London visit advice

[sledghammer]

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(1) You have to see the British Museum and Tate Museums. My God the British Museum has items tucked away in the corner that any other museum would place in the center lobby with spotlights on it. Cost: FREE!!!

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Seriously, the British Museum is insane. Countless times you'll read the description of some old looking item:

"The Urn/tablet/20 ft sculpture of Xxxx is the sacred national treasure of Xxxx, being that it contains the ashes/prophecy/spirit of their first king/prophet/god Xxxx, who is considered the founder of their nation/most important religious figure/ruler of the gods in 1000 b.c. Brought to the museum in 1873."

[ZeTurd]

Second the recommendation for The Vic. Great casino, good service, low rake, soft games. And if you're in the mood for something non-Indian, the Hard Rock Cafe that's located close by has some nice steaks and Stella Artois pints. Good times.

If the weather is nice and you wanna go all touristy, the guided open top bus rides are pretty cool. You'll get to see most of the popular tourist destinations without having to walk around or wait in lines, and you can always get off the bus if you want to take a closer look at an attraction and jump back on the next passing bus when you're finished (about half hour intervals).

[samsdmf]

Ronnie Scotts for some Jazz is always a lot of fun although they recently renovated- putting prices up for pretty average/bad food but its just a quick walk from Imli which has decent Indian

It really depends on cost, there are amazing, amazing restaurants in London if you are prepared to pay (£100 per head is std. at some of the more 'in' places) but there are also some gems around at lower prices:

Although I haven't been myself, I have only heard amazing things about Benares (pretty sure its on Berkley sq); some friends (with taste) went there last week and said it was hands down the best Indian (sorta Indian UK fusionish) in London- they booked about a month in advance though as its difficult to get in.

My favorite Indian is the Cinnamon Club, its a bit pretentious I guess but always has great food with atmosphere to match, be prepared to pay about 20 quid for a main though.

As far as other cuisine I am really not in position to judge Sushi (only ever really go for a quick lunch at the same place (Waggamamma on Lex, Im sucha fish fish), so dont really have a yardstick) or some of the further out places in East London. For the love of god though avoid Pasha, its super, super hyped but after going there twice and not having anything special I am pretty sure its a place primed for tourists who aren't familiar with fine cuisine (sorry, that sounds awful snobbish)

I could probably go into more detail on places if you give more details on Price/ what else you like- I live outside London but eat there quite regularly

[slickpoppa]

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(1) You have to see the British Museum and Tate Museums. My God the British Museum has items tucked away in the corner that any other museum would place in the center lobby with spotlights on it. Cost: FREE!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Seriously, the British Museum is insane. Countless times you'll read the description of some old looking item:

"The Urn/tablet/20 ft sculpture of Xxxx is the sacred national treasure of Xxxx, being that it contains the ashes/prophecy/spirit of their first king/prophet/god Xxxx, who is considered the founder of their nation/most important religious figure/ruler of the gods in 1000 b.c. Brought to the museum in 1873."

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Yeah, the Brits might not know anything about dental hygiene, but they sure do know how to colonize and pillage.

[El Diablo]

Custer,

I second the Tate and British Museum recommendations.

If you are a sushi fan, I really enjoy Nobu London.

As for things to do, I'm a big fan of just walking around in big cities.

In London, it is fun to walk through Hyde Park, down Piccadilly to Picadilly Circus, maybe up Regent Street to Oxford Circus, swing back down around to Westminster Abbey, then back around to Buckingham Palace, and back through St. James Park to where you started. All sorts of random shops, cafes, pubs, to stop into, and tons of people to see along the way.

[Yeti]

op, no i don't think the british museum is the science museum, but i'm sure google can tell you. there is a science museum and a history museum (which has dinosaurs and a huge blue whale, which looks kinda tacky). they are both good. and i guess a separate british museum? which i haven't been to.

diablo, i'm sure you know this but the more popular stuff of that 'delicious indian food' are dishes that originated in england.

[Analyst]

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op, no i don't think the british museum is the science museum, but i'm sure google can tell you. there is a science museum and a history museum (which has dinosaurs and a huge blue whale, which looks kinda tacky). they are both good. and i guess a separate british museum? which i haven't been to.


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The Natural History Museum is in Kensington. This is the one with dinosaurs, etc. It's been a while but if I recall correctly it was pretty good but I wouldn't say it was a destination-type museum.

The British Museum near Covent Garden is the one with all of the artifacts - turn a corner and there is the original Rosetta Stone, for example. Definitely worth a visit!

I'll second El Diablo's suggestion of just walking around. I've had some great times just taking the Tube/Metro/whatever to a random stop and just wandering about.

[Yeti]

yeah history museum isn't great but it's right next door to the excellenttttt science museum which i strongly recommend.

[Slow Play Ray]

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SPR,

"Why is everyone recommending Indian food?" - that one's easy, I'm gonna go with this quote from OP: "I'm particularly craving Indian."



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heh, oops.

[samsdmf]

I have never really rated the London museums, The Natural History Museum is fantastic- but only as fantastic as any other National Natural History Museum. To be honest if you are only in the city for a few days there are better (more unique) things to do.

London however is great for music and art- for art there are 6-7 real hotspots and so so many great music joints. If there weather is nice there are some great places just to walk around- Covent Garden is great, just walk around and check out some opera in the courtyard or a Tea on the balcony. You have got the other obvious places (Royal Parks, Kensington, Portobello Road) but most places around West London are really interesting, if you just fancy going off the cuff head towards Marylebone or the South Bank.

Edit to add that the bus tours are very expensive, if you are feeling a bit brave the public buses are- in my mind the best way to see the city