London: 10 Things to Do

Yes, it's a giant ferris wheel, and, yes, it's for tourists — but it's a worth a spin. Once you've boarded your glass-sided capsule — each capsule holds 25 people — it will be a half-hour before you get back down. Creeping along at 0.6 miles (0.9 km) per hour, it's an excruciatingly slow flight, as a trip on the London Eye is called, but from the top of the 443-foot (135-m) wheel you'll be rewarded with gloriously unimpeded views over London. At night, take one of the special "champagne flights," and you'll find yourself in one of the capital's best bars. Continue a scenic theme with dinner and drinks at Skylon, a dimly lit lounge and restaurant overlooking the Thames with floor-to-ceiling windows.

• 1. The London Eye
  Westminster Bridge Road, London, U.K. SE1 7PB; 44-(0)870-5000-600 51.5033-0.1197 londoneye.com
• 2. Skylon Restaurant
  Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, U.K. SE1 8XX; 44-(0)20-7654-7800 51.505720-0.116651 skylon-restaurant.co.uk