London Buckingham Palace

George III bought Buckingham House—which wasn’t originally built for the royals—in 1761 for his wife, Queen Charlotte. Charlotte proceeded to give birth to 14 out of her 15 children at Buckingham Palace. The house was expanded by George IV, who commissioned John Nash to transform the existing building into a palace. In 1837, Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace, and it has remained a royal residence since then.

Every day at 11:30am from April to late July, and every other day the rest of the year, the Changing of the Guard takes place. The "Changing of the Guard" is the exchange of guard duty between different regiments. Forget the dumb American movies where an obnoxious tourist tries in every immature way possible to make the unflinching guards at Buckingham Palace move; the guards are far enough away so that tourists can do no more than whistle every time they move 3 ft. and salute. The entire spectacle lasts 40min. To see it, you should show up well before 11:30am and stand in front of the palace in view of the morning guards. The middle of the week is the least crowded time to watch.

The State Rooms, At the end of the Mall. ( 020 7766 7300; www.royalcollection.org.uk) The Palace opens to visitors every August and September while the royals are off sunning themselves. Visitors are granted limited access and are only allowed in the State Rooms which are used for formal occasions. As a result, these rooms are sumptuous and as royal as you could hope them to be. As you tour them, look for the secret door concealed in one of the White Drawing Room's mirrors, through which royals entered the state apartments. Also not to be missed are the Throne Room and the glittering Music Room. The Galleries feature master works from the royal collections, and the gardens display birds that are marginally prettier than the birds you'd see outside. Victoria. Turn right onto Buckingham Palace Rd. and follow it onto Buckingham Gate. Audio guide provided. Wheelchair users should book by calling 020 7766 7324. £17, students and seniors £15.50, under 17 £9.75, under 5 free, family (2 adults and 3 children under 17) £45. Open daily late July-Oct 9:45am-4pm. Last admission 45min. before close. Takes credit cards.

The Royal Mews, At the end of the Mall. ( 020 7766 7300; www.royalcollection.org.uk) The Royal Mews functions as a museum, stable, riding school, and a working carriage house. The carriages are fantastic—especially the "Glass Coach," which is used to carry royal brides to their weddings, and the four-ton Gold State Coach which is not, as the name would suggest, a coach dedicated to California. Unfortunately, the magic pumpkin carriage that the royals use to escape evil step-royals is only visible until midnight, but if you're in the Royal Mews past midnight, you have other problems. Victoria. Turn right onto Buckingham Palace Rd. and follow it onto Buckingham Gate. Entrance to the Mews and Gallery will be on your left. Wheelchair-accessible. £7.75, students and seniors £7, under 17 £5, under 5 free, family (2 adults and 3 children under 17) £20.50. Open Mar 20-Oct 31 M-Th 11am-4pm, Sa-Su 11aam-4pm; Nov 1-Dec 23 M-F 11am-4pm. Last admission 45min. before close. Takes credit cards.

Queen's Gallery, At the end of the Mall (020 7766 7300; www.royalcollection.org.uk) The Queen's Gallery is dedicated to temporary exhibitions of jaw-droppingly valuable items from the Royal Collection. Five rooms, designed to look like the interior of the palace are filled with glorious artifacts that applaud the sovereign. Once purchased, passes can be registered online for 12 months of unlimited access. Victoria. Turn right onto Buckingham Palace Rd. and follow it onto Buckingham Gate. Entrance to the Mews and Gallery will be on your left. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 10am-5:30pm, July 27-Oct 1 9:30am-5:30pm. Last admission 1hr. before close. Closed Nov 1-Apr 14, 2011. Takes credit cards.