The best things to do in Glasgow on a rainy day

Glasgow whether is normally very predictable and dreary. You can tell when we have our two days of summer a year because suddenly the pale population are out and about; lying about in the park and over-crowding the beer gardens. But what is there to do on these dull rainy days? My general answer is just to stay in drinking tea with my feet up, but there's some days where that plan just doesn't cut it. I've come up with a list of what I think are top things to cheer you up in this city when the weather just isn't doing it for you.


Afternoon tea
Filling yourself with carbs is now fashionable again and there's so many places popping up in the city where you can find afternoon tea now on their menu. It is seen as a very summery thing to do but on a rainy day there is nothing better than a steaming hot cup of tea and a belly full of cake. The famous Willow Tea Rooms (http://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/) and Cup (http://www.cupglasgow.co.uk/) do a fantastic afternoon tea but my personal favourite is the Hidden lane Tea Room(http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hidden-Lane-Tearoom/110466338987757). With a different selection of home baked goodies every time I've been in there's no place better.


For something a bit different and for the largest selection of tea you could always visit Tchai-ovna (http://tchaiovna.com/). They have a very nice vegan and vegetarian menu and the best chocolate flapjacks I've ever tasted. It's a very hippy eclectic hang out and that's what makes it so enjoyable.


Research your family tree
You've always been meaning to this and now you have no excuse. The Mitchell Library (http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Library_Services/Family_Local_History/Family_History/) has a large collection of resources for the West of Scotland to help you towards researching your family history. On a rainy day this would be the ideal way to do something productive and probably make the rest of your family very happy.


Relax by the fire
Head down to Curlers (http://www.thecurlersrestglasgow.co.uk/). Their fire is normally lit on an afternoon and you can enjoy a drink and maybe some food by the burning coals. They also have a decent selection of board games so you can get riled up by Monopoly at the same time.

Learn something new
In this time of recession home-made crafts are the new kitsch. There are so many to choose from in this city no matter what your skill level or preference. There's everything from crotchet, knitting and sewing to jewellery making. Take your pick. The best places I have found so far are Make It Glasgow (http://www.makeitglasgow.co.uk/), Boxwood (http://www.boxwood.net/), Life Craft (http://www.thelifecraft.co.uk/)and The Bead Company (http://www.thebead.co.uk/).


Get some culture
The Oran Mor has a fantastic calender of matinee plays for you to enjoy in their a Play, a Pie and a Pint events. They host a range of plays with your ticket also including lunch. Tickets are around £10 dependant on the day of the week. Check out their latest listings on their website. (http://playpiepint.com/)


The Glasgow Film Theatre (http://www.glasgowfilm.org/) is also a great culture destination. It's the perfect place to go if you're bored of the cinema listings and want to see something a little bit different. They have a full range of films from the newest films out to old favourites. Their full December screening of It's a Wonderful Life is always very popular.


Shop til you drop
We all know that Glasgow is the place to be for shopping with Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street just brimming with brand name stores. But for a change why don't you check out the vintage and kitsch gems that are off the beaten track. There is a selection of these near Trongate, one of these being the vintage paradise that is Mr Ben (http://www.mrbenretroclothing.com/). The West End is also full of these tiny places including Watermelon on Great western Road, Circa Vintage on Ruthven Lane and so many other places. For a great listing of the best shops on  the West End then please see the Glasgow West End website. (http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/shopping/bargains/)


Be a tourist
In a great city like this there are so many art galleries and museums it would silly not to make the most of them. It also helps that a few of them are free. Places free of charge include the Kelvingrove, the Burrell Collection and the Gallery of Modern Art. (http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/Pages/home.aspx) Other fantastic places that do involve an entry fee include the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park (http://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk) and Tenement House (http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/59/). A full list can be found at http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/places-mus.html

The best of what Glasgow has to offer

Throughout the 5 years I have lived in this city I've came across some fantastic hidden gems that this city has to offer. In this blog I will cover the best places to go for everything from food, a gig to the best french martini in the city. Newcomers and regular visitors will hopefully find this a helpful guide to the unknown as well as I'm sure fellow city dwellers may also find something of interest. For a city this big and diverse there is always going to be somewhere that you haven't been or tried.


So I hope you enjoy and any comments, polite criticisms and your own city knowledge would be more than welcome.

Vx