Myself and 14 year old son trip to London, what do we do during the evenings?

[Confused92739572]

Im taking my son to London for 5 nights next week. I have tickets booked to the attractions and an itinerary planned but will only take me up to about 5pm
What do we do after that time? I must admit I feel slightly vulnerable and dont know if i will feel safe after a certain time.
But also dont want to be stuck in a travelodge room with him from that early either.
We are staying in tower bridge area. Area looks abit sketchy. Want to get a taxi back to the hotel each evening.
Am I being silly? Any ideas of things to do? We will eat during the day so won't want to go out for an evening meal and he won't be interested in seeing a show

Great location- you can walk along the river in the evening, take in the Tate museum, wander over to tower bridge, you should try and book ceremony of the keys which takes place every night at 9pm in Tower of London, the tickets are released three months in advance, London eye in the evening , go to sky gardens viewing platform, cable cars across the river is cool or do a river boat, could also book bustronome for evening dinner which could be fun

What’s your budget? You could look at the tkts website each morning and see if you can find some last minute theatre tickets? I’d you’re not fussy you can get them for about £20 a ticket

Head to the O2 and go bowling or the Cinema, fairly easy on the Jubilee Line. Also hang about in Moore London which is by the gonad as Boris called it, the old London Assembly Building, there's nice stuff in the gardens. It's really not a bad area, Taxi is overkill. Take a Thames Clipper down to Battersea and back and see London lit up. There will be loads more ideas.

Sorry, just realised you said not interested in a show

outdoor Cinema at Coaldrops Yard
https://www.everymancinema.com/everyman-on-the-canal-in-kings-cross/

Bloomsbury Bowl
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/imax/Online/default.asp

Imax cinema
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/imax/Online/default.asp

Wahaca
https://www.wahaca.co.uk/location/covent-garden/

Junkyard Golf
https://tedscrazygolf.co.uk/london/

You’ll be fine getting the tube. But if you get a taxi call an Uber or Bolt not a black cab. Just download the apps OP

Some musuems are open later in the evening on a Friday.

No need to get taxis. Bus and tube are great.

Also are you sure you’ll be done by 5 each day? Some attractions are open later than that.

Get £5 standing tickets for globe and walk there and back or get boat, any shows he wants to see? Tube to bfi or imax next to waterloo if you guys like cinema. Meal and then chill in room otherwise, see Tower of London all lit up at night, Tower Bridge too, its busy all the time and I've never felt unsafe there at night.

evening swim at parliament hill lido:

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/activities-at-hampstead-heath/swimming-at-hampstead-heath/swimming-opening-times

Look at the tix website - they have tickets that go on sale at 10.30 for that evening for a variety of shows.

Zoo nights
https://www.londonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/zoo-nights

I’m not sure why you feel vulnerable- any particular reason? I would probably go out for dinner and then a stroll before bed. It’s not a bad area at all.

Wander round the south bank and go for dinner

Wander round covent garden and eat at Masala Zone
https://www.masalazone.com/locations/covent-garden/

What about sport? Loads to choose from.

Why don't you make lunch a sandwich/snack-y affair and use the evenings to try different cuisines? Chinatown is great for example.

Is there literally no type of show he is interested in? What about comedy for example?

Imax cinema would be good.

Very safe area of London, no need to worry. Loads of good suggestions up thread 😊

If you have a full daily itinerary and walk alot (as many places are walking distance from eachother) a meal then early night might be on the cards anyway 😅

It’s still light until 9ish so there’s plenty you can do! Even if you have a big meal at lunchtime you’ll probably want something to eat in the evening, so a wander down the river and a bite to eat?
Some of the museums are open late.

You’ll be fine OP. Lots of good suggestions here. I travel to London for work and usually stay around Bank so not far from Tower Bridge. Absolutely no issue travelling to the theatre and district and back as a lone female, there are always so many people around. There are so many different theatre shows, surely there might be one you could tempt him with (or that he’d tolerate, for your sake?).

Some fabulous eating venues!

He’s 14 - what do you mean he won’t be interested in seeing a show? It’s your duty as a parent to show him as much of the art, culture and history of England’s capital city as you can.

You can’t seriously be considering not going out for all the evenings you’ll be there?

And besides, he must be studying some plays at school? Look up what’s showing at the National Theatre, Old Vic, Royal Court, Barbican, Almeida, Globe, etc, etc. Take him. He’s not going to take you - he doesn’t know anything yet.

(When I had young to entertain I used to base our trips to other cities around a play or an exhibition or a concert.)

Also choral evensong at St Paul’s is pretty impressive.

If we didn't do an actual evening activity, when I took my son of about the same age to London, we ate lateish, walked back to the hotel and had a drink (hot chocolate for him) in the hotel bar and played Uno or some other board game until bed time.

It was fun because we don't live in a city, so even walking around at night was interesting, and the hotel bar (Premier Inn) was v quiet and ok to accommodate an older child.

Edited to add - if you don't feel OK walking around your area then the touristy Leicester Square or South Bank are fine certainly until 8ish, you can have a slice of pizza and enjoy the atmosphere.

Ghost bus! Never done it but looks fun

must be a boat ride going from
there

also try walks.com

theyre in big groups and bound to be some walks nearby

Get on a no.15 bus down to Trafalgar Square. Everywhere will be busy. You can get out and go for a walk or pop into a restaurant for dessert (he will want to eat during the evening, won't he?) or just come straight back.
Thursday is late night shopping in the West End - in fact I've just looked and Foyle's is open until 9.00 every night - so you can browse the shops.
Get the Tube back to the hotel if you want to get back more quickly
Central London is a 24hr city - there will always be bright lights and people about.

London on a warm summer evening is fab!