London Kensington and Earl's Court

Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd. (020 7942 2000; www.vam.ac.uk) The V and A is one of the most bizarre and all-encompassing museums out there. Originally founded because the director, Henry Cole, wanted to promote different design ideas to the British public, the V and A has examples of styles from all around the world and is as much about the making of things as it is about the artifacts themselves. The many galleries include Asia, Europe, The British Galleries, Modern, and The Fashion Gallery. With such specific topics, who could possibly be interested in the collections? The Asia gallery features everything from ornate, gold Buddhist shrines to traditional suits of armor. Especially popular is the beautiful Iranian Ardabil Carpet, which is lit for 10min. every hour. The Europe gallery features the gorgeous Hereford Screen, which is 11m long and 10.5m high, and depicts Christ's Ascension. The British Galleries showcase the ever-popular Great Bed of Ware, which, for a bed, was a remarkably big deal back in 1596, when the first mention of it was made. The Materials and Techniques gallery details different techniques of art-making. The stained glass collection on the 3rd floor is not to be missed, nor are sketches by Matisse. Those looking for education on the arts or art-making can find it in the Lecture Theatre or the famous National Art Library, which houses some of Dickens’s manuscripts and da Vinci’s sketches (register online to see these). When you enter the main rotunda, be sure to look out for the Rotunda Chandelier by Dale Chihuly. It’s pretty hard to miss. South Kensington. Take a right onto Thurloe Pl. and turn left on Exhibition Rd. The museum is to your right across Cromwell Rd. Wheelchair-accessible guides available at the Grand Entrance Information Desk. Exhibit on "Diaghileu and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes 1909-1929" from Sept 25-Jan 9. Free, with the exception of the special exhibitions which are generally £6-£10. Open M-Th 10am-5:45pm, F 10am-10pm, Sa-Su 10am-5:45pm. National Art Library Tu-Th 10am-5:30pm, F 10am-6:30pm, Sa 10am-5:30pm. Free daily tours available; look at screens in entrances for times. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Science Museum Exhibition Rd., South Kensington ( 087 0870 4868; www.sciencemuseum.org.uk) The Science Museum is an exciting look at the history and cutting edge of the discipline. Featuring tons of cool, interactive displays (granted, many of these are directed at children), the Science Museum has myriad valuable and historic artifacts from all areas of science; including many that you won't even realize you wanted to see until you've seen them. A Newcomen-type atmospheric engine dwarfs its surroundings in the Energy Gallery, and the space galleries remind visitors of all ages of the excitement of space travel through their history of rockets and artifacts like a V2 Engine from 1944, and things like wrist watches used on the Apollo missions. Learn about Charles Babbage English, the man responsible for mechanical calculators and shoes for walking on water (conspiracy theorists will be disappointed once reminded that he lived long after Jesus). And if you were wondering what an inventor's brain looks like (we hope this isn't on your mind), they have one in a jar! Charles Babbage English’s, in fact. If you want to appreciate how far we’ve come, pay ERNIE 1 a visit. The Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment computer is the size of most dorm rooms, and was used to generate random numbers so premium bond owners could win prizes. From brains in jars to men on the moon, the Science Museum has it all. South Kensington. Take a right onto Thurloe Pl. and turn left onto Exhibition Rd. The museum is to your left just past the Natural History Museum. A climate change exhibit will open in Nov. The museum also features a popular IMAX cinema. Tickets to IMAX 3D shows £8, concessions and children £6.25. Open daily 10:00am-6pm. Last admission at 5:30pm, but it starts closing at 5:40pm. Wheelchair access.

St. Mary Abbots, High St. Kensington (020 7937 5136; www.stmaryabbotschurch.org) This gorgeous and silent church sits on a site where Christians have worshipped for 1000 years. Designed in 1873 by a famous Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert, the church is known for its beautiful and simple stained glass by Clayton and Bell and the scorch marks of the 1944 bombing that are visible in the pews. Fridays from 1-2pm musicians from the Royal Academy of Music perform for free. High St. Kensington. Right onto Kensington High St., left onto Kensington Church St. M 8:30am-6pm, T 8:30am-6pm, W-F 7:10am-6pm, Sa 9:40am-6pm, Su 8am-6pm. Wheelchair access.

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road (020 7942 5011; www.nhm.ac.uk) Sure, the museum may be more directed at kids, but who doesn’t love a moving T-Rex? Known as the "Cathedral of the Animals," the Natural History Museum houses exhibitions on everything from animal anatomy to histories of scientific research. The Darwin Centre has more than 20 million species in jars. Dinosaurs rule the museum, and the moving T-Rex is especially popular. Watch the parents’ faces as they unwittingly lead their kids into the Human Biology section, featuring a red-lit walk-in womb (Freud would have a field day) with a terrifyingly large fetus, and aptly entitled "MORE ABOUT THE PLACENTA." The museum is pretty simple and easy to navigate, so come for a low-investment, reasonable-return trip. South Kensington. Take a right onto Thurloe Pl. and turn left on Exhibition Rd. The museum is to your left across Cromwell Rd. Book early for special tours of Darwin’s special collections. Free. Special exhibits are around £8, and students get discounts. Open daily 10am-5:50pm. Last entry 5:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Hyde Park And Kensington Gardens

Surrounded by London’s wealthiest neighborhoods, Hyde Park has served as the model for city parks around the world, including Central Park in New York and Paris’s Bois de Boulogne. Henry VIII stole ...more

Other Sights In Kensington And Earl’s Court

HOLLAND PARK. Smaller and less crowded than Kensington Gardens, Holland Park probably makes for a better picnic spot or quiet stroll than does its famous cousin. Set off from Kensington High St. and ...more