The museum building was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and won the European Museum of the Year Award in 2013.
The Glenlee, moored outside, is one of only five Clyde-built sailing vessels remaining afloat in the world today.
The museum's 'Wall of Cars' features 25 vehicles mounted at high levels, showcasing the engineering evolution of the automobile.
The building's floor-to-ceiling glass façades are designed to reflect the surrounding river environment, creating an indoor-outdoor visual continuity.
The 'Glasgow Streets' exhibit includes authentic architectural features and storefronts salvaged from the city's Victorian and Edwardian periods.
The collection includes the world's oldest surviving pedal cycle, dating to the late 19th century.
The building was constructed on the site of the former A. & J. Inglis shipyard.
The museum holds a permanent collection of over 150 large-scale objects, including complete subway carriages.
The Riverside Museum is Glasgow's award-winning transport and technology museum, housed in a Zaha Hadid-designed building located at the confluence of the River Kelvin and the River Clyde. The facility features over 3,000 objects, including vintage locomotives, historic trams, and classic automobiles displayed in immersive street-scene recreations. Its architecture is characterized by a distinctive zinc-clad zigzag roof and glass walls that span the entire width of the structure. The museum houses the Glenlee, a 19th-century tall ship moored permanently at the adjacent quay. Interactive displays allow visitors to walk through reconstructed Glasgow streets from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection focuses on the city's maritime history and its role in the global shipping and locomotive manufacturing industries. As of June 2026, the museum remains a central component of Glasgow Life's heritage portfolio.
The exterior glass frontage facing the River Clyde, which captures the unique silhouette of the Zaha Hadid roofline.
Visit the 'Glasgow Streets' section first to avoid mid-day crowds, as it is the most popular interactive area.
Wear comfortable footwear as the museum layout covers a large floor area and requires significant walking.
Check the daily schedule at the information desk upon arrival for live guided tours of the Glenlee ship.
Attempting to see every single item in the vast vehicle collection in a single visit; focus on the major exhibits instead.
Open daily, though exhibits occasionally rotate for maintenance or loan requirements.
