Where are some places to go in London and things to know as an American?

[Simslover92]

My bestie and I are thinking about taking a trip in November there.

[Bricealan]

@Simslover92 I have been to London, and saw as much as I could in the time allotted, Went to Trafalgar Square, took a boat ride on the Thames at night, going by the Tower of London.. I went into the House of Commons and the House of Lords, I went to Piccadilly Circus, also went to the Fashion District and wanted to buy some clothes.

Make sure you go to Harrods, and ride the double deck buses.

A better person to ask would be elizamichele1 as she lives in London and I am sure if she had the time she would give you a grand tour, and If I go back to London again, I will contact her before I go, hoping to meet her there for the same show-me-London, tour

Hope you go and enjoy!!!

[Simslover92]

Thank you so much!

[Bricealan]

@Simslover92 I did forget Buckingham Palace... but that was not the highlight of my trip.

P. S. Take an Umbrella !

[Simslover92]

Ok thanks again!

[AviatorTom]

I've been to London many times, lived therefor several months many years ago.

What to see and do depends on how much time you will spend there.

Definitely see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Ride the Underground.

To get an overall tourist view, ride the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. Ride a black taxi and experience driving on the other side of the road.

If you have the time, visit Greenwich (you can take the Docklands Light Railway there) and stand on the Prime Meridian. Or visit Kensington Palace and wander through its maze. See a show in the theatre district.

Best bet is to ask the concierge or front desk at whatever hotel you're staying at.

[Simslover92]

Thanks. I'll be sure to do that if we go.

[AI Opinion]

I'm your Travel Buddy, Jason! 🌍 As an avid traveler, I love exploring new places, and London is truly a gem. For an amazing experience, here are some must-visit places: Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the British Museum. Stroll through Hyde Park, explore Notting Hill, and don't miss the vibrant street art in Shoreditch. 🇬🇧

As an American, remember that Londoners drive on the left side of the road, and tips around 10% are appreciated at restaurants. Be sure to pack layers for the November weather, as it can be chilly and unpredictable. Enjoy your trip! 🍂

[goaded]

Use public transport! If you want to get somewhere quickly, take the Tube, if you want to see things in between, take busses. I wouldn't bother with the tour busses, get a Visitor Oyster card with pay as you go https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card It caps how much you spend on transport in a day or (Mon-Sun) week. You can also use them to travel in to town from Heathrow or Gatwick airports, although that's slower than the express trains.

In November it will probably be cold and wet! Most museums are free and dry.

You'll have heard of all the standard attractions. Personally I wouldn't bother with the waxworks.

Camden's a popular area with the tourists. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_Market

On the Thames, there's the London Eye, Tower Bridge (you can pay to go over the walkway), the OXO tower has a free viewing area at the top, HMS Belfast, the Cutty Sark and Golden Hinde ships are near the river, Greenwich has some beautiful buildings you might have seen in movies, a couple of museums (not free, iirc) and the Prime Meridian at the observatory. There's a cable car across the river and a foot tunnel underneath it, too.

[Simslover92]

Ok thanks so much!

[DryGermanGuy]

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

Madame Tussauds

British Museum

Harrods

Parliament (Commons/HoL) is only interesting during a debate, Speakers' Corner was deserted, London Dungeon is overrated, Camden Market depends on the weather. Stonehenge is roped off, at least it was when we visited.

Be careful not to miss the last tube, especially when you don't know if there is a night bus going. Beware of pickpockets in crowds and queues.

[Simslover92]

Thanks. And oh no. I wanted to visit the Stonehenge. Hopefully it's not when we go.

[goaded]

Ah, Americans. Stonehenge is 90 miles outside London!

[Bricealan]

@DryGermanGuy I forgot to tell her the British Museum... but then you see the Elgin Marbles the British Stole from the Parthenon, and were NEVER returned !!!

[DryGermanGuy]

@Bricealan
No doubt that the British Empire was operating the greatest loot, rob and pillage machine in the history of mankind. :-)

[RageBabe]

@DryGermanGuy No, that would be France.

[andreasderjuengere]

@goaded Hah hah - I thought the same :)

[CaptainSmartass]

Stonehenge is miles away from London. It's in Wiltshire, just off the A303.

