Bridgetown, the island's capital, is said to have been founded in
1628 when 64 settlers first arrived to claim 10,000 acres of land.
Some of Bridgetown's first streets survive today and bear their
original names, notably High Street, Palmetto Street, Swan Street,
James Street, Reed Street, Tudor Street and White's Alley. The best
time to head into Bridgetown is around 9:00am before the midday heat
and after the morning rush hour traffic. You can spend the morning
shopping, enjoy a lunch in town and still have the afternoon free to
relax on the beach.
Located at the Bridgetown cruise
terminal, A visit to the BTA (Barbados Tourism Authority)
Information Office can offer useful advice on any aspect of your
day, from the cost of bus fare, to information on the "must-see"
attractions of Barbados.
Following are some points of
interest are close to the Cruise Terminal.
Shopping
Stores
usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Mon. - Fri.), and 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. (Sat). They
are usually closed on Sundays. Duty-free Shops and Carts: Over 20
large duty-free shops and 16 colorful pushcarts offer a range of
items, including jewelry and watches, fine china and crystal,
electronic goods and perfumes, and handicrafts and baked goods. Shop
in air-conditioned comfort as you purchase tax-free merchandise, at
prices typically 30% to 50% less than in Europe and North America. .
Banking
Banks in Barbados are open Monday to Thursday 8:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Banks
located in supermarkets are generally open longer hours in the week
and on Saturdays. Most banks have an ATM machine by which visitors
may use their bank or credit cards to obtain cash. Cardholders must
key in their Personal Identification Numbers (PINS) when requesting
cash advances. Cash will be dispensed in local currency only. This
facility is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at any bank
branch.
Chattel House Village
Outside the main entrance to
the cruise terminal is a village made up of Barbados' historic
chattel houses. The small, brightly painted houses are now filled
with artists and small business entrepreneurs who sell tee shirts
and handicrafts to cruise passengers. The unique village also
includes two restaurants, perfect for lunch, or that late afternoon
snack on your way back to the ship.
Pelican Village
Just a
five-minute walk from the Cruise Terminal Pelican Craft Center is
dedicated to the arts and crafts of Barbados comprised of 25 retail
shops, a gallery and annex, a wine bar and bistro, a restaurant and
an artist wall. The Pelican Workshops are where visitors can see
firsthand the creativity of our craftsmen including pottery,
woodcarving, basketry and straw work, fine art, glass blowing,
weaving, moulded figure-making, sewing and cigar making. The Center
is also the home of the Pelican Dooflicky, a festive carnival event
replete with pageantry and culture, staged weekly during the tourist
season.
Parliament Buildings
The Parliament Buildings were
built in 1871, after the fire of 1860. The original clock tower was
demolished in 1884 and was rebuilt two years later in the west wing.
The wing also houses public offices. The east wing (on the right)
houses the Senate and the House of Assembly and has stained glass
windows depicting British monarchs.
National Heroes Square
This square is a tribute to the heroes of Bajan society. Until April
1999 it was called Trafalgar Square, and the statue of Lord Nelson
was erected there in 1813. Nelson had sailed to Barbados in 1805,
only months before he died in the battle of Trafalgar.
Queens
Park
A sanctuary in the midst of a bustling city. The two-storey
house in the park was once the home of the commander of British
troops stationed in the West Indies. It was built in 1786 and it now
houses a theatre and art gallery. In the playground there is a
massive Baobab tree, which is 18 meters in circumference, and
probably came from Africa during the days of slavery.
Tel: (246)
427-7267
St. Michael Cathedral (Anglican)
Constructed
between 1660 and 1665 and noted for its arched roof and artifacts,
as well as for the many famous and distinguished Bajans buried in
its churchyard. St. Michael Cathedral is a living history of the
Anglican religion.
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