Norma P.

06/02/2024 3:00pm Sunday. This place is amazing. Being from the states I had no idea they had free admission! How cool. Such a neat place to look at modes of transportation. Bicycles, autos, ships, so cool. Models from different eras. I highly recommend it.

Dave C.

We were pleasantly surprised. We thought "OK, transportation museum", uh.... But, we got in and went to the left through a cobblestone street that made us feel like we went back in time 100 years (loved the sign that said 2 pounds for transport to Canada!) with an old subway car, shops, old cars, etc. Then, we came out to see a section on motorcycles, a section on cars, a section on trains, a section on buses throughout time - with several interactive stuff for kids. There's also the "Tall Ship" out the back door - which is a separate museum, apparently, but fits right in. Took us just over 2 hours to do both.

Extraordinary museum. For all ages. Had a wonderful visit. It's huge. Actual cars, trains, motorcycles, bicycles, horses, skateboards, even strollers. Wonderful spaces designed to experience modes of transport in their element: two subways, harness shop, etc. And a ship. One note: last entry for the ship is at 4:30. The cafe is wonderful as well. The staff work their butts off. But are cheerful and speedy. Recommend this museum highly. We'll be back.

Casey M.

This is a great place for all the family to visit, situated right by the river and the tall ship, this museum has old buses, trams, cars, caravan's motorbikes, all forms of transport that you can go on and explore, a very interactive place and the icing on the cake is the cobbled makeshift street with it's old fashioned shops that you can look inside and horse and carts which was so exciting to see and its all free!!

Grahame G.

I've visited the Riverside museum 3 times now, and although I had some criticisms on my first visit from comparing it to the previous transport museum in the Kelvin Hall (and even the one before that in Tramway - yes, I'm old enough to remember that), I think it's rather churlish to rate the place based on its previous incarnations, so in trying to see the place with a fresh pair of eyes and treating it like a first-time visitor, I think it deserves the full 5 stars. Firstly, the building itself is a surprise and delight to explore. Zaha Hadid's bare industrial exterior completely belies the ingenious use of the space inside, and the building doesn't seem all that attractive until you start to get close to the crazy zig-zagged entrance; at which point you start to wonder how they actually managed to build the place. Inside the space works really well and seems to draw you through in a natural flow. The wide range of exhibits really reflects Glasgow's transport history - there are the buses and tramcars of course, Ewan MacGregor's motorcycle from his round the world trip, Robbie Coltrane's jeep, some wonderful ship models (a personal favourite of mine) with more displayed upstairs on a fantastic moving spilt-level catenary track - I was almost more interested in the mechanics of the track than the actual models - and then there are the trains. Yes, actual steam engines, and one of them is on the upper floor! If you're wondering how they got it up there (I certainly was), check the touch-screen information panel to see how they did it. That's another great improvement with this museum - the level of interactive screens and other techno-geekery has really enhanced the whole experience and brought the past to life. There's an app you can download, and a treasure hunt you can follow that will get you a discount in the shop; but I even like the short films you are presented with that re-enact the past, like the guy chatting up a 'burd' on the subway car. I also watched the AV presentation about the shipyards that shows several times a day, and found it very moving. So full marks on the technology front. There are criticisms that could be made - yes, the 'street' doesn't have quite the atmosphere of the one in Kelvin Hall; the old cinema recreation is nowhere near as good as the old one; the overhead cycle display would be much better if it actually rotated so you could get a closer look at the bikes; it would be really awesome if the wall track showing the history of cars was actually moving - but remember there is a lot more on display here than there ever was in the previous two transport museums. And it's free! Outside on the river front, there is the Tall Ship Glenlee moored right there. On my first couple of visits there was a charge to visit this, but on this visit it was free - whether that's just during the Commonwealth Games or not remains to be seen. There's also the ferry running across to Govan during the summer months (also free!) and that seemed to be very popular. So if you haven't been to the Riverside museum, give it a try. If you're new to the city you'll love it; if you cherish fond memories of the older transport museums you may be shocked at first, but spend some time with it and it will grow on you - it's definitely won me over.

