St. John’s, the capital city of Antigua, is a wonderful place to vacation, and there is something for everyone to enjoy in this city. This city is a popular tourist destination and commercial center of the island; however, it has remained faithful to its West Indian flavor and provides tourists with local specialties, galleries, shopping, and traditional stone buildings and wooden huts.
THE TOP TEN THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN ST.JOHN’S
#1: Cathedral of St. John the Divine – This historic and beautiful example of religious architecture is one of the sites in St. John’s that you need to visit. Services are still held daily in this church, and the public is welcomed to take part. So come in, sit down, and take in the religiously inspired artwork, architecture, and atmosphere. While there is not a mandatory admission price for this site, it is recommended that you make a donation to the church to help with its upkeep and preservation.
#2: Museum of Antigua and Barbuda - This museum is maintained and operated by the community and is the home of a fantastic collection of eclectic historical displays and pieces. This museum offers a hands-on experience for its visitors and allows them to touch and feel the artistry of stone pestles and conch-shell tools that were carved by islanders in the past. The natural history is also examined here, as is the colonial influence on the development of the island. This is the best place to start your island tour, as it gives you the history of what you will be experiencing during the rest of your stay.
#3: Fort James – As the name suggests this is a 17th Century British fort that was erected to protect the St. John’s harbor. When you visit this historical site, you can still see some of the original wall, cannons, and powder magazines from the 1600 and 1700’s.
#4: Redcliffe Quay – If you are in the mood for some shopping walk down the Redcliffe Quay. It was once used for slave quarters, but it is now filled with specialty shops, food vendors, and tourist information.
#5: Cedar Valley Golf Club – If you are a golfer then you won’t want to miss playing at the Cedar Valley Golf Club, a 6,000 yard par-70 course with gorgeous ocean views. The Cedar is the home of both the Easter Caribbean Golf Championship and the Antigua Open; this course promises to give even the best golfer a good challenge.
#6:Heritage Quay: Another shopping district, Heritage Quay offers duty-free shopping as visitors walk along the walk at this seaside shopping mall.
#7: Star Clipper – Step aboard a replica of a 19th century Clipper Ship and take a breathtaking cruise through the Caribbean.
#8: Fort Barrington – Built in 1779 Fort Barrington was erected to protect British interest in the island from French invaders.
#9: Museum of Marine Art – This museum is dedicated to pleasing the interests of beach lovers. Displays presented here are unique and unusual and boast of different kinds of sand samples and artifacts from local shipwrecks.
#10: Catherineberg Ruins – If history excites you, you will definitely want to visit the Catherineberg Ruins in St. John’s. Here you will learn about the catalyst of colonialism during the 18th century - sugar. This location was an 18th century sugar and rum factory and served as the headquarters for the Amina warriors during a slave revolt in 1733.
So whether you are looking for shopping, golfing, or a bit of sightseeing, St. John’s has something on tap that should delight your senses and feed your vacationing desires. Just remember to bring your passport and be willing to experience island life as it is meant to be experienced - with a cube of sugar.
