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

Stranger Things prequel at Phoenix Theatre
Boat down to Battersea Power Station

London eye at night

Sky garden at night - they have music:
https://skygarden.london/live-bands-and-dj-nights/

Don't stay in! There's loads to see and do.

Are you sure he won't be interested in a show? Not even Hamilton? Or The Play That Goes Wrong? Or if he likes Ghibli films, Totoro.

You could take him to The Lucky Saint in Marylebone which is an alcohol-free pub.

Or you could go for dinner at Brick Lane, famous for its curry houses, or walk to the top of Brick Lane and go to the all-night bagel shop. That area is full of street art - really good graffiti and murals, tiny sculptures in odd places. Interesting to walk around. It's hipster and looks a bit rundown in places but I've been there loads of times and never had any trouble. And it's not far from London Bridge for a cheap taxi back.

You could go for a cruise down the river. The Uber boats are not too expensive, and iirc some have cafes aboard, or you could pay for a proper cruise. They usually pick up from Tower of London, so very near your hotel, and go up to Westminster and back.

London Eye is good at night.

If he likes swimming, you could swim at the outdoor pool in Covent Garden (Oasis) as the sun goes down. It is open for lane swimming 6-9pm most evenings. If he likes comic books, graphic novels or manga etc you could look around Gosh on Berwick Street or Forbidden Planet then go for an evening swim at Oasis and then have dinner in Chinatown nearby.

Eat at Mercato
https://mercatometropolitano.com/

Such a good location to stay!! Go to Borough market & have a look around. Go for a lovely walk up the south bank to the festival hall and get some snacks from the food vendors. Actually there’s loads of food choices along there. Have a mooch around Covent Garden one evening and walk back to the hotel. And even just hanging out in the west end and Soho. Just taking it all in. Wow. Love the idea of getting the clipper for a ride on the Thames on evening. Really worth it. And the O2 is a great suggestion That’s where my teen DSS hangs out with his pals. The centre of town is fine, really buzzing in the evenings. Amazing trip. Have so much fun!! X

100% do stuff in the evening! It’s when London is at its most beautiful best ❤️

if you’d rather not wander around then book things, a couple of shows as people have suggested, cinema, dinner??

You'll be fine in that area in the evenings. South Bank is a good place to wander/eat.
Me and my 14yr olds saw the Stranger Things show this week and loved it (I had not watched a single episode of the TV series and had no idea what it was really about but the show was brilliant, with amazing effects, would definitely recommend)
Also cinema, bowling, mini golf, late night shopping - you're spoilt for choice!

Brill suggestions here

Very safe area. Why do you think it wouldn't be, has your algorithm convinced you London is a no-go area? Because if so, please rest assured it's perfectly safe. Just don't wave your phone around.

You don't need to get taxis either, the tube or bus will be fine. I would definitely just walk, investigate a different area each night and do one of the many activities people have recommended. Summer nights in London are wonderful.

Just to echo others, you will be as safe there as anywhere, and London at night it so cool. Definitely don't sit in your hotel room! So many great places to eat and things to see. Even just having a wander about will be fab.

And agree with others, don't waste your money on cabs, the tube and buses, or walking, are fine. I promise you, while Londoners are not necessarily super friendly, we are also not violent loons either!!

How about a treasure trail which you can use tesco Clubcard points to purchase

https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/

ora mystery guide

https://www.mysteryguides.co.uk/

we enjoyed the treasure trail at Battersea

I'd take DS15 to the War of The Worlds experience!

Personally I think you should take in a show I think the earlier suggestion of Hamilton is a great one. I’m not sure what you feel vulnerable about but I’d certainly go out after 5pm.

The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience https://share.google/V722vbic1lmUbZOD7

Another one wondering why a show is a no? My DS14’s absolute favourite has been Stranger things but he’s also really enjoyed Harry Potter & the cursed child, and the play that goes wrong.

Another idea would be to go to one of the big cinemas in Leicester Square.

The area is fine, and Tubes are very busy and safe at night. I would wander around there as a lone female, without question. The Thames on a summer evening is fab.
Don't teach your child to ge scared, when there is absolutely no reason to be.

People have given you lots of great ideas - you could do something different every night. At the very least, go out for some dinner and a walk around.
The Olympic park at Stratford is also worth a visit, and lots of restaurants and activities at the adjacent Westfield, which might be fun for a teen.

There’s a lot of rubbish in social media about how unsafe London is. As someone who lives here with young adult sons, it’s really not as portrayed. Don’t flash your phone around, but otherwise carry on as normal. I was in Borough market this week, my son went to a club in elephant and castle (rolled in at 4am), other boy out in kings cross and Camden. I used to work around tower bridge. Great to wander along the Thames at night. And as for Hamilton, my boys are still hacked off we went without them!

Will you really not want to eat an evening meal?

I had to reply as we are doing this at the moment. My boys are 10 and 13. last night we went on the 8pm London eye- amazing views as the lights came on and the sun set. Then we wandered back along the south bank - it was so warm out and busy with people - ate street food sat outside at 9pm. Tonight we‘ve been to the globe- not something they’d pick, but they enjoyed the play and the experience. We saw the play that went wrong on a previous trip in- we all laughed so hard, really enjoyed it, thoroughly recommend. There are so many people around at the moment, with the weather so good, and it’s light to 9ish, don’t limit yourself to 5pm in the hotel.

Children under 16 aren’t allowed in Skygarden after 6pm during the week (or 9pm at weekends).

As others have said OP, don’t stay in at night, there’s loads to do and the area is fine. We’ve taken our now teen to London every year at least once or twice. You’ve had lots of good suggestions already, I’d throw in going for a curry in brick lane (really not far from tower bridge), or go to Leicester Square in the evening and check out the Lego store and the m&m store (forbidden planet too if that’s his bag). Have a more snacky day and go out for dinner. London is amazing lit up at night. Reconsider going to see a show. Has he seen the back to the future films? The show is good fun. There’s a good tapas place a few doors down from the theatre. The tube is perfectly safe in the evening, don’t spend money on a cab unnecessarily.

crazy golf and milkshakes

It’s not sketchy at all. Also why won’t you be eating dinner?!

cinema, dinner, walks, evening events at museums, family pub with board games or cards.