EXPLORE KINGSTON
Discover Our Top Picks for Sightseeing in Jamaica
Framed by beautiful beaches and brimming with captivating attractions, Jamaica’s capital city entices visitors from all over the world. Guests at The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites are perfectly placed to explore all that Kingston has to offer – from cultural institutions like the Bob Marley Museum to breathtaking natural wonders including the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hope Botanical Gardens. Browse some of our favorite points of interest below. If you’d like additional sightseeing tips, a member of our friendly staff will be happy to help you.
Nestled in the heart of urban New Kingston is one of Jamaica’s greatest historical treasures, Emancipation Park. It is themed a “Tribute to Freedom” and lives up to its theme visually with an 11ft bronze sculpture, named Redemption Song.
The museum is situated on the site of the legendary musician’s home, which he purchased in 1975. This house, featuring 19th-century architecture, was Marley’s home until his death in 1981. It was converted into a museum six years later by his wife, Mrs. Rita Marley. The main museum displays Marley’s personal treasures.
One of Jamaica’s most celebrated historic landmarks, the Devon House Mansion is the architectural dream of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel.
Hope Botanical Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens, is a 200-acre park and gardens located in St Andrew, Jamaica.
One of the oldest and most historic regions of the country, Port Royal has maintained much of its independence as well as its heritage. Once the enclave of pirates and other outlaws, there is still a strong seafaring tradition.
The Peter Tosh Museum officially opened to the public November 1, 2016. Born Winston Hubert McIntosh in the rural parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, in 1944, he moved to the notorious slum of Trench Town (so named because it was built on the “trenches” that drained the sewage of nearby Kingston) at age 16.
The Trench Town Culture Yard is located at 6 & 8 Lower First Street in Trench Town. It is one of the many houses which was built by the Central Housing Authority between 1940 & 1949. These houses were built on two hundred (200) acres of land which was known as Trench Pen. It was subdivided to facilitate a residential community to be called Trench Town. These government-owned houses were occupied by tenants paying twelve shillings per month shortly after they were occupied. These residences or government yards as they were later called were built from First to Seventh Streets, between Central and West Roads. These government yards provided running water, electricity and other facilities that were available at the time.
The National Gallery of Jamaica, in Kingston, Jamaica, is Jamaica's public art museum. It was established in 1974 and is located in the Kingston Mall, a commercial and cultural center on Kingston Harbour. The National Gallery of Jamaica also has a branch in Montego Bay, National Gallery West.
Jamaica is the founding campus of the unique, multi-part, multi-national University of the West Indies. The square mile site welcomed its first undergraduates – 33 medical students from across the West Indies or now, more often, the Caribbean – in October 1948. To medicine was added Natural Science in 1949, Arts in 1950 and, gradually, the full range of the modern university.
Independence Park is a sports and cultural complex in Kingston, Jamaica built for the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It houses a variety of sports facilities. A statue of Bob Marley marks the entrance to the site. The main sports venue at the complex is the National Stadium.
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.), formerly the College of Arts, Science and Technology, is a public university in Jamaica.
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), founded in 1879, is the country's most significant cultural, artistic and scientific organization: a patron and promoter of the arts in Jamaica, sponsoring exhibitions and awards. It is also the country's museums authority, as well as administering other national arts and cultural outlets including the National Gallery, the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, and the Jamaica Journal.
Surrounded by a riot of tropical plants including Jamaica’s national tree, the Blue Mahoe, Holywell has five walking trails to explore with just enough difficulty to make it fun. These nature walks are suitable for children and senior citizens.
Sovereign Centre is a shopping and business center, located in Liguanea in Kingston, Jamaica.
Weekly Party Cruises. The perfect way to celebrate your special occasion in style. We offer weekly party cruises & private yacht charters in Kingston
Emancipation Park
Nestled in the heart of urban New Kingston is one of Jamaica’s greatest historical treasures, Emancipation Park. It is themed a “Tribute to Freedom” and lives up to its theme visually with an 11ft bronze sculpture, named Redemption Song.
