Discovering Historic and Modern London

Introduction: As one of the world's most iconic cities, London needs no introduction. This cosmopolitan capital has endlessly fascinating history, art, culture, food and nightlife to experience. I recently spent a week in London, staying in the lively Soho neighborhood, and made sure to see all the highlights.

Getting There: With two major airports and excellent train and metro connections to the continent, getting to London is a cinch. I flew into Heathrow and took the convenient Heathrow Express train straight to Paddington Station in central London. The Tube makes getting around the city easy.

Accommodations: London has accommodations for all price points. I chose to stay at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho for its central location and modern rooms. Soho and neighboring Covent Garden are ideal locations to stay for eating out, nightlife and shopping. Budget travelers can find deals in Southwark or at airport hotels.

Top Attractions: No first-time visit to London is complete without seeing Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Many of London's top sights such as the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye are conveniently located near each other. Art lovers need to visit the Tate Modern, National Gallery, British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum.

Beyond the City Center: Venture outside central London to get a fuller flavor of the city. Trendy Shoreditch draws the hipster crowd while posh Notting Hill offers colorful shops and markets. See a different view of the Thames from Greenwich or take an day trip to Oxford or Windsor Castle.

Food and Drink: London boasts world-class eating and drinking for all budgets. For excellent Indian food check out Brick Lane while Chinatown offers affordable Chinese. Sample local craft beer at a brewery like Beavertown. Tea at Fortnum & Mason or Harrods’ Food Hall is classic. And no trip is complete without fish and chips or English pub food.

Nightlife: When the sun goes down, London comes alive. West End musicals are a classic option. Hit up Soho for comedy clubs, jazz bars and LGBTQ+ nightlife. Camden Town and Shoreditch have clubs and live music venues. And you can always find a perfect pub throughout the city to enjoy a pint.

Conclusion: London remains one of my all-time favorite cities for its endless attractions, history, culture, dining and nightlife options. The energetic vibe, diversity of neighborhoods, and wealth of museums ensure there is always something new to discover in London.