Comment Re:dont overthink (Score 2) 1095
I'll second the Imperial War Museum, the Science Museum, Tate Modern, etc. Someone else also mentioned the Design Museum -- that's pretty cool, too.
On the laptop question: If you have a netbook, or something under about 3 pounds (~1.5kg) I'd consider taking it. Otherwise, leave it behind. I've traveled quite a bit in Europe, and I often bring along my 2.2 pound (1kg) Toshiba Portege 2000 (ancient ultralight notebook, more or less equivalent to a netbook, but a little slower.) What I've found is that on short trips (2-3 days) I hardly use it and wish I'd left it behind. On longer trips, especially when traveling around with no pre-set plan, I find it useful for getting directions, booking tickets to events, hotels, flights, checking the opening and closing times of certain attractions, and the occasional e-mail, but I still use it less than I thought I would. Anything heavier/larger is just a drag. The key to having fun is to travel light. Of all the times I've stayed in London, I've never been on the first floor of the hotel, and only about 25% of the hotels I've stayed in had elevators. If you simply fly to London and stay in the same hotel for two weeks, that's not a big issue, but if you travel around a bit (and if you are there that long you SHOULD) the extra weight and bulk of a laptop is really annoying. Bring a carry-on sized bag and *maybe* a small shoulder bag and that's it. Anything more and you stop having fun because you are dragging around your closet with you. Do a load of laundry after your first week rather than bringing two weeks worth of clothes. There are internet cafe's all over London (and most of Europe for that matter.) Easy Internet has several large internet cafe's in central London -- just look for a bright orange sign. (There are loads of other places to go, too.) Bring a digital camera and a bunch of memory cards (they are cheap) and take lots of pictures.
With two weeks, I would strongly consider seeing more of the country (or even other countries.) Easy Jet and Ryan Air have cheap flights all over the place (warning though: these airlines often fly to regional airports rather than major airports, so you have to take public transit to actually get where you want to go even after getting off the flight. Sometimes, it just isn't worth the hassle, and you are better off taking a "regular" airline -- research before you book! They also charge fees for EVERYTHING, so pack light, and bring your own snacks.) Still, it can be a cheap way to dash up to Edinburgh for a few days or see Paris for a weekend. It will make your trip so much more memorable. Get on a train and go somewhere -- many other posts here have great ideas (Bath, Bletchly Park, etc.)
Also, WALK places. You see and experience so much more. Go into Soho and just wander around. See a show, stop off in a pub for lunch, find a little hole-in-the-wall curry place filled with locals (you'll recognize them because they will not be wearing t-shirts, jeans, or sneakers.) It is nearly impossible to get lost in London, because if you get turned around, just ask a passer by where the nearest tube stop is, check the map in the station to see where you are, and take the subway to someplace else you want to be. (As many have said already, get an Oyster card.)
Don't stay at big chain hotels, don't eat at places you've been to in the U.S. (McDonald's, TGI Friday's, etc.) Ask locals for recommendations of where to eat. Don't ask them for what to see -- like locals everywhere, they rarely see the sites that are next door. Get a good tour book for that. Generally spending more (on food, hotels, transportation) simply isolates you more from the people in the country you are in, and robs you of the experience of being somewhere with a different culture. Take public transit, walk, and go to a local pub and talk to people. You'll have a lot more fun!
