What to do and see in Kingston, Jamaica: The Best Places and Tips

February 14, 2018 Alida England

Far from the north coast resort towns, Kingston is Jamaica at its most authentic, a sprawling city of contrasts spread between the east coast and the Blue Mountains. Kingston's diversity is reflected in its disparate neighborhoods, from the wealthy northern suburbs to the less affluent downtown. Travelers can discover the spirit of One Love at the Bob Marley Museum, or sample delicious ice cream at Devon House. Nearby, the former capital of Spanish Town offers insight into the area's history.
Restaurants in Kingston

1. Blue Mountains

Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-562-7580
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 326 reviews

Blue Mountains

Want a wild outdoor adventure that'll leave you breathless, exhilarated and home in time for supper? Then push your way through the dense tropical forest of the Blue Mountains for an afternoon that will feast your eyes and work your quads.

Reviewed By Pipsa850 - Oulu, Finland

We stayed 3 days up in blue Mountains and nature is so beautiful there. In the middle of the day hiking may be bit sweaty but nothing too exhausting normal people could not handle. There was small rain showers but they didn't last too long and is was actually refreshing to get those.

2. Fort Charles

Port Royal, Kingston, Jamaica
Excellent
30%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 63 reviews

Fort Charles

Reviewed By Deb4085 - Sarnia, Canada

My husband and I visited here and although a bit pricey to enter it was interesting. We had a tour guide and nice to hear some history of the area. The Giddy house was the highlight

3. Club Kingston Airport Departure Lounge

Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-619-1565
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 228 reviews

Club Kingston Airport Departure Lounge

A uniquely Jamaican, first class lounge experience.Imagine escaping from the stress and chaos of security lines and crowded departure halls to a sanctuary where you can relax or catch up with the office. This premier airport departure lounge affords you the space to enjoy culturally themed place to relax, a complimentary premium bar, snacks, Wi-Fi, shower facilities, concierge duty free shopping. Jamaican hospitality and charm meet first world innovation at Club Kingston.

Reviewed By jodimgolf - Weston, Florida

I use the lounge almost every time I travel through Kingston. It is a great lounge with great staff. The personal touches and warm reception is all you need to make your travelling experience more pleasant.

4. Devon House

26 Hope Road, | Kingston 10, Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-926-0815
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 923 reviews

Devon House

The 19th century home of George Stiebel, the first black millionaire in the Caribbean, Devon House presents a unique and extraordinary opportunity for multiple experiences in a center of excellence in the city of Kingston, Jamaica. It combines heritage, park facilities, restaurants and shopping for the best of what is authentically Jamaican. Here, the arts, education and entertainment co-exist to give Jamaicans and Tourists alike a space that appeals to all senses.

Reviewed By JamGirl321 - New York City, New York

The employees are not too customer friendly but the ice cream is good. I tried the fruit and nuts and my friends had the dragon stout. a little boy we were with cone broke and we asked if we could purchase a cone and they said they do not sell just the cone, which is ridiculous because the poor kid was not able to eat his ice cream all because they refuse to sell us a cone. That place makes way too much money to nickel and dime anyone or to not be able to give a kid a cone to replace the one we bought that broke.

5. Emancipation Park

Knutsford Blvd., Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-926-6312
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 578 reviews

Emancipation Park

Reviewed By Karen F

We visited this park and we where happy to just wander and read the plaques the where scattered around. The information was thorough without being boring. The setting was lovely and quiet and just a nice place to wander and gather your thoughts

6. Bob Marley Museum

56 Hope Rd, Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-927-9152
Excellent
54%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1 reviews

Bob Marley Museum

The world-famous reggae star's home, displaying Marley's guitar and other artifacts.

Reviewed By vprecious - Birmingham, United Kingdom

This trip was a combined trip by Tui. Our guide was Stephan who was not only good looking but very knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic. It is quite emotional to be in the place where Bob lived and compiled his music. The room he’d actually produced records is now open to the public; adding to the experience. I have a real appreciation of his song having learned about the stories that inspired them. I would definitely recommend this trip.

7. Seville Great House and Heritage Park

St. Ann's Bay P.O., St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica +1 876-972-2191
Excellent
25%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 20 reviews

Seville Great House and Heritage Park

Reviewed By Jzjsolo - Saskatchewan, Canada

A Unesco World Heritage sight. Post 1655 British sugar plantation. Dubbed the birthplace of modern Jamaica, this property was where Christopher Columbus first encountered the Taino Indians in 1494. The Great House is now a museum which offers an informative tour of the period 650AD to late 19 th century Jamaica when the Taino Induans,Spanish,English and African inhabited the area. Very interesting.

12 Ocean Blvd., Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-922-1561
Excellent
57%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

National Gallery

A gallery specializing in Jamaican art from the 1920s to the present, with a particularly strong collection of Edna Manley's sculpture.

Reviewed By Robin H - Mount Berry, Georgia, United States

Great museum that preserves the artistic heritage of Jamaica. Permanent galleries feature art from 1000c forward to the 20th century. Very nice exhibits of Jamaican artists and guest curated exhibits. Plan for half a day to fully enjoy.

9. Port Royal

Palisadoes, Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-668-7484
Excellent
37%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 314 reviews

Port Royal

Old pirate haunt, notorious in its day for residents' sticky fingers and loose morals, now being renovated into a major tourist attraction.

Reviewed By Algina L

So we ended up finding this little barn that has now been made into a little bar, where we bought some Appleton Rum and Pepsi Ginger... got slightly tipsy with the bar tender and joined the Port Royal tour (all in same premises)... its very historic, in a sense if you are into the years of when the massive earthquake happened and the damage or want to know more about the war and attack’s etc then you should definitely check it out.
We didn’t have good weather at the time we were there so we had to run from one building to another, the last one was a crooked house - where they kept the heavy artillery, which when the earthquake happened seems to tip the house one sided... so it’s a pretty fun experiencing going into it and trying not to feel queazy, definitely a fun photo moment... being under the influence of Appleton helped!

10. Holywell Park

B1 road, Kingston, Jamaica +1 876-304-0871
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 71 reviews

Holywell Park

Reviewed By hurricane-thea - Kingston, Jamaica

Camping is a summer must for my family. And every year we pick a spot, pitch our tents take out the grill and cook up a summer feast out under the stars. Its our unplugged weekend you know what I mean.This year we camped at Hollywell Park. My brothers and family as usual, my dad came as we booked a cabin(got it last minute), and a family friend that have seen the pics of previous camping weekend and wanted his family to have the experience. The cabin became top camp as all the tents were pitched below the cabins.
After lots of stories, laughing and good quality time, we cozied up in our tents for a good night sleep.
Breadfruiit, fried plantain,bad dawg sausages, baked beans, breakfast burgers.was the way we started the morning. With breakfast out the way it was trail time. Down we went to find the mini Waterfalls.
Ranging from ages 9 to 12 off the kids went with swim gear, water and a towel to find the river and falls for that summer cool dip.
Easier down than up..but well worth it.
After camping before heading back to the city i made a detour to Hopeton the coffee guy at Section. He runs a little coffee shop just below the road level at Section. You cant go wrong with blue mountain jamaican coffee. Hopeton fix me up and ground my coffee on spot.
Still enjoying my brew and will headup the mountain again.
In just an hour up the pass Papine, Irish Town, Red Light and Newcastle. we embraced the foggy cool climate and could see the sun still heating up the city. I love my Summer Camps and weekend getaways.

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