London: So many things to do... if you have time (part 2)

So as I mentioned before, we bought the London Pass before going to London which gives you free entry to all kinds of different places and tourist attractions. Some are worth is, some not so much, but it did get us out and about. We took the "with transport" option, which gives you free unlimited transport (bus, underground, and train) for 7 days. This was probably the best part of the card because, although cheap, bus fare does add up. The thing is, there are so manny things to do, there is realistically only so many you CAN do. Especially with a small one ;) The other thing I noticed is that although the London pass advertises some specials and reductions to London Pass card holders, they are actually offered to everyone. Which wasn't exactly the greatest surprise.  Sometimes the London Pass promotions had also expired.

That being said, here's a round up of what we did with the London Pass:

The London Zoo:
The London Zoo was a great day out. Despite the fact that for some reason E. cried non-stop the entire way there, she stopped as soon (although not soon enough) as she saw the animals. It started raining about half-way through the day when we were there (it is London after all... rain is to be expected) so we didn't make it a full day, but it definitely can.

Giraffes at the London Zoo

Otters at the London Zoo

E at the London Zoo Aquarium

The other great thing about the London Zoo is that they also have an aquarium and the admission is included in the entrance fee. So if you're trying to save a little, the aquarium at the Zoo and the London Aquarium are quite similar, so you don't really need to go to both (we did... e's kind of nuts about aquariums). The whole thing makes for a really nice day outside and will ensure that the small ones will be tired at the end of the day, and might just give you a chance to go for a quiet coffee or tea after.

Windsor Castle

This is also a great opportunity for a great day out (provided it isn't raining...). The London Pass includes travel by train from London to Windsor and entrance to Windsor Castle with a guided tour. E loved the train.

E loving the train

We also took a hop on-hop off bus tour of Windsor and they gave us 10% off for having the pass. The bus tour is a great way to get around in Windsor and Eton seeing as your coming in by train and have no car. The London Pass also offers free entry to an Eton College tour, which the tour bus takes you right to, but we didn't since it's only at specific times.

Also make sure that if you go to Windsor, that the Queen isn't there, as the castle won't be open to visit. They will tell you on the website if they're in residence at Buckingham or Windsor. The changing of the guards also offers some fun, but because we missed our train, we missed it. Oh well. If you do, you'll still see plenty of guards marching around the castle.

Windsor Castle

Guards marching at Windsor Castle

We also went to the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge Museum which were kind cool but not so amazing for E, and they're both not so stroller friendly. There was also free entry to the London Bridge Experience but this wasn't really geared at small children and they don't let children under 12 in one of the parts, so in the ned we nixed it.

Old Operating Theater Museum

The Old Operating Theater Museum was really cool, but it should be one of many things to plan on a day as it really doesn't take very long to visit. We also went to the nearby Globe Theater Tour which personally was a little disappointing. The tour only takes you to the theater and a guide tells you about the Shakespeare plays they put on there... Not exactly worth it if you're paying for the entrance.

A great thing to do if you're in the area (only try not to make it a weekend as it can get kind of crazy) is Borough Market. A Huge amazing public food market, you will find all kinds of fresh produce, meat, cheese, sweets and everything and anything else you can imagine. We picked up all kinds of stuff for some great  dinners while we were in London. Right next to the market is the replica of the Golden Hind ship which is fun whether or not you decide to visit it.

E playing with operating set in the small kids play section

The London Pass also offers some great promotions other than tourist attractions. We had a great 2for1 meal at Wagamama which although they didn't have a kid's menu, they offered great child friendly options and possibly one of my greatest kid-discoveries ever... Snacksticks!

Snacksticks!!! Perfect chopsticks for little hands.

This clever invention, which I have still not found in North America, offers little ones the ability to manage chop sticks by having the 2 pieces interlock and create a cross between tongs and chopsticks. Perfect for little hands!

The London Pass really does offer the possibility to get free entry and discounts to many places, you just have to ask yourself how many it's possible to do in the duration of the pass.