members of the then still unknown Britpop band Oasis had to bully their way onto the stage at King Tut’s – and were promptly rewarded with a recording contract. At the latest since that legendary episode, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut – this tiny club’s correct and full name – has been an acknowledged springboard to fame. Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, The Verve, Beck, Blur and Whites Stripes are just some of the bands of the long list of those that played the club either just before or just after making their breakthrough.

Built 150 years ago as a church, today the Òran Mór is arguably Glasgow’s most unusual concert hall. Spanning the ceiling of The Auditorium upstairs, there’s an opulent mural created by Scottish artist Alasdair Gray. An illustrious array of international stars has performed here, among them the late Amy Winehouse. The Òran Mór hosts not only pop concerts but also comedy events and the lunchtime theater series A Play, A Pie and A Pint.

It’s not just indie, pop and rock fans who rate Glasgow’s music scene; classical music and jazz lovers also appreciate its excellent ensembles. The city is home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, which is noted for its outstanding interpretations of Scandinavian composers and shares its venue, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, among others, with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra founded by saxophone legend Tommy Smith, one of Europe’s top big bands. The Scottish Ballet and the Scottish Opera are also based in Glasgow.

Glasgow’s Love Records, Record Fayre and Missing Records stock the finest in vinyl. So does Rubadub Records as well as everything you need to record a vinyl of your own. It’s also the leading equipment store for DJs and producers. Fans rave about the vast selection of techno, house, hip-hop and jazz albums here.

Tuesday night is folk night at the Admiral Bar, when musicians from the USA, Ireland and Scotland play the legendary Star Folk Club in the bar’s basement, which has been going strong for 40 years. The bar also hosts changing live gigs on other weekdays, and on Saturday’s the downstairs stage belongs to DJs and burlesque artistes. The Admiral Bar is also known all over town for its tasty pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.

Festival fans make the pilgrimage to Glasgow in all seasons. In January, Scotland’s largest city becomes the bagpipers’ Mecca, when traditional sounds dominate the Celtic Connections festival, although folk music from all around the world also features on its program of over 300 events. The musicians appearing on stage at the young Trnsmt festival in late June/early July will be mostly from the alternative, indie and singer-songwriter scene, while the Glasgow Summer Sessions at the end of August attracts fans of rock, rap, hip-hop and electro.

A Glasgow institution serving the freshest Scottish cuisine and excellent wine.

The best place in the city to taste gorgeous Angus steaks. A trendy spot with a young crowd.

Sensational Indian food that matches the best curry houses in northern England.

A great place for homemade ice cream, coffee specialties and churros, the choux pastry fritters originally from Spain that can be enjoyed plain, dipped or filled with a variety of sauces, some of them vegan, of course. Nice extra: melted chocolate topping on tap.

One for veggies and vegans. Excellent falafel and bean burgers, plus a great array of craft ales.

Bob Dylan, Britney Spears and David Bowie all performed here, and Amy MacDonald serenaded the legendary concert hall with the amazing acoustics in a song named for the club. The ballroom is also famous for its gigantic, brightly colored, early-1960s neon sign.

This café bar is the beating heart of Glasgow’s indie scene: Music fans love the Mono not only for its concerts but also for its adjoining record shop. The bar stocks an exquisite selection of spirits and home-brewed craft beer; the kitchen serves superb vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Scotland’s most famous club. One for serious dance music fans only.

A bar and art space with a nightclub attached. All housed in a Mackintosh building.

Booze hounds should head here for the very best craft beers Glasgow has to offer.