11 Unique and Fun Things to do in London with Teens

London is a teenage dream! As Joey from Friends proclaimed, “London, baby!”

Tasty and trendy restaurants, action-packed sports, swanky fashion, vintage markets, loads of edutainment options, world-class theater, and so much more await you in this cosmopolitan metropolis. While it is impossible to capture the magic and unlimited choices of things to do in London with teens —this article will help you pick and choose activities to help your family make priceless memories! 

I could write a novel on all there is to discover in London, and all the fabulous day trips you can take to the surrounding areas. London is a diverse and vibrant city bursting with unique neighborhoods full of hidden gems at every turn.

Nineteenth-century British novelist and historian Walter Besant said, “I’ve been walking about London for the last 30 years, and I find something fresh in it every day.”

Things to do in London with Teens

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Since you don’t have 30 years to spend on your vacation, this article focuses on a few of our teen-friendly highlights beyond the most popular favorites, such as touring the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour. Pick and choose from the below choices to earn props from your teens. 

Try Theater Time

London is synonymous with theater. Dinner theater, alternative theater, immersive theater, musical theater….all visitors should see a show or two or three!

What an educational experience it is to see a play at Shakespeare’s open-air Globe Theater, first opened in 1599 and rebuilt twice since. As in Shakespeare’s time, you can stand among the groundlings to take in the show (and it costs just a few pounds!). For a more comfortable experience, I recommend renting a seat cushion and splurging for a bench seat.

TIP: If you don’t have time for a performance, take a tour of the Globe. 

Choosing a show in the West End (“Broadway style”) is overwhelming. We rocked along to verses from 70+ well-known popular songs, such as those by Outkast, Beyoncé, and Pink, artfully woven into Moulin Rouge! The Musical. And the mysterious thriller 2:22—A Ghost Story, kept us guessing until the very end…shhh, we’ll never tell.

TIP: If there is a show you must see, buy your tickets before arriving. If you are flexible, sign up for the Today Tix app, visit the box office for day-of standby tickets, or go to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square (or their online store).

Shop Until You Drop 

London is a shopper’s paradise. Prepare to be impressed by London’s most famous department stores, Harrods, Marks and Spencer, and Selfridges (which has its own cinema!).

Harrods’ whopping five acres includes luxury brands, a glamorous tea room, an expansive gourmet market, and many restaurants. If your teen thrives on retail therapy, visit Oxford Street for flagship stores, Regent Street for elegance, St. James for high-end fashion, and Bond Street and the Mayfair area for big-name labels and frequent celebrity sightings!

Built in 1682, a swinging 60’s haven, and a hotbed of 80’s punk life, the fourteen streets that make up the Carnaby shopping area in Soho will keep you entertained. The Covent Garden area is another lively combination of bars, restaurants, and shops. Be sure to check out Neal’s Yard, a tiny colorful, cobbled courtyard full of boutiques that is simply picture perfect and leads right into the Seven Dials Market, the tastiest food hall with super cool bars (one even features a conveyor belt of cheese!). This is just a peek into the shopping delights that await you in London. 

Take Photos at Frameless London

Take a break from shopping with your Instagram-loving teen at Frameless London, where you be wowed by 30,000 square feet of themed rooms featuring interactive multi-sensory artistic masterpieces from the greats, such as Munch, Klee, Klimt, Monet, Kandinsky, and Rembrandt. 

Explore Local Markets

A tasty way to explore London is to eat your way through the many markets around town. 

In addition to Spitalfields and Portobello markets, teens will love the sights, sounds, and tastes of Camden and Borough Markets. Explore the bustling Camden Market with several streets showcasing vintage clothing, music, and food. Mouth-watering treats, such as plump strawberries drenched in melted chocolate, offered at South London’s Borough Market, tempt huge crowds at this over 1000-year-old historic venue. Pace yourself! We still dream of our heaping BBQ sandwich at The Black Pig and delicate ravioli in pesto from La Tua Pasta. From upscale gourmet to street food, your teen will surely find something they love. 

Stuff Your Face on Food Tours

There is no better way to explore the historic and hipster-like neighborhoods in London’s East End than on an Eating Europe tour that seamlessly blends bold flavors with colorful street art. Our local expert guide took us through Spitalfields market, introduced us to trendy Shoreditch, pointed out vintage markets and street art, and regaled us with fascinating history stories as we sampled traditional beigels (a/k/a bagels) stuffed with salted beef, iconic fish and chips, top-rated Brick Lane curries, a heavenly apple crumble, a roll overflowing with sweet bacon, and sticky pudding and British tea.