Bob Marley Museum
The museum is situated on the site of the legendary musician’s home, which he purchased in 1975. This house, featuring 19th-century architecture, was Marley’s home until his death in 1981. It was converted into a museum six years later by his wife, Mrs. Rita Marley. The main museum displays Marley’s personal treasures.
Devon House
One of Jamaica’s most celebrated historic landmarks, the Devon House Mansion is the architectural dream of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel.
Hope Gardens
Hope Botanical Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens, is a 200-acre park and gardens located in St Andrew, Jamaica.
Port Royal / Fort Charles
One of the oldest and most historic regions of the country, Port Royal has maintained much of its independence as well as its heritage. Once the enclave of pirates and other outlaws, there is still a strong seafaring tradition.
Peter Tosh Museum
The Peter Tosh Museum officially opened to the public November 1, 2016. Born Winston Hubert McIntosh in the rural parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, in 1944, he moved to the notorious slum of Trench Town (so named because it was built on the “trenches” that drained the sewage of nearby Kingston) at age 16.
Trench Town Culture Yard
The Trench Town Culture Yard is located at 6 & 8 Lower First Street in Trench Town. It is one of the many houses which was built by the Central Housing Authority between 1940 & 1949. These houses were built on two hundred (200) acres of land which was known as Trench Pen. It was subdivided to facilitate a residential community to be called Trench Town. These government-owned houses were occupied by tenants paying twelve shillings per month shortly after they were occupied. These residences or government yards as they were later called were built from First to Seventh Streets, between Central and West Roads. These government yards provided running water, electricity and other facilities that were available at the time.
National Gallery of Jamaica
The National Gallery of Jamaica, in Kingston, Jamaica, is Jamaica's public art museum. It was established in 1974 and is located in the Kingston Mall, a commercial and cultural center on Kingston Harbour. The National Gallery of Jamaica also has a branch in Montego Bay, National Gallery West.
University of The West Indies
Jamaica is the founding campus of the unique, multi-part, multi-national University of the West Indies. The square mile site welcomed its first undergraduates – 33 medical students from across the West Indies or now, more often, the Caribbean – in October 1948. To medicine was added Natural Science in 1949, Arts in 1950 and, gradually, the full range of the modern university.
National Stadium
Independence Park is a sports and cultural complex in Kingston, Jamaica built for the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It houses a variety of sports facilities. A statue of Bob Marley marks the entrance to the site. The main sports venue at the complex is the National Stadium.
University of Technology
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.), formerly the College of Arts, Science and Technology, is a public university in Jamaica.
Institute of Jamaica
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), founded in 1879, is the country's most significant cultural, artistic and scientific organization: a patron and promoter of the arts in Jamaica, sponsoring exhibitions and awards. It is also the country's museums authority, as well as administering other national arts and cultural outlets including the National Gallery, the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, and the Jamaica Journal.
Craighton Estate
Craighton Estate is located in Irish Town St. Andrew and owned by Japan-based Ueshima Coffee Company. The estate offers a one-hour tour featuring a walk around the working coffee farm and historic great house. Guests are schooled about the history of coffee production in Jamaica which includes a coffee-tasting session.
Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park
Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a national park in Jamaica. The park covers 495.2 km2 and accounts for 4.5% of Jamaica's land surface. The park is globally known for its biodiversity. This park is the last of two known habitats of the giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio homerus), the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere and also the habitat for the endangered Jamaican blackbird (Neospar nigerrimus), a refuge for the Jamaican boa (Epicrates subflavus) and the Jamaican hutia (Geocapromys brownii).
Sovereign Centre
Sovereign Centre is a shopping and business center, located in Liguanea in Kingston, Jamaica.
Loose Canon Tours
Weekly Party Cruises. The perfect way to celebrate your special occasion in style. We offer weekly party cruises & private yacht charters in Kingston
