Celebrating a milestone birthday deserves a trip that feels just as unforgettable, and what better place than London? When I was a little girl watching Mary-Kate & Ashley movies, Winning London was ALWAYS my favorite one! I promised little me that one day I would make it to London and see all the places they went in the movie… well, my millennial dream finally came true! For my 30th birthday, I packed my bags, grabbed my best friend, and headed across the pond for the ultimate London girls’ trip. From touring the inside of Buckingham Palace to catching dazzling shows on the West End, indulging in classic afternoon tea, and shopping in some of London’s most iconic stores, our five days in the city were filled with the perfect mix of history, culture, and a little bit of birthday sparkle. In this guide, I’m sharing our five-day London itinerary for first-timers, including must-see landmarks, fun experiences to book ahead, and the best place to stay in London when you’re traveling with friends. Whether you’re planning a milestone birthday getaway or simply dreaming of a fabulous girls’ trip, this itinerary will help you experience the very best of London. Get ready to steal my exact itinerary!

Nov. 15 – Wednesday✈️ 

• Fly out of BWI @ 7:30pm

Nov. 16 – Thursday  

• ✈️Arrival @ 10:50am 
• Prada Cafe @ 3:00pm 
• Harrods 

Nov. 17 – Friday 

• 9:00 am, Coppa Club Tower London 🍳
• Globe Theatre @ 11:15am 
• Westminster Abbey @ 1:30pm entry, 2:00pm entry to Jubilee Gallery 
• —-> then 5 min walk over to House of Parliament 
• Black cab ride to Emirates Stadium Shop (had to shop for my nephews back home!)

Nov. 18 – Saturday 

• Tower Bridge Tour @ 9:30am 
• Peggy Porschen @ 12:00pm 
• The Mouse Trap, West End @ 3:00pm 

Nov. 19 – Sunday

• Christmas Tea, Ritz Carlton @ 11:30am 
• Buckingham Palace Guided Tour @ 3:15pm
• Ordered dinner to the hotel; tried the London McDonald’s menu for fun!

Nov. 20 – Monday 🥳🍰

• Bridgit’s Bakery Bus Tea @ 12:00pm 
• Trafalgar Square
• Fortnum & Mason shopping
• Americana for dinner 
• Phantom of the Opera, West End, 7:30pm

Nov. 21 – Tuesday✈️ 

• fly home landing at 6:30pm

Tips for Planning Your First Trip to London:

• Use Black Cabs, NOT Uber. Black Cabs are clean, always readily available to hail, and have trained, SAFE drivers. You can tell if a passing cab is available for service if the rooftop light is on or off.
• Buckingham Palace only allows tours inside or around the mews, etc., at certain times of the year. Research to make sure it’s available before selecting your travel dates & book your tours ahead of time. (Same with Windsor Castle, etc.)
• Book all tours, West End shows, and restaurant reservations ahead of time. Don’t leave anything to chance. (Most tours offer a discount if you book ahead online anyway!)
• Double-decker bus tea tours (like Bridgits Bakery) are fun ways to see a lot of the city. The food is not great. I would recommend just booking a bus tour and skipping the tea.
• Book afternoon tea at The Ritz London instead, and thank me later. (Especially if you’re going at Christmas time; it’s the best tea service I’ve ever had.)
• If travelling with friends, staying at a Locke hotel is a great idea. We stayed at Bermond’s Locke right on Tower Bridge Road! They have different style apartment-hotel rooms. Our room had a kitchenette, a washer/dryer combo, and a dining table. Lots of people stay here for longer periods of time than a typical hotel, but you don’t have to! There is a little cafe in the lobby that becomes quite a buzz during the day with remote workers & students! Like Starbucks vibes!