Bridgetown Barbados is the center of most activities
in the country of Barbados. It’s the nation’s
capital, a prime duty-free shopping
location, as well as a port of call for cruise ships that
sail all over the Caribbean.
There are many things to do
on a Bridgetown vacation, including a variety of historical
and Bridgetown attractions. With so many activities to
choose from, your Bridgetown travel itinerary will be
packed with fun.
No Bridgetown vacation would be complete without a trip to the Barbados Museum, located near downtown Bridgetown Barbados and the Barbados race course. The museum is open from Monday through Saturday from 9am-5pm and on Sundays from 2pm-6pm. Housed in a restored former military prison, the Barbados Museum offers an interesting glimpse into Barbados’ past, from the times when the indigenous people of Barbados inhabited to the land, to the arrival of the Europeans and slavery, to Barbados culture in the 1960’s when Barbados experienced independence from British rule. Although most of the exhibits will appeal mainly to adults, young people will enjoy the hands on exhibits at the children’s center. The museum doesn’t offer any dining venues, except for a small stand which serves cold beverages. Museum admission will cost you $11.50 (around six dollars) for adults and $5.75 (around three dollars) for children.
Bridgetown travel enthusiasts usually recommend Careenage, an interesting area of Barbados that was once a port of call for ships departing from Barbados. Today, the unique and scenic area is home to a variety of Bridgetown attractions such as boutiques, art galleries, bars, and restaurants that are housed in former warehouses and ship supply storage buildings. The south end of the Constitution Bridge is filled with vendors selling souvenir items, such as beads and shells.
After an afternoon stroll through Careenage, head over to the Parliament on Broad Street, near Trafalgar Square. The grandiose features of the large white neo-gothic parliament buildings stand out among the smaller buildings in the area, showing how important government is to the history of Barbados. The buildings are open to the public, so feel free to stop in to get a better idea of how the government of Barbados is structured. If you’re new to Bridgetown travel and fear getting lost, the Parliament is a good central meeting point and is within walking distance of other Bridgetown attractions.
Broad Street is the best place in Bridgetown Barbados to do duty free shopping. You can find some good bargains on many goods, especially jewelry. A shopping area that is less well known to tourists is Swan Street. The pedestrian only street features many cheap clothing and shoe stores. Music enthusiasts might enjoy a trip to the Number One Music Shop, located near Careenage. The shop specializes in music of the Caribbean, such as Reggae, Calypso, and Soca. If you’re unfamiliar with Caribbean music and want to learn more about its sounds, head to the music shop to listen to learn more.
As the gateway to Barbados, Bridgetown offers a variety of attractions, sporting events, and shopping areas. The mild weather makes a Bridgetown vacation ideal all year round.
