Things to Do in Kingston

Located at 56 Hope Road, the Bob Marley Museum is housed in the legendary reggae musician's former home where he lived until his death in 1981. This 19th-century colonial building was converted into a museum in 1986 by his wife Rita Marley. The 75-minute guided tour includes his personal treasures, gold and platinum records, Rastafarian artifacts, the original recording studio where many hits were made, and an 80-seat theatre showing a biographical film. The property also features a gift shop with Bob Marley memorabilia and the One Love Cafe.

A declared national monument and one of Jamaica's most celebrated historic landmarks, Devon House was built in 1881 by George Stiebel, Jamaica's first Black millionaire who made his fortune in South American gold mining. The Georgian-style mansion is described by National Geographic as a masterpiece of Caribbean Victorian architecture. Visitors can tour the beautifully preserved mansion with period furnishings, shop at artisan boutiques, dine at various restaurants, and most famously, enjoy Devon House I-Scream, ranked as one of the world's top ice cream experiences.

The Blue Mountains, rising to 2,256 meters and creating the highest point in Jamaica, are home to the world-famous Blue Mountain Coffee. Day tours from Kingston take you through scenic mountain roads to coffee plantations like Craighton Estate, where you'll learn about coffee cultivation, harvesting, and processing. The experience includes tastings of some of the finest coffee in the world, nature hikes through tropical rainforest, and breathtaking views of Kingston below. Tours often include visits to waterfalls and traditional Jamaican lunch.

The largest and oldest public art museum in the Caribbean, the National Gallery of Jamaica was established in 1974 and showcases compelling collections spanning from the Taino era to contemporary Jamaican and Caribbean visual art. Located in downtown Kingston along the waterfront, the gallery features works by prominent Jamaican artists including Edna Manley, known for her powerful sculptures. The museum offers a deep dive into Jamaica's artistic heritage and cultural evolution through permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Located in the neighborhood where reggae music was born, Trench Town Culture Yard is a living museum dedicated to the area's musical heritage. This is where Bob Marley lived as a young man and where many reggae legends got their start. The yard features the original tenement buildings, a small museum with musical memorabilia, and often live reggae performances. Local guides share stories of reggae's origins and the community's role in shaping Jamaica's most famous cultural export.

Comprising over 200 acres, Hope Gardens is the largest public green space in Kingston and one of the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean. Originally part of a sugar plantation dating to 1655, the gardens feature a diverse range of indigenous and exotic flowers, plants, and trees. The adjacent Hope Zoo houses over 900 animals across 60 species, including indigenous and endangered Jamaican wildlife. The gardens offer a peaceful retreat for walking, picnicking, and enjoying nature away from the city bustle.

A modern urban sanctuary in the heart of New Kingston, Emancipation Park spans 7 acres and was opened in 2002 to commemorate Jamaica's emancipation from slavery. The park features the striking Redemption Song sculpture by Laura Facey depicting a naked man and woman looking to the sky. With manicured gardens, jogging paths, a performance stage, and various sculptures of national heroes, it's a popular spot for relaxation, exercise, and cultural events. The park is beautifully lit at night and offers free WiFi.

Once known as the wickedest city on Earth, Port Royal was a haven for pirates and privateers in the 17th century. Much of the original town sank into the sea during a devastating 1692 earthquake. Today, this historic fishing village at the tip of the Palisadoes peninsula offers visitors Fort Charles, one of the oldest forts in the Caribbean, and the Maritime Museum documenting the area's swashbuckling past. The village provides a glimpse into colonial Jamaica and offers fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants like Gloria's.