Tower Bridge, London (must see)

Tower Bridge—yes, that famous one with the twin towers and rising roadways—surprisingly didn’t swing into action until 1894. That’s right: it’s younger than your great-great-grandma’s fruitcake recipe, though you'd never guess it based on the number of fridge magnets it’s starred on. Indeed, in just over a century, it’s managed to become one of London’s most iconic symbols—practically the Victorian era in bridge form.

Now here’s a royal twist: Queen Victoria wasn’t exactly thrilled about it at first. She worried the bridge might compromise the security of the nearby Tower of London, which at that time doubled as an armory. Still, they painted it her favorite color—chocolate brown—and forged ahead, perhaps hoping that a well-dressed bridge would soothe Her Majesty’s nerves.

Under the hood (well, under the road), it was all quite steamy—literally. Sophisticated steam-powered engines lifted the bridge’s bascules to allow tall ships to pass through. In its very first year, the bridge went up over 6,000 times—talk about an overachiever! These days, it opens around 1,000 times a year, and somehow, they’ve managed to avoid any major mishaps. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of those dramatic lifts in real time—free theater, London-style...

For an unforgettable experience, take in the sweeping views of the Thames, the sci-fi egg that is City Hall, the gleaming glass Shard, and the chaos of central London from the top of the bridge. Better yet, grab a ticket and ride the elevator to the elevated walkways. Up there, you’ll find a glass floor for peeking at the world below (great for photos, or mild panic), plus a museum showcasing the original steam engines—because nothing says Victorian romance like big brass machinery. Bonus points: Yes, there are restrooms at the top, so no need to “hold it” at altitude.

And in case you wonder, why you should go?—This masterpiece of Victorian engineering also sparkles at night, and—let’s face it—your trip to London wouldn't be complete without seeing it.