First day in London recommendations

I'd suggest that you spend a good portion of your first day exploring the public parks - thinking particularly of Regent's Park and Hyde Park. They're beautiful, great for people-watching, and fresh air and exercise are good for getting over jet lag. You can always go start tackling your list if so inclined.

Walk to the river and explore. Add Churchills War Room to your agenda and book a Jack the Ripper tour with one of the Beefeaters at The Tower of London. The beefeaters are hilarious. Just walking in Soho and Chinatown is a good way to spend your first day as well. The Old London district near the Tower is a must as well as a double decker ride to gain your bearings.

I second the recommendation to stay outside and walk around.

Try to go to Paddington Station, go outside to Little Venice and follow the tow path to the Zoo and Camden Lock. Besides getting a lot of fresh air you will see London "from the back side".

If you are there in the summer season you can also sail this tour: http://www.londonwaterbus.com/

Here's my fav way to spend the first jet-lagged day in London, depending of course on the day. Start at Borough Market (open Mon - Sat noting that the Mon/Tuesday markets are lunch only and smaller). Get coffee at Monmouth Coffee, wander, look try new and old things. Be outside. Look at Southwark Cathedral located right next to the market. The head for the Anchor Pub Bankside (stopping to look at the Golden Hinde en route) which is right on the walk along the Thames River that leads you all the way down to Westminster Bridge. The walk will take you past the Globe Theater, Tate Modern ( across the river you will see St Paul's and Somerset House). You will eventually get to the Eye with a fabulous view of Big Ben and Parliament.

This walk keeps you outside and moving and getting a great intro to London. And while it is a longish walk , you can stop and sit and watch the river or stop in places, and there are several points at which you can cross the river and get on the Tube. Also you can certainly Google walk it and see how it looks to you.

Have so much fun!

My recommendation is to use the Google Maps satellite view on your computer. Type in Big Ben London. You can see how close Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, Horse Guards, The Thames and the London Eye are to each other. You'll also notice from Parliament Square it is a short walk up Birdcage walk and thru St James Park to Buckingham Palace. That would be a great arrival first-time-visitor-exploration. Would help you adjust to the crowds and the hustle and bustle of London. With that said, after you've experienced the long walk from your Heathrow arrival gate to immigration, and then traveling from Heathrow into London, I suspect you will want to freshen up first before you hit the ground running. If you know the exact address of where you will be staying use the satellite view to find the closest coffe shop ( Cafe Nero, Costa, or Starbucks) or Pret a Manger ( fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries). Grab a nosh then start walking. Get to know your neighborhood. Locate the closest bank ATM ( where you should get the cash for your trip), the closest tube stop ( where you should buy your Oyster Card and grab the free pocket sized tube maps to carry with you), the closest market ( for bottled water, and things you may have forgotten to pack). Discover what eating establishments are nearby. Find the local pub. London is a very walkable city. You've chosen a nice neighborhood to stay in. Get comfortable with it. If you are still amped as night time approaches take the London Walks www.walks.com Jack The Ripper tour.

Another vote for taking a stroll in a park if the weather permits. Regents Park is my personal favorite. Primrose Hill just north of the park has great views of the city.

DJ

I personally would avoid the Imperial War Museum on my first day. It's a really rich, wonderfully informative museum BUT it's also a bit dark and indoors and I think it would be the worst thing for me while jet lagged.

On our first day in London we do the fresh air thing as much as possible. Walk through the parks as suggested above. In Fitzrovia you're close to both Regents Park & Hyde Park. Get some coffees and a pastry and wander around. You'll get lots of exciting attention from waterfowl & squirrels. I also like to get on a HOHO bus and sit in the open on the upper deck with a coffee - it's really invigorating.

Use the first day to get your bearings, learn the layout of the city.

ETA - I had Imperial War Museum mixed up in my head with Churchill War Rooms - not sure if IWM is dark or not.

Jet lag is a strange thing. I normally don't feel it until the third or fourth day of my trip. Excitement and adrenaline carry me along those first few days. Plan to do what your body needs, when it needs it, however that may be for you!

Ann - I think you're on to something. Jetlag doesn't kick in right away. The first day is all about getting past the sleep deprivation on the flight over for me.

We find taking in a movie after dinner is always good. By staying awake as late as possible that first night we adjust to the time change much quicker.

Hey thanks everyone for the great advice. Definitely will try to be outside as much as possible, hoping for a bit of sun too to get some vitamin D!

Sit on the top of a hop on hop off bus tour. The fresh air will help keep you awake and the bus ride will help orient you to how the city is laid out. It is chance to see "topside" London that one doesn't get a sense for when always traveling by the tube.