Free Museums:

Visit the world-renowned British Museum, civilization's "hall of fame." Step into the Great Court and marvel at the magnificent glass roof. Tour some of the seven million objects that make up the greatest collection of antiquities in the world, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian Mummies, and the Elgin Marbles.

Victoria & Albert Museum, the world's biggest collection of decorative arts. Don't miss the incredible 30-foot chandelier in the main entrance, designed by glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The National Gallery contains one of the world's greatest collections of western European paintings -- Gothic, Renaissance, the Mannerists, Baroque, Dutch masters, Rococo, Impressionists . . . all the grand masters are here.  Spend time just outside the museum, in Trafalgar Square, and soak up both the action and the ambiance -- it's crowded and wonderfully entertaining.

Tate Modern contains one of the world's greatest collections of modern art, housed on seven floors of a huge converted power station. From Dali to Da-Da and Picasso to Pop-Art, it's your chance to overcome any resistance to abstract expressionism.

The British Library is fascinating for it's collection of original handwritten manuscripts, such as the Magna Carta, and letters penned by Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, DaVinci, etc.

"Must See and Do" Sightseeing:

London City Tour. The best way to get an immediate feel for the city and see these highlights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the shopping arcades along Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park (more on this), Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and a boat ride on the River Thames.

Walking Tours. London is a walker's paradise. Everything is much closer than you think. There are many wonderful walks to chose from with our favorite guides at London Walks, such as Literary London, Hidden Pubs of Old London, Jack the Ripper, and of course Harry Potter. Try the elegant Mayfair walk for the "best address in London" where you'll also see the American embassy and Eisenhower's headquarters in WWII, and then stroll up to Regent Street with a stop at Shepherd Market, a charming little nest of alleys that hasn't lost much of its 18th-century scale and village atmosphere. Or, start at Buckingham Palace for an easy walk east to Trafalgar Square, through Covent Garden, Temple Church & Courtyard (the London headquarters of the Templar knights, built in the 1100's and most of it is still standing), then on to St. Paul's Cathedral.

London Eye. Also know as the Millennium Wheel, the world's biggest and most famous observation wheel is also London's most popular paid-for visitor attraction. Erected to celebrate the Millennium, it is 350 feet high, turns at 1 mph, and takes 30 minutes for a full rotation. The views of London are unrivalled anywhere else on the Thames. Try to get there just before dark, then you can see London in the light AND floodlit at night. Play the biggest game of 'I Spy', or just sit back and take in the vastness the city. Be sure to get the fast track tickets to avoid the queues.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Step into this faithful re-creation of the Big 'O' down by the riverside and step back in time to the 17^th century. Take a tour, or better yet, stop by during a performance, buy a ticket and enjoy a scene or two in the center standing-room-only section, just as the Bard's audiences did.