Barbados is a magical Eastern Caribbean Island with rich history and a storied past. While you may only think of beautiful beaches and Rihanna, when Barbados comes to mind, I promise you there is so much more. Check out my recommend top things to do in Barbados!
Mount Gay Rum Factory
While you certainly don’t need to pay for an organized tour in order to taste rum, you may just want to experience the history of it all. Visit the original landscape and buildings where it all began, back in 1703. The historic distillery tours take you through their fully-operational rum making headquarters. Steeped in over 300 years of heritage and expertise, the experiences are tales to be told forever and a rum-lover’s paradise. This is the heart of Mount Gay. This is more than a rum.
George Washington House
While we are on the subject of history, make sure you check out George Washington House. This is a historic house where U.S. President George Washington is alleged to have stayed all the way back in 1751. While visiting, you will be given a small radio that you will hear an audio tour track from. You’ll be able to click a certain number on your radio as you move along the house. You will be fed specific information based on your location. Some areas of the house are hard to see (the slave quarters) but it is an important lesson in history that all ages and all races can learn from.
Harrison’s Cave
A unique phenomenon of nature, Harrison’s Cave is an amazing gallery of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave. Also, you’ll see stalagmites that emerge from the ground, with streams of crystal-clear running water. That running water drops from breathtaking waterfalls to form deep emerald pools. The stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years.
Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
The Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill is the last of the many Barbadian windmills once used to produce sugar, and one of only two functioning sugar windmills in the world. Barbados, a British colony for much of its modern history, became one of the largest producers of sugar in the late 17th century. This was when sugar replaced tobacco as the primary commercial export.
Crop Over Festival
And speaking of sugar… if you get the chance to visit Barbados early August, you’ll get to enjoy the tail end of Crop Over Festival. This festival is a 200 + year old tradition of celebrating the sugar cane harvest and the end of the season. Here are my tips for visiting during Crop Over Festival. Also, be sure to check out my tips specifically for visiting the Grand Kadooment Festival, which takes place the first Monday in August. Who knows, you might even get to see Rihanna…
Rihanna’s Childhood Home
Whether you’re a huge fan of hers or not, you have to admit to come from humble beginnings in Barbados to one of the top selling music artists in the world is impressive. I recommend you take a cab to Rihanna Way and walk around the neighborhood she grew up in.
High-End Shopping near Sandy Lane
Now on the other side of the spectrum, from where Rihanna grew up, is a high-end area named Sandy Lane. Rihanna among other celebrities like Simon Cowell have residential condos in the Sandy Lane Hotel complex. If you don’t have a cool $25 million to drop to be an owner, you can stay at this hotel as a guest. You just need to be comfortable with dropping anywhere from $1700 per night – $12,000 per night USD.
Located near Sandy Lane in the Saint James parish, you will find high-end shopping boutiques including famous brands like Cartier and Burberry. If you’re looking for a luxurious splurge experience, why not treat yourself??
Bathsheba
Continuing our journey of the Top Things to do in Barbados… you have to make it out to the rugged east coast of Barbados, where you can soak in the fresh air and see the crashing waves. The perfect place for a surfer to enjoy! The village of Bathsheba is home to a small community of fishing folk and their families. Along the coast are guest houses, local rum shops and restaurants. It is a hideaway for discerning tourists and for Bajans who frequently weekend here in their seaside cottages along the shore.
Cherry Tree Hill
Cherry Tree Hill is part of the St. Nicholas Abbey plantation. Approximately 850 feet above sea-level, this spot offers an excellent view of the “Scotland District” which covers the parish of St. Andrew. Here, you’ll find some great views at the top. Nearby, you’ll also find some local vendors selling souvenirs. So be sure to bring cash!
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Andromeda Botanic Gardens is an 8-acre botanical garden. It also serves as a historic cultural attraction in the village of Bathsheba. It is an authentic garden created by multiple award-winning horticulturalist Iris Bannochie, a female, Barbadian, self-taught scientist.
Peltin Bare Big Rocks
Peltin’ Bare Big Rocks is an artistic installation by Juliana Inniss at Golden Square Freedom Park. It captures certain aspects of the 1937 Riots. It was commissioned by the BTMI and conceptualized and created by Juliana who was ably assisted by Shaquille Hewitt, Gail Riley and Jamila Haynes. Additionally, it consists of three large clay “boulders” on which are placed a block map of a section of Bridgetown.
Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry
On Friday night, you should check out the weekly fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens. The food is the main draw – excellent fish, (tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish), lobster, chicken etc served in an extremely informal setting. Get your fish grilled or fried depending on which vendor you choose from. It’s all cooked on the spot in front of you. It’s a great opportunity to mingle with the locals and support local vendors.
Pro Tip
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
At Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you have a unique opportunity to stroll freely watching the animals at close range and in their own natural environment. Most of the animals move quietly and it’s easy to miss the gentle deer and even the peacocks if you’re not paying attention. It’s a self-guided tour so there is no need to rush; you can take your time, exploring at your own pace, and re-visiting your favorite animals.
Jam Out to Soca Music
One of my favorite experiences was hailing a local shared taxi, listening to soca music with the volume up, and feeling the fresh air coming in through the window. Anytime you can travel via a local public bus or taxi I highly recommend. The first advantage is of course that it’s cheaper than private transportation. Additionally, you’re mixed in with locals, and you can experience a slower pace. You’re on island time! There’s no need to rush. And for $3.00 Bajan Dollars ($1.75 USD), it doesn’t get any better. No Uber/Lyft required here!
One of the shared taxis we hopped in took us to Carib Beach Bar – a really fun spot that caters to the U.K. crowd. Trivia night was a blast!
Snorkeling in Carlisle Bay
No list of ‘top things to do in Barbados’ would be complete without mentioning Carlisle Bay. By far, one of the most beautiful swimmable beaches in Barbados. Here, you can either take it easy and relax in the water. Or, perhaps take a snorkeling cruise out on the water. Check out the shipwreck! You may even get to spot some turtles. The stretch of beach in between Hilton and Radisson is gorgeous.
Pro Tip
Planning a future trip to Barbados? Let me work on a quote for you! It’s always free to work with me and I can package up flights + hotel with just a small deposit of $265 per person to lock it in. Email me at cassandra@accent-on-travel.net.
Heading to Barbados?