Elizabeth F.

This was my second visit to Riverside as I had attended the community preview a couple of weeks ago. So, working in Govan does have its advantages, we were also allowed in to film and take lots of photos. It still wasn't complete when we went, a lot of men still building and fixing things so couldn't get full access. The old street was open, yay for old street, it is set between 1895-1930. We couldn't get into the subway unfortunately but I had heard on the radio that there was another street through this access. I was disappointed there was no cinema but at least you can get into all the shops this time. We also couldn't get upstairs the last time so there was so much I felt I had missed out on so when the new Govan ferry link was up and running it was time to jump aboard and sail (I think it's more glide by the 2 mins it takes) across to get another gander on what I missed. So it was all go and we filmed our journey across and got some more footage of the museum including the bits we missed. We looked for the other street which does say on the floor plan. Not exactly 1950s but 1930-1960 & 1960-1980. Don't get excited though it's not really a street and it hasn't any access through the subway as was thought. The place looks great with walls of vehicles, literally. We managed to get upstairs and long gone are the ships in glass cabinets. Most of the model ships are downstairs this time. There was one old guy who wasn't happy at the ships stacked up to the ceiling in a massive glass cabinet and also spinning round at ceiling level so you can't see the detail. The museum won't please everyone but hey that's life. Oh by the way the place very mint green. It's a great wee day out and it's still free entry. Yay! There's a coffee shop downstairs and also upstairs. Didn't get a chance to try out but you can guess it won't be the cheapest. There was also a souvenir shop so the kids can get a badge and pen at least, well that's what I always ended up with on a museum trip. The museum also has the tall ship Glenlee behind it on the River Clyde. You may think this is part of the museum but unfortunately it's not as you have to pay to get on board to have a look. I went on last Friday for a sneek preview but it was still under construction, hopefully it looks great since it's completion. Definitely one way to spend your summer on a wee day out with plenty to see. Lots of interactive touch screens filled with infomation and videos. If you do get the ferry across from Govan be wary that it's quite expensive at £3 return compared to the subway at £2.40. I think it's more of a novelity thing but we'll see how it goes.

Iain P.

We went on a Saturday during the school holidays expecting it to be completely mobbed. It was definitely very busy, but there was no problem with crowding even on the "hands on" exhibits. It had been a few years since my last visit to the old Transport Museum at Kelvin Hall, but my opinion is that the new location is a definite improvement. I reckon there's less stuff here, but only as they've reduced the repetition. Where there may have been 3 similar trams in the old place, they have 1 now and so on. While this may be a blow to the nerd (I don't use the term in a derogatory fashion, I am such a nerd in other fields!), it makes things less boring for the casual visitor. Everything's geared well for a balance between young and old visitors - our party were 6, 13, 40 and *cough* retired *cough* and all enjoyed it. Lighting is good, it doesn't feel claustrophobic or overly busy and the large touch-screens mean that more information is available about many exhibits than could be managed with wall-mounted cards. The café isn't ridiculously overpriced and sells the same food as the Kelvin Art Gallery including those boxed kids' meals. Remember that it's free entry, so don't begrudge the snacks being a *little* overpriced - all the profits go back into running the place. Definitely recommended for a couple of hours on an afternoon. Oh, and check out the app they advertise which has two levels - child and adult - of treasure hunt. Get all the answers and you win a 10% discount at the gift shop.

Briony C.

