It will be a busy five days during the 2016 Saab Global Operators Conference in Glasgow, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time to enjoy some of the area’s top attractions.

Here are five things to see during your free time. All of them are either a short walk, drive or bus ride from the hotel.

 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG
Phone 0141 276 9599

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which opened in 1901, is one of the top 3 free museums in Scotland. Twenty-two themed galleries house 8,000 objects, ranging from Salvador Dali’s Christ of St. John of the Cross to the R. L. Scott bequest, a private collection of European arms and armor.

A popular attraction is the Kelvingrove beehive, which has been active at the museum since 1959.

 

Cost:
Free

Hours:
Monday-Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Getting There:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located inside Kelvingrove Park on Argyle Street. It is a 16-minute ride on the simpliCITY 3 bus.

From the hotel, walk about 100 feet to the Drumchapel simpliCITY 3 bus stop. The bus stops outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

 

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow City, G2 3NY
Phone 0141 353 8000

This is one of Scotland’s most celebrated music venues and home to almost 250 performances each year. On Wednesday night, May 18, North America’s own Gordon Lightfoot (“If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown”) will perform  and the next night, Thursday May 19, a UK tribute band stars in “Rat Pack and Judy,” singing the songs of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Judy Garland. Expect to hear “My Way,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “New York, New York,” and more.

 

Cost:
From $28.77 to $46.78 US Dollars

Hours:
Both performances begin at 8:00 p.m.

Getting There:
The concert hall is .4 miles (8 minute walk) from the Grand Central Hotel.

Head east on Gordon Street, toward Renfield. Turn left on W. Nile Street. Continue .3 miles and then turn right on Sauchiehall St. The hall will be on your left.

 

Glasgow Cathedral

Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0QZ
Phone 0141 552 8198

The Glasgow Cathedral is a historic site that still operates as a gathering place for the Church of Scotland. The cathedral was built during the Reformation and is one of only a few medieval churches in Scotland that still stands today.

The Glasgow Cathedral is sometimes called the “High Kirk of Glasgow,” “St. Kentigern’s” and “St. Mungo’s Cathedral.”

 

Cost:
The Glasgow Cathedral is free (a donation is appreciated) and open to the public during the times listed below.

Hours:
Monday-Friday, Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Getting There:
It is a quick 12-14 minute ride from the Grand Central Hotel to the Glasgow Cathedral on the simpliCITY bus system. For the most direct service, take simpliCITY 38.

 

Glengoyne Distillery

Dumgoyne, Near Killearn, Glasgow, G63 9LB
Phone +44 (0)1360 550 254

Glengoyne, situated between the picturesque Campsie Hills, is regarded by many as Scotland’s most beautiful distillery. It’s been producing its award-winning Highland Single Malt whiskies since the early 1800s.

There are several tours available, in various lengths and prices. On the “Malt Master Tour” you can  create your own single malt.

The Glengoyne gift shop, open during the times listed below, offers a range of items perfect for bringing home: crystal tumblers, decanters, flasks, and even whisky fudge.

 

Cost:
Tours range from $9 to $216 US Dollars.

Hours:
The distillery is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tours begin on the hour.
The gift shop is open from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day.

Getting There:
By car, go north on Hope Street toward Renfield Ln. Follow A879 (Craigmaddie Rd.) and A81 for 30 miles to Stirling. Look for signs for Glengoyne between the villages of Strathblane and Killearn.

Bus no. 10 (destination Balfron and departing from the Buchanan Bus Station) goes directly to the entrance of Glengoyne. The distillery operators ask that you call them to coordinate travel via Bus no. 10.

 

Ubiquitous Chip Restaurant

12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G12 8SJ
Phone: 0141 334 5007

Consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Glasgow and regarded as an icon, the Ubiquitous Chip offers regional favorites inspired by, according to the website, “[a]unties, grannies and even folklores.” One foodie described the Ubiquitous Chip as, “top shelf , well presented comfort eating in the most amazing environment with faultless flow.”

Menu highlights include: seared scallops, Galloway roe deer, baked Manchego cheesecake,  and sheep’s milk mousse. Free wi-fi, a full bar, and outdoor seating are available, and reservations are accepted.

Cost: 
$37-65 US Dollars

Hours:
Monday-Saturday: noon-2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

Getting There:
From the hotel, walk .3 miles to the Buchanan Street subway station. Take the subway to the Hillhead stop. The restaurant will be across the street from the station.

We’ve picked 5 things you must see in #Glasgow during the @Saab Operators Conference: https://t.co/sEcWNjjmOx pic.twitter.com/TqRyDXHOIB

— C&L Aerospace (@claerospace) April 27, 2016