Top 5 Things to Do in London
London’s bustling streets are full of double-decker buses, fashionable characters, and dazzling architectural wonders. With tube (underground train) stations on every corner, London’s world-class public transport system can carry travelers effortlessly throughout the city to anywhere they’d like to visit. Extraordinarily rich in both culture and history, London is a must-see for every world traveler.
During our first days in the English capital, we made it our mission to cross the top things to do in London off our list. Of course at every tourist-y destination in London, you’re going to encounter overwhelming crowds of wide-eyed foreigners wielding selfie sticks leisurely wandering around. Nonetheless, these iconic London landmarks are quite worth the visit.
Can't-Miss Destination 1: Big Ben
We were lucky enough to visit Big Ben just three days before it fell silent for the next four years due to crucial conservation work. This silence is necessary in order to protect the ears of the renovation crew assigned to the project.
From the moment we came up the stairs of the underground, we could see the clock’s gleaming black and gold face as we heard its mighty bell toll strike one o’clock. The intricate details covering The Elizabeth Tower reflected that of the Westminster Palace from which it jutted out of. We found the best views are actually across the street from the tower, where you can avoid the crowds while actually getting the full view of the palace and its clock tower.
Can’t-Miss Destination 2: London Eye
The London Eye is the perfect place for visitors to catch a bird’s eye view of the city while enjoying an enchanting ride on a giant ferris wheel. Alongside incredible panoramic views of London’s sprawling cityscape, we were able to see Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral all while hanging over the Thames River inside big study pods (though our particular pod was full of overly-excited children). It also started raining during our ride, but we found the rain actually made for quite a unique perspective on the typically blustery city.
Can’t-Miss Destination 3: Poppie’s Fish & Chips
It would be a shame to visit London and miss out on the traditional British fare of fish and chips (AKA fries in America). Known for its unrelenting commitment to quality and Britain’s cultural roots, Poppie’s Fish & Chips is hands-down the best place in the city to get a scrumptious taste of some seaside cuisine.
Can’t-Miss Destination 4: Tower Bridge
London’s iconic Tower Bridge is a historic drawbridge that crosses the Thames River. The Tower Bridge is remarkably popular, with more than 40,000 people using it every day. It’s a lovely way to cross the Thames River, and passes right through the heart of London. I hate to admit it, but we definitely thought the Tower Bridge was the “famed” London Bridge from the classic nursery rhyme. It was only until after we had crossed the Tower Bridge and read the signage that we realized our error.
Can’t-Miss Destination 5: Buckingham Palace
Covered in golden accents and surrounded by several lush green parks, Buckingham Palace is the exquisite London residence of The Queen herself. Visitors can book a tour for an afternoon in the palace, or admire its brilliance from outside the gates. Either way, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of the world-famous palace guards, and if you time it right you might even catch the Changing of the Guards ceremony.
