London’s 10 Coolest New Attractions

The View from The Shard

The View from The Shard blows away the comparatively tiny London Eye. Soaring more than 1,000 feet above London, The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, and it has transformed the London skyline. Get a panoramic look at the city from The View, located on floors 68, 69, and 72. On a clear day (which can be tough to find in England), you can see 40 miles out. High-speed elevators whisk you up to the viewing floors, where you can stay for as long as you like. Buy your ticket in advance—you'll save money: It's £24.95 (approximately $37.70 according to XE.com) for an advance ticket vs. £29.95 (approximately $45.26) on the day of, and you won't have to wait in line. Even the bottom of The Shard is a fun experience, as it's decorated with famous quotes about London, breathtaking pictures, and cool green-screen photo ops.

Up at The O2

The O2, a crazily constructed dome, has dominated the London skyline since being built in 2000 as part of the Millennium Experience celebration. Now you can summit the venue and get a completely new look at the city. A tensile fabric walkway was put on The O2 in 2012, allowing visitors to strap into climbing gear and walk up a steep slope to the top of the dome and down the other side. At the top, you can unhook and walk around the flat viewing platform for 360-degree views of southeast London. The informative guides will point out sights (like the nearby Olympic venues) and give you fun facts (on my climb, I learned how the Bond villain Goldfinger got his name). Prices for the climb start at £22 (approximately $33.24), and the climb is more fun than physically challenging.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

After taking a year to recover and renovate from the games, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to reopen in July 2013. The park will reopen in stages, with the official North Park opening in July to start it all off. North Park will include plenty of green space, the Copper Box community sports center, a cafe, and more. Heading to London before July? Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the park's construction with a Park in Progress visit for just £15 (approximately $22.67).

The Emirates Air Line

Not to be confused with the Emirates airline (although the cable cars are sponsored by the carrier), these cable cars will only take you across the river—not across the continent. Go from the Royal Docks to Greenwich Peninsula for just £4.30 each way (or £3.20 if you use your Oyster card, the London public-transit card). The crossing takes between five and 10 minutes and offers incredible views of the city, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier, and the Olympic Park.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

The ArcelorMittal sculpture/observation tower is one of the most recognizable structures from London's Olympics—remember how the Paralympic flame was delivered via zip line from the top of the Orbit? Now you can see Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond's unique sculpture from the inside, with tours that let you go into the structure for up-close-and-personal views of the Olympic Park from the 278-foot-high viewing platform. While the Olympic Park is under construction, you can access the Orbit as part of a Park in Progress tour. (Adult tickets start at £15, or approximately $22.67.)

Snorkeling with Sharks

Don't worry—this experience doesn't take place in the Thames. The Sea Life London Aquarium has a new way to get close to its sea creatures—by Snorkeling with Sharks. You can swim just feet away from more than 15 sharks (safely separated from you by a mesh diver's net). No diving experience is necessary—just nerves of steel. The experience costs £125 (approximately $188.91) and includes the aquarium entry fee. Don't want to get wet? The new Shark Reef Encounter at the aquarium is also pretty awesome—you can cross a glass walkway over swimming sharks.

Velodrome

Even if you're not into cycling, the Velodrome is worth checking out, as it was one of the most eco-friendly venues of the 2012 games. The Velodrome was made out of sustainable materials and designed with a natural ventilation system that eliminates the need for air-conditioning. The Velodrome will reopen in early 2014 as Lee Valley VeloPark. It's not just the building that's getting overhauled—bike paths will be placed all around the area for everyone to enjoy.

London Dungeon

After 39 years of terrifying tourists, the London Dungeon closed its London Bridge location. It's now been resurrected and redone in a new location on the South Bank with new shows and new effects. Come here to learn about London's dark past during a 90-minute tour, which incorporates shows and storytelling based on London's history—from the Plague to Jack the Ripper—all in a fun and only slightly traumatizing manner. Adult tickets start at £22 (approximately $33.25).

ZSL London Zoo's Tiger Territory

London's an urban jungle and now it's got the big cats to prove it. The ZSL London Zoo just opened its new Tiger Territory, a 27,000-square-foot enclosure that's five times bigger than the previous tiger enclosure. Come and meet Tiger Territory's resident Sumatran tigers, Jae Jae and Melati. Zoo tickets start at £23 for adults (approximately $34.76).

Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is not exactly new—it was built in 1869. But in 2007, a fire badly damaged the historic tea clipper. After extensive repairs and restorations, the museum ship was once again reopened to the public in 2012. Come on board and even walk underneath the vessel (it's in dry dock). Adult tickets start at £12.60 (approximately $19.04).

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