Barbados is an island in the Caribbean between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Bridgetown is the capital and trade center of Barbados with a population of about 80,000 people. A large portion of the island population resides in Bridgetown. The climate here is tropical, and the rainy season is usually from June to October. In the past, the economy depended heavily on sugar, rum, and molasses, but since the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing have been the most important part of the economy. British settlers founded Bridgetown in 1628.
If you are planning on taking a trip to this beautiful island, you will want to know what to do while you are there. Here are the top 10 things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados.
1. The Careenage was once an important hub of activity for trading between the islands. This area full of old warehouses was used as a ship repair yard. It gets its name from the operation of turning ships over, in a careened position, to expose the bottoms for scraping. Now this area is used mainly for pleasure craft, colorful fishing boats, and fishing charters. The old waterfront warehouses have now been turned into restaurants and shops. What’s on the menu? Flying fish of course! It’s a main staple of the Bajan diet.
2. The Chamberlain Bridge, originally named “Indian Bridge”, was constructed over the Careenage River. The Arawak Indians originally built it. After 1654, it was rebuilt and named the Chamberlain Bridge. This is where Bridgetown gets its name.
3. Trafalgar Square is actually a triangular-shaped park area sitting between two merging roadways, like a median. The Square here is older than it’s namesake in London’s Trafalgar Square. The Square sits across from the Parliament Buildings and marks the center of town. It was recently renamed National Heroes Square.
4. The bronze statue of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, erected in 1813, is a major landmark and looks onto the Square. Lord Nelson was here for a short time and was victorious in the Battle of Trafalgar.
5. The Dolphin Fountain or The Fountain of Gardens was erected by suggestion of the local newspaper as a celebration of Bridgetown having water piped-in in 1861. Citizens donated the money to have it erected. The fountain depicts dolphins spewing water into a base. The fountain was finally installed in 1865. In 1882, work began to establish the beautiful gardens that surround the fountain.
6. The Parliament Buildings were established in 1639 and has been the seat of the Barbados Government ever since. The oldest building burned down in the Bridgetown fire and had to be rebuilt.
7. Independence Arch was built in 1987 to mark the island’s 21st year of independence.
8. Queen’s Park resides east of the Bridgetown harbor. It was originally called King’s House because it was the residence of the General commanding British Troops in the West Indies. After the succession of Queen Victoria, it became known as Queen’s Park. It opened to the public in 1909.
9. Bridgetown market is a great place to be if you are interested in buying food or arts and crafts items.
10. St. Michael’s Church was established in 1787 and became a cathedral in 1825. The arched roof was once the world’s widest. There are many famous Bajans are buried in the Church cemetery.
