What to do Downtown Bridgetown

[Kikkycat]

We'll be getting on Serenade this Saturday, and are still up in the air about what to do here. We are not into sitting on a beach all day, especially since DH doesn't swim at all (doesn't know how). We were thinking of just hanging out in Bridgetown, having lunch, wandering, maybe a little shopping (budget is tighter than we'd like). Any recommendations for what not to miss? Lunch ideas, particularly for local foods? What shopping things are best to look for?

[seashinesunshine]

We'll be getting on Serenade this Saturday, and are still up in the air about what to do here. We are not into sitting on a beach all day, especially since DH doesn't swim at all (doesn't know how). We were thinking of just hanging out in Bridgetown, having lunch, wandering, maybe a little shopping (budget is tighter than we'd like). Any recommendations for what not to miss? Lunch ideas, particularly for local foods? What shopping things are best to look for?

 

We normally go to the beach in Barbados, but I have seen some really cute shops on the way to the bus. You go out of the peir area, walk along the sidewalk to the right and you will see them, about a 5 min walk.

One idea for a cheap island tour is to ride the bus. One time after being at the beach, we decided we were beached out and got on the bus headed north. We rode the bus for about 3 hours, met some really cool locals, they are so friendly, they even invited us to a picnic, we didn't go, we didn't want to miss the ship. It costs about 1.50$ to ride the bus, and it is a wild ride! If you head north, you will get to see so much, villages, towns, huge houses, sugar cane..... Fun and cheap. When I say we 'go north' we head up near Holetown and keep going from there, but you could also get off in Holetown and walk there, then take the bus back.

[aimodels]

You can always check out Pelican Village, which is a couple of blocks south of the south port gates by the traffic circle. Many local artists sell their wares there...

 

If you want to check out shops downtown, you'll want to take a stroll down Broad St. To get there, go about 4 blocks past Pelican Village, turn left on Cumberland and walk a couple of blocks to Jubilee Gardens. Turn right and go through the gardens and Broad St. starts right there at the east end of the gardens.

 

Carlisle Bay is a couple of miles south of port right along Bay St. (Hwy.7) - you might want to check it out... Even if you don't swim or you're not into hanging out on the beach all day, I still think it's worth a peek.

 

This is a beautiful island and the people are very warm and friendly. You will have fun no matter what you choose to do... If you get lost, just ask a local. They are generally quite happy to give directions or answer questions.

 

Barbados is truly one of our favourite vacation spots.

 

Cheers, P:)

[bubbachief]

We normally go to the beach in Barbados, but I have seen some really cute shops on the way to the bus. You go out of the peir area, walk along the sidewalk to the right and you will see them, about a 5 min walk.

One idea for a cheap island tour is to ride the bus. One time after being at the beach, we decided we were beached out and got on the bus headed north. We rode the bus for about 3 hours, met some really cool locals, they are so friendly, they even invited us to a picnic, we didn't go, we didn't want to miss the ship. It costs about 1.50$ to ride the bus, and it is a wild ride! If you head north, you will get to see so much, villages, towns, huge houses, sugar cane..... Fun and cheap. When I say we 'go north' we head up near Holetown and keep going from there, but you could also get off in Holetown and walk there, then take the bus back.

 

Where did you catch the bus, at the pier or more downtown?

[seashinesunshine]

Where did you catch the bus, at the pier or more downtown?

 

We go down to the bus terminal which is not right at the peir. This way we can buy the tokens. They say that the blue busses will not take cash, the yellow will take both cash or tokens. It helps us make sure we are getting on the right bus, you can also ask them which bus number to take when you are going back. It is only a few minutes walk.

[bubbachief]

We go down to the bus terminal which is not right at the peir. This way we can buy the tokens. They say that the blue busses will not take cash, the yellow will take both cash or tokens. It helps us make sure we are getting on the right bus, you can also ask them which bus number to take when you are going back. It is only a few minutes walk.

 

Where do the blue and yellow buses go, different locations or what. Is there one route you would recommend to best see the Island?

[aimodels]

There are 2 bus terminals in B'Town. Princess Alice in the north and Fairchild St. in the south.

 

The yellow mini-buses and white ZR's stop in a different area from the big blue gov't buses.

 

At Princess Alice, the stop for the yellow and white buses (Cheapside Terminal) is right across the street directly east from the main terminal.

 

At Fairchild St., the stop for the yellow and white buses is a couple of blocks east and just across the canal on Nursery Dr.

 

If in doubt, ask a local for directions. They are quite willing to help...

 

Cheers, P:)

[bubbachief]

Which terminal is closest to the pier and where do those buses go?

[Loucat]

We were in Barbados last Thursday and decided to stay in town after our tour. We had lunch in a neat place called the Bridge Restaurant.

Do not know what you like; but the food was good. If you walk around, there are many shops; we saw this place across a small bridge and noticed it was upstairs and had outside seating. That was fine until the rain came!!

We went inside and had a good lunch.We walked back to the port from there; it was only about 1/2 mile and a nice walk.

[seashinesunshine]

Which terminal is closest to the pier and where do those buses go?

 

Since I only knew of the one terminal I am not sure where the others are. I also am not sure of where all they go or what the exact routes are. We go to the terminal that is about a 5 to 10 min walk off to the right once you get out of the pier. Just walking along the sidewalk you will see it. Barbaods has a really good tourism office inside the cruise port termial, which you pretty much have to walk thru or at least right by as you are getting off the ship, they will have more info, or you can try look online to see if there is a bus route map. That is my plan in the next few months, since we plan to hit the other sde of the island on our next crusie. :D