Things I've Learned While Traveling in London

1) London is the coolest city on Earth.

2) You can eat cheaply and well (under 5 pounds/meal) if you walk around and find little shops, and they're usually very good.

3) Always have cash on hand for those restaurants in 2). Most places accept credit cards, but they usually have a 10 pound limit on credit card purchases.

4) Always say "tap water" when ordering, or they'll give you a bottle of water that costs money.

5) If you want to see cathedrals and chapels, find when they do Evensong, and you can go in for free and hear choirs sing really well. The only problem is that they don't want you really walking around very much. Otherwise, they charge about 10 pounds just to enter.

6) Everything closes at around 5, so if you need to shop, go early. Pubs, some restaurants, and theaters are really the only things open late.

7) For seeing plays, go the day of about an hour or so early, and you can usually get discounted prices. The only problem is that they may be sold out. If you're dead-set on seeing it, go to Piccadilly Circus and buy from the half-price stores. You can get 40 pound tickets for less than 20.

8) Museums are usually free, but they get you on special exhibitions that cost money.

9) Figure out the Underground. It's easier than it looks, and it's very helpful. Only get Zones 1 and 2 on day or week passes to save money unless your hotel is out in the other zones. Central London has everything to see and most is in Zone 1.

10) When moving your luggage around, try to find the major stations on the Underground that have multiple rail lines to transfer. It may seem like more people, but most often, they have escalators to make carrying luggage much easier.

11) London streets make no sense whatsoever. Always look down at crosswalks, and they tell you which way to look before crossing.

12) London parks are extremely pretty and well-kept. Find time to sit and down and enjoy them.

13) Pubs have good food as well as alcohol. Who knew?

14) You'll never figure out the doors. Just be careful and pull when you think to push and vice-versa. Usually, that's best. Also, note that some places have door releases for whatever reason.

15) CCTV is always watching. Wave hello.

16) Spend more time in the British Museum, less time in the Portrait Gallery and Science Museum.

17) The London Eye is cool to go on at night, but for God's sake, don't leave a bucket of Legos on there. They're extremely paranoid and think you want to blow up London.

18) I felt safe pretty much all the time, but Underground stations always tell you to watch out for your wallet when you enter certain neighborhoods (note: these are usually all big touristy areas. Hmm, a connection maybe?)

19) Trains are expensive, so buy tickets online and make sure to make the appointed time.

20) Gaymer's > Applestone's > Strongbow > Guinness >> all other beers