Natural History Museum, London (must see)

Originally constructed to serve as the housing for the British Museum's collection of natural history, and enriched with contributions from prominent 19th-century British explorers and scientists, most notably Charles Darwin, this grand Victorian edifice of scientific exploration stands as one of the world's foremost institutions devoted to natural history and earth sciences. As expected, given its strong association with Darwin, the primary focus here lies in the realms of evolution and conservation. The building's exteriorfeatures terracotta embellishments adorned with relief panels depicting both extant and extinct creatures, with some species having undergone reclassification over time. The museum's interior hosts an astounding collection of over 70 million distinct specimens, although only a fraction is available for public viewing. A full day of exploration would still leave much unseen.

Upon entering the cathedral-like entrance hall, visitors are greeted by the imposing skeleton of a colossal blue whale. In the Dinosaur Gallery ('Blue Zone'), one can encounter similarly enormous dinosaur bones, technically transformed into rocks through fossilization, alongside the lone known fossil of Spicomellus, an armored dinosaur variety characterized by spikes on its ribs. The journey continues with an encounter with a virtual Jurassic-era sea dragon and a towering animatronic 'T. rex' (three-fourths its actual size) designed to detect the presence of nearby humans and react accordingly, resulting in exhilarating shrieks of fear and delight echoing through the space.

An escalator transports guests into the expansive Earth Galleries, offering multiple levels to explore, including the earthquake simulation featured in the Volcanoes and Earthquake Gallery. Within the Darwin Centre, around 80 million items await, items that the main museum area cannot accommodate, including "Archie", a massive 28-foot giant squid. To catch a glimpse of Archie and the myriad other preserved animal specimens, visitors can book one of the "behind-the-scenes" 45-minute "Spirit Collection" tours, which are available on select dates and times and can be reserved on the same day (it's advisable to arrive early, as space is limited). For those who prefer nighttime adventures, the museum offers evening talks and the opportunity to spend an entire night within its walls during the "Dino Snores" events.

Why You Should Visit:
Huge space; interesting for adults as well as teens. And, like the majority of London's museums, absolutely free to visit.
As an added bonus, there is an ice-skating rink open from October to January, along with a widely popular Christmas fair.

Tips:
There are two entrances available: the primary one on Cromwell Rd tends to be quite crowded. However, if you head around the corner to the side of the Victoria and Albert Museum, you can enter with ease. However, given the extensive ground to cover, it's advisable to wear comfortable shoes as there will be a substantial amount of walking involved.