When in London: What To Do — Destination Dreamer Diaries

I’ll let you in on a little (pretty cool) fun fact:

London was the first city where I was completely, one hundred percent, traveling by myself.

No tour, no friends, no family.

Just me.

When I think of London… the first word that comes to mind iscool.

It’s definitely a very distinct city: with the theater culture surrounding Piccadilly Circus, the excitement on Oxford street, the cars on the opposite side of the road, the telephone booths, with Westminster sparkling against the sluggish River Thames…

… it’s cool.

It was my first time really running around a city… and it’s safe to say (given that I’ve continued to do so for 2+ years now) that I really enjoyed it.

I was only there for two nights, and only spent one full day there, but don’t be fooled…

… I saw a lot.

Here’s what my forty-something hours in London looked like:

Day 1:

London was the last stop of my guided tour around Europe; we took the ferry from Calais in France into the U.K. I got to see the Cliffs of Dover… and they’re surprisingly quite stunning.

Going on the ferry is a fun experience and, for many of us, and unconventional way of traveling. If you’re going a massive Europe trip, I recommend looking into taking the ferry to the U.K.

I arrived in London at around six o’clock on a Saturday night. I had been travelling around Europe for about a week before that – and my backpack strap decided to break on me… when I just needed it to last me a mere forty-eight more hours.

Ah… the joys of traveling.

After my tour group dropped me off at a hotel on the cusp the city center, I hopped into an Uber to my hotel in SoHo.

I stayed at Mimi’s Hotel right next to SoHo Square. If you’re a solo traveler – it’s perfect. The rooms are small – but the vibe is luxurious.

Meaning – it’s the kind of hotel where there are USB outlets and rain showers.

The staff is friendly accommodating as well; after I dropped off my things, the first thing I did was ask if there was a Tesco nearby to buy some Velcro in attempts to revive my backpack.

Not only did they point me out to a Tesco and a Primark, but when I came back to my room a couple of hours later – I found that they left a sewing kit in my room.

It’s a great location, and a nice break from hostels – I’d stay there again.

I quickly discovered that my hotel was just behind Oxford Street.

SoHo was bustling with people preparing for a long Saturday night ahead of them. It was the first time I was exposed to excessive smoking; walking by bars and people already slightly out of it…

… but it was also one of my first times witnessing the European culture; how they put life on pause to meet up with friends and enjoy themselves. It was my first time hearing their accents, so surreal, realizing I’m here.

I asked two young women where the Tesco was, and was immediately taken aback by how friendly they were in comparison to the French. (Sorry France, you know my heart still beats for you even though your people refuse to speak to me in English 89.24567% of the time!)

I remember walking into a Tesco and asking if they had Velcro. I also remember the staff members politely dismissing me in their British accents that they had no idea what “Velcro” was – and that whatever it was, they were sure they didn’t have it.

I saw Primark down the street and decided to give it a go.

I walked in and met two girls a couple years older than I was. I was amazed to listen to their British accents, and there were ecstatic to listen my American one.

“Ah, everything you guys say just sounds so much better!”

They both made comments how they liked my American accent, and I questioned them,

“But why? Everything I say sounds so… boring!”

The two girls took their stance,

“Nooo, we sound too poised…”

“Let me put it this way – we sound really serious, and proper all of the time, whereas you guys sound relaxed, and chill…”

That was the first moment where I realized how we’re all fascinated with what’s not usual to us; that novelty is what keeps people, and the world, intriguing.

I had to play charades (i.e., pretending to velcro my shoes…) with them until they understood what I meant by Velcro, but Primark didn’t have that – or any sewing materials either. I gave up and decided to be thankful that someone from my tour group left me their daypack.

I ended up liking that day pack so much that I bought one myself, and now it’s passed the ultimate test: it’s been with me to four different continents, several countries, and dozens of cities. It folds up, and its water resistant.

It’s cheap and the only daypack I have used in all of my travels.

Click here to shop Gowiss Backpack

Nevertheless, I’m alright with the fact that my backpack broke that day…

… because I couldn’t have imagined getting my first taste of London any other way.