Join charismatic Eddie on his “Portobello Tales” Walk Eat Talk Eat Food Tour to explore West London’s Portobello Market and the Notting Hill neighborhood. In three hours, on our well-curated route, we tasted the very best this lively neighborhood has to offer and learned about this area’s unique history. We stuffed our bellies with authentic street food arepas, gourmet chocolate chip cookies, a lick-your-lips croissant bun, jamón serrano (from one of the oldest family-run Spanish delis), and decadent handmade chocolate truffles.

We enjoyed befriending others from all over the world on our tour and toasting our adventures while sipping refreshing cocktails during a visit to a local gin distillery. Discover independent shops, hidden street art, a seemingly endless antique market, distinctive architecture, and even filming locations of famous movies.

Dive into Consumer Brand Culture

For a nostalgic and educational detour in Notting Hill, pop into the Museum of Brands, which takes you through 200 years of consumer culture, noting the evolution of goods from soda to crackers to toys. 

Immerse Yourself in Van Gogh

While in the area, stop by the Van Gogh London Exhibit: The Immersive Experience which offers a creative take on the Dutch genius’ world. This interactive museum features 360º digital art projections of The Starry Night and The Yellow House, among his other famed works.

Engage in Museum Mania  

London’s museums are some of the best in the world. And many are free! While most tourists know to visit the world-famous British Museum and the Natural History Museum, here are a few other teen-pleasers that should be on your list: 

Have a budding art lover? 

• Tate Modern (free, fee for special exhibits): This uber-industrial sleek museum houses modern and contemporary art that will spark your imagination and catalyze discussions. A walk through the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms special exhibit is an immersive, exhilarating experience! TIP: After working up an appetite, head up to the museum’s top floor to Kitchen and Bar where you can delight your senses with a seasonal menu inspired by the museum’s art exhibits while taking in epic views of the city.

• The Wallace (free, fee for special exhibits): Immerse yourself in a vibrantly hued jewel box of 17th through 19th-century paintings, sculptures, furniture, armor, and porcelain. 

• The National Portrait Gallery (free): Dive into the most extensive collection of portraits in the world! The Primary Collection boasts over 12,700 portraits. 

Is your teen a walking encyclopedia? 

• The British Library‘s Treasures Collection (free): Spend one hour pursuing a mind-boggling array of prized genius literacy, religious, and musical writings such as the Magna Carta, Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Mozart, and Paul McCartney. 

• The Victoria and Albert Museum (free): This quirky, mega-museum delights with its hall of global artwork, fashion, and so much more! We loved that you never know what you will find as you journey from room to room. 

Do you have a historian-in-training?

• Churchill War Rooms (fee): Descend below central London to find Churchill’s underground headquarters, where he orchestrated England’s military during World War II. This museum provides a first-hand peek at the daily pressures of running a war from a bunker.

• The Imperial War Museum (free): Known as the world’s leading museum of war and conflict, the many floors house stories and objects related to the history of warfare. TIP: Detour through the nearby Leake Street Arches, a tunnel with colorful graffiti art, and duck into the Philadelphia-themed bar, Passyunk Avenue, for a delicious Philly-style cheesesteak to fuel your day. 

Explore Ships and Science in Greenwich

The compact and historic town of Greenwich is worth a few hours of your trip! Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, brings science and history lessons to life. Start out touring the Cutty Sark, the world’s only surviving tea clipper. Grab lunch at the over 300-year-old Greenwich Market on your way to the Royal Observatory Museum, home of Greenwich Mean Time, educating visitors with its clocks, telescopes, and planetarium.

Take advantage of a super fun photo op straddling the world-famous Prime Meridian Line. The view across Greenwich Park, east London, and the O2 Stadium in the distance is fabulous. Check out the art galleries of the Queen’s House and one of my other favorite photo spots—looking up at the Tulip Steps. You could spend a whole day wandering the Maritime Museum, bursting with fascinating items such as a Fijian canoe, JMW Turner’s largest painting, The Battle of Trafalgar, and an exhibit on polar exploration.

