The Hope Botanical Gardens, founded in 1873, are named after the colonist (Major Richard Hope) who originally owned the land on which they are located. Many of the plants, including the mango trees and a number of spice plants, are descended from the cargo of a French ship captured by the British in 1782. The Gardens are the largest green space in Kingston open to the public and are home to a large collection of rare tropical species. You'll find several small gardens of related species, including the cacti garden, the annual gardens, the sunken garden, the bougainvillea walk and the lily pond. The Gardens also have several examples of the blue mahoe, Jamaica's national tree, the flowers of which change color from primrose in the morning to deep red in the evening.
Hope Botanical Gardens
Old Hope Road
Kingston
Jamaica
011-1-876-927-1085
Fans of reggae music will enjoy a visit to the Bob Marley Museum. The museum, located on Kingston's Hope Road, is in the house where reggae musician Marley lived between 1975 until his death in 1981. Six years later, Marley's wife converted the 19th-century building into a place where visitors can view many of Marley's possessions, as well as photographs, posters and other mementos.
Bob Marley Museum
56 Hope Road
Kingston
Jamaica
011-1-876-927-9152
bobmarleymuseum.com
Devon House, located in central Kingston, is one of Jamaica's best-known historic landmarks and was designated a national monument by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in 1990. Devon House was built in the late 1800s by George Siebel, Jamaica's first black millionaire, and is now used as part museum and part cultural center. Visitors can view a museum area that shows what life was like in 19th-century Jamaica before learning more about modern Jamaican arts, crafts, culture and entertainment in the cultural center.
Devon House
26 Hope Road
Kingston
Jamaica
011-1-876926-0829
devonhousejamaica.com
Parade, the center of downtown Kingston, takes its name from its former function as a military parade ground in colonial times. After Jamaica's independence, it became a public meeting place and was even used for public floggings and hangings. In 2010, it is a great place to people watch or pick up a few bargains. Arcades, high street stores, a market and numerous street vendors can make Parade a noisy and chaotic place, but its sights, sounds and smells give tourists an opportunity to see something of the real Jamaica.
