A Long Weekend in London: My 3-Day Travel Guide

London completely exceeded my expectations. To me, it is one of those cities where I've either heard that people love it or hate it. And well, I absolutely loved it.

I recently took a quick 3-day trip from Dallas, Texas to London with my brother primarily to attend the Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars NFL game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But of course, I couldn't travel all the way to London without squeezing in some sightseeing.

Let me preface this by saying that three days is definitely not enough time in London. There is so much to do, see, and eat, and I barely scratched the surface.

Day 1: From Heathrow to Exploring London

I took an overnight flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). I was originally scheduled to land at 6:20 AM, but after a lengthy delay, we didn't touch down until around 8:15 AM.

Travel Tip: Avoid booking ticketed activities with strict reservation times within the first few hours of arriving in a new destination. Flight delays, cancellations, and unexpected travel hiccups happen, and the last thing you want is to miss an experience you've already paid for.

For this trip, I stayed at the Hilton London Kensington, which was your pretty standard, nothing-fancy hotel.

By the time we got off the plane, made it through passport control (which was surprisingly a breeze!), and found our way to the taxis, it was nearly 9:30 AM when we arrived at the hotel.

As a first-time visitor to London, I opted to take a taxi from Heathrow rather than navigate public transportation immediately after landing. Between being unfamiliar with London's transit system and running on approximately 1.5 hours of sleep, I simply didn't have the mental capacity to figure it out.

The downside? Our taxi cost approximately $110 USD.

London has significantly more affordable public transportation options from Heathrow, so if you're comfortable navigating them, I'd recommend looking into those before your trip.

Breakfast Plans Gone Wrong (In the Best Way)

After dropping our bags at the hotel, we headed out about 30 minutes later in search of breakfast.

Our original plan was to visit Eggbreak, a popular breakfast spot in Notting Hill, about a 15–20-minute walk from our hotel.

Unfortunately, when we arrived around 10:30 AM on a Saturday, the line was out the door. And because we were working with an already packed itinerary, waiting wasn't really an option.

Travel Tip: If you're planning to visit Eggbreak on a weekend morning, look into making a reservation or joining their online waitlist ahead of time. I didn't know about the waitlist until it was too late!

Instead, we pivoted, hopped on the Central line of the London Underground (also known as the Tube), and headed toward Bond Street. A few minutes after exiting the station, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Drunch. And honestly? Sometimes things don't work out for a reason, because this place was lovely.

I ordered a cappuccino and avocado toast with a poached egg, while my brother went with an iced caramel macchiato and the Mexican Benedict. It was a little pricey for breakfast, but everything was delicious, and I would absolutely recommend it.

Westminster, Big Ben & The London Eye

After brunch, we hopped on the Jubilee line at Bond Street and got off at Westminster, which conveniently drops you right near Big Ben.

If you're visiting London for the first time, this is one of the best areas to start sightseeing.

Within a relatively small area, you'll find some of London's most recognizable landmarks, including:

• Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower

• Palace of Westminster

• Westminster Abbey

• Parliament Square

• Westminster Bridge

• The London Eye, just across the River Thames

Because we were pressed for time, we didn't tour the interiors of any of the buildings. Instead, we spent some time walking around, taking photos, and admiring the architecture. We had reservations for the London Eye at 12:00 PM, so we headed over shortly before noon. Between waiting in line, boarding, and completing the ride, we finished around 12:45 PM.

Travel Tip: I highly recommend purchasing your London Eye tickets ahead of time, especially if you're visiting on a weekend. Having a reserved time slot made it much easier to plan the rest of our day.

A Walk Along the Thames & Borough Market

After the London Eye, we took a leisurely stroll along the River Thames toward Borough Market. The walk took approximately 30 minutes, and honestly, it was one of my favorite parts of the day. It was mid-October, partially sunny, and around 60°F, which made for absolutely beautiful walking weather.

One thing I'd encourage anyone visiting London to do is build in time to simply walk around the city. Not every moment needs to be scheduled around an attraction.

Now, let's talk about Borough Market. What. An. Experience. It was PACKED.

I'm talking shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, lines everywhere, and so many food stalls that I barely knew where to begin. It was incredibly cool to experience, but also a little overwhelming.

