12 Amazing Things to Do in St John’s Antigua By A Local
What are the best things to do in and around St John’s Antigua?
Carl’s job as a yacht captain brings us as a family to Antigua each winter. Our boys love living here, and our eldest even goes to the local pre-school. We’ve made it our mission to get to know St John’s and what it has to offer.
Using our local knowledge, this post is going to make it all a lot easier for you to find the best things to do in St Johns.
We’ve picked out 12 of our favourite things to do in St Johns to recommend to you!
A Quick Guide To St John’s
Best spots for shopping: Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay
Where to find local history: St Johns Cathedral, The Old Recreation Ground, Antigua and Barbuda Museum and Fort James
Fun things for families: Ice cream at Fred’s Belgian Waffles, Fort James Beach
A Bit About St John’s Antigua
Located on the north of the island, St John’s is the historic and administrative capital of Antigua. It’s a bustling town that in winter months is host to over 350 cruise ships bringing more than 610,000 visitors to Antigua. On any single day up to 6 cruise ships can be docked, giving St John’s an incredible energy.
St John’s is the lively and colourful coastal capital of Antigua. For many people who arrive by cruise ship, it is their first glance at Antigua.
Though the town is easily walkable, you should be careful of the crazy uneven pavements and roads – keep your eyes peeled! Our post focuses on places that you can reach by foot from the cruise dock.
If you’re looking for something a little further afield during your visit then there are options to take half or full day tours. Or alternatively you can hire a car and take off on your own island exploration!
1. Shop At Heritage Quay
You should start your exploration of St John’s at Heritage Quay. It’s a colourful lined street in the centre that starts at the end of the cruise ship dock. It is one of the most prestigious tax-free shopping areas in the Caribbean.
It comes alive when there are cruise ships docked, and you can enjoy steel bands and other local entertainment as you browse.
If you’re thirsty or hungry then there are plenty of food options to choose from such as Island Bee Hive Sports bar which is located halfway along the street.
2. Relax at Redcliffe Quay In St John’s Antigua
Along the waterside round from Heritage Quay, you’ll find Redliffe Quay. It’s a stunning historical area with turquoise, red and yellow waterfront buildings. This centuries-old quay has been beautifully restored to all its Georgian glory!
When you see pictures of St John’s they’ll likely have been taken there.
There are lots of beautiful boutique shops offering locally made products from artworks to clothing. Visitors often make time for a look around the Zemi Art Gallery – which has an eclectic selection of cool artworks.
Once you’ve had a look around then there’s plenty of time to relax, eat and drink. There are several great places to enjoy including Big Banana and Cuties. Both are prime locations to people watch.
3. Cool Off With An Ice Cream
If you’ve read any of our “Best things to do” posts for Antigua then you’ll know that I always like to recommend the best local places to get ice cream.
Before you leave Redcliffe you must stop at Fred’s Belgian Waffles is the place for ice cream in St John’s. We often meet our friends here as the ice cream is incredible!
4. Try The Local Fruit At The Market
Whenever we arrive in a new country we always like to visit the local markets to try the local fruits and vegetables. Likewise, St John’s is no exception to this and has the wonderful Public Market Complex which is only a 5-minute walk from the dockside.
The best days to visit are either a Friday or Saturday when it’s super busy with lots of local vibrancy.
Unquestionably, bartering is an expected part of life in Antigua. Seize deals on locally grown hot peppers, bananas, coconuts, pineapples, and other produce on the island.
5. Try A Black Pineapple
Antigua’s coat of arms is the perfect collection of the island’s signature elements of sea, sugar and wildlife. Perched on top like a crown sits a black pineapple, said to be the world’s sweetest.
The black pineapple was brought by the Arawak people from South America to Antigua in the 17th century. Local farmers say that the island’s rich soil, moderate rainfall and sunshine create an ideal growing environment.
Crispy and sugary sweet without being acidic, black pineapples are delicious. Despite their name, they are never black. The skin remains green even when ripe, so picking the perfect one relies on smell and touch.
6. Explore The Old Recreation Ground In St John’s Antigua
Antiguans love cricket, and if like them you’re a cricket fan then a walk to the old Recreation Ground is perfect for you.
The Rec, as it is affectionately known by locals, is now run-down and more of a relic than a sports field. However, as soon as you walk in you can feel the historic atmosphere which helps to bring it to life.
