Antigua Attractions and Things to Do

Antigua attractions include Shirley Heights with its military fortifications and overlook of English Harbour; the historical Sea View Farm Village with displays of folk pottery available for purchase; Harmony Hall Art Gallery, the showplace of island art; and Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which displays the islands' historical past.

1) English Harbour
Antigua's English Harbour historic district was built as a base for the British navy in the 1700s until its closure in 1889. It is now part of the 15 square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and ranks among the best Caribbean attractions of an historical nature. Points of interest include Clarence House, a home built for the future King William IV (1765-1837) when he served under the legendary British admiral Horatio Nelson as captain of the H.M.S. Pegasus. Another major point of interest is Shirley Heights:

2) Shirley Heights
The numerous gun emplacements and military buildings at Shirley Heights overlook English Harbour. It is named after General Shirley, who was Governor of the Leeward Islands during the 18th century when the area was fortified. The nearby cemetery includes an obelisk honoring soldiers of the 54th regiment. Visitors on Sunday afternoon will find barbecue, rum punch, steel band and reggae music.

3) Dow's Hill Interpretation Center
Visitors can view a multimedia presentation of Antigua's history. Observation decks at the center and at Fort Berkley give visitors a vantage point for seeing the harbor.

4) St. John's
The Antigua cruise port of St. John's, capital of the islands, is highlighted by the white towers of St. John's Cathedral, which was built in 1845. It is easy to spot for anyone visiting the island by cruise ship. St. John's also has one of the nicer shopping districts among top Caribbean destinations.

5) Sea View Farm Village
The village showcases folk pottery that is made from clay of nearby pits and then fired in open fires under layers of green grass in the yards outside potters' homes. Folk pottery on Antigua dates back to the early 18th century. Visitors can buy the pottery at shops in the village and elsewhere on the island.

6) Harmony Hall Art Gallery
Harmony Hall in Brown's Bay at Nonsuch Bay provides artist displays and exhibits throughout the year. The annual Antigua Artist's Exhibition and the Craft Fair both take place in November. The sugar mill tower around which Harmony Hall is built has been turned into a bar and provides a panoramic view that includes Nonsuch Bay.

7) Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
This museum in St. John's provides the history of Antigua and Barbuda starting with its birth and going through the present. Exhibits include a wide variety of objects, from a life-size replica of an Arawak dwelling to the bat of Viv Richards, one of the greatest cricket players of all time. Web site: http://www.antiguamuseums.org/

8) Barbuda
Visitors can go to the relatively undeveloped island of Barbuda by air twice a day for a 20-minute flight or by a three-hour boat ride. Day visitors can go to Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the island's northwestern lagoon. It can be reached only by boat. The sanctuary contains more than 170 species of birds and 5,000 frigate birds.

9) Half Moon Bay
This bay located on the far western tip of the island is indeed shaped like a half moon. It's a popular destination for walking, riding or just enjoying the pink sand beach.

10) Fort James
Forts from the Caribbean's European presence in previous centuries are common on Caribbean islands, and Antigua has its showpiece with Fort James. Its location at the entrance of St. John's Harbour makes it a quick and easy excursion for anyone visiting Antigua for the day by cruise ship.