If we hadn't been on such a tight schedule, I probably would have waited in some of the longer lines, especially for The Black Pig, which was high on my list. Unfortunately, we didn't get to try everything we'd hoped to.

But don't worry, we still managed to eat plenty.

Our Borough Market food adventure included:

• Halloumi fries

• Incredibly creamy mac and cheese topped with fried onions and jalapeños

• Chocolate-covered strawberries

• Humble Crumble, a warm dessert that I still don't entirely know how to describe, but thoroughly enjoyed

Everything we tried was delicious.

We spent approximately 1.5 hours exploring Borough Market, and I could easily see myself spending longer there on a future visit.

Travel Tip: If Borough Market is a priority on your itinerary, give yourself plenty of time, especially on weekends. Between the crowds, food lines, and sheer number of vendors, it's not somewhere I'd recommend rushing through.

Afternoon Tea at The Ivy Tower Bridge

After Borough Market, we walked over to The Ivy Tower Bridge for afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea was something I really wanted to experience while visiting London, and I chose The Ivy primarily because it was conveniently located near Borough Market.

While I enjoyed experiencing the tradition, I don't know that I'd necessarily recommend this particular spot. Personally, I felt it was overpriced for what we received.

If afternoon tea is high on your London bucket list, I'd suggest doing a little research to find an experience that fits your budget and expectations.

A Much-Needed Afternoon Power Nap

Here's something I firmly believe in when planning a packed travel itinerary: build in hotel time.

After a long overnight flight, very little sleep, and a six-hour time difference, we were running on fumes. So, after afternoon tea, we headed back to the hotel for a glorious 45-minute power nap. It was exactly what we needed to recharge before heading back out for the evening.

And honestly, I have no regrets.

Dinner in Soho at Tigermilk

For dinner, we had 7:15 PM reservations at Tigermilk, a South American-inspired restaurant in London's Soho neighborhood.

And this was easily one of my favorite meals of the trip.

We started with drinks, and I ordered the Mezacalita.

If you like spicy cocktails and mezcal, get this drink. For an appetizer, we ordered chips and guacamole, which were so good that we ended up ordering a second round.

For dinner, I had the portobello quesadilla, while my brother ordered the carnitas quesadilla.

We don't typically order dessert, but we couldn't resist trying the brioche perdue, their take on a French toast-inspired dessert.

Run, don't walk. Everything about this meal was fantastic, and I'd absolutely recommend Tigermilk if you're looking for a fun dinner spot in Soho.

Ending the Night at a London Pub

After dinner, we weren't quite ready to call it a night.

We ended up finding a pub called The White Lion, where we settled in to watch some college football (American football, that is).

After a long day of sightseeing, eating, walking, and navigating London on very little sleep, we finally headed back to the hotel.

And that was Day 1!

Not bad for a day that started with a delayed overnight flight and approximately 1.5 hours of sleep.

Day 2: NFL in London

Starting the Morning at EggBreak (Finally!)

This was the day that inspired our entire London trip in the first place: the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL game!

For a little backstory, my brother and I grew up in an Eagles/Giants household, but we both eventually became solely Eagles fans. I wouldn't say I'm quite as diehard of a fan as my brother is, but I do love a good football game.

This time, we arrived around 8:30 AM, and to our surprise, there wasn't a single person waiting in line. We were seated immediately!

I ordered yet another cappuccino and another round of avocado toast with a poached egg. Clearly, I know what I like. My brother went with an iced caramel latte and their B.E.C. Stack, which consisted of shokupan bread, scrambled eggs, pork sausage, cheese, bacon crumble, and sriracha mayo.

Everything was absolutely delicious, and I'm so glad we made it back to this highly recommended breakfast spot.

Travel Tip: If you're hoping to visit Eggbreak on a weekend, I'd recommend going early. The difference between arriving at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM was night and day!

A Morning Stroll Through Notting Hill

Since we were already in the Notting Hill neighborhood, we decided to spend some time exploring before heading to the game.

If you've ever seen photos of London's charming, colorful townhouses, there's a good chance you've seen Notting Hill.

We wandered through the neighborhood, admiring the beautiful homes and picturesque streets.

Unfortunately, we didn't have as much time to explore as I would have liked, but this is definitely an area I'd love to revisit.

Next time I'm in London, I'd love to spend a few hours wandering the neighborhood, checking out its shops and cafés, and exploring Portobello Road Market.

