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London is a city of contrasts with one of the most diverse populations in the world; it’s little wonder that this cosmopolitan urban area boasts some of the most offbeat attractions and events anywhere. Some of London’s more unusual tourist attractions are well known to tourists, like the celebrity figures at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum; others are less famous, like the equally realistic waxwork figures at the London Dungeon that document some of the less savoury aspects of London’s history. Here are a few upcoming events that showcase the alternative side of London’s vibrant cultural scene.

Dinosaurs Unleashed
For a limited time, dinosaurs will once again roam the earth, at least on Oxford Street. From 28 January 2009 through the end of April, twenty-four life-sized prehistoric creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods will appear in all their glory at the Dinosaurs Unleashed exhibit. Adults and children alike will get a thrill from the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex and the fierce velociraptors, but the real show-stopper is the gigantic diplodocus. This replica of the peaceful plant-eating dinosaur is taller than two double-decker city buses and longer than three, making it a huge attraction in every sense. Dinosaurs Unleashed features a number of hands-on learning activities for children, making it a perfect excursion for families.

London Tattoo Convention
For the most avant-garde designs in the field of tattoos, the London Tattoo Convention offers guests and industry professionals the chance to compare notes and body art. Burlesque dancers strut across the stage, while a number of world-renowned tattoo artists practice their craft in public demonstrations at this annual event. Those interested in the anthropological, sociological and psychological implications of tattoo art will appreciate the British Tattoo History Museum located near the convention’s headquarters in the Tobacco Road; rock and roll fanatics will love the live musical performances by a number of cutting-edge acts. The 2010 London Tattoo Convention is scheduled for September, and is expected to attract visitors from all around the world.

Do Something Different Weekend
For artistically-minded travellers, the Barbican Centre presents an eclectic group of events and exhibitions each year as part of the East Festival of the arts. Hands-on activities allow visitors to learn about recycling, sewing and other crafts, and musical events include the Big Ukulele Bash and the bold sounds of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. From science exhibits to film festivals to social events including a grown-up game of hide-and-seek, there’s sure to be something to delight, educate, and amuse every member of the family at the Barbican’s Do Something Different annual weekend event scheduled for March 2010.

2010 London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
This year, the 23rd Annual London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival will once again bring guests the best of gay and lesbian cinema from around the world. Visitors can meet with filmmakers, participate in discussion groups, or engage in professional development workshops to learn filmmaking techniques. Films to be shown include documentaries, short films and feature-length movies, including some old favourites along with the best of the new; the experimental films on offer often draw a crowd and attract the attention of national critics. The London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival is held at the British Film Festival in Southbank, and is scheduled for the end of March 2010.

Horseman’s Sunday
An annual event for over forty years, Horseman’s Sunday is celebrated at St. John’s Church Hyde Park on the last Sunday in September and features a procession of over one hundred horses in front of the historic church. The vicar leads the procession on horseback and, once they’ve arrived at the forecourt, he blesses the horses and presents them with rosettes. The ceremony, first instituted in 1968 in response to the proposed closing of local stables, has become an important church event attended by a number of local dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Westminster.

When planning a visit to one of these events, carefully research the hotels London has on offer in the area and book early if possible; the best bargains are usually snapped up quickly. For travellers seeking last minute hotels London can present challenges in finding accommodations, but even greater savings can sometimes be achieved by booking rooms that would otherwise go unsold. Careful planning and research can allow the judicious holidaymaker to enjoy the stranger side of London without spending a fortune to do so.

Seeing the usual tourist spots in London is imperative for anyone who’s never been. If you’re planning a holiday in the city and want to see more than the usual well-known attractions, and would like to check out the places that “those in the know” frequent, having an inkling about London’s coolest neighbourhoods can help a great deal. Below, we highlight a handful of the hippest neighbourhoods in London; make a point of stopping by at least a few the next time you’re in the city.

Shoreditch – Without a doubt, Shoreditch is the epitome of “trendy” when it comes to London neighbourhoods. Studded with art galleries, bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, Shoreditch offers up some of the most eclectic and vibrant atmospheres in London and is definitely one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods.

Bloomsbury – Around the turn of the twentieth century, London’s Bloomsbury neighbourhood was the haunt of several well-known writers. Its reputation for being the preferred area for such artists continues to give it a hip ambiance; in addition to the British Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum can be found within its boundaries. A bevy of historic homes and well-manicured parks makes Bloomsbury a delightful part of London to explore.

Soho – Upmarket restaurants and a broad swatch of sleek office buildings make Soho one of the most leading-edge neighbourhoods in London. You can’t walk a metre without stumbling upon another ultra chic restaurant or extremely posh club. As the cornerstone of London’s media world, there’s always a good chance of spotting a celebrity or two while here as well.

Chelsea – This riverside neighbourhood is home to such well-known places as Hyde Park and is quite near the Victoria and Albert Museum. On top of that, Chelsea is as refined a neighbourhood as one can find in London; King’s Road offers up some of the most well-heeled shopping options in the city. Despite its exclusive nature, Chelsea still has its own fair share of cheap London hotels to enjoy.

Greenwich – Some of the most eclectic and intriguing tourist attractions in London can be found in its Greenwich neighbourhood. Amid the many cheap hotels in London that are located here, one can find the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park and a pleasant array of pubs and restaurants. As colourful as it is historic, Greenwich is a wonderful choice for any visitor who wants to combine typical tourist fare with a splash of something a little different.

The best last minute travel bargains in 2010 are going to be city breaks. National travel might show a few promising target locations, but not as many as the city traveler will enjoy. Forward thinking travelers strategically target vacation locales around the country and put their information on file with a sympathetic concierge or travel organizer, but the true-blue procrastinator must rely on city venues for the greatest savings.

Seaside Breaks
Resorts are notorious for seeking to fill up vacancies, and last minute travelers can score huge bargains. The downside of this approach is the need to be flexible and accept that a travel party may be broken up for the sake of filling various rooms. That being said, it is an excellent way of staying at high end resorts for bargain basement prices.

Walking Tours
A favorite for travelers during a city break, historic walking tours habitually offer last minute sign up deals. Since the tour guide must give the full tour whether or not plenty of holiday makers are around, organizers try to make it as worthwhile as possible by opening up unfilled slots at rock bottom bargain prices.

Package Deals
Travel organizers specializing in city breaks frequently package sightseeing tours, restaurant meals, hotel stays and museum visits into attractive itineraries. If these tours include transportation provided by the tour organizer, the odds are good that s/he is willing to make deals when upcoming tours fail to have full occupancy. With soaring fuel costs, filling each seat on a tour bus is a must.

Last Minute Hotel Reservations
It is common knowledge that last minute hotel deals in the city are plentiful. That being said, upscale city venues — such as a Lake District hotel — are almost always fully booked months ahead of time and therefore out of reach. City travelers should consider ferreting out the best last minute bargains in 2010 by drawing on experience from 2009. Hotels that were not willing to offer good deals in 2009 most likely also won’t do it in 2010.

Last minute bargain travel is an attractive and cost effective method for staying at hotels, taking tours and visiting locales you might not otherwise have chosen. There is one caveat: make sure any children in your travel party are old enough to see the flexibility needed as an adventure rather than a worrisome inconvenience.