London
 

We're going to London for a week in January -tickets are really cheap now, and I know it will be cold, but few tourists in January, right?

Any must see or off the beaten path and should see places/restaurants/etc...?

Any funny London stories?
As much traffic as this forum gets, I figured I'd better start asking a few months in advance.

What kind of stuff are you interested in? Music, Food, Drink, History, Entertainment..... as a native may be could give you some ideas!!

history, food, drink, entertainment, it all sounds great. I know we have reservations at the Ivy one night, and tickets to Blood brothers -my wife's ideas.

I went to the London Dungeon, that was cool.

one time i stayed at this hostel called "the generator" in london. the neigborhood wasn't too bad, but you could tell there were better places to be. well, as i was leaving early in the morning to go see the british museum, i saw a near collision between a bicyclist and a car. LOL! you should've seen those 2 go at it. One had a cockney accent, the other had another distinctly English dialect. I've never heard so many creative insults hurled at someone. I'll give the trophy to the bicyclist for his consistently innovative use of the word "wanker." One of those chance encounters that makes traveling a joy.

Do all the historical stuff, go to the Tower of London tour. The tours from the double decker buses are good.
Try and get an early start everyday, it gets dark their early in January.
Great food of all nations in Picadilly. The pubs have the best food for the price, for just regular meals + good beer.
Dont plan to do a lot of shopping, except souvenirs, prices are high with the VAT and you wont find anything you cant get in the States (if that is where you are from).
Good Luck

The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square and the nearby National Portrait Gallery are amazing. I also highly recommend the Tate Gallery for modern art.

As you can see I'm pretty much into art!

The British Museum is an absolute minimum. Some truly amazing displays, including the Sutton Hoo treasure and the Parthenon Marbles (stolen by Lord Elgin).

Very impressive.

Oh, and don't forget a few good English pubs. Not the touristy ones, or the crappy glitzy clubs in the city centre (though they're fun if you're into dancing etc!).

I also never go to London without visiting Chinatown (just near to Soho) and going to the restaurant "Wong Kees" (spelling?). It's totally amazing Chinese food in a large and crappy surrounding. The waiters are famous for being rude, but it's a London institution by now and the food is top of the world and extremely cheap.

Have fun mate, you'll love it!

Mr Mephisto

Pm me (see my sig below!) I might be able to recomend a few things but I've gotta run right now.

The daily tour bus(the red double decker bus) will get you around London to see EVERYTHING i recommend taking it, and just going/seeing whatever you'd like

DO NOT EAT ANY AMERICAN FOOD OVER THERE no mcdonalds, burger king etc.... I got sick from it, not a coincidence... have fun...

I love london!

You definately got to see the hotest new show in town .. Jerry Springer The Opera, it is brilliant and hilarious. If any one thinks us Brits are stuck up you might change your mind after seeing this. Not sure if it will hit Broadway as the humour may not be to the American taste. www.jerryspringertheopera.com

Also go to Camden Town market on Sunday morning, great alternative shopping. Also if you want to get something special for your wife (lingerie) try Agent Provocateur (www.agentprovocateur.com)

Most of all enjoy yourself, ignore the weather if it's crap and if we Brit's are a bit too quiet it's not that we are stuck up.

'There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes'

So wrap up warm.

I'll second the Camden Market thing, Sunday is the best day. Check out every back ally, you would'nt want to miss anything. Its a whole day so be there early. Its the best market in the world and has my vote as the number one attraction in London.

We're planning to see Jerry Springer based on several recommendations. Thanks Zildjian and the others who've contributed!