Getting to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

After exploring Notting Hill, it was time to make our way to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the game.

We took the Circle line from Notting Hill Gate station to Liverpool Street station, where we transferred to the London Overground.

After waiting approximately 20 minutes, we boarded a train toward White Hart Lane, one of the closest stations to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And let me tell you, I have never seen so many Eagles fans in another city in my life.

Liverpool Street station was packed with fans, and the train was filled with Eagles jerseys, excitement, and plenty of anticipation for the game.

It was such a fun experience seeing so many people come together to support their teams, thousands of miles away from home.

Travel Tip: If you're attending an NFL game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I'd recommend researching your transportation options ahead of time. Public transportation was convenient, but the stations and trains were extremely crowded on game day.

Eagles Vs Jaguars: An NFL Game in London

Experiencing an NFL game in another country was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The atmosphere was incredible, the energy was contagious, and there was something so surreal about watching American football in the middle of London.

Between the enthusiastic fans, good beer, and some interesting British stadium food, it was an experience I won't forget anytime soon.

Although the outcome of the game wasn't exactly what we'd hoped for, I still had an amazing time.

And honestly, getting to experience something like this with my brother made it even more special.

A Few Things to Know About Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

One thing I hadn't researched ahead of time was the stadium's bag policy.

Unfortunately, I arrived with a bag that wasn't permitted inside.

Thankfully, the stadium offered a bag-drop service where I could securely store my belongings during the game and collect them afterward.

It was incredibly convenient, but definitely something I wish I'd known before arriving.

Travel Tip: Check Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's current bag policy before attending an event. If you're bringing a bag, make sure it meets the stadium's requirements or research the available bag-storage options in advance.

Another thing worth mentioning is the transportation situation after the game.

As expected, thousands of fans headed straight toward White Hart Lane station as soon as the game ended.

If you've ever attended a major sporting event, you can probably imagine the crowds.

I'd recommend either leaving a little early if you're comfortable missing the end of the game or preparing to wait patiently for your train.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how organized the process was. Despite the enormous crowds, stadium and station staff did a great job managing the flow of people.

Ending the Night at The Churchill Arms

After making our way back toward central London, we ended the evening with dinner at The Churchill Arms in Kensington.

And what a beautiful pub!

The Churchill Arms is known for its gorgeous, flower-covered exterior and traditional British pub atmosphere.

But what makes it particularly unique is that tucked away inside is a Thai restaurant. Yes, Thai food in a traditional London pub!

It might not be the combination you'd expect, but it absolutely works. The food was delicious, and it was a great way to end an exciting day.

If you're looking for a unique pub experience in London with some really good Thai food, I'd definitely recommend adding The Churchill Arms to your list.

And just like that, Day 2 came to an end.

Between finally making it to Eggbreak, exploring Notting Hill, and experiencing an NFL game in London with my brother, this was easily one of the most memorable days of the trip.

Day 3: Buckingham Palace, Dishoom & a West End Show

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

For our last full day in London, we were fortunate enough to be there for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace!

This was something I really wanted to experience during my first visit to London, and I'm so glad we were able to fit it into our itinerary.

The entire ceremony takes approximately an hour, and although we arrived about 30 minutes before it began, there were already hundreds, if not thousands, of people gathered around Buckingham Palace.

Between the marching, music, and sheer number of people, it was a pretty surreal experience.

Travel Tip: If you're planning to watch the Changing of the Guard, I highly recommend arriving early, especially if you want a good viewing spot. I'd aim to arrive at least 45–60 minutes beforehand. Also, be sure to check the official schedule before your visit, as the ceremony doesn't take place every day and can be affected by weather or special events.

Exploring Green Park, Piccadilly and Fortnum & Mason

After watching the Changing of the Guard, we made our way through Green Park toward Piccadilly.

One of my favorite things about London was how easy it was to combine sightseeing with simply walking around and exploring different neighborhoods.

We spent some time window shopping along Piccadilly before eventually making our way to Fortnum & Mason, a historic London department store.

And let me tell you, this place was much bigger than I expected!

Between the food halls, tea collections, gifts, and all the other things to explore, there was so much to see.

I originally planned to spend more time shopping along Piccadilly, but we ended up spending far longer than anticipated inside Fortnum & Mason.

