Get Out of Londontown: And Into Glasgow (Some More)

May 25, 2012 at 11:03 AM | by Lilotchka | Comments (0)

Heading to London this summer? Yeah, so is everyone else. This week, Jaunted's London embed, Lilit Marcus, will share some definite destinations for getting out of town and out of the crowds.

PART 2:

After exploring the university area, see the more urban, up-to-date side of Glasgow by heading downtown. Unlike central London, downtown Glasgow is easy to navigate by foot, and most of the main attractions are quite close together.

The place to start is George Square. In the square itself is the famous statue of Robert Burns, the unofficial poet laureate of Scotland and a beloved national icon. Although his birthday is celebrated as a holiday, you�ll often find flowers and notes left for him all year round. Also in the square is the Cenotaph, which was originally built to honor Scottish soldiers who died in World War I and was later updated to include soldiers killed in World War II. The square also boasts a new attraction: the Wheel of Glasgow, a white Ferris wheel with enclosed seats that offers beautiful views of the city.

Not far from George Square in the Royal Exchange Square is the Modern Art Museum, which is free for all visitors. GOMA has full time and part time exhibits and a range of fun projects to keep kids entertained. The museum itself is also worth a look; it features Corinthian columns and a large cupola, and a photo op-perfect statue of the Duke of Wellington out front.

If you're looking to drop some cash, downtown Glasgow is the place to do it for sure. The busy Buchanan Street features several shopping arcades, plus the House of Fraser department store. Buchanan Street is considered second only to London�s Oxford Street in terms of where to shop in the UK, so consider yourself warned. To support a truly local brand, seek out James Pringle Weavers (which became Pringle of Scotland), which of course has a location on Buchanan Street. This is the place to go if you want to invest in a sweater so warm it can keep out the coldest of Scottish cold.

Speaking of Scottish cold, one of the best ways to cope is to have a few drinks and warm yourself up. (Just don't let anyone give you a Glasgow Kiss.) There are plenty of pubs to choose from in this part of town, but Babbity Bowser (say that ten times fast) offers local ales and some haggis, if you�re bold enough to try it, and the lovely fireplace makes sure that you stay comfy.

At the Babbity Bowser

[Photos: EmPemm & EmPemm again]

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