Day 2:

I was up early this day because I wanted to make the most of my time left. This being my very first solo travel experience, and having been influenced through my travels across the U.S. with my family – I booked one of those “Big Bus” tours – thinking it was the most efficient way to see London.

It wasn’t.

One of my first U.K. flag spottings near Piccadilly Circus; May 2017.

As someone accustomed to driving on the right side of the road, I was incessantly confused – I kept waiting for the bus on the wrong side, and getting on going to wrong direction, and wasting my precious time in the city…

… I eventually gave up and started to use the tube, and looking back – I would’ve save my money that I used for the bus tour and just bought an underground pass for the day.

Now, I’m not going to lie to you… the tube is confusing. It’s not simple like Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, or Milan… it’s like Manhattan.

The trains go in the weirdest of loops and it’s not intuitive. Still, it’s not as bad as New York’s subway – you will get the hang of it. Just have a map on hand and you should be good to go.

I started my day at Piccadilly Circus, where the bus picked me up.

Me taking quirky selfies at Piccadilly Circus in London; May 2017.

I couldn’t help myself; the very first thing I did was take myself to Parliament Square to see Big Ben.

It was much smaller than I expected it to be, but I was stunned by how beautiful the golden clock was.

I wasn’t planning to go up the London Eye – I hadn’t bought tickets beforehand, but I decided that while I was there, that I had to do it.

The line wasn’t terribly wrong – I walked I just before 11 and was at the top by 11:15.

It’s well worth it if it’s your first time in London; you get a chance to see how huge the city is. I will say, though – that the ticket is expensive.

When I went in May of 2017, the pound was stronger than the U.S. dollar… I paid thirty-nine pounds for a ticket, which was… a lot of dollars.

I then took a one way river cruise to Tower Bridge. I got the chance to hear Big Ben toll… I also got the chance to take some shots of iconic London landmarks.

Tower Bridge from River Thames; May 2017.

I realized upon getting off that cruise that it smelled like fish and chips… everywhere. Could’ve been my imagination, or it (more possibly) could’ve been the fact that I had entered tourist mania.

If you want to go inside the Tower of London - be prepared for a lot of tourists, expensive souvenir shops, and long lines.

London is reminiscent of other European cities as in there are a lot of places to use the bathroom free of charge. There’s one near the Tower of London, but last time I was there – it costed me £1.50… which at the time was like $2.25!

Nevertheless, it made for a great, “Hey, I’m here!” mirror picture.

I then walked over to St. Paul’s Cathedral. I was amazed at how detailed it was.

It’s there that I realized part of what makes London feel so cool is its architecture. Prague, Paris, Budapest are works of art as well… but London’s backdrop is the most modernized, which leaves you with vogue-like-vibes.

It’s around here somewhere that I nearly got hit by one of those black taxi’s while trying to cross the street.

Ah… the joys of traveling.

I remember being on the wrong side of the road trying to hop back on the “Big Bus” towards Buckingham Palace. I remember the driver giving me the most dismissive look and pointing to the opposite side of the street.

No worries, I made it. I saw the famous-emotionless-guards there, too.

The bus then drove by Westminster Abbey… which I think besides Big Ben & Parliament, this was definitely my favorite super-old-historically-significant building that I saw in London.

I then took a stroll through Hyde’s Park. I watched them play Frisbee, talk, play cards, sit in the grass, relax…

… ie, I watched them do the opposite of what someone in Central Park does.

Wellington Arch in Hyde’s Park in London; May 2017.

By this point, I officially gave up on my “Big Bus” tour, and decided to hop on the tube to see the well-known, Instagram-able Notting Hill.

There were two older ladies having a smoke and a cup of tea beside me, and they noticed that I was talking to myself as I knelt to the floor in a series of obscure positions just to get a good panoramic. When I recognized their smiling at me, I exclaimed with enthusiasm,

“I am not leaving until I get this shot!”

These two Brits were still smiling at me. One said,

“What spunk and persistence you have!”

To which I responded,

“You have no idea!”

We struck a small conversation and I told them how I had been traveling all over Europe for ten days: doing every last thing on my list, running around cities like mad. They recognized my adventurous spirit, and told me that while I didn’t have a pass to go up the Shard – that I was small and speedy enough that I should attempt to sneak in.

