Fun things to do in Barbados and more
1. Oistins Fish market
Visit the Oistins Fish Market on a Friday night and enjoy the excitement and buzz of Barbados’ most popular market place.
Enjoy rubbing shoulders and partying with locals to the sweet strains of calypso music coming from the dance hall in the middle of the markets. Bajans dance arm in arm to music from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s. Of course all that dancing builds up an appetite, so head for the food and beverage stalls and enjoy traditional Bajan fare such as fish cakes, jug-jug (guinea corn and green peas) fried fish and pudding, all washed down with a cool Banks Beer. Local arts and crafts can also be found in abundance as local craftsmen take the opportunity to display their wares.
2. Flying Fish & Cou Cou
Sample the delicious local Bajan fare of Flying Fish with Cou Cou (a popular corn meal and okra dish) at the Atlantis Hotel and the Waterfront Café.
3. Mount Gay Rum Tour
Enjoy one or more cocktails with expert shakers at the Mount Gay Rum distillery. Discover the colorful history of Mount Gay Rum. Learn how the world's finest rum is made and enjoy tasty Bajan cuisine in the Verandah restaurant overlooking the sea.
Watch as the Distiller shows you how to create this precious spirit, and become a rum expert yourself as you explore the subtleties of flavors that will tickle your palate.
4. Island Safari Tour
Visit the highest cliff on the Island where Jim Hackleton, devastated by unrequited love, rode his horse off the edge and crashed into the sea below killing himself and his horse.
Professional guides take tours through the gullies, forests, remote bays and road with coastal views exposing the hidden secrets of Barbados. Embrace the nature, history, culture and folklore of Barbados at captivating places of interest, which are usually inaccessible to ordinary vehicles but pose no challenge to the fleet of 4x4 Land Rovers.
5. Exploring the Crystal Room in Harrison’s Cave
With an abundance of stalactites, stalagmites, streams, lakes and waterfalls, leading speleologists consider the Crystal Room Cave to be among the finest showcases of its type in the world.
The Caves are located near the geographical center of Barbados, in the parish of St.Thomas, and they are a natural phenomenon in the tropical world. They were first mentioned in historical documents in 1795, and then the caves were virtually forgotten for nearly 200 years until Barbadian Tony Mason and Danish speleologist Ole Sorensen rediscovered them in 1976.
In 1981, Harrison's Cave was officially opened to the public as a "show" cave, giving visitors an opportunity to view a variety of natural features unique to the geography of Barbados. There are electric powered carts that take you through the caves and the commentary provides an amusing background to the different halls in the Caves. Keep your eyes peeled for Mirror Lake.
6. Synagogue
There is a 350-year-old synagogue in Bridgetown. Built in the 17th century (1654), it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair and was sold in 1929.
In 1983, it was bought back by the local Jewish community and is now restored, complete with beautiful Gothic arches. The synagogue is now a Barbados National Trust protected building and an active place of worship that is open year round.
7&8. St. Nicholas Abbey & Sunbury House
St.Nicholas Abbey, located in the parish of St. Peter, was built in 1660 and is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.
There is a video, shown hourly in the old stables that features unique footage about the history of the family and the early days of St Nicholas Abbey.
Sunbury Plantation House is more than 300 years old. The House is steeped in history, featuring mahogany antiques, old prints and a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages.
Both are working plantation houses, beautifully restored; each demonstrates the history of Sugar Cane, how it was grown, harvested and eventually turned in to sugar.
9. Open House Program
The Barbados National Trust’s Open House program enables the public and visitors alike to visit private homes, ranging from historic treasures to amusing abodes to lap-of-luxury lifestyles. Open House takes place every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30.
The afternoon tours are similar to an English garden party, with the National Trust members circulating about the house, anxious to exchange tid-bits about its history or unique features. It’s a unique way to see magnificent architecture not normally accessible to the public.
10. Sunset cocktails anywhere on the Caribbean Sea-side of the Island
Barbados has many fantastic hotels from which to view the spectacular Caribbean sunsets.