End your time in Greenwich, admiring the striking architecture of the Old Royal Navy College’s grounds, ogle the breathtaking Painted Hall’s (London’s Sistine Chapel) elaborate baroque ceiling, and peek into the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul.

TIPS: For the most scenic approach to Greenwich, sail on one of the Thames River Sightseeing boats, which combines humor and facts to narrate the history and lore of London’s sights along the shoreline. The Royal Museums Greenwich website is extremely helpful planning your visit. 

Get a Bird’s Eye View 

The vastness of this city begs to be seen from high up in the sky! 

Want to go for a spin? Head waaaay up above the Thames River and board one of the 32 glass cabins of the London Eye. Riding at golden hour lets you marvel at Big Ben, the Parliament, and beyond while snapping Instagram-perfect pics. TIP: Book ahead to avoid long queues.  

Dreaming of a leafy green garden in the sky? Go online for a free ticket to zip 43 floors up to the SkyGarden viewing gallery. This lush garden boasts dining options, spacious bars, and a mega-observation deck. Look out for special teen-friendly events, such as sunrise yoga and live music.

Ready for a little exercise? Surprise your teen with a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Lace up your sneakers and climb the 334-step spiral stairwell to the Elizabeth Tower’s belfry, home to Big Ben. Get up close and personal with the clock’s mechanisms, and stand mere feet away from Big Ben when it strikes! Have yourself a Peter Pan moment while peering at the city from behind the clock face. Following the tour, visit Westminster Hall, where you can visit the galleys of the House of Lords and House of Commons if they are in session. TIP: Tickets are released on the second Wednesday of every month.

Join the rooftop party! London boasts many summery rooftop bars with wicked views! Check out 12th Knot Rooftop Bar Terrace at the Sea Containers London Hotel, and the Sushisamba Bar on the 38th floor of the City’s Heron Tower. TIP: The drinking age in London is 18, so your older teens can join you at pubs and bars. 

Amp Up Your Trip 

Beatlemaniacs? Recreate the famous Abbey Road album cover! View the exterior of the famous Abbey Road Studio (the interior is not open to the public) then pop into the gift shop, which is almost like a museum. TIP: Bring a marker and leave a message on the wall outside the gift shop.

Sports fans? See a game at an iconic football stadium, such as Chelsea or Wembley Stadium, or take in the British pastime of cricket at the famed Lord’s Cricket Ground. A bucket-list wish come true for us was queuing for, and then securing, day-of tickets to Wimbledon, the temple of tennis! Waking up before the crack of dawn was so, so worth it. Sitting in Court One, witnessing a piece of sports history, nibbling on strawberries and cream, and sipping Pimms was a “pinch me, please” moment! 

Adrenaline junkies? Climb 170+ feet high over the O2 Arena (the Millennium Dome), famous for hosting musical performances by icons like U2 and Madonna, to take in the panoramic view.

Where to Stay in London with Teens

With so many hotels and rentals, your choices may seem daunting (it was to me!). For our extended stay in London, we sought out a separate living space for our teen, a fully-equipped kitchen, and the comforts of home like a washer and dryer. Wanting to immerse ourselves in British life, we opted for a spacious Airbnb rental in Hampstead that came highly recommended by friends.

By renting a modern high-end flat through LuxLet Apartments London on Fitzjohn’s Avenue, we were steps away from the efficient Tube, which whisked us to central London in about fifteen minutes. We delighted in experiencing life in upscale and chic Hampstead (home to celebs, like teen heartthrob Harry Styles), meandering through this quaint and charming English village, queuing for crepes at famed Le Creperie, sipping coffee at Ginger and White, shopping boutiques, and exercising in the vast green spaces.

Our LuxLet rental was surrounded by grocery stores, a farmer’s market, plentiful pubs, top-rated restaurants, and a posh cinema! Staying in Hampstead provided us with a relaxing start and end to each jam-packed day! 

Find more vacation rentals in London:

Visiting London? You May be Interested in…

• 7-day London itinerary
• Day trip to Bath from London
• Things to do in London for Christmas
• Ultimate guide to Harry Potter attractions in London
• How much does a trip to London cost

Editor’s Note: The author was provided with some complimentary passes and one meal so that she could experience them and review it for your information. All opinions are her own. Images are courtesy of Lisa Grabelle. This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

Save this to Pinterest

Find this useful? Share it!