Stay away from chain hotels when visiting London. Make sure to find one that's convenient to a tube station or a major bus line. That will be convenient to take you to Big Ben when you're ready.
Take a double-decker bus tour of London. It passes right by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, so you can get a good look at it and appreciate its beauty.
Listen for the chimes of Big Ben before BBC news bulletins on the radio at 6 p.m. and midnight every day. They also feature the bells at 10 p.m. on Sundays.
Check the Underground schedule for stops at Charing Cross. Walk from there across Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall, past Downing Street and on to the Houses of Parliament.
Approach Big Ben slowly to appreciate its size. Stand at the tower's base while it rings. You'll hear the chimes one-sixth of a second after they actually ring.
Visit London during the Christmas season and catch Big Ben ringing in the new year. Stand on Waterloo Bridge so you can see the tower at night across the water.
Get a hotel close to Big Ben when you visit for New Year's Eve. Turn on the radio at midnight and count the chimes out loud. Gradually turn down the volume and notice you hear 13 rings instead of 12.