Kensington was a lively area that was far less touristy than Westminster. Live music, little clothing stores… I would’ve stay longer, but it started to rain.

I figured now was a good time to check out the Bourough market, but I missed it. I did end up walking through the closed shops and watched the chefs rolls dough after hours, so even if you don’t make it for the actual shopping – still walk through it, you’ll never know what you’ll come across.

I took the two Brits advice and walked to the Shard, but alas – the security was tight. They were asking people to show reservations or cards.

he police were all over London that weekend; particularly near tourist areas like Westminster. Ariana Grande’s concert bombing had just taken place days before, and I was there about a week before the Borough market stabbings…

… but you should never let that stop you. Never let fear rule your life.

Had I not gone to London that weekend, and ended my very first trip abroad with “a bang” as the British would say, it wouldn’t have fueled the fire inside me to travel more and again as fast as it did.

I didn’t leave Notting Hill early just because it started to rain… but because I heard the oddest of sirens. No one else around me recognized it, but I felt as if some peculiar was up, and that it was wrong to stay… so I turned around, and left.

It’s really that simple: just trust your instincts and be ready to act quick on your feet – and I promise, that you’ll be doing the best you can to stay safe.

By this point, it was raining – and I was without an umbrella getting wet, but I was in London getting wet, so… it was okay, in my book.

I had friends from my tour group the week before recommend that I check out Covent Gardens. I’m so glad they told me about it, because it wasn’t something I had found online or on my list.

The infamous telephone booths of London in Covent Gardens; May 2017.

It’s a vivacious shopping area. Cobblestone streets, live music, plenty of opportunities for souvenir shopping…

There are a lot of souvenirs to buy at Convent Gardens.

… I get bored easily, but even I was able to spend almost an hour perusing through shops. There are both indoor and outdoor stores, so it’s the perfect place to monitor the rain and take shelter while you wait for the sun to come back out.

I will say that there’s much cheaper places to shop for souvenirs on Oxford street. I bought my brother some U.K flag socks for two or three pounds, and my dad a shot glass for I think £1.50.

The rain let up, and I started to make my way back towards SoHo Square – but not without a stop to see Trafalgar Square first.

I then made my way back to Oxford Street in search for something to eat. London is filled with vegetarian places, and being a big city – you shouldn’t have a probably finding whatever you want.

I found this bohemian style place that was (at the time, not sure if it still exists) across the street from Primark. They offered take-away hot food as well as sit-down styled meals. I ordered some sort of squash dish… it was a little expensive for what it was, but it sure hit the spot after tackling London all day.

Dinner after a hectic day sightseeing London.

Day 3:

My flight was around four in the afternoon, but I still had one thing left on my list.

Regent’s Park.

It’s a mile and a half (a little under three kilometers) outside of the city center, but in my opinion, worth the trip out there.

I almost went the day before, but I ran into some locals on the elevator going back down into the underground that told me Regent’s Park is, as one of them said,

“A place you want to sit outside, bring a book, smell the roses…”

After hearing that, I held out to do it early the next morning before leaving.

I took Uber back in forth for the sake of time and not wanting to put myself in a time crunch for my flight back to the states. It’s expensive to use ridesharing services there, but still cheaper than hopping into a taxi.

I went early on a Monday morning. The lady I met in the lift to the tube was right; there were pastel and It was quiet, peaceful… and grounding.

The lady in the tube was right, about the flowers…

I knew sitting in that park that traveling was something I was meant to do, and one of the reasons why I’m here.

I slowly strolled around, as the park itself is huge – where I realized…

… international travel is amazing, and if you have the opportunity to do it, you need to take it.

The London Zoo is nearby as well if you have kids and are looking for something to do with them.

It was busy here even at ten in the morning; it’s supposedly very good!

After my reflective walk, I hopped into an Uber back to my hotel in SoHo square, and then (dreadfully) made my way towards the airport.

Don’t waste your time taking a taxi if you’re going to Heathrow. The tube is fantastic in this regard – it’ll drop you off inside the terminal.

I hope I inspired your itinerary for your upcoming trip to London. If you’re looking for other things to do in Europe, click here.