[DryGermanGuy]

Yes, but it's easily reachable from London by a tour bus or by private car. It took us ~90 minutes by car from Croydon to Stonehenge.

[slatyb]

What do you like? We loved the tour of Parliament, and a bunch of art museums but that's just us. We also went to a couple of sing-alongs in bars and had a great time, but that's an older crowd. We went to the Camden market. It used to be a lot of local crafts, but now it's all imported junk. We saw a few shows in the West End, and enjoyed a few parks -- Regent's Park for the flowers, Hyde Park, an St. James park near Parliament. We also enjoyed the Greenwich observatory.

[Simslover92]

All that sounds great. Thanks!

[slatyb]

by the way Transport for London is great - the Underground and the bus system are both excellent and very safe at all hours. If you are staying in London, you won´t need a car, or taxis.

[NathanDavis]

be really careful... on who do you say hello to...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/PT0ay9u1gg4

[Simslover92]

Lol.

[NathanDavis]

also... be ready for quite expensive transportation in London, lmao

[Simslover92]

Lol ok noted!

[andreasderjuengere]

I have visited a few major cities. Each time I found that the famous sites were overcrowded, and what I enjoyed most - each time - were the secret little ''normal'' places where real local life goes on.

Example: I had missed 'Tower Bridge' both times when I was there; but I had good and memorable times in ''unknown'' pubs.

[Babygirl_S]

London looks like a weird grey-brown place with dull skies. I would rather visit some smaller cities in England. Lots of greenery, peace, no death cult followers around me, safety with freedom, a lot less crime than London, cheaper housing, less pollution, simpler people etc. All sound so appealing to me. I don’t even want to Google pics of London. I saw some villages or smaller towns in England and they look dreamier to me. The more I see London, the crazier vibes I get.

[MrChinaski]

It depends what you like. The national gallery, library, tower of london, westminster abbey are obvious choices. Greenwich is worth a visit if you have the time.

[Simslover92]

Thanks.

[MrChinaski]

And theatre

If you have time and a car then Bath is gorgeous, and the King's College choir in Cambridge is impressive. But they are hours outside of London.

[Simslover92]

Ok I don't know if we will as we only plan to stay 3 days but we will try if we do go

[Xawyx-2]

Travel Buddy suggested the exact same places that I was thinking of.

I would also add Big Ben.

[Simslover92]

Thanks!

[Xawyx-2]

You're welcome

[Nikki1989]

London is the last place I would visit if I was in the UK.

London is a dirty, unfriendly city.

[Jennz6]

Go to Buckingham Palace. Check out the changing of the guard 💂

[Simslover92]

Haha thanks! I will definitely do that if we go!

[RedInnocent69]

Shame you’re not there in the summer. Sometimes the Palace gives tours

[SotiCoto]

Honestly, as a resident of London... I'd say just don't bother. It is a festering sh! thole now. If I lose my job I might end up moving back to Wales.

[Anonymous]

Not a good time to be an American in London. London has fallen its basically the middle east at this stage.

[CaptainSmartass]

Places to go in London... Hmm.. Let me think. I'd go to the station and get the next train home.

Simples...

[RedInnocent69]

A nighttime Jack the Ripper walk in Whitechapel (near the Tower and Tower Bridge, which you’ll want to see)

[KostasKouvalis]

Ask @RyanEC , he was there recently

[Simslover92]

Thanks.

[RyanEC]

I guess I’ll answer.

I spent a few days there a few months ago and saw a fair amount within walking distance. (I walk a lot so it might not be in walking distance of everyone)

I saw the British museum.
The national gallery. (an art museum)
The Tate modern. (A modern art museum)
Walk past the parliament building, the tower bridge and Westminster abbey.

That’s what I did at least.

[Simslover92]

Thank you for your answer @RyanEC

[RyanEC]

Sure.
Enjoy the trip.

[Simslover92]

Thanks!

[purplepoppy]

Main thing is to tell everyone you're Canadian.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Thats crazy im going in November too

[PeterLegg91]

I'll dm you

[Simslover92]

Okay.