Further above the harbor, at Shirley Heights, are the partially-restored fortifications of the harbor’s colonial observation post; the view from Shirley Heights extends out over the harbor and far across the Caribbean to Montserrat and Guadeloupe. The site is named for General Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands when the area was fortified in the late eighteenth century.  This rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings is best known today for the absolutely breathtaking prospect that it offers. From the Heights one can look far out over English Harbour, and on Sundays the vista is enhanced by barbeque and live music at the bar there (Steel Band music from 3-6 pm & reggae from 6-9). Shirley Heights can be reached via Lookout Trail, a nature walk that rises from the harbor through a forest of trees--descending the trail is not advisable after dark or barbecue revelry.

Along Lookout Trail and near Shirley Heights is Dow's Hill Interpretation Center, at which visitors can watch an impressive multimedia presentation of Antigua's history, from its initial settlement to independence. Observation decks at Dow's Hill provide another fine view of the harbor, as do the ruined fortifications of Fort Berkeley, located on the far side of the bay and reached by a walk around its perimeter. All of these points, as well as the park's convenient beaches, become especially popular spectator positions during Sailing Week.

ST. JOHN'S, ANTIGUA
The skyline of St. John's, the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, is dominated by the magnificently evocative white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. The towers are the first sight of Antigua for about half of the island's visitors each year, many of whom arrive by boat. With its recently completed cruise ship dock and several hotels, St. John's is a lively hub for shopping and dining.

For those interested in the early history of the island, there is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in the colonial Court House (1750). The museum displays both Arawak and colonial artifacts recovered on archaeological digs on the islands. It also features a thought-provoking, life-size replica of an Arawak house, models of sugar plantations, etc.

On Friday and Saturday mornings, be sure to visit the vibrant farmers market on the southern edge of the city. Folk crafts, colorful tropical fruits, and a buzzing crowd make for a lively morning.

Museumof Antigua and Barbuda
This charming museum tells the story of Antigua and Barbuda from its geological birth through the present day. A cool oasis in the middle of St. John's, the museum contains a wide variety of fascinating objects and exhibits, ranging from a life-size replica of an Arawak dwelling to the bat of Viv Richards, one of the greatest cricket players of all time.

Harmony Hall Art Gallery
Harmony Hall, in Brown's Bay at Nonsuch Bay, is the center of the Antiguan arts community. Exhibits change throughout the year, but the annual highlights are the Antigua Artist's Exhibition and the Craft Fair, both in November. The sugar mill tower around which Harmony Hall is built has been converted to a bar and provides its patrons with one of the island's best panoramic views, including a fine prospect of Nonsuch Bay.

 

Sea View Farm Village
Antiguan folk pottery dates back at least to the early 18th century, when slaves fashioned cooking vessels from local clay. Today, folk pottery is fashioned in a number of places around Antigua, but the center of this cottage industry is Sea View Farm Village. The clay is collected from pits located nearby, and the wares are fired in an open fire under layers of green grass in the yards of the potters' houses. Folk pottery can be purchased at outlets in the village as well as at a number of stores around the island. Buyers should be aware that Antiguan folk pottery breaks rather easily in cold environments.

SAILING AND YACHTING
The coasts of Antigua are ideal for yacht cruising and racing, with constant trade-winds, and many harbours for exploration. Easily a week could be spent cruising around this picturesque island of the Caribbean. The sister island of Barbuda has shell laden beaches so long that they dip below the horizon.

The main annual events are as follows:
CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA, hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club.  www.antiguaclassics.com.  
ROLEX ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK This has become one of the top three regattas of the world. It is run under the auspices of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association. www.sailingweek.com.
Other events of the year organized by the Antigua Yacht Club are the annual High Tide Series, Green Island Race, informal Round-the-Island-Race and the "after work" Thursday afternoon races for all-comers.

CRICKET IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

One cannot fully grasp the culture of Antigua without considering the island's fierce devotion to cricket. The sport is played everywhere and at any time, though official matches tend to be held on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The cricket season lasts from January to July and is interspersed during most seasons with regional and international matches. The Antigua Recreation Ground, which became in 1980-81 the 52nd international test venue, is one of the most exciting places in the world to observe a match. The local crowd is extremely devoted to the game, and the facilities themselves are outstanding.

Although Antigua's pool of players is small it has proven to be among the world's richest in talent, having produced four of the West Indies' best players. The first was Andy Roberts, who emerged as an international star during the mid-Seventies. Roberts' outstanding career as a fast bowler during the heyday of West Indian cricket in the early 80's was followed by his tenure as the coach of the West Indies team. Another great Antiguan player is Richie Richardson, the former captain of the West Indies, who developed into one of the game's most punishing batsmen in the decade following his 1983 debut.  Another great player is Curtley Ambrose.  Starting in 1998, Ambrose soared to bowling supremacy knocking down the most feared batsmen all over the world. Ambrose has to his credit 369 Test Wickets and 221 one day international wickets. This is no mean feat for a career that spans 13 years. In 1992 he was selected at the Wisden Cricketer of the Year. At 36 years old Ambrose still has the ability to make every batsman struggle. Cricket critic, Colin Croft describes him as "easily the 'meanest' fast bowler in the world". Ambrose's utility on the cricket pitch goes beyond his bowling. He is a useful fielder in the deep and has shared partnerships which have led to major victories for the Windies.

The most celebrated of Antigua's sports legends, however, is Viv Richards, who ranks among the very greatest cricketers of all time. Richards' international career lasted from 1974 to 1991, and during the middle years of that career the "Master Blaster" led a West Indian team that dominated world cricket. Richards is deservedly adulated on his home island today: his bat has been placed in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, and Richards himself remains involved in the Antiguan, West Indian, and International cricket scene. Spinnakers Beach Bar and Restaurant in Dickenson Bay is the home of the Vivian Richards Cricketeer Club and a good place to catch a glimpse of the man himself.

DIVING AND SNORKELING
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by well-preserved coral reefs, walls, and shipwrecks. The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua and virtually the entire coast of Barbuda are surrounded by shelfs, providing excellent conditions for spectacular shallow diving and snorkeling. There is little or no current in most places, and the water temperature averages about 80 F (25 C). Underwater visibility ranges from 50 to 140 feet, and tropical marine plants and animals are diverse and plentiful. Snorkeling is possible at many of both islands' most beautiful beaches; one of Antigua's best-known offshore sites, Cades Reef, is now partly contained in a designated underwater park. Another popular destination is the wreck of the Andes, a three-masted merchant ship that sank in 1905 and now rests in less than thirty feet of water in (ironically enough) Deep Bay. Antigua's dive facilities are far superior to those available on smaller Barbuda, and so most of the sites that have been established as dive destinations are Antiguan. The southern and eastern coasts are considered to offer the most consistent diving; for more advanced divers, the ledge of Sunken Rock on the south coast is a popular site. Dive depths generally range from 25 to 80 feet and can reach 180 feet; distances from shore to site are in some cases no more than five minutes and at most 40 minutes away.

Barbuda's encircling reefs contain an enormous number of wrecks, most of which are yet to be explored; in fact, the Codrington fortunes on Barbuda were intimately linked to their acquisition of rights to the wreckage in the 17th-century. To dive off Barbuda, it is best to make arrangements with a dive shop on Antigua to have the necessary equipment taken over by air or boat.