What to see in London

[Dreamstosell]

I’m going to London with my teenage son for 2 nights at the end of the month. He’s never been and I’ve only ever visited twice and that was over 20 years ago. I’m looking for advice please. I think he’ll want to see the usual things- Big Ben, Tower of London kind of places. Anything we should definitely see? Any recommendations for a show one of the evenings? Haven’t booked anywhere to stay yet either! Any suggestions greatly appreciated 😀

some smaller things you may want to see (if you have time):

god's own junkyard is an art gallery of neon signs and lights. probably a morning activity.

street art tours run on tuesdays, saturdays and sundays

covent garden is worth going to, there is a market and lots of places to eat

as for shows, 'ghost stories' has very good reviews but I think it would depend on how old your teenager is x

I'd recommend getting Big Bus Tour classic ticket. On the bus, do a complete lap of the Red Route without getting off. It takes just over 2 hours and includes Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Big Ben, Mayfair, London Bridge, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.
The ticket also includes a one-way river cruise along the Thames from Westminster Pier to the Tower of London, or vice versa. I'd start and finish the bus tour at Westminster Pier so afterwards you can catch the boat straight up to the Tower of London. If you're up early, you could be done with the bus tour by mid morning and be at the Tower for lunch. The are about 3 different cafes and a kiosk where you can buy food. Then allow 3-4 hours for the Tower. After you're done, head over Tower Bridge and walk along the river to Southbank in time for dinner. You could then go on the London Eye in the evening if you have time . At weekends it's open until 8:30.
If he’s a Harry Potter fan, he might appreciate going to Kings Cross to see the trolley in the wall and visit the shop at Platform 9 3/4. It's open from 8am so could be done early in the day. Afterwards I'd head to Leicester Square for the Lego store and then walk through China Town before going to Covent Garden. Try and include some time to browse around Covent Garden and to watch the street performers. If there's time in the afternoon or evening, you could see a show.

Thanks for the replies.

My son is 15 and I think the Ghost Stories show might be right up his street. I’d love to go to Covent Garden and wander round the market but not sure I could sell that to my son 😀. But street performers and food would tempt him.

The Big Bus tour sounds ideal. Looks like a great way of seeing some of the sights on my limited timescale. Turns out he really wants to visit Madame Tussauds and it seems they do combined tickets for it, the Big Bus and the London Eye which seem to offer quite a saving on individual prices.

These suggestions have been really helpful- thank you 😊

Madame Tussaud's is surprisingly good. You'd think gawping at waxworks would be rubbish but they are so good and brilliantly done it really works (pardon the pun). Get some good photos of you with your favourite stars/characters. I've got my sister helping Jonny Wilkinson with a penalty kick and DH with Einstein. Make sure you go in the taxi ride at the end. You could do it with Kings X as it's not far

Get advance tickets for Madame Tussaud’s, the queue is always ridiculous & as your here for such a short time you don’t want to spend it all in a queue!

Nancy I was looking at the online tickets and see they do a standard ticket and you select a time slot. They also do a fast track ticket - is this worth paying for do you think? Or would it be ok just having advance ticket - going mid week so maybe not as busy (hopeful emoji!)

How much more is fast track? It’s ALWAYS busy! Don’t be fooled by mid week (same for the London eye)

What kind of theatre do you think he’d like?

Come From Away is the best musical on in the West End at the moment, it’s phenomenal, but a teen might also appreciate Everybody’s Talking about Jamie or Six. Hamilton is too tricky to get tickets & Book of Mormon depends how old he is/how broad minded you are.

@sleepismysuperpower1 I LOVE God's own junkyard!