Anyone been to London

My GF and I is going to London on Feb 28th and returning on March 9th. Does anyone have any fun thing that they can recommend. We are going to be staying with family and friends that lives there. We will be spending a couple of days in Paris, but a part from that, we do not have anything else on the agenda.

We will definitely do sightseeing etc. I would love to hear what other fun things there are to do???

shamma-
I lived in London while I was in college.
Definitely go to Covent Gardens, walk along the river Thames. I took classes at Shakespeare's Globe Theater- it is a recreation of the original globe- amazing to see even if you don't see a show there - but I would try.
Theater there is amaing- and cheap! Try to see something in the West End. That is if you like theater of course!

Thanks ladies keep it coming. I was thinking like club, theatre, sight seeing, and other place that is close to London that we can do while we are there. I love trying new things...except food that is

Alina, please do share any info...thanks

Shamma - we were there in December for our honeymoon. Don't worry about the food. It's basically the same meals as here and it tastes pretty good, but the food is very expensive. We took one of the day bus tours that went to a lot of different places. There was the Big Bus and the Red Bus, and I am sure a million more. They make so many stops and you can get off where you want to to see those sites, then get back on later. They come by about every 15 minutes. It also included a small river boat ride on the Thames, which was great. One of the things we liked the best was Kensington Palace. It was one of the best tours. Madamme Tousadds wax museum was really good too. We went to Sherlock Holmes, Mark really liked it, I thought it was a little boring. We went to Harrods, which was o.k., but it's just like any upscale dept store here, except he has a littke shrine to Diana and Dodi. They had ice skating by The Marble Arch which is o/s, kind of like in NYC. London Tower was also a good tour. Buckingham Palace waas closed for tours, so you could only see the outside, and I wasn't impressed with it. One of our favorite things was going and walking by the Thames and seeing the Tower Bridge, Just walking around there we found a few good pubs and resturants (sorry I don't remember the names). It's a great place to just walk around and explore. You will have a great time

Shamma, this is from my lil' sister:

'well it depends what they like, I would definetly suggest going to the Globe Theater if its not too cold and seeing a play, or the National Acedimy of Arts (I forget the exact name of it, but I can look it up), there's the Wax Museum which should be cool, but I didn't get a chance to go there and the Tower of London or the London Dungeon.

If they want to shop during the day Oxford Street is pretty good and so is Kensington St, or some other markets, I can find the names at home probably. Oh yeah and you have to see the changing of the guards, its one of those that you have to do when you are there just because its london :o). But it might be cold at that time of the year though, I went there closer to April, so it wasn't too bad.

They can also take a day trip somewhere, like to see the Windsor Castle or better yet, the Hampton Court Palace, its much better and you can get to it by public transportation, its pretty easy to get too. I'm not sure what else, but if i think of! anything ill let you know'.

I hope this helps. Pls forward any questions if you have them.

I love it ladies...Thank you all so much, you know I am printing all these out. I appreciate each and every single answer. We will be taking the Euro Rail over to Paris for a day or 2 so if anyone has anything good to see there please also do share. You ladies are the bestest

Shamma
I go every year with my mom... love London! Go take a ride on The Eye, the giant ferris wheel on the Thames, we did last year and it was fantastic. Also the Victorian Albert museum is great fun. We usually spend most of our trip shopping, on Oxford Street and hit the Sunday street Markets. Before you go check out timeout london, there is a website I think it is wwww.timeout.com and a link to the London site. Have fun!

I did one site seeing packed day in Paris a few years ago. Essentially you can see all the major sites in one day by using the Metro so getting an all day pass on the subway and a good tourist map/guide is key.

There are so many musuems in Paris you may want to find out which ones you really want to visit before going and limit yourselves because you cuold literally spend a month in Paris and still not see all the artwork.

I don't have much to add except you will have a great time. Make sure to take a taxi ride in those big black cars they're great. Also catch a show and go to Picadilly Circle.

When you're in Paris try the escargot (sp?) its not as bad as it sounds. The desserts in Paris are absolutely delicious and there is a lot of shopping by the Champs de Elysess (I know I spelled that wrong!).

Tour the Tower of London - the crown jewles are stored there

Go to the British War Museaum - DH is a huge history buff and that was the one thing he had to do. I didnt think I would like it but it was very interesting. It really gave me some perspective especially with everything that is going on right now.

Theater - If you enjoy theater London rivals Broadway and is slightly less expensive.

If you are in NYC stop by the British Tourist Office for tons of current information. They can also make reservations for you. Its located midtown near Rock Center.

I second everything else everyone said. You will love London. I'll keep me fingers crossed it doesn't rain for you.

Two great restaurants I can recommend are Soho Spice (Thai and other Asian) which I believe is on Fleet Street and Uno's (Italian) on Kensington High Street not far from Marks & Spencer near the western part of Hyde Park.

Enjoy and have fun!

never been but I would get a BURBERRY BAG he he
maybe they are cheaper there!!! are we still dining on the 24th or 25th?? Will u be too busypacking??

bump for Rich'sbride..

Thanks to each and everyone for answering my question, I really appreciate them all. I will be printing this and taking it with me

I can't help with London Shamma, but I have a few Paris tips
If you want to get up the Eiffel Tower with out waiting on a three hour line, make a reservation @ altitude 96(affordable on second level) or if you really want to splurge Jules Verne has there own elevator-either way you'll skip the monster line.
Take a dinner boat ride, good food, fun & affordable.
The Metro is clean & easy to use, but its a great walking city if you plan the sites you'd like to see each day.
Don't bother rushing through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa-she's disapointing & one of the only pieces of art behind glass. The museums are everywhere, if you'll only be there for a few days select 1 or 2 & see the rest another time.
Most hotels offer breakfast for about $40 euro for 2 people-you can eat much better & for less in any cafe on the street.
Try to learn a little basic conversation(if you don't know it) Parisians are much nicer when you speak their language.
Everything about Paris is wonderful, you'll love it!

I've been to both cities several times. Both are a blast and there is a lot to do.

In London--if you are into scary stuff and history go to the London Dungeon--it is a trip.

You can walk by Big Ben and parliament if you don't want to go in, there are often lines-the photo ops are awesome.

Tower of London is a great place.
Take the Red Bus for the city tour that lets you get off and on all day. And the boat tours of the Thames can also give you a great tour by water.

The food is the same as here, they are no longer the yuckie food capital of the world.

Have high tea.

Paris--the Louvre is huge so if you go try to decide what you really want to look at you can get lost in there.

The Cathedral of Notre Dome--walking along the top is an awesome experience and site.

The Effiel tower--got to go, it is not what most expect but it is an interesting ride to the top.