London, England — Things to Do
Sightseeing in London
With iconic attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Tower Bridge, visitors to this eclectic city will be kept busy with the multitude of sights to explore. Visit the stoic lions on Trafalgar Square, be bowled over by the grand interior of St Paul's Cathedral or take a stroll through St James Park and watch the famous changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
Venturing more into the heart of the West End, follow the crowds to the bright montage of lights and billboards at Piccadilly Circus and from there take in Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden. For those with an appreciation for history and the natural world, the superb British Museum and Natural History Museum in South Kensington are a must. The south bank of the Thames draws visitors with the London Eye, the London Aquarium and the über-cool Tate Modern.
An easy and pleasurable way to see the major sights is on one of the city's red buses or, weather permitting, on foot. Many visitors use the underground to travel the short distances from sight to sight, missing the opportunity to gain a better picture of this vibrant city. A boat tour down the river Thames is also a great way to view some major sights and to learn more about the central role this river has played in London life.
Shopping in London
A European shopping Mecca, London has fantastic fashion stores, with famous brands lurking around every corner. Visit the renowned Oxford and Regent streets for big brands like Gap, Zara, Topshop, H&M and United Colors of Benetton. Don't be put off by their loud exteriors; some shops are actually quite affordable. For music lovers head to Virgin or HMV where you might even spot a famous musician as publicity performances are often held at these stores.
Renowned for its markets, Camden in North London has become one of the fourth most visited sights in London. A haven for punks, Goths and other alternative sub cultures the myriad of stalls and shops sell outrageous retro outfits, colorful accessories and modern party outfits that really have to be seen to be believed.
For an enjoyable weekend outing, Portobello Market is a gem (look out for the Farmers Market in the vicinity). Made famous by the romantic Hollywood film Notting Hill, there are many attractive coffee shops, independent retailers and cheap stalls selling clothing, jewelry and music to explore.
If you are a foodie then head to the Borough Market adjacent to London Bridge. Dedicated to gastronomy, visitors can sample homemade pâté, buy fresh cherries, olive oil, sweet cakes and the likes. General groceries can be bought at one of the major English supermarket chains such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.
London Nightlife
The nightlife in London is second to none with something for everyone and for just about every kind of occasion, from the pulsating dance floors of some of the world's most famous clubs to the more chilled out and intimate music lounges and bars.
Hardcore party animals wanting to strut their stuff will love the clubbing scene, complete with well known local and international DJs, while the countless bars and cosy independent theaters featuring live music acts will blow your mind. On any given night there will be an international or local band playing in at least one of the venues around this pulsating metropolis.
The West End in particular is home to many bars, clubs and restaurants and Soho is one of the trendiest and coolest places to drink. This is also where most of London's gay bars and clubs can be found. The perpetually cool Notting Hill and Portobello Road areas still draw large crowds and local areas, such as Camden and Angel up north and Clapham and Brixton down south, boast some fantastic pubs and bars, all with their own unique flavor.
Those in the mood for a quiet drink and some conversation should head down to one of the many tradition English pubs scattered around this cosmopolitan city, where they can enjoy some of the finest ales, stouts, ciders, and malt whiskies in the world. Although, many of London's bars these days have clubs and dance floors inside them, transforming them into miniature nightclubs and ushering in a new era of the phrase 'heading down to the pub'.
The West End is also known as 'Theaterland' and those in the mood for a Broadway-style theater shows should head down to the Lyceum Theater or the Queen's Theater to catch a show or musical. And while you're in the area, culture lovers can enjoy an evening at Covent Garden watching the Royal Opera or the Royal Ballet, while lovers of classical music can head to the Albert Hall.
There is also plenty of fringe theater outside of the West End with young professionals and amateurs performing anything from classic plays to cabaret. Common fringe venues include fully kitted cosy theaters to cramped rooms above some of the city's local pubs. Other non-commercial theaters include the world-renowned National Theater, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theater and the Old Vic.
Attractions for Kids
London is a great city to explore with children. On a clear day, take the kids for a ride on one of the hop-on hop-off topless buses. The constantly changing scenery is exciting and it'll save a lot of energy trying to walk the streets with small children in tow. The bus tickets also allow a Thames River boat ride past such sights as Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye and London Bridge. Kids will be delighted at the amount there is to spot along the way. While obvious vacation attractions for kids in London include the London Eye, Big Ben and the London Dungeon, there are also an assortment of parks, museums and shows to keep children happy. Whether children are interested in nature, science or arts and crafts, London has it all. Madame Tussauds is fun and children will love discovering the famous wax sculptures. Don't miss taking the kids to the world-renowned Hamleys Toy Shop for a shopping experience to remember. London may be synonymous with cold, rainy weather but is still a year-round vacation destination. It is at its best during spring (April to June), when the days are warm, and the flowers are blooming.
