Attractions

Dr. Samuel Johnson said, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford." It would take a lifetime to explore every alley, street, and square in this city. Since you don't have a lifetime to spend, we've chosen the best London has to offer.

For visitors, the question is not what to do, but what to do first.

A note about admission and open hours: In the listings here, children's prices generally apply to those 16 and under. To qualify for a senior discount, women must be 60 or older, men, 65 or older. Students must present a student ID to get discounts, where available. In addition to closing on bank holidays, many attractions close around Christmas and New Year's (and, in some cases, early in May), so always call ahead if you're visiting in those seasons. All museums are closed Good Friday, December 24 through 26, and New Year's Day.

A Money-Saving Pass

The London Pass provides admission to more than 55 attractions in and around London, "timed" admission at some attractions (bypassing the queues), plus free travel on public transport (buses, Tubes, and trains) and a pocket guidebook. It costs £39 ($78) for 1 day, £73 ($146) for 3 days, and £112 ($224) for 6 days (children pay £22 ($44), £42 ($84), or £70 ($140), and includes admission to St. Paul's Cathedral, HMS Belfast, the Jewish Museum, and the Thames Barrier Visitor Centre -- and many other attractions. This rather pricey pass is useful to persons who try to cram 2 days' worth of sightseeing into a single day. But if you're a slow-moving visitor, who likes to stop and smell the roses, you may not get your money's worth. Decide how much transportation and sightseeing you hope to get done, and, using this guide, calculate what the costs will be. It's a bit of paper work, but it will help you decide whether the London Pass is a good deal for you. You can also purchase the pass without the transportation package. Visit the website at www.londonpass.com.

A City of Wine

At Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, Park St., SE1 (tel. 0870/241-4040; www.vinopolis.co.uk), you can partake of London's largest selection of wine by the glass. On the South Bank, this "city of wine" lies under cavernous railway arches created in Victoria's era. The bacchanalian attraction was created in a multimedia format, at the cost of £23 million ($46 million). You can journey virtually through some of the earth's most prestigious wine regions, driving a Vespa through the Tuscan countryside or taking a "flight" over the vineyards of Australia. The price of entrance includes free tastings of five premium wines, and a shop sells almost any item related to the grape. The site also boasts a good restaurant. Depending on the ticket and package purchased, admission ranges from £18 to £28 ($36-$56). Hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday noon to 9pm, Wednesday and Sunday noon to 6pm. Closed Tuesday.

Bird's-"Eye" View of London

The world's largest observation wheel, the British Airways London Eye, Millennium Jubilee Gardens (tel. 0870/5000-600; www.ba-londoneye.com), opened in 2000. It is the fourth-tallest structure in London, offering panoramic views that extend for some 40km (25 miles) if the weather's clear. Passengers are carried in 32 "pods" that make a complete revolution every half-hour. Along the way you'll see some of London's most famous landmarks from a bird's-eye view.

Built out of steel by a European consortium, it was conceived and designed by London architects Julia Barfield and David Marks, who claim inspiration from the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Some 2 million visitors are expected to ride the Eye every year.

The Eye lies close to Westminster Bridge (you can hardly miss it). Tickets are £13 ($26) for adults, £10 ($20) for seniors and students, £6.50 ($13) for children 5 to 15. October to May daily 10am to 8pm; June to September daily 10am to 9pm. Tube: Westminster or Waterloo.