BLOOMSBURY. One of London's top tourist attractions, this museum seeks to cover all areas of human knowledge under one roof ­ and it succeeds on all counts. What began as a "cabinet of curiosities" in 1753 now includes galleries dedicated to ethnography, Egyptian monuments, and the arts of Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific. The Great Court, completed in 2000, incorporated additional gallery space, along with cafés and shops. Although it's impossible to cover the museum in one day, a 90-minute guided tour provides a brief glimpse of the museum's many treasures and can help you decide what to examine more closely when you return. TUBE: Holborn or Russell Square

ST. JAMES'S. Offering a glimpse of a city under siege, these underground chambers illustrate British efforts to thwart German bombs and hostilities during WWII. They're where Prime Minister Winston Churchill led the government, coordinated communications, and held out against Nazi aggressions. The rooms are laid out much as they were when the war ended, complete with furniture, maps, and technology. Churchill lived here at times, and a portion of the museum is devoted to his life and leadership. TUBE: Westminster or St. James's Park

SOUTH BANK. Everyone knows the name Florence Nightingale, but few people are fully aware of the contributions she made to the medical community. This award-winning museum lays out her legacy in detail, showcasing her Nightingale Training School and her efforts to care for sick and dying soldiers. Notes, lanterns, and other personal memorabilia paint a full portrait of a fascinating woman with lasting impact. TUBE: Westminster

SHOREDITCH. British domestic history and interior design are laid out in a series of rooms at this intriguing museum. Intended to recreate living quarters from the 17th to 21st centuries, the Geffrye ably illustrates the aesthetics and creature comforts associated with each era. Furnishings, architectural details, decorative items, textiles, and artwork all contribute to the total effect. Outside of the 18th-century almshouses, which hold the vignettes, are period gardens that echo the rooms inside. Also available are a restaurant and gift shop. A library and archive is accessible via special request. TUBE: Liverpool Street and then bus or Old Street, followed by a somewhat lengthy walk

SOUTH BANK. Occupying the Bethlehem Royal Hospital building (known more familiarly as "Bedlam" in past days), this museum traces 20th-century wars. Its graphic, compelling exhibits illustrate the impact of conflict on bystanders, participants, and innocents swept up in the waves of horror. Interactive exhibits place folks in WWI trenches and in Blitz-era bombings, and the Holocaust exhibit frequently elicits a visceral reaction from visitors. Artifacts and multi-media displays communicate the devastating impact of war, which can be overwhelming for children. However, the museum now offers a special exhibit that looks at war from a child's perspective and gives them a voice. TUBE: Lambeth North or Waterloo