No regrets, though!

If you're visiting London and enjoy shopping, browsing unique gifts, or exploring beautiful department stores, I'd definitely recommend stopping by.

Lunch at Dishoom

After spending the morning exploring, we made our way to one of London's most well-known Indian restaurants: Dishoom.

This was a restaurant I'd heard so many good things about, so I knew I wanted to include it in our itinerary.

We had reservations, which I would highly recommend looking into ahead of time. When we arrived, there appeared to be a pretty long line for guests without reservations.

That's not to say you can't walk in, but if you're working with a packed schedule like we were, having a reservation can make your day much easier.

The restaurant itself was much larger than I expected, with multiple levels and a really cool atmosphere.

My brother and I both love a good IPA, so naturally, we had to try the Dishoom IPA.

We also ordered vegetable samosas to start, which were absolutely delicious.

For our main dishes, we ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and Ruby Chicken, along with a side of basmati rice each.

And let me tell you, we absolutely could have shared one order of rice. Everything was incredible, and we left feeling very full and very satisfied.

Dishoom was definitely one of the dining highlights of our London trip, and I'd happily go back on a future visit.

Exploring the Tower of London

After stuffing ourselves with incredible Indian food, we made our way to the Tower of London.

The Tower of London is one of the city's most iconic historic attractions, and I was excited to finally see it in person.

Unfortunately, because our schedule was so packed, we only had about an hour to explore before heading to our next activity.

While I'm glad we were able to visit, this is definitely somewhere I'd recommend allowing more time if you're interested in the history and exhibits.

Travel Tip: If you're planning to visit the Tower of London, I'd suggest setting aside at least two to three hours to explore at a more comfortable pace. An hour goes by very quickly!

A Thames River Cruise

After exploring the Tower of London, we headed to our Thames River cruise.

I loved the idea of seeing London from the water, especially after spending so much time exploring the city on foot.

But here's where I learned a very important lesson.

I should have prepared a little better for a river cruise in mid-October.

Let's just say that being out on the water was a bit chillier than I anticipated!

While the cruise was a fun way to experience the city from a different perspective, I would absolutely recommend dressing appropriately for the weather, especially if you're planning to sit outside.

Travel Tip: If you're visiting London during the fall or winter, bring an extra layer for a Thames River cruise. Even if the weather feels comfortable while you're walking around the city, it can feel much colder out on the water.

Fish & Chips at Rock & Sole Plaice

After the river cruise, we headed back to our hotel for a quick reset before getting ready for our evening plans. And because you can't visit London without having fish and chips at least once, we decided to grab dinner at Rock & Sole Plaice, a historic fish and chips restaurant in London.

We split an order of fish and chips and also ordered tempura shrimp, which were phenomenal. It was the perfect casual meal before heading to the theatre and a staple while in England.

If you're looking for a traditional fish and chips experience while exploring London, this is a spot I'd recommend checking out.

Ending Our Trip With RENT in the West End

For our final evening in London, we headed to the theatre to see RENT. This was such a fun way to end the trip!

One of the reasons I was particularly excited about this show was that Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin in Stranger Things, was starring in the production. Getting to see him perform live was such a cool experience.

If you're visiting London, I highly recommend making time to see a show in the West End, London's equivalent of Broadway.

Whether you're a huge musical theatre fan or just looking for something different to do in the evening, it's a fantastic experience to add to your itinerary.

And just like that, our third and final full day in London came to an end.

Final Thoughts: Is Three Days Enough in London?

If there's one thing this trip taught me, it's that three days in London is nowhere near enough time to experience everything the city has to offer.

Between the historic landmarks, incredible restaurants, charming neighborhoods, and endless activities, I feel like I barely scratched the surface.

But despite our limited time, we managed to fit in so many memorable experiences, from watching the Eagles play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to exploring Borough Market, wandering through Notting Hill, and seeing a West End show.

There are definitely things I'd do differently next time. I'd spend more time exploring individual neighborhoods, allow myself a little more flexibility, and probably leave a bit more breathing room between activities.

But would I do this trip all over again? Absolutely. London exceeded every expectation I had, and I already know I'll be back someday.

Planning your own London getaway?

Whether you're visiting for a long weekend or a longer adventure, The Away Message can help you create a personalized itinerary that fits your interests, budget, and travel style.

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