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Kingston Maps & Attractions Guide
Kingston maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Kingston
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Kingston
Attractions - Things to do
1. Bob Marley Museum
56 Hope Road
http://www.bobmarley-foundation.com/museum.html |
What is it? Jamaica's world famous son, singer-songwriter
Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global
phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even
before his death caused by cancer in 1981 when he was 36 years old.
The museum devoted to his memory is the most-visited sight in
Kingston. The simple clapboard house was where Marley lived and
recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley
memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the
singer's life.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 4pm (tours run
every hour)
Phone:927 9152 |
2. National Gallery
Roy West Building, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean
Boulevard
www.instituteofjamaica.org.jm |
What is it? Jamaica's important art collection is often
overlooked by tourists, but is well worth visiting. The gallery
displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that
of Edna Manley, 19th century sculptor and wife of a former prime
minister of Jamaica. Manley's acclaimed Ghetto
Mother stands in the main lobby of the national gallery,
along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer
Bob Marley. Other highlights of the collection are the religious
works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a
modern genius.
Hours of Operation: 10am to 4.30pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, Fridays from
10am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Guided tours are
available
Phone:922 1561 |
3. Devon House
26 Hope Road
www.devonhousejamaica.com |
What is it? Devon House is one of numerous preserved
historic mansions in Jamaica that depict the glory of days gone by.
This house was built in 1881 by George Stiebel, a wealthy Jamaican
who became one of the first black millionaires in the Caribbean on
the strength of his mining interests in South America. In the
grounds are craft shops, restaurants, a bakery and pastry shop. The
venue is also famous for its delicious ice
cream.
Hours of Operation: Tours are from Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm. The
shops are open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, the
restaurants close at 10pm
Phone:929 6602 |
4. Hope Botanical Gardens
Old Hope Road
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What is it? This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in
the middle of downtown Kingston features pleasant paths that
meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a
cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental
pond. The gardens are situated next to the campus of the University
of the West Indies, and also contain a small zoo and interesting
aviary.
Hours of Operation: Gardens: daily 8.30am to 6.30pm. Zoo daily 10am to
5pm
Phone:927 1257 |
5. Spanish Town
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What is it? The neighbourhood known as Spanish Town is on
the western outskirts of Kingston and was capital of the island
under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is
an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are
some historic attractions to explore. St James Cathedral is the
oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523.
The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases
some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, and
the Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, former
residence of Jamaica's British governors that once hosted Admiral
Lord Nelson and Captain Bligh of HMS Bounty fame. Spanish Town also
has a very busy, colourful local market in the Town
Square.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Port Royal
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What is it? Port Royal was once a 17th century haven for
a variety of hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to
looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean. One morning in
1692, however, an earthquake and tidal wave destroyed most of the
town along with a couple of thousand residents. Today the former
haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico
Jack is just a fishing village, sited at the tip of a narrow
peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbour. The
village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in
about 20 minutes. Plans are underway at the site to transform the
village into a living history museum. Relics of the town's wicked
past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the
Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an
angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally
built to protect the port.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
7. Blue Mountains
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What is it? Jamaica's Blue Mountains offer an experience
not usually expected in a Caribbean vacation: the chance to set off
on a steep hike through a national park mountain range across
streams and beside waterfalls, through a botanical wonderland.
Hikers also pass by coffee plantations, because it is in these
mountains that the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is
cultivated and blended, so sought after that it has become one of
the island's chief exports. Climbing from sea level, on the
outskirts of Kingston, along trails up to the foggy peaks, hikers
discover a complex series of ecosystems. En route to the mountains
is the Blue Mountain Inn, one of Jamaica's most famous restaurants.
Further on at Irish Town the Strawberry Hill resort is the premier
place for food and lodging, having been frequented by the rich and
famous. Those not planning to hike, but wishing to enjoy a vista of
the mountains can picnic at Holywell National Recreation Park in
the area (open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to
5pm).
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
8. Jablum Coffee Company
Mavis Bank
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What is it? At the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank on
the trail to Blue Mountain Peak is the Jablum Coffee Company. The
100-year-old company is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, and
visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production
process along with sampling the brew.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9am to 11am, and 1pm to
3pm
Phone:977 8015 |
Kingston Holidays guide
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Transport -Public transport is not recommended to
visitors to Kingston due to overcrowding and unsafe conditions
aboard the buses, and driving conditions are chaotic.
More information at the |
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