15 activities you have to try in London

The symbol of the city, this tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and has since become a tourist hot spot. You can't help but admire the sheer amount of people who flock here on a daily basis or the amount of jewelry you can find inside. It's enough to make Tiffany's look like a thrift store. 

Found in the heart of London, Tate Modern was once a power station for the city--and it still has a similar vibe. But now the walls are filled with artists, including the likes of Picasso, Dali and Warhol, and you could spend an entire afternoon on the second floor checking out the many Richter's. 

Every spot in London has a history behind it, but none has a history that can match up with The Globe Theater. The stage for Shakespeare's original plays, this theater lets us experience the shows the way they were meant to be experienced. Surrounded by hay, beams and drunken fans, there may be no better place to catch a live performance anywhere. 

The best market in the city...maybe even the world...this maze of stalls is what every market wishes it could be. The design hasn't changed since it was built in 1276, and neither has the assortment of smells that linger in the air and waft into the streets. 

Need a pic for Instagram? Head over to Primrose Hill for a view of London's skyline. 

London has become a hipper and more urban city in recent years, which is bound to attract more tourists and homeless people. But if you want to settle into a chic, old-school version of London--the kind you see in magazine photos--head over to The Wolseley for one of the classiest meals in Europe. 

I don't know what's more famous: Notting Hill or Notting Hill? Both the movie and the place attract loads of tourists, though it's the market on Portobello Road that is more famous than both combined. 

From Miles Davis to John Coltrane to Nina Simone, all the legends have played Ronnie Scott's. It's one of the great concert venues in Europe, so you'll need to book your tickets in advance. This place fills up faster than a drive-through, so get there early and check the schedule ahead of time. 

From the Rosetta Stone to the Egyptian mummy, there's always a good reason to visit the British Museum. There's a grand entrance, too, which opens up to a skylight that looks more like a spaceship than it does a lobby. Come for the artifacts; stay for the blast-off. 

Hyde Park is massive. Like, really massive. It was big enough for Henry VIII to host hunting expeditions, and big enough to host concerts for musicians like Elton John, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones. On weekdays, we recommend you stroll along its many pathways, fields and fountains, and on weekends come at night for one of its many shows. 

Soho is where all the locals go out to dance, drink and party. The vibes are good, the music is great and the options are endless. 

You can't go drinking on an empty stomach, though. Start your night in Soho with a meal at Bao, a Taiwanese restaurant with some of the best bao this side of Taipei. 

Christopher Waren's baroque masterpiece is a marvel to look at, a treat to explore and a pleasure to experience. All the services are free and open to the public, including the midnight mass on New Year's Eve, but if you want to climb the dome, you'll need to pay an extra 20 pounds. Yes, 20 pounds. It sounds like a lot...until you get to the top and see London from above. 

You can see the Tower Bridge from miles away. It's one of London's massive spots, so much so that if you miss it, you won't really have seen London at all. 

Those who are visiting for more than a week must take a day trip to Brighton. A beach town just an hour away, this place is like the San Francisco of Europe...except cooler, more welcoming and without the smell of urine. Start your trip at the waterfront for a cup of coffee, take a bus ride to Ditchling Beacon and cap off your trip at one of Brighton's many pubs.