It can be overwhelming to visit London! There is an endless number of museums, restaurants and activities to experience. If you want a little bit of everything, check out my favorite things to do in London.

1. West End

Of course, the first stop is related to musicals. From Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera to Frozen and The Mousetrap, the West End theatre district is boasting with shows and musicals and a rich history stretching back to the 1600s. The shows are cheaper than in Manhattan and are just as incredible productions, so snag a ticket to a new show or an old favorite!

2. Wimbledon

Even if you're not a tennis fan, Wimbledon is a must-experience. Tickets can be purchased through the lottery system, or you can embrace the British tradition and queue the day of. We lined up to queue at 6:15 a.m. on a Sunday and we entered the Wimbledon gates around 11:30 a.m.. We really enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone. TIP: Bring something to sit on while queueing! TIP #2: Save some money and bring your own lunch/drink into the stadium (as an American, I was amazed by this).

3. Shopping

Ever since watching The Parent Trap, I was curious by what Elizabeth James meant by "getting lost in Harrod's." I completely understand the sentiment now! The iconic department store boasts SIX floors of luxury shopping, as well as a cocktail bar or two (Baccarat and Garden Terrace are my favorites). If you're not keen on Harrod's another great option is Regent Street! Close to Covent Garden, the popular shopping district has & other stories, Mango, Liberty London (another pricey department store, but SO pretty), as well as many other favorite local and chain shops. TIP: bring a reusable bag so you don't have to pay for one at the store.

4. Museums

As you all know at this point, I am quite partial to history museums, of which London has an abundance of! The British Museum (overwhelming, but at least see the Egyptian exhibit) and Imperial War Museum (also very large, but don't miss the special exhibit on the top floor) are both free, just go online and register for a time slot. There is also the Chruchill War Rooms, a very popular attraction with fans of the former PM. Tickets are $30 and should be purchased ahead of time. Of course, there are numerous art museums in the city that are free to visit, including the Tate and National Galleries. TIP: look up hours ahead of time, as many museums close early or run special deals on certain days of the week.

5. Cocktail Bars

This cocktail-loving girl is in heaven whenever I visit London! There are certainly pubs as far as the eye can see (see #10), but this city certainly knows a thing or two about a handcrafted cocktail. Depending on where you're staying in the city, here are a few options.

• Rules - Covent Garden - This cocktail bar is above London's oldest restaurant. Oozing old London vibes and impeccable service, I highly recommend the Sidecar. For movie buffs, scenes from the Downton Abbey movie and James Bond's Spectre were filmed here.

• Evans & Peel Detective Agency - Earl's Court - This speakeasy is fun from the moment you ring the doorbell. There's an interrogation from the detective before you are led into a Prohibition-era speakeasy room, complete with live music and sharp-tongued bartenders. TIP: Reservations are a good idea, especially on the weekend. TIP #2: If you like gin, ask the bartender for his spin on a gimlet.

• Cahoots - SoHo - Built in an abandoned tube underground station, the WWII-themed bar has three different spaces to choose from: The Underground, Ticket Office and the Signal Station. TIP: A table in the Signal Station is the hot ticket, so make a reservation ASAP!

• Gordon's Wine Bar - Charing Cross - The oldest wine bar in London isn't exactly a cocktail bar but has a large menu of wine, sparkling drinks and delicious cheese boards.

• DUKES - St. James - If you are a James Bond fan, this is the spot for you: The 'shaken, not stirred' line was inspired by this fancy hotel bar!

6. Palaces

London has no shortage of royalty-related homes to tour and experience. At the top of my list are Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and, of course, Buckingham Palace. Kensington has rotating temporary exhibits (don't miss the gardens!), but I mostly enjoyed the tour of Queen Victoria's apartments from her childhood. Windsor is a bit outside the city, so plan for that. Buckingham Palace only offers tours in the summer and slots fill up quick!

7. Walking Tour

With so much history and culture in London, it's no surprise that there are walking tours related to any subject you can think of! If you want a budget-friendly option, Rick Steves offers a few different ones through his app. Sandeman's is also a good choice with the price of "free." For those interested in a more unique experience, I have heard fantastic things about Pollen & Reid tours. They offer food tours, bespoke tours, and historic tours of specific neighborhoods, such as Chelsea and SoHo.

8. Sunday Roast

No trip to England is complete without a Sunday Roast experience! This tradition of eating a large roast first began in the 15th century, under King Henry VII. No matter how wealthy your family was, it was a staple meal for the week. A delicious roast can be found in most pubs around the city, or you can make your own if you rented a flat with a kitchen.

9. Christmas Markets

If your're lucky enough to be in London near Christmastime, you should absolutely carve out some time for their magical Christmas Markets! Located all around the city, indulge in some holiday cheer with roasted chesnuts, a bratwurst and maybe a spiked hot chocolate (the best combo is hot chocolate with brandy, and can be found at a Covent Garden food truck).

10. Fish & Chips

Of course, you can't leave London without fish & chips! There are an endless number of pubs around the city and you can't go wrong, but people go crazy for the fish & chips from Poppie's too! My favorite pubs are Churchill Arms, Rose & Crown Mayfair, Punch & Judy and The Lamb & Flag (there are two pubs with this name, so be sure which pub you're agreeing to meet at!). If you're not a fan of fish & chips, a sourdough bread grilled cheese is another great pub staple.