Traveling to London

Thousands of Sites to See

London has enough sites to see that you could easily spend years sight-seeing and still not see it all. Whatever your taste, London has it. Whether you enjoy museums, zoos, gardens, nightclubs, theater, modern or classical art, monuments, and on and on, it is all there in abundance.

London has a perfect blend of ancient and modern with over 200 galleries and 300 museums, and 150 events a day to interest the traveler. You could see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels in the morning and the Tate art museums in the afternoon. Or visit the London Eye early then shop at Harrods later.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the burial place of kings, poets and scientists, and a short distance from the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Cathedrals and churches that rival the best of France or Italy are here, especially the must-see St. Paul's Cathedral.

Financial District

For those who might have enjoyed Wall Street in New York, London has its own - and much older - version in The City. This hub actually has roots that go back thousands of years, since before money was even invented.

Parks and Inns

There are Inns galore also dating back a thousand years or more and several outstanding parks, such as Hyde Park, St James, or Regents with the famous gardens and the even more famous zoo. Holland park has an opera house and Japanese gardens and Kensington the amazing gardens and the Royal costume collection.

Speaking of gardens, be sure not to overlook Covent Garden. Not really gardens at all, the area is a spectacular array of theaters, shops and more where the street performers compete with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops for tourists' attention. The Royal Opera house is here, for those who prefer a different style of entertainment.

Markets and Shopping

London's famous outdoor markets also go back centuries, where the antique hunting at Portobello Road is unmatched anywhere. Borough Market has been thriving here for over a thousand years. The atmosphere in some is almost like a Moroccan bazarre. And, for those who like their burgers bizarre, you can get an ostrich patty cooked to taste.

Restaurants and Theaters

But after all that shopping one is bound to be hungry and tired. The West End offers a variety of pubs at a range of prices and quality of cuisine. After a meal the weary traveler can see a show that rivals the best of Broadway. Many shows actually begin in London and only later travel to New York.

Museums

Museums abound. The Victoria & Albert, named for the famous 19th century queen and her consort, the Natural History and Science museums, and the world-renowned British Museum could each form a day's excursion.

The London Eye

But newer attractions are also worthwhile. The London Eye, build at the turn of the millennium, continues to attract visitors as if 2000 weren't years earlier. It touts the world's largest ferris wheel and a 30-minute boat ride in a glass gondola that offers views of Big Ben and the River Thames. And the Tate Modern, opened in the same year features Picasso, Matisse and other famous names of 20th century art.

Once you've explored all those venues thoroughly come back and we'll lay out another few years of places to see and things to do.