London is full of exciting things to see and do, everywhere you turn. So it's not like you need to be let in on some big secret in order to have fun there. At the same time London has so much to offer that nobody can start listing everything here, especially without knowing at all what you might be interested in, how long you're here for, etc.
Spend a day or two doing the 'touristy' things. See Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, etc. Visit one of the historic palaces; my favourite is The Tower. Visit at least one of the big museums/galleries, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, etc. The London Eye has great views. Ride a double-decker bus, a black cab, and the Tube obviously. Take a river boat. Picnic in one of the parks.
Just walk around - London is a great walking city, and you get the best feel for the place by just walking, observing, and getting into the flow. Allow time to just wander aimlessly and don't be afraid to get lost - serendipity is a great way to discover new things. Try to get away from the usual tourist haunts, there's a whole city to discover beyond just Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden.
Hello! I actually just moved from London to Seattle, so I have a few recommendations for you. I have the whole tube map memorized, so I can tell you where to get off. This is a list of my favorite places in London
NOTE: In london, cabs and car rentals are quite expensive. The best transport method is the Tube, and you should buy Oyster Passes for leisure travel.
-Westminster/Embankment(Vicinity of: London Eye, Big Ben, St. Paul’s, and Tate Modern)This is probably one of the most well known areas in london. You should get off at Westminster on the circle and District lines. When you walk out of the station, you will be greeted by Big Ben and Parliament. After you soak in the sights, you should take the Westminster Bridge over the Thames. You can then walk directly to the London eye. To saint Paul’s/Tate Modern: walk up, along embankment until you reach the tate modern, then you can take the Millenium bridge to Saint Paul’s
-Saint Paul’s- Even if you’re not religious, this place is an architectural wonder. If you really want an adventure, you can climb up its dome for about 10 pounds a person. It offers an amazing view of all of London.
-Trafalgar Square/National Gallery: This is the proud standing place of Nelson’s column. You should get off at Charing Cross station, and It will be right in front of you. Cool Fact: on a small Island of sidewalk, in front of nelson, there is a statue of King George VII. This statue is the exact center of London.
Piccadilly Circus- Famed for its billboards and fountain, you most likely know what this place is already. No explanation needed. You should get off at Piccadilly circus station(quite literal!)
The British Museum- My Favorite place in all of London. Almost all museums are free, including this. The British museum holds the world’s greatest collection of ancient artifacts. It is well known for its remarkable Egyptian section. All the time I had lived in London, I never saw all of it. Even if you aren’t a history nut, do not miss out on this opportunity.
Westfield Mall- This will either be Torture or Heaven for you. Westfield mall is a gigantic mall, and a spot only for the devoted shoppers. Get off at Shepherds Bush.
It depends what you and your friends are interested in. There are literally thousands if not millions of things you could do in London, depending on your preferences and budget.
Get a guide book and figure out your 'must see' things. Then ask for specific suggestions for other things, like restaurants, night clubs etc
the southbank is a really fun and cultural area in the daytime. at nighttime i would head to the centre and if you've got cash to spend try Embargo nightclub in chelsea.
other places to visit: notting hill area - portabelo road
chelsea - kings road, sloane square
camden town -camden market
also, windsor is a really good place to visit. the shopping is really good and not many people know this so it isn't overly crowded. of course here you can also visit windsor castle which is a huge bonus because it is where the queen often lives. it is about 30 minutes out of london in the car but you can also travel up the thames by boat.
go to a bookstore or library and get a couple of London Travel Guides and a Map
Go through them and note what interests >You and your friends
also check out some of the 1000's of London travel sites
http://www.visitlondon.com/
http://www.londontourist.org/
http://www.londonforfree.net/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g186338-i17-London_England.html
http://www.freelondonevents.co.uk/
