Things To Do In London
You’re not likely to see even half of what London has to offer unless you have at least five years for a vacation. However, that means that there’s something in London for everyone - from art to monuments, museums to zoos and gardens, music, theater, nightclubs and more.
London blends the ancient with the modern perfectly. It has over two hundred galleries and three hundred museums. There are more than a hundred and fifty events going on every day. That means you could visit the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels in the morning, then head to the Tate art museums in the afternoon. Or, you could see Parliament early on and spend the afternoon shopping at Harrod’s.
The burial place of poets, scientists and kings, Westminster Abbey is just a small trip away from the Buckingham Palace changing of the guards. There are churches and cathedrals to see here, too, and they rival the best that the Continent has to offer. Don’t miss St. Paul’s Cathedral or any of the many other great architectural marvels.
If you love Wall Street in New York, think about seeing London’s much older version. The City is a hub with roots going back thousands of years - even before the invention of money.
In addition, you can find Inns with centuries of history, and a number of wonderful parks. Hyde Park, St. James, and Regents are all popular attractions. Visit the zoo and gardens, or see Holland Park’s opera house and Japanese gardens. Kensington gardens also houses the Royal costume collection.
Don’t miss Convent Garden, either. While this area isn’t really a garden, it does offer an amazing selection of shops and theaters. There you’ll see great restaurants, shops, bars and clubs, as well as street performances. If you prefer your entertainment a little classier, think about a visit to the Royal Opera.
Another feature of this city that goes back centuries is the famous outdoor markets of London. Antique hunting in Portobello Road is unmatchable. Borough Market has been in the same place for more than a thousand years - in some markets, the atmosphere is like being in bazaar. You’ll find just about anything - even an ostrich burger cooked to your preferences.
Since all the shopping will make you tired and hungry, stop in the West End at one of the wide variety of pubs. You’ll be able to choose your price and quality, and after the meal, see a show that’ll compete with the best Broadway has to offer. In fact, plenty of shows get their start in London and travel to New York later.
If you love museums, consider the Victoria and Albert. Named after the famous Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert, this museum contains an enormous publicly accessible costume collection. Or, see the Natural History and Science museums, or spend a day at the British Museum.
Of course, centuries old attractions aren’t all London has to offer. Built at the turn of the millennium, the London Eye remains popular. Boasting the largest ferris wheel in the world and a thirty minute glass gondola rides with views of the Thames and Big Ben, it’s a great place to visit. The Tate Modern, opened the same year, features famous names in twentieth century art like Matisse and Picasso.
Of course, once you’ve managed to visit all these attractions, there’s still the other half of London to see!