Top Things to do in St. John's
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What to do and see in St. John's, Antigua: The Best Things to do
In St. John's, the capital city of Antigua, farmers markets, candy- colored architecture and the ruins of sugar plantations vie for attention with a kaleidoscope of coral reefs and sailing adventures. Salute the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral that dominate the skyline before joining the flocks of cruise passengers on a Heritage Quay shopping excursion. To experience the island's early cultures, visit the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in a 1750s colonial courthouse.
Restaurants in St. John's
1. Galley Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By rebeccaannparsons - Allen, United States
Even though all of the beaches in Antigua are open to the public, the location of this beach is so secluded you feel as though you're on a private beach. Beautiful champagne shores, great snorkeling and no charter necessary.
2. Great Bird Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By 96williams96 - Marietta, United States
It was a swimming, hiking and lunch stop on our Adventure Antigua boat tour. No food or restrooms on the island except for trees and bushes. The lunch and restroom was on the Adventure Antigua Tours boat. It is a 20 acre island on the North side of Antigua only accessible by boat. Great beach and swimming Harbour on South side of this small island. Very nice white sand beach with close sandbars and surrounding coral reef. It was named Great Bird Island by early sailors who were amazed by the extensive bird population. Now it is the only place where the Antiguan Races snake can still be seen in the wild. However, during our guided eco hike to the top of the island for the amazing view, we only saw a picture of the snake. The hike is short, but good shoes make it easier to climb up and down. See pictures from our wonderful 75 minutes there.
3. Betty's Hope
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 901 reviews
Sugar plantation established in 1674 and preserved as a monument to the slaves whose labor it exploited.
Reviewed By 18sarah08 - Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Really interesting place to visit, great exhibit of the Sugar plantations, showing a model of how the area was, including all the housing. It explained the Slave trade, how some managed to help themselves in such a terrible situation, where others suffered badly, and ran away to the Devils Bridge, only to loose their lives.
4. Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 275 reviews
Before exploring the island, stop at this museum and update your knowledge of the history of the Caribbean.
Reviewed By 740Lynne740 - Chalfont St. Giles, United Kingdom
Well laid out on one floor,not expensive and easy to find .Possibly enough for about an hour experience
5. Redcliffe Quay
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 257 reviews
Former slave compound, now a shopping district with some of the finest stores and restaurants on the island.
Reviewed By HilaryH87
Conveniently located near the cruise ship terminal, The Goldsmitty is a nice, locally owned jewelry store. We highly recommend the advertised antiguanite. We chose to polish our own stone and were taken upstairs to select a precut stone to polish. We learned about the stone - petrified coral - and its variations. The artisan then demonstrated how to polish them and then we took over. After polishing the stone using 6 different grits, it was ready to be set. We love that we were able to learn about the stone, experience the process, and take home a beautiful keepsake.
6. Fort James
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 245 reviews
British fort built in the 17th century to protect the entrance of St. John's harbor.
Reviewed By Globetrotter034
Took a walk around to soak up some history. All the cannons and the powder room remains as does the perimeter wall. What a labour intense job to build all of this back when no machines were available to assist. Very impressive!
7. Fort Barrington
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 193 reviews
British fort looming dramatically over the shoreline, built in 1779 to protect the British island from the French.
Reviewed By P-D-Rosey - Petrolia, Canada
We hiked her from the Royalton Resort. Amazing 360 degree views of the Island and ocean. Can even see the outline of the wreck of the Andes.
8. Fort Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By VVS108 - Washington DC, United States
Due to the pandemic, I couldn’t get back to where I work, but I needed to be in the same time zone as working from London where I got stuck at the beginning of it was making me ill. Antigua is on the same time as where I normally work, so I got here on the first flight of the season with all the precautions possible. Antigua is handling the pandemic well and people maintain social distancing. I went to the beach early in the morning just after sunrise. Parked up right near the spot on the beach I thought would be good for me and proceeded to enjoy the beach with locals coming for their morning exercise and swim - no more than 4 groups and 5 solo people were on this entire beach meaning we had a good 25 metres in between each person/group. Crystal clear waters, gentle waves, beautiful golden sand and amazing weather. I spent 2 hours here and drove home in time for work.
9. Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 302 reviews
Religious and architectural landmark, a beautiful neo-Baroque building looming largely over the city of St. John's.
Reviewed By roaming_kiwi58 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Outside the cathedral looks quite scruffy and in need of attention. The inside is quite stunning. So much timber and clearly restored recently. I hope they find the money to restore the outside as well soon. Make sure you visit if you are in St Johns. We walked up from the cruise port.
10. Heritage Quay
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 386 reviews
Duty-free shopping abounds at this seaside mall.
Reviewed By sarahanglim - St. John's, Caribbean
Love the shops in Heritage Quay - Sunseekers my favourite swimwear shop. Visit it for good Duty Free shopping; perfumes t shirts and souvenirs and jewellry and watches
