There’s something about London.
The world’s third most visited city will always have a special place in the hearts of American travelers – it’s an iconic, historic, and captivating place that can offer you something completely different with each visit.
From the major sights like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, down to trendy districts such as Shoreditch, London’s popularity never seems to wane, with this spring looking no different.
Here are a few reasons why the capital of the United Kingdom remains an essential travel destination for Americans in 2024:
Accessible And Welcoming
One of the main attractions of London is that it is a super friendly and welcoming place for American travelers.
Okay, so we might have different words for certain things, and each has our own quirks and eccentricities (get used to being offered tea multiple times per day), but deep down, we are very similar, which makes traveling around the city easy.
While not a cheap city, it has become a little cheaper for Americans in recent years thanks to the decline in the value of the British Pound – it’s worth about $1.26 at the time of writing.
To make it more affordable, consider grabbing a London Pass – a special pass that gets you into multiple attractions for your chosen number of days for a set fee.
London is also an LGBTQ+-friendly destination, which you can celebrate at the BFI Flare festival from March 13-24 or at its annual Pride celebrations on June 29.
Always Something New Happening
London is a fast-paced city; there’s always a hip new place to hang out, get great food, or spend an evening in impressive surroundings.
A great example is the iconic Battersea Power Station, which is now home to an observation tower and the Arcade food hall and bar.
New shows will be opening in London’s many famous theatres in 2024 including MJ The Musical (about Michael Jackson) in Soho and the Player Kings starring Ian McKellen in Wimbledon.
Flight Choice Is Excellent
London’s major airport, Heathrow, is extremely well connected with the United States.
In fact, in a recent report, the airport revealed that its most popular flight route is to and from New York (more than 3 million passengers), with Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco also making the top 20.
And that’s just one airport – you can also fly non-stop to London into London Gatwick Airport from a wide range of American cities, including Boston, Miami, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and Tampa.
One bit of advice when you arrive at Heathrow Airport is to give the Heathrow Express train a miss – it’s a quick way to get to central London, but it will set you back around $30 per adult, one way.
If you’re able, grab the London Underground and use the Piccadilly Line to Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square, and you’re right in the mix. You can also use the relatively new Elizabeth Line to get into the city.
Iconic Events
Spring and summer are probably the two best months to visit London, especially due to the huge array of world-class events that take place in the city catering to all tastes.
For the green-fingered among us, there is the Chelsea Flower Show from May 21-25, while sports fans won’t want to miss quintessential events like the London Marathon (April 21) and Wimbledon (July 1-14).
And if the party vibe is what you seek, then delay your trip until August when the annual Notting Hill Carnival takes place (25-26).
A Truly International City
London can take you to almost any corner of the world in one day, which is just another reason why it’s so popular.
With every new neighborhood you explore, you can be transported to a different place and experience the flavors and cultures of different communities.
Chinatown is the place to go for great Chinese food, for Latin American influence try Camden, for a taste of the Caribbean head to Brixton, or for London’s own ‘Little India’ try Tooting.
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