When you visit, you should head to Gate 3 on Coronation Avenue, as this is the only open entrance. It is free to visit, and you can wander in and explore the grounds and stands.
7. Visit The Cathedral in St John’s Antigua
If you have visited the “The Rec” then on your way back to the main part of town you must stop at the cathedral. It was built in 1845 to replace the one that was destroyed in an earthquake. The interior woodwork has recently been restored in all its former glory.
It’s on a high hilltop with a wonderful view of St John’s Antigua. You can see the dock and any cruise ships parked up there.
8. Have A Drink At Hemingways in St John’s Antigua
After all of the walking around that you’ve done, you’ll need a cold drink to cool you down. Close to the cruise port, you’ll find an excellent place to stop for a refreshment or two called Hemingways Caribbean Cafe. It’s in an old 1800’s building and is filled with Caribbean characters.
It’s got great views of the dock from its rooftop terrace. And the beer is always served cold!
9. Enjoy Some History at the Antigua and Barbuda Museum
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the island, then you should head for the Antigua and Barbuda Museum. It’s located in an old courthouse which was built in 1750’s.
You’ll get a chance to learn more about the origins of the island all the way through to its independence in 1981.
10. Discover Fort James
You’ll find Fort James at the entrance to the harbour of St. John’s Antigua. You can either walk, it’s about a 50-minute walk from the dock or take a short taxi ride.
The fort was built to guard St. John’s harbour and is one of the many forts built by the British in the 18th century. It was constructed to protect the island from the fear of a French invasion.
Firstly, the good thing is that it’s free to enter. Consequently, the sad thing is that there isn’t much left of the original fort to see as it has not had much care in recent years. However, it’s still worth a walk around spotting all of the original cannons and it has great views over the sea.
11. Relax At A Local Beach
The nearest beach to St John’s can be found at the bottom of Fort James a short taxi ride (or longer walk) from the dock. It’s a soft sandy beach, with loungers to hire and plenty of shade available under the trees.
Also, food and drink wise we recommend taking a seat at BeachLimerz. It has tasty local food which is often accompanied by live music.
12. Taste Some Susie’s Hot Sauce
Before you leave Antigua you must try Susie’s Hot Sauce, a popular accompaniment to any local meal. It’s almost impossible to visit Antigua without trying it. It’s a small local business with huge taste!
Carl is a massive fan of hot sauces and likes to collect them from every place that we visit. Its award-winning red habanero and scotch bonnet hot sauce flavours make it a winner with him, and it ranks in his top 5 favourite hot sauces.
It makes a perfect gift for those who like things spicy!
Where To Stay Near St John’s
Royalton Antigua St John’s – one of the best family-friendly resorts on the island. It’s located near Deep Bay about a 10-minute drive from St Johns.
Sandals Antigua – great for escaping children as it’s adult-only! It’s located within Dickenson Bay.
FAQ’s
When is the best month to visit Antigua?
December to April tend to be the best months to visit Antigua. Winter and spring are the drier months on the island so you’re less likely to see rain showers and it’s still beautifully sunny. Everything is open so you can pick and choose where to go and what to see.
Is Antigua safe to visit?
Statistically, Antigua is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean with a relatively low crime rate. When crime does occur, it rarely affects visitors to the island. As well as crime rates there are also health and hurricane risks to consider. With careful planning, most risks can be mitigated.
What’s the best way to get around Antigua?
The best way to get around Antigua is with a rental car. You can explore at your own pace, swim at less touristy beaches, find hidden gems, and have the best adventures. Be aware of potholes and drive during the day for the best Antiguan driving experience.
Is Antigua expensive?
Yes and no, as it really does depend on how you like to travel and what you like to spend your money on.
If you have a smaller budget then it’s totally possible to visit Antigua, you just need to be a little conscious of where you choose to spend your money. And also, what you need to spend it on and look for less pricey options.
Final Thoughts On Visiting St John’s
We enjoy St John’s Antigua as it’s great for a spot of shopping. Additionally, it you decide to stay local to the town then a good option is to wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere. For those wanting some beach vibes then Fort James is either a reasonable walk or a short taxi ride.
Ideally, we always recommend trying to get further afield, trying some of the other beaches and experiencing more of what the island has to offer.