11 &12. Catamaran Cruise on the Caribbean by day & night
Picture yourself relaxing on the deck on a luxurious catamaran while gliding over the sparkling crystal-clear Caribbean, past beautiful palm-fringed beaches.
At lunchtime the Catamaran is anchored in one of many beautiful coves on Barbados and visitors can enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared by some of the Caribbean's top chefs. After lunch you can gently ease yourself over the side and enjoy snorkeling in the light blue water. At night, experience the darkened ripples of the ocean and the romantic music which can be enjoyed.
13. Crop Over Festival in the Summer
Crop Over, a five-week summer festival, is Barbados' most popular and colorful festival. Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar. At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration.
The festival begins with the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival - the most productive male and female cane cutters of the season.
Calypso is one of the main features of the Crop Over festival. The calypsonians are organized into "tents" (Conquerors, Untouchables, House of Soca, Pioneers, Stray Cats, etc) and these “tents” are sponsored by Barbados businesses.
Calypsonians compete for several prizes and titles, including the Party Monarch, the Road March Monarch and the Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch. The semi-finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition are held at the picturesque East Coast Road, where the calypsonians perform on a stage with the Atlantic surf as the backdrop and the spectators gather in the hillsides with their picnic baskets. This magnificent spectacle should not be missed!
The finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition are held at the National Stadium followed by the Fore-Day Morning Jump-Up!
Crop Over also features many activities during the festival. These include Arts and Crafts markets in Bridgetown and Cohobblopot, a huge carnival-like show with members of the Kadooment bands displaying their elaborate and stunning costumes.
The grand finale is the Grand Kadooment! This carnival parade features large bands with members dressed in elaborate costumes to depict various themes. Designers compete for the coveted Designer of the Year prize while the revelers seem more intent on having a good time! The revelers make their way from the National Stadium to Spring Garden accompanied by the pulsating rhythm of calypso music. When they reach Spring Garden, the party continues with more fantastic music, lots of food and drink and, for some, and a quick swim at the nearby beach.
14. Surfing the Soup Bowl at Bathsheba in November
Kelly Slater, world-renowned Surfing champ, has declared The Soup Bowl in Bathsheba on the North East Atlantic coast as having some of the best surfing in the Caribbean. The Soup Bowl comes alive when the swells arrive from the North or North East, and break over a shallow reef, producing a perfect barrel or tube that many surfers relish so much. Surfers from the United States, Jamaica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, and the US Virgin Islands will “match their lefts and rights” each year with top local surfing talent to compete for a prize of USD $10,000.
15. Golf at any of the five top international courses
For those who want to play golf while visiting the Island, Barbados has some of the regions most luxurious and breathtaking courses and has received unprecedented attention among the world’s golf aficionados.
15 (i) Barbados Golf Club: In June 2000, Barbados’ first championship public golf course opened. The course, which was created in 1974, was re-designed by architect Ron Kirby. Kirby, one of the most respected and experienced golf course architects in the world, reconstructed the 18-hole, par-72 golf course to be fair and challenging, yet pleasurable and relaxing.
15 (ii) Sandy Lane Golf Club: The prestigious five-star Sandy Lane Resort added two 18-hole courses in 2001 for a total of 45 holes of championship golf. Sandy Lane now ranks among the top golf resorts in the world. The two new courses were designed by the renowned Tom Fazio and are located on a luxurious tropical estate, replete with beautiful homes amid a lush landscape.
15 (iii) Royal Westmoreland Golf & Country Club: Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this superb 18-hole championship course has established itself as one of the Caribbean’s finest, with the front and back nine holes offering contrasting challenges, stunning scenery, a constant view of the sea and a succession of “feature holes.”
15 (iv) Rockley Golf Club: Set amid the South Coast’s all-inclusive Club Rockley Resort, this course features a simple nine-hole, 18-tee layout, with a second nine holes playable from varying tee positions.
15 (v) Almond Beach Club Resort Golf Course: The Almond Beach golf course is the only course on the island featuring a par-three, nine-hole layout.
16. The Spa at Sandy Lane
The Spa is a splendid Romanesque building of 42,000 square feet fronted by a spectacular waterfall cascading into a large, freeform swimming pool.
