Things to Do in Antigua – Shirley’s Heights
There are many things to do in Antigua, including sunbathing on one of the 365 beaches, visiting a restored sugar mill at Betty’s Hope or sailing in the famous sailing week races but be sure not to miss the most famous entertainment spot in Antigua at Shirley’s Heights. One of the most famous views in Antigua is the view of Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour from Shirley’s Heights. Standing at the Lookout you can look down on the yachts moored in English Harbour or across the ocean to Guadeloupe to the South or Montserrat to the South West. The Lookout dates back to the 1700′s when it was built to ensure that the British had advanced warning of attacking ships sailing from the French island of Guadeloupe. The ruins of stone gun emplacements and barracks can still be seen here.
Shirley’s Heights is a popular place on a Sunday afternoon to watch the sunset accompanied by the sounds of a local steel pan band. After sunset the mood changes as local reggae, calypso or soca bands replace the pan bands and tourists and locals dance to the sounds until late evening. Shirley’s Heights special rum punch flows freely but be careful as the bartenders are liberal with the local rum.
Down the hill from the Lookout is the Dow Interpretation Centre where you can see a presentation of Antigua’s history. All around the centre are century plants, plenty of wild goats and lovely hummingbirds as the area is now a National Park. If you drive down past the centre to the bottom of the hill and turn right you will find the 18th century Nelson’s Dockyard named after Admiral Horatio Nelson although it did not receive this name until 1951, long after Nelson was gone. It has been fully restored after being abandoned for many years.
Most hotels will organise trips to Shirley’s Heights and Nelson’s Dockyard or any taxi driver will be happy to take you there probably giving you lots of local stories on the way. If this is your first visit be sure to visit these two popular historic sites, enjoy the music and the rum and learn more about Antigua’s colorful history.
