Going to London ...

Bring money in a bucket. The exchange rate's still a killer this year.

And buy an Oyster card for the Underground/Overground and bus lines.

 

If you only have five days there, it might be pushing it to try and make a day trip to Paris. It's better to take it easy and enjoy London while you're there rather than trying to squeeze in a quick trip and feeling rushed. Plus, there's so much to do in Paris that it would be really overwhelming to figure out what to do with just one day.

 

If you like art, the National Gallery is amazing (and free!) and is right on Trafalgar Square. It's a great walking city too and just strolling the Thames, passing the Houses of Parliament, all of it is wonderful.

 

Ditto the Tate Modern.

 

Well done.

 

I'm not sure how good their actual guides are but the Time Out London site is brilliant. Check it out a week before you go.

http://www.timeout.com/london/

I'd pick out one museum and stick to it, just to max out your time. The National Gallery, The Tate, The Victoria and Albert, the British Museum, are all great and are all free (except for special exhibitions.) They're also in or a short tube-ride away from the theaters in the West End, so you can do an easy art-dinner-play combo.

The Wallace Collection and the Courtauld Gallery (only free partly on Mondays but with one of the best Impressionist collections in the world) are also good and convenient.

 

Mind The Gap

 

1. Definitely buy an Oyster Card. You will save a lot on subway/bus fares and you will get a full refund at the airport for the card and any outstanding balance on it.

2. See Winston Churchill's War Room. It is not a "Disney re-creation"; it is the real deal.

3. Spend time in Westminster Abbey and notice the gravestones of the famous folks buried there.

4. British beer is not warm. If you like Guinness, it really does taste better in England/Ireland.

5. Be sure to have fish and chips with your beer at a pub.

6. Spend at least 4 hours in the British Museum.

ENJOY!!

 

Seconded.

 

And warm beer in Britain is a myth. In reality it is typically served at cellar temperature, between 50º and 54ºF. That's plenty cool.

American beer is served at freezing temperature because it sucks.

 

I have to second all of these suggestions. Also, it's kinda cheesy, but going on the London Eye is fun. Make sure you buy tickets in advance.

If you like Indian food, there are GREAT Indian restaurants in London.

 

1) Never did it.
2) Freakin awesome.
3) Gravestones and effigies? It's an awesome place -- but remember, no photos inside. Those can be had in the gift shop.
4) I drank lager. It's not coming out of the ice in a bottle at 34 degrees, so I opted for lighter fare.
5) Did that one Sunday early afternoon. Thought this was awesome. started noticing something on the bottom side; the filet was fried -- skin and all. Be careful.
6) Missed out cause was there on business.
7) Don't forget Lee Hoo Fook's. Don't remember the Indian restaurant near Leicester Square, but was just OK.