St. George is the luscious capital city of Grenada, and is not your typical Caribbean vacation getaway. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in the region. The minute you reach the port area, you will be charmed by the town’s orange roof colonial houses, mountainous landscape and vegetation. Like other parts of Grenada, St. George will entice you with spice aroma, as it is home to a large number of spice trees, like cloves, cocoa, cinnamon ginger and nutmeg.
Aside from the attractions you can find around town, the landlocked inner port area is already enough reason to visit St. George and Grenada. Thus, it is only fitting to begin your exploration in this vicinity. Narrow and steep streets will welcome you, while lovely shops and seafood restaurants will entice you as you walk the waterfront of the Carenage, on the inner port. Some added visual highlights of this visit include stone churches, towering forts, 18th century pastel warehouses, and colorful trees.
A standout among the town’s landmarks is the pink Anglican Church, which was established in the 18th century. Complementing the pink hue of the church is the grayish color of Fort George, which stands on the same street. The fort has always been an iconic symbol for the island ever since its creation in 1705 by the French. A taste of St. George culture can be experienced in Market Square, where colorfully dressed farmers sell their equally vibrant local produce.
At the corner of Monckton and Young streets lies the Grenada National Museum, which replaced an early 18th century French army barracks and prison. Despite its small size, the museum showcases healthy collections of archaeological digs, historical memorabilia, native fauna and cultural artifacts. Another interesting historical attraction is 18th century Fort Frederick, which can be reached when you drive up to Richmond Hill. Aside from discovering the history and battlements of this magnificent fort; you will also get to see gorgeous views of the marina and harbor while up the hill.
St. George is an ideal jumping off point to explore several natural attractions in Grenada. A driving excursion to the north of the town brings you to the mountains and into the tropical paradise that is Annandale Falls. This beautiful cascade of water stands about 49 feet high, and is surrounded by vines, flora and spice trees. Here, you can set up a lovely picnic with friends, families and fellow travelers, after a refreshing swim.
The western coast, north of St. George’s outskirts, is populated by a string of beaches, spice plantations and sleepy fishing villages. One of the prominent spice towns is Gouyave, which is widely known for its extensive nutmeg and mace industry. During your visit to the town, you can book a factory tour to witness the process of producing and preparing the spices for the market.
If you like this factory tour, you will certainly have fun visiting the River Antoine Rum Distillery at St. Andrew Parish. This rum distillery, which is reminiscent of the mid-19th century Industrial Revolution in the Caribbean, is the oldest in the world, and still uses old machinery and methods of distillation. For another dose of nature, stop by Grand Etang National Park and Levera National Park to enjoy white-sand beaches and adventurous hiking trails.
