[EtherShock]

I'm going to London for winter session!!!!!! ^_^

What should I do while there? I'm going to be there from the 2nd to the 18th. Only class in the morning, rest of the day is free. We have one free weekend to do whatever we want. Should I visit another country then?

[aldo_14]

Go to the aquarium - I've been told it's top-notch.  Although I was always working until just after it closed (and the bloody museum, which was right on my walk back to a hotel in the arse-end of nowhere, too......).

I hate London.

[karajorma]

I'd recommend the London Aquarium too. It's right next to the London Eye so you can't exactly miss it

Where to go depends on what you like to do. If it's museums then you've got some of the best in the world to visit. If it's the tourist stuff then I can point a few places too. What sort of things do you want to do?

[Fineus]

I daresay the nice thing about London is that there's some truly diverse sights to be seen.

Harrods has to be seen to be truly appreciated (sure it's just another shop, but I believe everyone should see the place once. It has some truly fantastic displays etc.)

China Town is a great place if you're a fan of Chinese food. If not then it's still a pleasent experience.

Then there's The Tower of London, Nelsons Column, Big Ben, the museums  that've already been mentioned and goodness knows what else.

[EtherShock]

I'd recommend the London Aquarium too. It's right next to the London Eye so you can't exactly miss it

Where to go depends on what you like to do. If it's museums then you've got some of the best in the world to visit. If it's the tourist stuff then I can point a few places too. What sort of things do you want to do?

I prefer a little bit of both, Kara, and of course, shopping, but I also would just simply like to explore the city. Are there any secrets that the average person wouldn't know about that I should check out?

[Lt.Cannonfodder]

London eye is a must.

Greenwich is a nice place too on good weather and you can visit Cutty Sark while you are there.

[karajorma]

Cannonfodder mentions a good one in Greenwich. It's the site of the Royal Observatory (where GMT is set from) and the Cutty Sark is worth a look too.

If you're feeling fit you can get a great view of London from The Monument or from the top of St Pauls Cathedral (You'll have to climb a lot of stairs to do so which is why you need to be fit). Most people don't climb either and when I was there last they gave everyone who climbed the monument a nice certificate

For museums I'd recommend the Natural History Museum. Make sure you visit the mammals display. It's much easier to remember how big a blue whale is once you've seen a life sized replica
 The Science Museum is next door and is pretty good too. As is the British Museum.

[EtherShock]

I'm definitely going to stop by Harrod's. It's only the world's most famous department store.

Haha, a certificate, sounds like Diamond Head on O`ahu. I think I actually passed up on that one because it was such an easy climb. I'm pretty fit, I think, so it shouldn't be too hard since I've gone backpacking in the California mountains. Jeez, I sure hope I can get people to go with me to at least some of these places. Could you guys explain what some of the lesser known places are, like Cutty Sark? I figured out the Eye is the observatory, but I always thought GMT was set in Greenwich.

Btw, aside from soaking in as much of the culture as possible, I'm going over there to study British media, should be interesting. We get to visit the BBC as part of the course. ^_^

[karajorma]

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel built to celebrate the millenium. It's said to be one of the best views you can get of London.

The Cutty Sark is a world famous clipper type sailing ship. It held the record for the fastest time from India to the UK at one point IIRC. Since it's in dry dock about 5-10 minutes walk from the Greenwich observatory it's rather silly not to at least take a look

[EtherShock]

Ohhh, I had heard jokes about that thing being called the London Eyesore by locals. They said it's ugly, sticks out, and makes London look like an amusement park. Come one, come all to London Land! ^_^ But yeah, thanks for clearing that up.

[Lt.Cannonfodder]

If you're feeling fit you can get a great view of London from The Monument or from the top of St Pauls Cathedral (You'll have to climb a lot of stairs to do so which is why you need to be fit). Most people don't climb either and when I was there last they gave everyone who climbed the monument a nice certificate

Hey! I didn't get my certificate 

If you do go to Greenwich, another place of interest is the National Maritime Museum. It's cool museum, if you are interest in naval stuff. Even if you aren't, the beautiful models of various ships are worth the visit. The museum is just downhill from the Observatory, you can't miss it.

EDIT: Oh, and about the blue whale replica in the Natural History museum kara mentioned. That thing is insane! The elephants under it are like little insects compared to the largest living creature on our planet. A must see, for sure. And the dinosaurs are cool too

[karajorma]

That's the second time I've meant to mention the National Maritime Museum and forgotten about it. Good catch CF

As for the London Eye there are some who hate it but most Londoners seem to like it actually. I suspect that like the Eiffel Tower there's no way it will get pulled down.

[EtherShock]

I doubt it. They spent all that money putting it up, why would they tear it down, even though it's not from a World's Fair. We still have the things in Queens from the one they had there. Do they even still have those Fairs nowadays?

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions guys, and if you come up with anything else, don't hesistate to post. I'm going to make the most out of the 2 1/2 weeks I'm there. ^_^