I am kicking myself for not visiting here sooner - what was I thinking?! I'm so sorry Riverside Museum, you were a lot more fun than I was expecting! I'd visited the Transport Museum at Kelvinhall and expected this to be much of the same, just in a new building. I was so wrong - this place is an expanded version of the Transport Museum and with lots of new stuff too. I can see why the name changed as well, as it's really not just about transport - especially the old street which is a really interesting exhibit of Glasgow life. There's lots of interactive displays and things to keep the kiddies (and kid-adults) entertained. Depending on how much you want to look at each display, you could easily walk around here in an hour or stretch it out for a few hours (with a stop for lunch in the cafe). The layout of the museum is pretty good and you'll get a map when you go in the door. I managed to miss some displays but I wasn't too worried as I'm sure I'll be back again in the future. Everything is clearly sign-posted and your biggest concern will probably be losing your companions behind a train. The gift shop is ok - not the kind of stuff I'm into but lots of things for kids as well as some nice tourist tat. There's a car park which is £1 for 4 hours, and when you head out the back you can also visit the Tall Ship. On a nice day it's worth going out the back just for the views along the Clyde.

Rob K.

I have very fond memories of the old Transport Museum, so I had some misgivings when it was announced that the Riverside Museum was taking over. But I'm glad to say that most of my reservations have been unfounded. I've visited here many times since it opened a couple of years ago - it's an ideal place to take my nieces and nephew on a wet afternoon. There's original subway carriages in a replica subway station, old Glasgow Street scene, boats, cars, buses and trains. My favourite thing is the infinite velodrome which is suspended from the ceiling. The kidz love all the interactive things - like rowing, driving of cars, jumping all over the buses etc. The gift shop is quite seriously great - lots of stuff for kids and adults. when I was there last, my nieces got glowy light up balls, and I got an awesome wee yellow hippie car. All in, job well done with the relocation. I'm sure I'll be back soon!

Torterry C.

Riverside Museum is also know as public transport and travel museum. I took the underground to get here. Then around 10 minutes walk from the station, I was already here. The place was quite easy to spot which its cool look. I didn't really buy any ticket to visit the museum. That's cool. After I entered, i saw they small town which exhibited how our transportation changed over the years. Quite interesting but a bit short. And then I saw the main hall which holds most collection. Cars, motorbikes, buses, trains and so on. Really cool. Some of the old buses even allowed visitor to go in and check them out. And huge models of the royal family ship. I also try the lunch here, the food was just alright. Like what I expected from an cafeteria. But it was nice to sit down and catch up with friends. At the back, there is also a historical ship for the visitor to check it out. I like the view on the ship. It was really beautiful. These are small shop inside the ship as well. And a gift shop at the exit. At the end, I do like the museum quite, I did get a bit tired after an hour and half there. That would be nice if they also have a section aircraft.

Fiona H.

A museum that's close to home as in ten minute walk from home! Great location, great parking facilities and transport links, ten minute walk to Partick underground and train station, as well as next bikes. The museum is again free to get into. And you are immediately faced with all sorts, from the worlds oldest bicycle to trains to police cars and everything in between. The museum also has an exhibition on at the minute related to the commonwealth games and some of the success the Scottish riders had, focusing on Para-Sport Tandem cyclists Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston. It's incredible to see the actual bikes and just how close the two cyclists sit. Continue wandering around and you step back into Glasgow's history. With facts about old pubs and the lack of ladies allowed in, to the original subway line and just how difficult it was to pull the trains, to bits about tailors. Truly fascinating. There is also a huge array of motorcycles on offer, and some cars in a circle on the ceiling. Upstairs is a little quieter with a small cafe and bits on flying. Outside you can pay extra to visit the tall ship. There is currently a huge sandpit outside he front, proving you can visit the beach in the city centre. Warning, this place is vey busy with kids on school holidays at the minute.

Daniel H.

While it won't fill your whole day, it's worth coming to for sure. Bring the kiddies as well, they'll have a ball. Beautifully laid out with an excellent cross section of various types of transport throughout Glasgow's history. My absolute favourite was seeing Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's bikes from Long Way Down. I'll admit, I did a little girly "squee". Out the back is the mast ship Glenlee, another free attraction. Buy a guide book on the way in to show your support though. A little out of the way, but this museum had won awards for a reason. Don't delay, check it out.