Our second day in London was full of history, color, and a little bit of magic. After a good night’s sleep and some much-needed recovery time from our travel day, we were ready to really dive into the city—and what a day it turned out to be.

We started off at Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard. It’s one of those iconic London experiences, and I’m so glad we made time for it. We arrived a bit early to get a decent spot, and the crowd was already building. It was chilly, but the atmosphere was buzzing. When the ceremony began—the music, the synchronized marching, the guards in their tall bearskin hats—it felt like stepping into a scene from a movie. My daughter was completely engrossed. She especially loved when the band started playing, and I caught her swaying along to the rhythm. The tradition, the uniforms, the spectacle—it was pure London.

After the ceremony, we climbed aboard a classic double-decker bus to take in some of the city’s famous sights. Riding up top gave us such a great view. We passed Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Trafalgar Square, all while the city bustled below. There’s something about watching London go by from that vantage point—it made the city feel both grand and approachable. It was the perfect way to rest our feet while still soaking in the atmosphere.

Next stop: Kensington Palace. This was a huge hit with both of us. The palace itself is stunning, with beautiful rooms and exhibits that bring the royal stories to life. We wandered through the Queen Victoria exhibits and imagined what it must have been like to live in such a place. The gardens were blooming and peaceful, a lovely contrast to the city’s energy. But the real highlight? A charming little opera performance happening inside an apparatus in one of the palace rooms. It was short and designed for all ages (apparently Queen Victoria loved opera and this was a recreation of the performance for her 16th birthday), and my daughter was entranced. The music echoed in such a beautiful way—it was one of those small, unexpected moments that made the day feel extra special.

After the palace, we switched gears and headed to something a little more modern: the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel. Tucked under Waterloo Station, this tunnel is a vibrant, ever-changing gallery of street art. It felt like a completely different world from Buckingham Palace—and we loved it. What made it even more memorable was getting to meet a few graffiti artists who were in the middle of painting new pieces. They were friendly, answered our questions, and let us watch them work for a bit. My daughter was fascinated, and I loved seeing her engage with something so creatively raw and expressive.

All that exploring worked up an appetite, so we made a quick stop at Konditor for pastries. And wow—they were unreal. Buttery, flaky, sweet, and rich… each bite felt like a celebration. I couldn’t help but joke that we had stumbled into an episode of The Great British Bake Off. We left with happy tastebuds and a little box of extras, because how could we not?

We wrapped up our day with dinner at Giraffe, a casual, family-friendly spot just a short walk from our hotel. It was cozy and cheerful, with something on the menu for everyone. It felt good to sit down, chat about our favorite parts of the day, and wind down over a warm meal.

By bedtime, we were thoroughly worn out in the best way—full of stories, sugar, and satisfaction. London is amazing on its own, but experiencing it through my daughter’s eyes makes everything feel new again. Day 2 was packed, joyful, and exactly what I had hoped for when we started planning this trip.