The Best of London: A Fabulous 6-Day Itinerary

Head to the London Eye and snap a pic of Big Ben. Then walk to lunch and explore the Covent Gardens. If there is time, check out St. James Park to let the kids run around (or a leisure stroll if traveling sans kids).

Next, head to Buckingham Palace for a tour. This is a must-see and do! We planned a late tour of Buckingham Palace, which worked well with our schedule (with jet lag, we slept in this first day).

Insider tips: Splurge & buy the Fast Pass to the London Eye. It gives you flexibility on when you want to squeeze it in (we went in the morning), but it was foggy and an afternoon spot would have been a better view. Also, be aware that the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is only on certain days of the week.

Head to the Tower of London. Grab a crepe & a cup of coffee from the stand right outside the gate & take it in to walk around.

Try to jump right into a free guided tour with one of the Yeoman Warders! You won't regret it!

Plan an Afternoon High Tea at Fortnum & Mason. They book out months in advance, but is a must-see & do!

Spend the morning and eat brunch while you stroll at The Borough Market. Give yourself enough time because it gets very crowded around lunch time. After lunch, head over to the Tower Bridge where you can walk above the street & check out amazing views of the city. You need to purchase tickets ahead of time to go up the Tower Bridge, but it's well worth it!

Check out the Diana Memorial Playground. The kids loved this playground & could get a lot of energy out. There is a cafe connected to it too, which is a perk!

When we were in London, there was a Winter Wonderland (open November through the first week of January). It was the best "carnival" we have ever been to! Pick a sunny day & soak up the fun with the kids! Not traveling November–January? Head over to check out the Kensington Gardens or take a boat ride down the Thames.

Another seasonal winter activity that was a "magical must" was The Somerset House Ice Rink. The kids loved this! After skating, head out for a quick lunch & then spend the rest of the day at The Natural History Museum (free), Madame Tussauds, The British Museum or another hot spot. This would also allow time to check out Hamleys Toy store & watch street performers at Piccadilly Circus.

Use this day as a "get out of the city day." A day trip to Windsor Castle, The Making of Harry Potter or attending a Football Club match are all top attractions. If you don't want to leave the city, then a shopping day on or near Bond Street is a must-see. The street (and side streets) are bursting with local shops, cafes & high-end clothing stores primarily based in Europe. We were able to take the group to a Football match & The Making of Harry Potter, which were such fun and unique experiences. Pro tip: Tickets for both sell out way in advance, so book ahead.