Are you wondering what are the things to do in Kingston Jamaica? My husband and I went to Kingston during our trip to Jamaica. Kingston is the capital of Jamaica and it is a cultural hub of the island and a whole lot of music.
Travellers from around the globe purposefully go to the stunning coastlines of Jamaica through Kingston without paying much attention to the country’s metropolis. That is why I’m here to entice you to stay for a while and experience what Kingston has to offer.
Read More: The Best Jamaica Itinerary For A Fun and Relaxing Week
The list of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica:
1. National Heroes Square
📍Address: Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston City Tour from Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
The National Heroes Square is one of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica. This is where the national heroes of Jamaica were buried. Together with the prominent people in the government, arts, literature and music artists give honour to Jamaica.
As my husband and I walked around in the square we have seen the different artistic landmarks to represent as a shrine to each hero, like the Nanny of the Maroons, Dennis Emmanuel Brown (the Prince of Reggae), the former Prime Minister & National hero of Jamaica Mr Norman Manley and his son another former Prime Minister of Jamaica Michael Manley.
It was a fortunate afternoon that Ms Sarah Manley, the daughter of former Prime Minister Michael Manley, was also there visiting her father’s memorial.
Read more: 9 Great Jamaican Culture, Heritage and Traditions
2. Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity
📍Address: 1-3 George Headley Dr, Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic church. In the 15th century, Spaniards arrived in Jamaica and introduced the Roman Catholic faith. The original cathedral was destroyed during the earthquake in 1907, a year after, they started to rebuild again re-located the cathedral in its current location.
In 2000, the cathedral was included in the Heritage sites in Jamaica. The Spanish government, NGO and the local community helped the diocese in the restoration of the cathedral in its former glory.
3. St. Andrew Parish Church
📍Address: 4 Hagley Park Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 4.2 / 5
St. Andrew Parish Church is an Anglican Church. The Church of England was introduced to Jamaica during the British occupation. St. Andrew Parish was established in 1664, for more than three centuries the church has been a socio-cultural centre in Kingston.
The tour of the Parish gave us a load of different stories about the heritage and history of Jamaica. The parish also has active community projects like St. Clement’s Mission (since 1914), St. Andrew Parish Church Home for Girls (since 1974), The Moreton Park Cottages (since 1955), The Tuesday Charities (since 1980) and the Little Brothers of Saint Andrews since (1997). All these projects are aimed to help the communities in Jamaica.
4. Shaare Shalom Synagogue
📍Address: 92 Duke St, Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 4.6 / 5
Shaare Shalom Synagogue is a Jewish church. This is the only synagogue in Jamaica.
The Jews settled in Jamaica around the 17th century. They started practising their faith in a synagogue in Spanish Town (the old capital of Jamaica), then, later on, moved to Kingston. The United Congregation of Israelites is still a vibrant community in Jamaica
5. Institute of Jamaica
📍Address: 10 -16 East St, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston tour
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
the Institute of Jamaica where we have seen the exhibition about the origins and first inhabitants of Jamaica, the Taino. The next exhibition is everything about the Rastafari and its socio-cultural influence on the people of Jamaica.
6. Life Yard Community
📍Address: 44 Fleet St, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston City Tour from Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Whitfield Hall
The Life Yard is a vibrant, self – reliant and warm Rastafarian community in Kingston, Jamaica. We had our lunch prepared by the community and served the local Rastafarian and Jamaican dishes.
After our lunch, we went to see the Paint Jamaica project, this is a community project to help uplift the image of the inner parts of the city by creating a good and positive community vibe. The murals created for this project showcased different uplifting and positive messages to the people of Jamaica.
7. Rockers International Record Shop
📍Address: 135 Orange St, Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 4.2 / 5
A visit to the Rockers International Records shop is a great way to appreciate Jamaican music history. Before the world discovers Reggae music, there is Ska and Rocksteady.
