Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis – Skip the daytime crowds and visit at dusk when the gothic architecture takes on a hauntingly beautiful quality and the hilltop cemetery offers the most atmospheric city views.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – Time your visit for 1pm when the daily organ recital fills the central hall with music, transforming your experience of the Salvador Dalí masterpiece.

The Riverside Museum – Head to the back where you can board the tall ship Glenlee, then ask a staff member about the “ghost station” exhibit hidden in the transport collection.

Glasgow School of Art – While Mackintosh’s masterpiece undergoes restoration, the nearby Mackintosh at the Willow tea rooms offer the most authentic experience of his design genius without the crowds.

The Barrowland Ballroom – For the true Barrowland experience, check the calendar for local bands rather than international acts, when the sprung dance floor and legendary acoustics come alive with authentic Glasgow energy.

Duke of Wellington Statue – Visit during university graduation season when the traffic cone atop the Duke’s head often gets creative upgrades and themed decorations.

George Square – The northwestern corner contains a hidden scale model of the square as it was originally designed, revealing the Victorian vision that never fully materialized.

The Lighthouse – Bypass the main helical staircase that most tourists take and ask for directions to the hidden elevator that leads to a less-visited viewing platform with equally stunning vistas.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens & Kibble Palace – The tropical plants get all the attention, but Glasgow gardeners head to the southern edge where rare Scottish native species are cultivated and staff will often share cuttings with passionate plant enthusiasts.

University of Glasgow – The main quadrangle draws Harry Potter fans, but the real magic happens in the rarely visited Hunterian Anatomy Museum where you’ll find fascinating medical curiosities including the skeleton of the Irish Giant.