When someone begins to plan a trip they’re often inundated with suggestions from friends or family who have been to that particular destination and have loads of advice. If that someone is brave enough to venture into the numerous online travel forums for advice then you’ll get same inundation from strangers. All of these people have their own opinions and experiences, but that advice can often boil down to one thing.
While that sounds like good advice one might wonder what it all means? What is a tourist trap? For many, a tourist trap is simply an overpriced and underwhelming site, museum, building, or experience. However, one man’s trap is another man’s treasure, and you’d be better off to take that advice with a grain of salt.
When it comes to London it can be hard enough to decide how to fit all of the wonderful things to do into the time you have allotted. When you add the fact that you now have to avoid the tourist traps to the mix it can seem downright daunting. However, if you visit some of these London landmarks — tourist traps or not — you’re certain to have a great time.
And you may have them all to yourself.
The Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels and the crown that the Queen wears for state functions, the Tower of London is a bit on the expensive side but worth the price for the sheer history of it all. You can take a guided tour and learn more about the site’s impressive macabre history, and explore the many towers that make up this monument.
For those who would like to experience a bit more of the dark side of history, sign up for the Ceremony of Keys, which takes place at the creepy hour of 10 pm. Unfortunately, you do have to apply two months in advance for this ceremony.
Buckingham Palace
Everyone who visits London wants to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, right? The answer to that question is generally in the affirmative, and if you happen to pass by at the right time you should definitely check it out. However, a visit to the interior of the palace, the home of the Queen, is not to be missed.
Unfortunately, tours of the interior are only available during the summer months when the Queen is away. However, during your tour you’ll be able to see priceless works of art hanging in the staterooms, and the many antiques and priceless artifacts located here.
The London Eye
Constructed to mark the turn of the 20th century, the London Eye has been described by some as a monstrosity, and by others as an overpriced waste of time. That being said, a ride on this behemoth of a Ferris wheel is undoubtedly the best way to get a bird’s eye view of beautiful London.
Be sure you queue up early, though. The lines at the London Eye have been known to be an hour or more deep, especially during the peak tourism season. It’s all worth the wait when you sit at the top and see the city spread out below you. Bonus points if you’ve made a friend in London and can sneak a kiss at the top.
The Globe Theatre
Shakespeare fans would likely disagree that the famous Globe Theatre is a tourist trap, but the fact remains that it is a reconstruction of the original, and it is often crowded, due to its prime location on the banks of the Thames. The Globe is also a working theatre, and performances of Shakespeare’s works can be seen here on a regular basis.
If seeing a play is not your thing, consider a tour. Guides are happy to give visitors in-depth information about the Bard and the period of time when he penned his greatest works. The guides are also very theatrical which highlights the experience.
A visit to London is the highlight of almost any globetrotter, tourist traps or not. If a trip to England’s capital is on your radar make sure to consider some of these options, in addition to some off the beaten path ones.
