I am traveling to London for my first time in early december and was wondering if someone can tell me the must "sees". I'll be in town 4 days and am not big into set tours- I like to go my own way. I was also wondering what are the best spots to stay in the City- somewhere where there is some nightlife. Thanks for your help!

Everyone has their own opinion on "must sees" in a particular city-here are mine. <BR> <BR>A visit to London wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Tower of London. It is rich in history; make sure you get on one of the guided tours by the Yeoman guard for some historical background. You should also visit Westminster Abbey. <BR> <BR>What are your interests? If you like war history, you should try to visit the Imperial War Museum and Cabinet Rooms. If you are interested in general London history, visit the Museum of London. For maritime history, visit Greenwich. <BR> <BR>Do you like castles/palaces? Hampton Court is one of my favorites and close to London, about 1/2 hour by train. There are guided tours and tours with headsets included in the cost of the admission. Windsor Castle is also quite nice and also about 1/2 hour outside London. <BR> <BR>London is incredibly easy to get around in by yourself and public transportation a relatively good bargain if you buy daily/weekend travel cards (you can buy at any tube station).

I will prove kristi right by saying I think she's wrong: in other words, I wouldn't want to go to any of the sights she mentions! (Except I do think W. Abbey and the Tower are must-sees, and would go again, but ugh! the crowds at the Tower!) So, here are my suggestions: <BR> <BR>I'm a big museum fan and would highly recommend a visit to at least one of the following: <BR> <BR>The Victoria & Albert <BR> <BR>The National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery <BR> <BR>The Tate (now in two locations) <BR> <BR>The Design Museum <BR> <BR>The British Museum <BR> <BR>I haven't been to the John Soane Museum but have heard it's excellent. <BR> <BR>I'd also vote for: a show one night if you like theater; a walk through at least one park (Hyde, Regent's, Green, St. James's, to name a few) and general aimless strolling through the varied neighborhoods. If you're into gardening, go to the Botanic Gardens at Kew. If you get totally jazzed over architecture, check out St. Paul's and then, for contrast, the Lloyds building in The City. If the's play's not your thing, how about a concert in the Royal Albert Hall? And be sure to hit the pubs! As for happening nightlife, Soho is always active but I don't know what the hotel situation is there. Have a great time and be sure to pack lots of warm clothes! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

And I would go to all of the places Kristi and Rachel recommend (we're not helping here, are we?). Sir John Soane's Museum, in Lincoln's Inn Fields near Holborn Tube stop, is indeed an absolutely magical place--just a treasure trove of amazing art, architecture, and history. Don't miss it. <BR> <BR>I would also add, if you're any sort of literature buff, the British Library. It used to be within the British Museum, but is now a separate facility (at Euston Square tube, I believe, but don't quote me...) Anyway, if you'd like to see, all in one place, a Shakespeare First Folio, the Magna Carta, the prayer book Lady Jane Grey took to the scaffold (and scribbled in), letters between Queen Elizabeth and Essex, and handwritten manuscripts from everyone from Coleridge to Austen to Dickens to the Beatles, this is the place to go. I was a literature major in college and this place is like being in church for me.

If you go to Westminster Abbey plan it so that you take the last tour of the day at 3:00. You finish just before Evensong starts and they let you in first- we were seated right next to the choir and it was beautiful. Also if you get to the Tower of London just as it opens at 9:00 there is no one there and you can go straight to see the Crown Jewels and take your time. You have time before you leave get tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys - it definately is a truely London experience.

If you like flea markets I would say head to "Electric Avenue" in Brixton and make sure you get to Covent Garden. <BR> <BR> Both places are lots of fun with interesting locals, good food, good shopping, etc. <BR> <BR> Trafalgar Square is fun to hang around if you don't mind all those damn birds. And you have to at least take a walk through Harrod's. <BR> <BR> There's also a decent nightclub in Covent Garden called The Spot. Pretty good music and on Sunday's there's an open mic amateur night that is an absolute riot.