Bermuda is the ultimate relaxation destination. Laying on beautiful, pink sand beaches and working on your tan are the main activities of vacationers of the island. But Bermuda has a host of other attractions that worth a visit in between sips of your margarita and dips in the Atlantic Ocean.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the first British established settlements in North America. You can often find period actors roaming the streets and re-inactions of early settlement events. The top sites in the neighborhood include Old Statehouse, the oldest stone building on the island, Town Hall, Old Rectory, King Square, to see replicas of punishment instruments, and Unfinished Church.
The dockyard was once the base of the British Royal Navy in the Western Atlantic Ocean. It now serves as a ship docking port and a quaint tourist attraction filled with shops, eateries, and art galleries. You can also take part in Dolphin Quest, for a fun-filled adventure swimming with dolphins. By Keep Fortress, the dock also hosts the Maritime Museum, devoted to the island’s history and naval heritage. Accessed by a drawbridge, the museum houses 350 shipwreck artifacts, along with exhibits on slavery, immigration, tourism, and war history.
Built in 1926, this complex is great for taking in wildlife as if the wild wildlife on the island wasn’t enough. At the aquarium, the North Rock Exhibit, a 140,000-gallon coral reef replica, is the highlight. The zoo houses 300 birds, reptiles, and mammals and 200 species of fish. The zoo is also a great place to stop for lunch at the AZU Beastro for great food and an even better view.
The inside of the limestone caves was discovered by accident in 1907 when two boys ventured in attempting to retrieve a lost ball. You can now take a guided tour of the 55-foot-deep subterranean lake. Head across a pontoon bridge to spot stalactites dripping from the cave ceiling and stalagmites on the cave floor through the clear water.
If you must go to the beach, which in Bermuda you really should, Horseshoe Bay Beach, the most famous and most popular beach on the island, can get rather crowded, but it is also luxurious. It is one of the few public beaches on the island with lifeguards on duty. There are also snack bars.
This 64-acre park is home to 30 species of waterfowl as well as migrating whales. It is great for hiking. The most popular site in the reserve is the Portuguese Rock. Initials were carved into the rock with the date 1543. The original has been removed but a cast remains in its place.
The 36 acres of gardens were established in 1898. You can find 150 species of plants, including orchids, cacti, and ferns along with a hibiscus garden, an aviary, and a mini-forest.
The tallest lighthouse on the island was built in 1844 and was one of the first lighthouses to be made with cast-iron. At the base, a stop in at the Lighthouse Tea Room is a must for a snack.