Port of Spain – A vacation destination with lot of things to do!

Port of Spain became the capital of Trinidad and Tobago in the year 1757 after replacing Saint Joseph as its capital city. The city has ever since transformed vastly and witnessed tremendous development. This evolving metropolis has now become a fascinating vacation destination in the Caribbean with plenty of things to do for the quintessential visitors. The capital city now proudly boats of gorgeous beaches, cultural hotspots, historical landmarks, fabulous nightclubs and beautiful lush green gardens. It has undoubtedly become a most sought after destination full of wonders and unlimited excitement.

The tourists will find themselves pretty engaged and have their hands full in this magnificent city. The best way to explore Port of Spain is to embark on a walking tour. While exploring the city on foot, you will come across most of the important attractions here.

Let us now see some of the main attractions that this city has to offer. The Queen’s Park Savannah is the first major attraction which you will come across. The natives of the city call it simply as ‘The Savannah’. It is spread in an area of 260 acre and is presently the largest open space in the city. This fabulous place also attracts the local sports enthusiasts who come here to play football, cricket and rugby. It has also earlier hosted many horse racing events. When visiting this place, you will like to spend some time and enjoy the various sports activities being held here.

Another peculiar aspect of The Savannah is that many wild plants and trees grow here and without being landscaped. However, only a small corner here named the ‘Hollows’ have flowering shrubs planted. You will find the lush greenery of this place attractive and perfect to stroll. You can also satiate your hunger pangs with the refreshments and local food being sold along the way by the vendors.

Drinking fresh chilled coconut water is a great pastime for the tourists. It is commonly available everywhere in the city and is cheaply priced. So, whenever you visit the city on a vacation just don’t forget to miss out on your great coconut drink and have an enjoyable experience. Apart from this refreshing drink, many types of street foods are also available here. Some of the popular snacks and dishes commonly available on the streets here include macaroni pie, sanchiche, coconut bake, aloo choka, meat and chickpeas, and roti (baked bread filled with potatoes).

After you have completed your visit to The Savannah, it is time now that you head right off to the Grand Stand. It is situated in the southeast of The Savannah and is the main venue in the city for hosting several cultural events. The Carnival is the major celebration held in this place. The colorful and vibrant pre Lenten party attracts thousands of participants. The Carnival is marked by many amazing performances such as the Panaroma Steelpan Finals, the Carnival King and Queen Competitions, the Calypso Monarch, and the Parade of Bands.

The Magnificent Seven is yet another important attraction in the city to explore. This tall buildings complex is situated in the northwestern side of The Savannah. It primarily comprises of mansions that were constructed during the 1900s. The most important mansion among them all is the Whitehall, which is presently the residence of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. It is also home to the Stollmeyer’s Castle and the Queen’s Royal College. The historical clock tower, which is present in the Queen’s Royal College, is a major attraction for the tourists. The beautifully cut stonework is also greatly admired by the tourists at the Stollmeyer’s Castle. The Magnificent Seven is surely not a place to be missed out on your vacation to the city.

If your exploration of the Magnificent Seven is complete, it’s time for you to visit the Royal Botanical Garden. It is situated in the north of The Savannah and is presently home to hundreds of flowers, plants and trees species. You will enjoy visiting this place and spending some time as it’s definitely a fabulous spot in the city for outdoor activities and enjoy nature’s bounty. The orchid house at the Royal Botanical Garden and also the Emperor Valley Zoo are also great attractions for thousands of tourists visiting Port of Spain from different countries around the world.

Apart from these astounding attractions, there are several others such as the National Museum and Art Gallery, Frederick’s Street, Independence Square, and beaches like Maracas Bay, Bocas and Las Cuevas Bay, and Fort George, which are a must visit on your sojourn to this beautiful capital city.