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LovemykeyKKG you will have soo much fun in London!

I have spent alot of time in London (both work and pleasure) and it is a great city. Like DeltAlum said, London is a great walking city, I find taking the bus more enjoyable than the tube because you can see more as you are going through the city (though the tube is great for long distance and point to point travel). You can get multiday/week travel cards good for multiple zones at the major train stations (Victoria, Paddington, Waterloo, etc). You will need to visit one of the little photo machine kiosks (about 4 pounds) to get a photo made for the id, but the travel cards make it so easy to use mass transit, you just flash your card when you get on the tube or bus.

There is so much to see and do, so here are a few of my favorites:

Tower of London - great tour and the Crown Jewels are amazing. You can also sit alongside the Thames for a break on a nice day.

St. Paul's Cathedral - beautiful, huge - take the time to go up to the whispering gallery, and also down to the crypts.

Buckingham Palace - Depending on when you go this fall, the palace may be open for limited tours (They used to open it around late Aug through September). If not, go for the changing of the guard w/ all its grandeur. Around the corner from the Palace is where you can see part of the Queen's collection of artwork and the horse carriages they use for special occasions.

London Eye - originally put up for the Millenium celebration, this has proven to be a fabulous way to see all the sights of London. The wheel moves very slowly (approx. 1/2 hr for an entire revolution), and the glass "pods" afford a great view across London. The tour book here is worth picking up.

Harrods - Like DeltAlum said, just another large department store - but the staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly. Typically, this is the first place I visit when I get to London. The food halls provide a good to place to take a break and have lunch.

British Museum - The British Museum is full of many artifacts from when the sun never set on the British empire. This is also one of the few attractions open on Sunday. The Rosetta Stone is well worth the stop.

Other Museums worth visiting - The Victoria and Albert (The V&A as many locals call it) and the Tate.

Windsor Castle - a day trip out from London - well worth it - I think the changing of the Guard there is so much more special than at Buckingham Palace, it is much more intimate. Much of the palace is open for tour, and even more so if the Royal Family is not present. Make sure to go into King George's Chapel and Queen Mary's dollhouse.

Other suggestions - Hampton Court and Palace - built by Henry the 8th, another short day trip (you can take a Thames cruise here as well), Kensington Palace (adjacent to Hyde Park). Westminster Abbey (not one of my favorites, but still a good stop), Houses of Parliament, and walking along the Mall.

Shopping - London has great shopping - the "high street" - Oxford, Bond and along Piccadilly. Prices will be about the same no matter which store you shop. If you buy anything over 50 pounds most stores will give you a VAT rebate form so you can claim your VAT tax back. if you do this, the items will need to be with you in your carry on at the airport so that the customs officials can verify (though I have told them it was packed in a suitcase and they were ok w/ that, just stop at the desk before you check your bag). I am also a big fan of having things shipped home - no VAT, you just pay shipping. I have had no problems getting things shipped, and everything has arrived in one piece, and quickly (1 trip, I had the package arrive at my door 3 days before I got home!)

English Tea - a must do - Make your reservation when you arrive - 2 places I would recommend - Brown's Hotel and the St. James Room at Fortnum and Mason.

Hotels - I am partial to Hilton (but I travel alot, and usually get upgraded to a suite), but good choices are Le Meridien Piccadilly, Hilton Paddington (though I have had good luck at any Hilton property in London), Thistle Marble Arch, and Grovesner House. There are many other very nice hotels - my recommendation is to get a room that includes full english breakfast (otherwise breakfast can be very pricey - 15 to 20 pounds/person/day), and then just stop at a pub for lunch. Also check how close the hotel is to a tube/bus stop, so much easier when they are close.

Enjoy your trip!!!