World Travel Guide Online

London, England

There are some cities in the world where it just seems unacceptable not to indulge in the tourist sights on your first visit. What's a trip to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower? Or time in New York without walking through Times Square? I feel like London is the same way. Although it is a city that offers so much more than just its touristy spots, they are something you have to do at least once – riding the Tube, seeing a play at Shakespeare's Globe, and purchasing something at Harrods. It just seems wrong not to.

Exploring London

I was born in London and spent the first 5 years of my life there, returning to visit family and friends every few years during my upbringing. However, it wasn't until I was a teenager and I brought friends along for the trip that I actually had the opportunity to act like a tourist. My parents and I usually stayed with my grandparents in their flat in Wimbledon, jetting around the city visiting various relatives. But I'd never ridden on a red double-decker bus or seen the changing of the guards, until the summer I was 16, when my whole family boarded a tourist bus and had a blast exploring London as "visitors."

Tourist Spots Not To Miss:

1. The London Eye: My friend Adam swears by that rule that as soon as you arrive in a city for the first time, you must find the highest spot and go to the top to enjoy a comprehensive view of your destination. The London Eye, or Millenium Wheel, is the perfect place to do that. It is the world's largest ferris wheel, a 30 minute trip in a glass gondola that offers gorgeous views of the entire city of London, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the River Thames (pronounced "tem-z" NOT "th-aim-z")

2. The Tate Modern: This museum, which opened in 2000, is phenomenal, featuring modern art from famous artists like Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, Warhol and Dali. It always has interesting avante-garde exhibits and the architecture of the place will leave you amazed. Conveniently enough, you can easily walk across the Millenium Bridge outside the Tate Modern across to St. Paul's Cathedral, another beautiful site where you can see various monuments, plaques and carvings, along with the Whispering Gallery. It was also where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married in 1981.

3. Covent Garden: This central London district is always abuzz. There are street performers, restaurants, bars, clubs and plenty of shops. There is also theater and the Royal Opera House. Although it is a hot spot for tourists, you will find many young Londoners enjoy hanging out in this trendy area, grabbing a drink after work or going clubbing on the weekends.

4. Portobello Market: Portobello Road is the world's largest antiques market, with shops that are open six days a week. Saturday is the day to visit though, when the vibrant market is in full force. You can find everything – fresh vegetables, vintage denim, antique jewelry, and second-hand clothes you can't get anywhere else. If you're blessed with good weather, all the better!

5. Harrods: There is almost no way to describe Harrods. Even if you don't like shopping, this department store will leave you gobsmacked. Spanning about five acres over five floors, Harrods has everything – from the delicious Food Hall to the world-famous Christmas department. You will find the most expensive clothes, the most high-tech toys and a phenomenal variety of food and music. There's no other place like it.

6. Hyde Park: Hyde Park is to London as Central Park is to New York City. It is a green expanse that covers about 350 acres, originally purchased by King Henry VIII from the monks of Westminister Abbey for hunting grounds. When the weather is nice in London (which can be rare), rowing, horseback riding, rollerblading or picnicking can all be enjoyed in Hyde Park. Also be sure to check out Speakers' Corner, a place where anyone can step on the soapbox to express freedom of speech. You'll be sure to see a fair share of lunatics and crackpots, but some fairly sensible people usually appear too, speaking on topics like religion and politics. Depending on how long you have in London, it is always a great idea to go beyond the tourist destinations – buy shoes at Camden Locks or enjoy a coffee in Wimbledon Village – but these half a dozen spots are a great place to start out when seeing the magnificent city of London.