THINGS TO SEE:
St. Ann’s Garrison, St. Michael, Barbados Museum (On the western edge of the race course), The Barbados Museum, housed in the old British Military Prison, is a fantastic site to learn about the island’s history, albeit you’ll have the place to yourself. The displays begin with the formation of the coral island and quickly cover the indigenous people of Barbados, the introduction of Europeans and African slaves, and the culture of the island throughout the colonial era, slave emancipation, independence from the British, and more recent history. The little ones will like the interactive children’s area. A little concession sells cool beverages.
Bridgetown, Barbados’ St. Mary’s Church. The present Georgian structure was built in 1827, however there has been a church here since 1630.
Careenage. The Careenage, which was formerly a ship harbor, today features restaurants, bars, and shops in what were once warehouses and ship supply stores. Walk down the Careenage, which is well shielded from the open sea, with historic buildings on one side and fishing and pleasure boats on the other, stop for a rum at the Waterfront Cafe, and (with a little imagination!) you can nearly step 150 years back in time!
Barbados’ Parliament, Broad Street (Near Trafalgar Square). When parliament is in session, the neo-Gothic parliament buildings are available to the public.
THINGS TO DO:
Spring Garden Highway, Brandons, St. Michael Parish, Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour Sugarcane, Barbados’ principal agricultural produce, is “rum in its early stages,” and you can observe how sugarcane is transformed into the finished product at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery. There are three kinds of tours available: Standard tour (US $8, B$16) lasts around 45 minutes and departs every hour; children are free. Cocktail tour (US $40, B$80), roughly 2 hours long, beginning at 14:00 Wednesday, includes a cocktail-making contest at the conclusion of the trip, in which tour participants create their own drinks using Mount Gay Rum and other ingredients and compete for the best cocktail. Lunch trip (about 2 hours, US $60, B$120) by reservation only. Includes an outdoor Bajan meal as well as the ever-present rum punch. It’s worth noting that the distillery’s flash website is so overblown and complex that it’s not worth your time; instead, give them a call immediately to set anything up. $8-$60 USD
Ameys Alley, Upper Bay St, St. Michael, The Dive Shop (Scuba Dive), A one-tank dive costs $60, while a two-tank dive costs $100. The cost of the resort lesson and dive is $85. There are also multi-dive packages available, such as a 3-dive (1-day) package. Snorkeling is also available for US $25-$60-$100.
Watch Cricket. Kensington Oval is comparable to Lord’s in the West Indies. If you’re fortunate enough, you may be able to catch a one-day international or a test match at the oval and get a feel of the pleasure and excitement that comes with West Indies cricket.
An afternoon at the races. Barbados has an extensive horse racing calendar, with the Barbados Derby Day and the Barbados Gold Cup Day being the most important. At the racetrack in Garrison, rub shoulders with the elite of Barbados society as well as serious punters.
