Historic Sites

The histroy of Grenada is spicy - Literally.  On eof the island's major export is nutmeg, and many of the landmarks available for guest to visit are spice processing plants.  Vistors will also find rum distilleries, historic forts, and a handfull of museums ot visit. 

Because most travelers choose accommodations in St. George's, the best place to begin your tour of the island is here.  It is said that St. George's is one of the most picturesque harbor towns in the West Indies, and just walking through the town – which lies in the center of am extinct volcano crater – to view the pastel warehouses and colonial-era buildings is a treat.

The Grenada National Museum is one of the can't miss attractions in St. George's for visitors who want to learn a little bit more about their vacation location.  The Museum is located on the property of 18th century French army barracks, and houses important memorabilia that tells the story of Grenada's history.  Exhibits include a rum still, the island's first telegraph machine, and historic artifacts. 

The West Indies Cricket Heritage Centre is another museum in St. George's that features exhibits about the social history of Grenada that span from the 19th century to today.  The unique thing about this museum is its exhibit about the European sport of Cricket.

Grenada's famed Spice Market is also located in St. George's.  Locals set up booths to sell their handcrafted wares, with everything from local spices to woodcarvings on display.

Rum is one of Grenada's main exports, and if you are interested in learning how it is made, you are in luck.  The Grenada Sugar Factory offers 15 minute tours that show guests the distillation process of sugar cane, sugar, and molasses to rum; as well as the blending, aging, and bottling process.  After the tour, guests are welcome to sample some of the factory's latest brews. 

There are three historic forts in Grenada, both located in St. George's: Fort Frederick, Fort Matthew and Fort George.  Fort Frederick is an interior fort built by the French in 1779 to protect from retaliatory attacks from the British after the French easily defeated them in a surprise attack.  Fort Frederick's dungeons were last utilized in the 1970s and 80s to house political prisoners.  Right next to Fort Frederick is Fort Matthew, which is in such disrepair that few people bother leaving Fort Frederick to visit it.  There are plans in the works to repair it, however, as of 2011, nothing has been finalized.   Originally called Fort Royale when it was built by the French in 1705, Fort George got its new name when Grenada was ceded to the British in 1783.  Fort George is located at the entrance of the harbor, and though it serves as police headquarters today, visitors are still welcome on property to explore the fort and its historic cannons.

As you head out of St. George's,  you will find a wealth of attractions to fill your days, from heritage centers to historic forts. 

Gouyave

Gouyave is the center of the spice and mace industry in Grenada, making it the best location for visitors to learn how this spice is harvested.  At the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Cooperative, visitors can watch as worked shell, peel, and grind the nutmegs, then work towards turning them into spices, jellies, syrups, and more.  

Also in Gouyave is the Dougaldston Spice Estate, which offers tours of the engine room, and allows guests to view raw, unpackaged spices, and many historic artifacts that are located on the property. 

Grenville

Athough Gouyave is the nutmeg capital of Grenada, the largest nutmeg processing facility is located in Grenville.  Like its Gouyave counterpart, the Grenville Nutmeg Factory welcomes visitors to explore the grounds and watch as workers turn the nut into the spice.  While in Grenville, don't forget to stop at the local Fish Market, or the Produce Market on Saturdays. 

St. Andrew Parish

In St. Andrew Parish, you can visit River Antoine Rum Distillery, the oldest rum distillery in the world.  Tours of the distillery are available for free, and guide guests through the facility to view the old time brewing methods that are still in effect. 

St. David's

St. David's is the location of another tourable rum distillery, the Westerhall Rum Distillery.  Guests will marvel at the old-time practices used to make the rum, and will want to take note of the oldest working waterway in the Western Hemisphere.

St. Patrick

In 1651, Europeans intent on gaining control of Grenada battled heartily with the Carib Indians who inhabited the island.  Rather than surrender to the French, many islanders decided to fling themselves off a 100-foot vertical cliff to their death.  Today, this place is called Carib's Leap, and a visitor's center stands at the site to educate visitors on the history of Grenada's colonization. 

Not far from Carib's Leap is Belmont Estate, a 300-year-old working plantation that feels strongly about environmental protection.  The property spans 400-acres and includes a restaurant, museum, cocoa fermentary, goat dairy, and craft cooperative.

Carriacou

If you have the opportunity to visit Grenada's sister island of Carriacou, there are a few attractions you won't want to miss. The Carriacou Museum in Hillsborough exhibits African, Amerindian, and European artifacts alongside locally produced watercolors. 

On the northern tip of Carriacou is a place called Gun Point, so named for the cannon that was placed their by the British in the 1780s.  The cannon remains there to this day, and one of the island's steepest hiking trails leads visitors to this attraction.

Visitors interested in archeology will want to stop by the ruins of the first church on the island, Dover Ruins.  The church's early stonework is of particular interest.  Some of the earliest wells built Carriacou are known for their interesting stone work; the Ningo Well and Amerindian Well are two notable wells.

Vacationers hoping to learn a little something about Grenada have plenty of options to explore, from rum distilleries and spice processing facilities to historic forts and ruins.  Whether you want to spend a day perusing an outdoor market or learning island history at  a museum, Grenada has enough landmarks to keep your days filled to the brim.