A day trip to Glasgow for Barbie®: The Exhibition

Barbie®: The Exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Barbie®: The Exhibition is now open at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum until Sunday 18 October. As the only exhibition of its kind in Scotland it is the perfect excuse to spend a day in Glasgow. Keep reading for some inspiration for a day trip to the city, as well as information about how you could win tickets for the exhibition.

Morning - get to know the city

Hop on board the City Sightseeing bus to take in the main sights of the city centre. The bus runs clockwise so we recommend starting at the George Square stop to ensure you can take the full route.

Spend the morning in the Cathedral Precinct to learn more about the early history of the city. Glasgow Cathedral is an impressive landmark towering over the city, with the neighbouring Necropolis offering panoramic views and Victorian architecture. Learn more about the area in our Cathedral Precinct itinerary.

Continue onwards to the east end. If you have time we recommend getting off at the McLennan Arch stop to take in the iconic example of the city’s architectural history. Glasgow Green is a good place to unwind and people watch.

Next take the bus to Glasgow Central Station. From there you can walk for 16 minutes to the Mackintosh Tearooms on Sauchiehall Street. Alternatively, you can start the tour here at Blythswood Square stop but we recommend leaving it until later in the morning as the tearooms open at 11am.

The Mackintosh Tearooms were first opened in 1903 and designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Built during the temperance movement they served as an alcohol-free space for residents to relax and socialise. You can take a tour of the tearooms, as well as enjoy afternoon tea.

A red open-top tour bus drives past historic buildings in Glasgow on a sunny day, with people dining outdoors and walking nearby. — City Sightseeing Glasgow

View from the upper level of a large dining room with high ceilings and rows of tables set with white tablecloths. Pendant lights hang from a coffered ceiling, and the space features decorative railings and glass panels. — The Mackintosh Tearooms

Afternoon - museums and parks

Head back to the Glasgow Central Station stop and continue towards the west end. In this segment of the bus tour you can take in the sights in Govan and the West End - including the Govan Stones, OVO Hydro and Riverside Museum.

Hop off at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum stop. There’s a daily organ recital at 1pm Monday to Saturday, and 3pm on Sundays - aim to get to the museum for this time.

Barbie®: The Exhibition explores the history and design of the iconic doll. There are more than 250 objects - from the first ever hand-painted Barbie to modern day iterations. It also includes furniture, fashion and architecture. The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Design Museum, London and Mattel. You have until Sunday 18 October to see it.

Stick around Kelvingrove to discover a wide range of exhibits including paintings by Salvador Dalí and Vincent Van Gogh and a real Spitfire plane suspended from the ceiling. There’s a lot to explore, so check out Glasgow Life’s guide to must see objects for inspiration.

If you have more time the Hunterian Gallery at the University of Glasgow is the oldest public museum in Scotland. Alternatively, Hidden Lane is a short walk away and is home to artists, designers and musicians from across the city. It’s a great photo spot and you can pick up some unique souvenirs.

The grand, vaulted interior of a museum with a plane suspended from the ceiling and taxidermy animals, including an elephant and a giraffe, on the floor. — Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Evening - shopping and dining

You have a few options in the evening. You can head west towards Byres Road - one of the main streets in the west end with independent shopping, cafés and restaurants. Ashton Lane is just off Byres Road and is notable for its cobbled street and fairy lights. You’ll find a number of popular bars and restaurants here. Find some recommendations in our guide to the west end.

Alternatively you can head to Finnieston. Often considered one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Scotland it’s a foodie haven with world-renowned restaurants and laid-back nightlife. There’s so much on offer that we have a dedicated guide to the neighborhood.

Otherwise you can head back to the city centre at the Hidden Lane stop. Merchant City also offers great nightlife and dining options, or you can go shopping on Buchanan Street. The last City Sightseeing bus departs from Hidden Lane at 18:59. If you want to spend longer in the West End and Finnieston you can also reach the city centre by taking the subway at Hillhead/Kelvinbridge or train at Exhibition Centre.

A bustling cobbled lane with outdoor dining, string lights, and historic brick buildings under a bright sky. — Ashton Lane

People sit at outdoor tables on a sunny day in front of a cafe with large windows and hanging plants. — Finnieston

Try it yourself - enter our competition

Are you interested in taking this itinerary for yourself? We’re running a competition where one lucky entrant could win:

2 adult tickets to Barbie®: The Exhibition
2 City Sightseeing bus tour 1-day passes
1 afternoon tea for two at the Mackintosh Tearooms (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available)
£50 to spend in the exhibition shop at Kelvingrove

Head to our competition page to read the terms and conditions and learn more about how to enter.