American In London - Tourist 'must Do'

I have an American family friend of my wife staying with us in London for the weekend in a couple of weeks. He was here in the summer for a few days and we covered most of the tourist-y stuff then. We live near the Emirates in North London, but I was wondering what people on here would consider 'Must do' as a tourist in London?

For reference when he was here before we:
- Went to Nandos (his request as his English Auntie talks about it) & a cricket match at the oval then a pub.
- Went to Dishoom breakfast, then cycled down the canal to Camden, walked around Camden for a bit, then cycled to Soho, walked around Soho/Carnaby/Covent Garden/Leicester Square etc. Then in the evening we went up the Shard (he booked it) and then we went to Brick Lane for a curry and then some beers.
- On Sunday we just chilled locally and went for a Sunday pub lunch (funnily enough saw Tom Hiddlestone in the pub, so now he thinks that's normal).
- Then on the last day we went to Harry Potter studios & then back into central to see Big Ben/Westminster/Buckingham palace & changing of the guards/South bank before going out for dinner/drinks.

A lot of the above was at his request, but he's desperate to go to a PL game, so looking into tickets for that, if not i'll drag him to Watford with me. Any other suggestions of things that are must do? Think he's here Thursday - Sunday. He wasn't bothered by the museums or art galleries.

Edit - should add we're both approaching 30 and not into clubbing, which may alter suggestions...

 

DLR to the cable cars, go on them over the Thames, then Riverboat all the way into Westminster. All on travelcards.

The bar at the top of the Opera House is free and a good spot for people watching.

Carnaby Street, edit, ignore this one!

Wembley Stadium tour?

 

Of all the tourist trap things, the Tower of London’s pretty good for the mix of lots of macabre history, the Beefeaters acting as guides (usually quite entertaining) and it’s obviously near to Tower Bridge too.

There’s the whole West End show/musical scene. Book of Mormon is very funny and sweary and has been on long enough now I’d guess tickets are more available than they used to be,

There’s a fair bit to see if you wander round Greenwich but obviously much better if the weather’s good.

 

Don't let him turn into a werewolf. It won't end well.

 

I hear @wfcmoog recommends Abba Voyage

 

I’d dispute that. He might get to meet Jenny Agutter. In a nurse’s uniform. And have a shower with her.

 

Most bases covered. I'd add....

You've done curry but have you done Pie n mash o Fish n chips?
Places to see
Tower bridge
Take them to one of the parks maybe Richmond
Kew Gardens
Olympic park
Harrods
Things to do
Wimbledon Tour
Greyhound racing
West end show or comedy venue

 

S-H-I-T-H-O-L-E

I guarantee you you’ll either be mugged or unappreciated.

 

Highgate cemetery.
Lunch or dinner at Rules
Drinks at Gordon's wine bar
Colombia Road flower Market (Sunday morning)

 

Some nice museums in London if that's your sort of thing. I have very fond memories of the Natural History Museum.

Of the more tourist-trap bits, my wife very much enjoyed Tussauds and the London Dungeon when she visited. She still has a Tussauds story she tells her friends to this day, it tickled her so much. I've always liked the Planetarium too, but it's been a long time since I last went so I don't know how good an experience it is nowadays.

 

That shut ages ago you may be sad to hear.

 

Gordon's on a weekday at around 2ish is the best chance to get in the cave. Can easily spend all day down there.

 

Well that's a shame. I always enjoyed a trip there.

 

A few things which could be a laugh for you:

• Tell him to get a bus, and just watch him. Most people who come here don't realise you need to stick your hand out - Passes a good few minutes.
• Tell him to create a conversation with someone on the tube, and observe the disgusting looks people give him.
• Ask him to prenounce Worcestershire Sauce
• Take him to Gloucestershire and get him to participate in the annual cheese rolling contest.
• I don't have many friends.

 

Lincoln’s Inn and the Sir John Soane museum, Seven Stars pub behind the Royal Courts of Justice, take the river ferry to Greenwich, then back by DLR to visit the London Stadium. West Ham must be the easiest London Premier League side to get tickets for.

 

*fixed*

It's something 'different'.

 

Well that mars the whole thread for me.

 

It hasn't 'shut' - it moved to it's 'natural home' at Greenwich.

 

u r an anus m8

 

I don’t get it. Doesn’t rhyme.

 

Hire a 'Boris bike' and see how long it takes for an ambulance to arrive after he's been knocked off by a bus

 

But the worst football-watching experience of all.

 

Breakfast or lunch at the Regency Cafe in Victoria - proper old school but genuine greasy spoon: https://regencycafe.has.restaurant/

Really good fry up, cheap and an authentic experience. This is NOT some hipster joint - it's full of trades and local office workers. You can't book and it's usually queuing out the door, but moves fast.

One rule - you do NOT sit at a table first. You all join the queue and when it's ready you sit down. They will move you off the table if you attempt it.

 

While you could go up a skyscraper, London has thirteen protected vistas for great views of landmarks. Greenwich, Primrose Hill and Alexandra Palace are three of them - worth picking one.

 

Guess you're now saturn uranus weeping ?

 

Which one, Peter Harrison in Greenwich?

 

I assumed with Arakel talking about Tussauds he meant the old one next door to that.

 

You are correct.

Looks like it closed down very shortly after my last visit, which was also the last time I went to London.

 

Interesting suggestions - thanks all!

Just looked up tickets to the tower of London.. They're £29.90, which seems quite expensive!

 

Err is this you op?! (Just seen it posted by Ladbible)

https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1185toq/how_do_i_give_an_american_the_most_authentic_uk/

Some of them are pretty funny

 

Ha, that’s funny! Wasn’t me, I don’t really understand Reddit haha