Barbados Attractions and Things to Do

Barbados attractions include the Flower Forest that combines a botanical garden and nature trail; Andromeda Natural Gardens, with six acres of tropical plants and flowers; and Harrison's Cave, which includes underground streams and a 40-foot waterfall.


The main Barbados cruise terminal is located at Bridgetown. Visitors can walk right off the boat and immediately start shopping and dining in this bustling city of 100,000 people. The main thoroughfare is Broad Street, where many duty-free shopping opportunities exist. Cave Shepherd is a shopping center on Broad and provides some of the best variety in duty-free shopping. Those looking for local crafts should travel to Pelican Village, where a wide selection of handcrafts, art and local food is available.

Harrison's Cave; © BigStockPhoto.com

Harrison’s Cave is a stream cave system that carries water and is more than 2.3 kilometers long. The largest cave in the system is 50 feet high. The system was discovered in the 1700s, mapped in 1974 and opened to the public in 1981. It is open seven days a week with the first tour at 9 a.m. and the last one at 4 p.m. Fees are $40 in Barbados Dollars per adult and $20 for children, which is about $20 and $10 U.S. apiece.


One of the best Caribbean attractions and a recommended family excursion is swimming with sea turtles. Sea turtles that live off the coast of Barbados have learned to come in contact with humans. Excursions offer visitors a chance to go snorkeling with them and view them up close.


The Flower Forest has more than 50 acres of flowers, trails, monkeys, birds and other plants and animals. The forest is open seven days a week and has an entrance fee of $7 U.S. It is located close to Harrison's Cave below.


The gardens managed by the Barbados National Trust cover six acres and have orchids, palms, ferns, heliconia, hibiscus, bougainvillea, begonias and cacti. In addition to the flora and fauna, the garden has a stream with pools and waterfalls.


Two mature Baobad trees live on Barbados, with the one in Queen's Park in Bridgetown measuring more than 51 feet wide. They reportedly were brought to the island from Guinea in Africa around 1738, making them about 270 years old.


Barbados has two of the three remaining Jacobean Mansions known to be left in the Western Hemisphere. St. Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter and Drax Hall in St. George were built in the 1650s and display the distinct Jacobean style of curved Dutch gables, chimney stacks and coral stone finials. They also have a Chinese Chippendale staircase, antiques and fine china.


Ocean Park is a marine aquarium with 26 exhibits including freshwater falls and ponds, a ray pool, living reef and touch pool. Other attractions include miniature golf and educational programs. It is open summers 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and winters every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location is Balls, Christ Church, about six minutes from the Grantley Adams International Airport. Tickets are $17.50 U.S. for adults, $10 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children under 4. Book online to get a discount.


Bridgetown is located on the southwest coast of the island, so beaches nearby are popular with the many cruise visitors. Three beaches near Bridgetown include Brandons Beach with watersports, restaurants and calm waters; Batts Rock with picnic areas, playground, facilities, shade trees; and Brownes Beach, which has calm waters and lifeguards.


The only house where the first U.S. president ever stayed outside of the country was in the Bush Hill House, which has been restored to its former glory. He spent two months there in 1751 with his brother, contracted smallpox and eventually recovered to return to Virginia.


The first rum distillery on Foursquare Plantation opened in 1996 -- the first on Barbados since the 19th century. It is located on a former molasses and sugar plantation that originates about 350 years ago. Entry is free.