The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 08:41 AM PDT

by Megan McDonough

I have yet to meet a person who returns from a trip to London with less than stellar reviews. Despite the dreary weather, London is full of art, culture and of course pubs. I spent about five months working and studying here during college and I was not thrilled in the least when it was time to return back home.

While in London, I made the most of every moment. I visited museums, saw a play at the Shakespeare Globe, went pub hopping and sang along to more West End musicals than I care to count. Although I had months to do all this, there are certain things any traveler hoping to get a local experience should do on a trip to London.

1. Become a Local by Finding a "Local"

This may sound confusing at first, but it makes perfect sense I promise. By "local" I mean a local pub. In London, because the Tube closes at midnight, many time people stick to a pub close to their flat, therefore calling the pub their "local." My flat was located in the indie neighborhood of Islington and although I was closer to the Angel Tube stop, my local became a pub closer to the Old Street stop, which was a few minutes walk in the other direction. If you are an Amy Winehouse fan, I suggest exploring the Camden neighborhood and toasting to Miss Winehouse at her old local, The Hawley Arms.

2. Picnic in Primrose Hill

I'm always surprised by the amount of people who have not even heard of Primrose Hill. Granted, the park is not as centrally located as Regent's Park, Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, but the views from Primrose Hill are unbeatable. It wasn't until the last month of my study abroad program that I finally made it here but once I discovered how peaceful the area was, I always recommend it to anyone traveling to London. A quick way to get here is to take the Northern Line to the Chalk Farm Tube stop and simply walk about five minutes until you reach the park entrance. I recommend coming here for a picnic with a group of friends and watching the sunset.

3. Market Shop

Whether you are a shopaholic or you can't stand a trip to your local mall, London has markets throughout the week that suit just about everyone's taste. If you are in the city on a Saturday, head straight to Notting Hill for Portobello Road Market. Although the market is an antique-lover's paradise, there are plenty of other shops worth checking out. I used to go here and buy dresses for only five pounds. This is a steal even when you convert the price back into American dollars. On Sundays, Spitalfields market and Columbia Flower market are two markets definitely worth a visit. Music lovers should head to Camden Market for an eclectic neighborhood experience.

4. Release your Inner Nerd

Everyone has a little nerd inside them. If you don't think you do then I think you are lying. London is home to some of the most talented writers in history so there really is no excuse not to take advantage of the cultural influences that make this city so special. If you are visiting in the spring, a ticket to Shakespeare's Globe is affordable and a very unique experience for tourists and locals alike. The Globe is designed exactly how it was during Elizabethan time and you really feel like you have time traveled. Even when shows are not currently in production tours are offered all year round. If you prefer musicals, West End shows offer great discounts for students. I used to get tickets for twenty pounds and if it was a matinee, this got me a front row seat.

5. View the City from a Double-Decker Bus

In just about any city you go to, there is some sort of obnoxious looking double decker bus that takes you to every tourist trap. London allows travelers to do this while feeling like a local. I used to take the bus nearly every day and not only does it offer you an amazing view of the city streets, but it's an ideal way to observe local life. If you have a few hours of free time, just hop on a bus, go to the upper level and plant yourself in the front seats. You may not know where the bus is headed but sometimes getting lost is the best way to explore a new city.

Megan is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Bohemian Trails, an online travel magazine focusing on global art, culture and off-the-beaten path destinations. Born in Washington D.C. and now based in New York City, Megan is a freelance writer and social media specialist in the travel industry.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012