Tourists from all around the globe come to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, but London is home to dozens of venues in its very rich, active and diverse arts scene. Places like the Criterion Theatre on Piccadilly Circus and the Apollo Victoria Dinner Theatre have off-Broadway shows like "Chicago" and "Wicked" and adaptations of popular film and literature such as "Misery" and "Star Wars."
Most London pubs offer interesting drink specials and other perks. At Industry, you can roll dice against bartenders for free drinks; Vertigo 42 is perched atop the tallest skyscraper in Westminster. Just be on your guard come game night; football fans can be rowdy when any of the local teams compete against each other in derbies.
Selling anything from garters to grapefruits, London markets are a wonderful way to experience centuries of cultural effects. Marketplaces within the city include Bermondsey on Tower Bridge Road and Camden Lock on the Regent's Canal, where you can peruse an abundance of handcrafted and artisan antiques and curios. A broader spectrum of goods like flowers, music, clothing and food can be found at numerous other markets, like Portobello and Brick Lane. Just south of London Bridge is Borough Market, the oldest and largest market in London, which offers a wealth of fresh local and international foods from a slew of competing restaurants and merchants.
Day-trips to London are popular and can be made simple if you use the well-laid-out Underground system and taxis operating throughout London. But if you're planning to stay overnight, you'll need to do some planning ahead. Hotels like the Strand Palace and the Royal Guardian offer additional security and privacy in close proximity to some of London's most popular attractions; many include transportation links and even coupons. Students and young travelers might look at the dozens of hostels offering budget-oriented dormitories where guests can rent beds for only a few pounds sterling (even considering the exchange rate, that boils down to a fraction of what local hotels cost), many including free meals and lockers for personal storage.
