Let’s face it, I’m a Gen Xer who grew up listening to Britney Spears while my daughter is obsessed with Billie Eilish. We come from two different generations, which means everything won’t always mesh. Thankfully, during a recent trip to London’s West End, we settled on an itinerary that blended the best of our two distinct worlds.
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Thursday
Courtesy of Karla PopeThe hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, was sophisticated, but not stuffy. Less than three years old, the hotel’s design is ultra-modern with amenities that my daughter and I equally appreciated. From the abstract floral wall panels to the gold accents to the super chic, colorful toiletry bags, the property is a vibrant feast for the eyes. Plus, it was roomy and comfortable for lounging in between our off-property adventures.
12 p.m. Shop on Oxford Street
As a Gen X mom who remembers wearing the quintessential ‘90s attire like cropped baby tees, baggy jeans and layered necklaces, it’s fun to watch my daughter reach for the clothing that defined my youth.
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Courtesy of Karla Pope7 p.m. Dinner at Lavo
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Friday
Courtesy of Karla Pope12 p.m. Play darts at Games Hall
When it comes to games, my daughter and I are super competitive. No matter if we’re playing card games or miniature golf, we come to play (and win). During our trip, we were able to partake in a bit of friendly competition at Games Halls by Market Halls on Oxford Street. At this location, guests can choose from a variety of games including, darts, shuffle, pool and arcade games. It’s a great spot for families of all ages to have fun, but especially tweens and teens.
3 p.m. Stroll by iconic landmarks and attractions
Have you really been to London if you haven’t seen Big Ben or other can’t-miss tourist attractions? Well, we wanted to make sure we came and conquered the must-see sights, and we did. We saw the iconic clock tower, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. We also made a beeline to one of many red photobooths dotting sidewalks throughout the city where we had an impromptu, mini photoshoot.
6 p.m. Dinner at Aqua Kyoto
We also dined at Aqua Kyoto, an Asian restaurant that serves traditional Japanese fare like sushi, rock shrimp tempura and miso-glazed salmon. I ordered the latter, and my taste buds were pleased with the texture and flavor. My daughter had teriyaki chicken and fluffy, steamed jasmine rice. We both had lemonade, a simple yet refreshing complement to our dishes.
Courtesy of Karla Pope7:30 p.m. See Disney’s The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre
My daughter is also a Broadway buff and was excited to see what London’s theater district had to offer. Since we’d never seen the Lion King on Broadway, we decided to check it out in London. The musical magically transported us to a fictional land in East Africa where talking animals were the norm and the unbreakable bond between father and son was on full display. The performance was mesmerizing, and the set and costumes were breathtaking. As a Gen Xer, I remember seeing the animated movie in theaters in the '90s when I was 14 years old. Watching it again on stage brought back so many great memories.
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Saturday
Courtesy of Karla Pope2 p.m. Get our arts & culture fix at FRAMELESS
My daughter and I love visiting museums and interactive exhibits. So, we made sure to spend an afternoon immersing ourselves into the wondrous world of FRAMELESS, the UK’s largest permanent multi-sensory experience showcasing some of the world’s most famous artworks. We wandered throughout the four galleries in awe, marveling at the moving paintings that seemed to come to life right before our eyes. It was an innovative blend of art, technology and history that felt futuristic and fresh.
4 p.m. Sip Tea at Sanderson Hotel
Since we’re both Disney fans, we booked the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at Sanderson Hotel. Fanciful and charming, the afternoon tea service was an ode to the classic Alice in Wonderland tale. From crust-less cucumber and corned beef finger sandwiches to sweet three-layered cakes and flaky pastries, the menu featured whimsical dishes with an Alice in Wonderland spin.
Courtesy of Karla Pope9 p.m. Have pizza delivered to our hotel room
After a busy day, we decided to skip dining out and chose to head back to our hotel. Unfortunately, the hotel’s kitchen (for pizza) was already closed for the night, so we ordered a cheese pie from what we thought was a local pizzeria and called it a night. Once we received the pizza, we quickly realized that it was meant to be heated upon delivery. Since we didn’t have a microwave, my daughter ate it as is and said it was fine. It made for a funny and memorable night.
Top Tips for London Long Weekends
Book Your Hotel a Day Early. If your budget allows, consider booking your hotel room for the night before an early-morning arrival. It’s a smart move for long-haul travelers, giving you immediate access to a room where you can rest, shower, and recharge instead of waiting for check-in. Just be sure to let the hotel know you'll be arriving the next day, so your reservation isn’t marked as a no-show.Take a Train from the Airport. Flying into London Heathrow Airport? Purchase a Heathrow Express ticket to Paddington, which starts at $13 and only takes 15 minutes. The Paddington station takes you into central London where you can walk, hop on the Tube or book an Uber to your final destination. The best part? Children under 15 ride free in Standard Class and Business First Class. Buy a Public Transportation Card. Want to get around town with ease while feeling like a local? Purchase an Oyster card before you arrive to pay for journeys on the bus, Tube, tram and most National Rail services in London. Keep in mind, pay as you go fares are cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or Day Travelcard. Plus, you can use your card and save money at popular restaurants, shops, galleries and entertainment venues. Purchase a Sightseeing Pass. To maximize your time, consider purchasing a tourism pass like Go City to take in all the top sights and attractions like The Tower London, Tower Bridge, Windsor Castle and more in one single digital format. It’s cost-effective, convenient and efficient.Related: Delta's New Flight to Nice Will Have You Rosé-Sipping, Promenade-Strolling and Coastline-Chasing
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