The world-class facilities include VIP treatment suites enhanced with honed granites, warm woods and mood-enhancing light. Each suite offers a private shower, bathroom and changing facilities where you can relax and escape. Nine suites feature private landscaped gardens and three have hydrotherapy pools.
17. George Washington House
Visit the only house that young George Washington lived in outside of the United States. George Washington and his sick half-brother Lawrence resided in this historic plantation house, also known as Bush Hill House, for two months in 1751.
Barbados was the only country ever visited by the future “First Father” of the USA. This visit is a little known but very important chapter in the life of the then unknown 19-year-old man, who would go on to become, as later described by Light-Horse Harry Lee, “first in war, first in peace, first in hearts of his countrymen”.
The Barbados National Trust is now restoring the house and outlying buildings, creating a heritage site on the historic Garrison that will celebrate the visit and the role that Barbados played in the settlement of America.
18. Scuba Diving in Barbados
Come face to face with Turtles and Sea Horses. The fringes and reefs found off Barbados blossom with sponges, coral and plant life. There are several types of reefs, each one unique in its own special way.
The barrier reefs, located approximately one mile off shore, contain large coral heads that form the habitat for thousands of beautiful fish. Larger organisms also exist on these reefs, feeding on the smaller fish.
The Hawksbill turtle can also be found on these reefs. Fringes and patching reefs are located closer to shore and have smaller coral formations and more abundant plant life than the barrier reefs.
These reefs are also home to Frog Fish, Giant Sand Eels and many other marine creatures. Shipwrecks have created fascinating habitats for marine life, and Barbados has several excellent sites for wreck diving. Carlisle Bay, which has more than 200 reported wrecks, and the Stavronikita, located at Folkestone Marine Park, are two of the most popular dive sites. Each features an artificial reef, purposefully formed by the sinking of the ship Stavronikita, which was destroyed by a fire in 1976. The ship rests in 120 feet of water, less than half a mile from the shore. As a result of its depth, diving the Stavronikita is recommended only for experienced divers in the company of others.
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19. Sunbathing at Crane Beach
There is nothing better than getting a large fluffy beach towel from your suite in the luxurious Crane Hotel and strolling over to the pure, white, sandy beach on the ocean side of the Island.
Crane Beach has been named as one of the “10 best beaches in the World” by the television show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.
20. Sushi at The Crane
In keeping with the eclectic range of cuisine in Barbados there is a new Sushi restaurant called Zen. Right next door to L’Azure, at the Crane, Zen has a delightful selection of Japanese and Thai delicacies.
21. Fall in love again at the Cliff Restaurant
The Cliff is neatly perched just above the lapping waves of the Caribbean Sea and is lit by fiery lanterns that burn brightly high above the tables. The Cliff opened in 1996 and in April 2004 was voted in at number 28 as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world by Europe’s industry magazine, The Restaurant.
The exquisite multi-tier setting complements Chef Paul Owen’s menu, which is influenced by the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The Cliff boasts an extensive wine cellar with bottles from America, Australia and Europe. There is also a large choice of cigars from an imposing humidor.
- Visiting Local Rum Shops
There are over 1,600 Rum shops dotted across the Island. Visitors can stop by taste some rum, play dominoes with the locals and while away the afternoon.
- Romantic walks on the beach during the day or at night.
Barbados has so many wonderful long beaches that are just made for long romantic walks either during the day or in the cooler hours of the evening underneath millions of glistening stars with a chorus of tree frogs.
- Barbados Gold Cup
The Barbados Gold Cup is one of the most renowned events in the Caribbean and takes place every March. It is preceded by a week of activities, headed by stunning performance by Broadway stars. The day of races is marked by a parade through the streets of Bridgetown.
25. The Barbados Jazz Festival
Each year a number of luminaries from the international Jazz scene arrive in Barbados to perform in the annual Jazz Festival. Grammy award winner Alicia Keys heads this year’s line up. The festival runs for six days and nights and provides visitors and locals alike with the smooth sounds of contemporary and traditional Jazz.
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