Local Attractions

Soho District

Soho is one of the most cosmopolitan parts of London. Successive waves have brought French, Germans, Italians, Russian and Polish Jews, Swiss, Greeks and, most famously, Chinese to the area. Fleeing poverty and persecution in their own countries, Soho's tolerance, proximity to the centre of London, and low rents were all an instant draw. Once famous as the centre of London's vice industry, Soho is now celebrated as one of the most fashionable parts of London. Cinemas, pubs, bars, nightclubs, comedy clubs, some superb live music venues and a dozen West End theatres attract people of all ages and backgrounds into Soho's melting pot.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is London's busiest shopping thoroughfare. Although weekends are especially congested, any time you come is certain to feature shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. That's understandable, considering that some 300 businesses line the 2-mile strip, including upscale shops, more affordable venues, and well-known department stores.

Piccadilly Circus

Perennially busy and illuminated by neon advertising, this intersection joins Regent and Coventry Streets, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Piccadilly. The highly commercialized area is generally a sea of tourists who come to be part of the spectacle, motion, and shopping at Waterstone's, Virgin Megastore, and Lillywhites. A focal point of the Circus is a fountain topped by a winged statue of Eros.

Big Ben

Arguably London's most famous landmark, this clock tower rises above the Houses of Parliament, former site of the Palace of Westminster. Although the tower has long been called "Big Ben," that moniker actually belongs to the tower's largest bell, which weighs more than 13 tons. The tower itself is 320 feet high, and its four clock faces are each 23 feet across.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a sightseeing must. Queen Victoria moved into the vast mansion in 1837; since then, generations of royals have made the palace their home. Although wandering the grounds and taking photos of the elaborate exterior are always popular, the interior (some of which is open only during late July to September) is a treasure trove of art, furniture, sculpture and decorative goods. Walk around the corner to the Royal Mews to see the queen's coaches and horses. Admission is by timed ticket.

Cross Keys

Small but unfailingly interesting, this pub exudes traditional ambience, although it gets a twist from the pop culture memorabilia prominently displayed at the bar and on the walls. Covent Garden regulars make for good people-watching, although the walls offer distractingly heavy competition. In fact, they're practically a museum to artists such as Elvis and the Beatles. The rest of the decor is a unique blend of tradition and kitsch. Beer and food menus are reassuringly solid.

China White

Located in elegant Fitzrovia, this exotic, Asian-themed nightclub is one of the hottest places to gather after midnight. Professional DJs keep the cutting-edge crowd in a frenzy well into the morning hours, courtesy of urban, house and Euro mixes. What's more, the weekend clientele includes a virtual "who's who" of trendsetters - models, Page 6 mainstays, and even a few stars from the sporting and entertainment arenas. Be sure to call ahead to make a reservation and dress in your best club wear.

AKA and The End

Vast, late-night bar AKA teams up with its neighbor club, The End, to form one of the area's hippest nightlife duos. Hipsters gather for a scene that's consistently buzzy: an attractive clientele, great music, and decor that's transformed this one-time post office into a tribute to all things industrial-chic. Seating areas feature cozy leather sofas and offer weary clubbers a chance to catch their breath between DJ sets. Plus, the sleek bar serves an impressive roster of cocktails.

The Rising Sun

The Rising Sun has occupied an imposing, four-story structure known around Tottenham Court for its Gothic architecture. With large pilasters framing second-story bay windows and a high parapet, the exterior certainly isn't traditional for a pub. However, the interior absolutely is, thanks to lots of dark wood and John Smith's and Scrumpy Jack on tap. Plus, old-fashioned benches are ideal for outdoor imbibing. Burgers, sandwiches, beer-battered cod and chips, Yorkshire pudding, and other pub favorites are available until late, as are such house specialties as mushroom, red pepper, and stilton casserole under a potato crust.