The British Museum

This museum houses one of the most comprehensive
collections of art and artifacts in the world. It would take days to explore, so we
suggest you start with the Asian, Chinese porcelain, Indian sculpture, Prehistoric,
and Romano-British collections (on your first visit, anyway).
Great Russell St., WC1. & 020/7323-8299 (or 020/7636-1555 for recorded message). Free admission.
Sat–Wed 10am–5:30pm; Thurs–Fri 10am–8:30pm; Sun 2:30–6pm.

Buckingham Palace

This massive yet graceful palace is the official residence
of the queen. If Her Majesty is at home, the Royal Standard flag will be flying
outside. When she is not at home, visitors are allowed to tour parts of the palace,
including the state apartments, Throne Room, grand staircase, and picture
galleries. The Changing of the Guard, the world’s most famous military ritual,
takes place in the palace’s forecourt.

At the end of The Mall (the street running from Trafalgar Sq.).&020/7839-1377. Palace tours, about £12
($20) adults to age 60, £10 ($17) seniors, £6 ($9.95) children under 17. Free admission to Changing of the
Guard. Tours Aug–Sept 9:30am–4:15pm, the months in which the Royal Family is not in residence. For tour
hours check with your ship’s shore excursions desk or consult the local tourist publications when you arrive
in London. Do the same for the Changing of the Guard which, when it takes place, is offered daily Apr–July
at 11:30am, and the rest of the year at 11am—a must-see spectacle.

National Gallery

The neoclassical building itself is impressive, and the
collection houses a comprehensive collection of Western paintings representing
all the major schools from the 13th to the early 20th century.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square, WC2.& 020/7747-2885. Free admission. Thurs–Tues 10am–6pm;
Wed 10am–9pm.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

After the great fire of 1666, the old St. Paul’s was razed,
and Christopher Wren designed this impressive structure with its massive classical
dome. Inside are many monuments, including a memorial chapel to American
service personnel who lost their lives during World War II. Wren lies in the
crypt, as do the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson.

St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4.&020/7236-4128. Cathedral £6 ($9.95) adults, £3 ($5) children 6–16. Galleries
£2.50 ($4) adults, £2 ($3.20) students and seniors, £1 ($1.66) children. Guided tours £2.50 ($4.15), recorded
tours £3.50 ($5.80), £1 ($1.66) children; free for children 5 and under. Mon–Sat 8:30am–4pm; galleries,
Mon–Sat 9:30am–4pm. No sightseeing Sun (services only).

Tate Britain

The national gallery of British art from the 1500s until today,
Tate Britain boasts a collection of works by Constable, Blake, Gainsborough,
Hogarth, Hockney, and many more.

Millbank, London (in the Lambeth area on the north side of the Thames, near Vauxhall Bridge). & 020/
7887-8000. Free admission. Charge for special exhibitions. Daily 10am–5:30pm.
Tate Modern Opened in the Spring of 2000 in what was originally the Bankside
Power Station, the magnificent Tate Modern is home to a collection of
international art (1900 to the present) including works by Dalí, Picasso, and
Warhol and more contemporary modern artists such as Susan Hiller and
Dorothy George.
25 Summer St., Bankside (in the Southwark area, on the south side of the Thames, near Millennium Bridge).
&020/7887-8008. Free admission. Sun–Thurs 10am–6pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm.

Tower of London

Exhibits at this ancient fortress include the Armouries,
which date back to the time of Henry VIII (check out his suit of armor!); a display
of instruments of torture recalling some of the more gruesome moments in
the Tower’s history; and the Jewel House, where the crown jewels are kept. Go
early, as the Tower is extremely popular with Brits and tourists alike, and you’re
likely to encounter long lines.
Tower Hill (on the north bank of the Thames).&020/7709-0765. Admission £12 ($20) adults, £8.85 ($15)
students and seniors, £7.50 ($13) children, or £34 ($56) for a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children, free
for children under 5. Mar–Oct Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm; Nov–Feb Tues–Sat 9am–4pm, Sun and
Mon 10am–4pm. Uniformed Yeoman Warders (also known as “Beefeaters”) give 1-hr. tours at frequent intervals,
starting at 9:30am from the Middle Tower near the main entrance. The tour includes the Chapel Royal
of St. Peter ad Vincula (St. Peter in Chains). The last guided walk starts at about 3:30pm in summer, 2:30pm
in winter.

Victoria and Albert Museum

This museum features fine and decorative
arts, including medieval items, Islamic carpets, and the largest Renaissance
sculpture collection outside of Italy, including a Donatello marble relief.