THINGS TO SEE IN ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA
Those docked at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal are within walking distance of the major sights of St. George's, including the Grenada National Museum, Market Square and several pretty churches. The town of St. George's, named after King George III, has some of the Caribbean 's most attractive architecture. The old homes are painted delicate shades of yellow, beige and rose; their second stories display ornate ironwork balconies. The narrow cobblestone streets of St. George's are lined with buildings dating back to French and British times
FORT GEORGE
Located on the promontory to the west of the harbor is Fort George. Built in 1705 by the French, many of the buildings are now used by the police. Much of the fort is still intact and open to visitors, although the main draw is the view offered from this hilltop location.
FORT FREDERICK
Fort Frederick gives you a bird's-eye view over miles of green hills to the north and east of the city. Built on Richmanhill by the French in the 1700's, it has a water reservoir used to supply the prison, and mental hospital in the 70's. There is a also a weather station on the top of the fort.
MARKETPLACE
Fresh produce Market Square
In the Marketplace brightly-colored umbrellas protect from the sun while in the background reggae music plays. Unbelievably colorful fruit and vegetables are displayed on Saturdays, where women sell small bags of spice (cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg) to tourists as useful gifts and fragrant reminders of Grenada. Take time to shop and compare; the spice ladies won't go anywhere. The market square also is the rallying place for political speeches, parades and religious activities. Bustling, noisy, and colorful, the market is the center of the capital's civic life, as it has been for the last two hundred years. More recently, it has become the starting point for minibuses to the outer areas of the island. No visitor to Grenada should miss the Saturday morning market. Market Square is open during the week and becomes a meeting point for many while vendors sell their fruit, vegetables and spices. To get to it is a very short walk, upon exiting the cruise ship, you pass through the Esplanade shopping center and onto the street. Cross the road and go up the street almost opposite where you came out and it is literally one minute's walk to the market. At the nearby fish market, fishermen sell fresh Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, snapper, tuna and many other freshly caught fish. There is also a small Museum of Grenada nearby.
Grenada National Museum Grenada Parliament Building
Although the Grenada
National Museum is not large, it houses a fascinating collection of
artifacts from Grenada's cultural history. Its collection extends from
ancient times to the present, including material and exhibits on everything
from the Caribs to the political events of the 1980s. The Grenada National
Museum is open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Across Church
Street from the cathedral are two of St. George's most venerable buildings.
York House, purchased in 1801, houses the House of Representatives, the
Senate, and the Supreme Court. Along with the neighboring Registry, which
was built in 1780, York house is a graceful example of early Georgian
architecture.
In the photo above you can see St. Anglican's roofless church that was damaged in the hurricane
As Ivan approached the Windward Islands late on September 7, 2004, the tiny island-nation of Grenada was slammed full force by 125 mile winds destroying nearly 90% of the homes on the island, killing 39 people and leaving thousands homeless. Grenada, a fairly poor island, is trying still to restructure their town, recovering from this devastation. The cruise business will certainly play a good part in their recovery--a reason to be generous to vendors when you visit!
The damaged St. George's Anglican Church: This beautiful stone and pink stucco building was completed in 1825. It contained many plaques commemorating British victims of Fedon's Rebellion, a slave uprising of 1795. This is an older photo-see my up-to-date one on my Walking Tour page
The Carenage is just
a quick cab ride (or lengthy walk) away. If you venture over, you can
enjoy the area's duty-free shops and waterfront restaurants. To get
there, your choices are to either walk through the tunnel right next to the
port (on the right if you're exiting it). You
are basically walking on the road while cars drive by next to you. There is
no real sidewalk in some places If it makes you feel any better, the drivers
are used to the pedestrians and you won't get hit--or-- walk up the block past KFC
and turn right on that street (at the traffic lights) and then walk over the
hill to the Carenage. 
A mountain spine divides "old and "new" St. George's. The spine is the steep hill that you must climb to go back and forth from the Esplanade to the Carenage (unless you go through the tunnel).
Street near the "new" pier "old" St. George's hilly streets
THE CARENAGE
St. George's harbor side, the Carenage, is the most picturesque. The horseshoe-shaped harbor's name "Carenage" describes an area whereby ships and boats can be turned on their side, enabling the practice of "careening" or the cleaning of sea vessels.
SHOPPING
The Carenage, the oldest part of St. George's offers excellent shopping as you wander around quaint stone labyrinths and alleyways gazing in shops that are over 200 years old. The local market is a visual treat with tropical fruits, flowers, spices and other local treats. There are some typical tourist stores selling typical tourist stuff but the real finds in Grenada are the unique spices and products. Nutmeg is huge here and is a "must buy" but you will find numerous other spices, jams, jellies, spreads and sauces ready to take home. Also local artists have galleries in the Carenage that are worth exploring for paintings, batik and other fine materials. Grenada is a duty free port, so you will also find the usual items available such as cosmetics, perfumes, china, jewelry and other collectibles. (Most stores are closed on Sunday)
GETTING AROUND
With passenger convenience in mind, the Melville Street Cruise Terminal provides excellent bus and taxi facilities for an efficient transfer of passengers to waiting tours. There is also a dedicated water-taxi jetty for easy transfer of passenger to waiting water taxis. Visitors will find plenty of taxis at the cruise-terminal entrance. The trip to Grand Anse Beach area is about US$10, and a bus to Grand Anse costs US$1-$2.25.
During the cruise season, water taxis are also available in the city of St George’s for journeys across the Carenage, to the Esplanade and to Grand Anse Beach. Passengers can pre-book tours on board or arrange them through the National Taxi Association once landed in port.
Daily ferry services are available to and from the beautiful sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Daily services are also available by air to and from Carriacou. Journey times are one-and-a-half hours by ferry and half-hour by air.
NEW! Whenever you hear the ringing of the bells
through the city of St. George, you will know that the
Grenada Discovery Train is approaching. This sightseeing
trolley inspired by a 1960’s steam locomotive, will be the first to offer
tours throughout the town of St. George.
The trolley starts at the Cruise Ship Terminal
just outside the Esplanade Mall and leaves every hour starting at 9am, with
the last train at 3pm. The first stop will be at the Roman Catholic Church,
then to Fort George and the Summer House View Point where you will get a
panoramic view of the Carenage. You will also see one of Grenada’s
historical landmark; the National Museum. You can take pictures of the
picturesque waterfront at the Herbert Blaize View Point. Stops are also made
at the Tanteen Craft Market and the Christ of the Deep Statue.
Admissions to Fort George and the National
Museum are included in the cost of the ticket all for the low price of US$15
for adults, US$10 for children and EC$25 for locals. Drinks can be purchased
while on the trolley. The trolley can also be rented for special occasions
such as weddings and other events.
Discover St. George in a charming and comfortable way on the
Grenada Discovery Train!
(Watch video)
DRIVING
Visitors wishing to drive while in Grenada must obtain a local driving
permit from either the traffic department at the Central Police Station on
the Carenage. A bona fide driver's license must be presented and a fee of EC
$30 paid. Most car rental firms also issue local permits. There is a network of approximately 650 miles of paved roads and most of the
main roads are in good condition. Please note that driving is on the LEFT.
