Cruise Diva Goes Ashore in BERMUDA:
Sights to see, things to do, where to shop & hit the beach
St. George’s ~ Bermuda
Often compared to Colonial Williamsburg, St. George’s is the most British of Bermuda’s cities with colonial-era buildings and period charm.
Diversions
Cruise ships tie up on Ordnance Island, practically on King’s Square at the center of town, or at a second pier a short distance away. Visitors Service Bureaus can be found at both piers.
All the main historic sights are within walking distance of the town square except for a few outlying forts and beaches. On Ordnance Island’s west side is a statue of Sir George Somers, the shipwrecked founder of Bermuda, and on the island’s opposite side is a replica of the Deliverance, the ship Somers built in 1610 to resume his journey to the Virginia colony of Jamestown.
Over the bridge, is King’s Square where the Town Hall is located. Replicas of a pillory and stocks and a ducking stool, once used for punishing residents for minor “crimes” of gossip and other petty offenses, are popular spots for photo opportunities.
Some of the highlights of a walking tour are Somers Garden with its tall royal palms; St. George’s Historical Society Museum, an 18th century house with period furnishings; Featherbed Alley Printery where broadsheets are still printed on a centuries old press; St. Peter’s Church; Tucker House, a well preserved residence with period décor; the Carriage Museum with its collection of horse-drawn carriages; and the Bermuda Trust Museum which focuses on the role Bermuda played in the United States Civil War.
On a hillside west of town, Fort George is a small fortress erected in 1612. It’s being restored and parts of it are open to the public. A stop there on a moped rewards the visitor with a peek at the fort and a view of the sea. A more imposing structure is Fort St. Catherine. A mile north of town on the northeastern tip of St. George’s Island, this is where St. George Somers and his crew first came ashore in 1609. With a drawbridge, moat, ramparts, and museum, Fort St. Catherine is a must-see for history buffs.
Shopping
There are several exceptional art galleries located on the town square or nearby on Water Street. Branches of Bermuda’s main department stores are located on Water Street and this is also where you’ll also find interesting boutiques and moped rentals.
Beaches
The main public beach at Tobacco Bay is also an excellent choice for swimming and snorkeling. Achilles Bay at the west side of Fort St. Catherine has a tiny beach that is also a good choice for swimmers and snorkeling. At the south side of Fort St. Catherine, St. Catherine’s Beach is long and wide (it was once the private beach for the now defunct Club Med), but its less protected waters make it not recommended for swimming.
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