Mitchie Williams, the resident DJ of the Rockers International Records shop showed us the different tunes and told us the timeline of how Jamaican music has evolved over time. This has been a brilliant experience to discover and appreciate the origin of what the world has known as Reggae music
8. Alpha Boys’ School
📍Address: 26 S Camp Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 4.6 / 5
The Jamaican music tour won’t be completed without paying a visit to the foundation of Jamaican music and where the legendary Jamaican artists came from, the Alpha Boys’ School. My husband and I went to visit a known school in Jamaica. We have been shown around on the school grounds and in other workshops.
The school was led by Sister Ignatius (from 1921 – 2003), who was known as the “Mother Theresa of Reggae Music”. If you are interested to support the Alpha boys school, you can click this link. You can also visit the Alpha Boys’ School internet radio.
The school was founded in 1880 by the initiative of Jessie Ripoll and the Mercy Sisters together with Mother Winnifred Furlong. The Alpha School has helped many children in Jamaica by teaching them vocational skills and basic education that can help them with their livelihood.
The Music school of Alpha Boys’ School is the most popular one. The love for music and artistic talents is the foundation of all the Alpha students and alumni.
Here are some of the most celebrated alumni of Alpha Boys;
Joe Harriott – the pioneer of free Jazz music in the 50’s & 60’s.
Rico Rodriguez – trombone player and well-known artist of different UK ska groups from the 60s–80s.
Eddie “Tan-Tan” Thornton, the trumpet player, played on “Obla-dee Obla-dah” by the Beatles. The longest music school administrator!
9. National Gallery of Jamaica
📍Address: BLOCK 3, Kingston Mall, 12 Ocean Blvd, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston tour
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Chester Avenue Bed & Breakfast
National Gallery of Jamaica where all the amazing artwork of different Jamaican artists. It was established in 1974 and it is the oldest and largest public art museum in the English-speaking Caribbean. It is one of the best things to do in Kingston for culture and art lovers.
The painting, modern art and sculptures all convey different stories and powerful messages about the life and history of Jamaica and its people. The National Gallery of Jamaica also has some permanent exhibitions of Edna Manley, Kapo Gallery and Historic Gallery. The powerful expressions of these Jamaican artists truly moved us.
10. Devon House
📍Address: Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston tour
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Shirley Retreat House
A visit to Kingston won’t be complete without going to the Devon House. A great place to visit for families, couples and for anyone who loves history and culture. The Devon House is one of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica.
The Devon House is one of the historical landmarks in Jamaica as this is the first colonial mansion owned by the first black Jamaican millionaire, Mr George Steibel. The Devon House was built in 1881 including the 51 acres of land surrounding the mansion.
Mr Steibel made his fortune from the gold mining venture in Venezuela and went back to Jamaica to build his stately mansion. The Steibels were controversial during colonial times due to their status.
The first lady of the Governor-General of the British Empire, Lady Musgrove, was so dismayed and ordered to make another road just to avoid seeing the beautiful manor. This road is still being used in Kingston called the Lady Musgrove road.
11. Bob Marley Museum
📍Address: 6, 56 Hope Rd, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston Bob Marley Museum: Full-Day Excursion
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
A trip to Jamaica won’t be complete without a visit to the museum of the legendary reggae music icon, Bob Marley.
The Bob Marley Museum is located at 56 Hope Road, Kingston. The house was acquired by Bob Marley in 1975 and has been the centre of the music and cultural creativity in Kingston and the whole island.
In 1981, the house was converted into a museum by Rita Marley. The Bob Marley Museum offers various music and home tours. The One Love tour will show you both the Tuff Gong International site and the Bob Marley Museum tour.
Read more: 15 Best Things to do in Ocho Rios and Nearby Towns in Jamaica
12. Port Royal
📍Address: Kingston, Jamaica
🌟 Ratings: 4.5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Admirals Inn
The Port Royal is a little medieval village founded in 1494 by the Spanish. It was once the largest and the main port of commerce in the Caribbean. The Port Royal witnessed the conflicts during the Spanish and English colonial times.
The Port Royal was also a safe haven for the privateers. Legend has it that the surrounding waters of the Kingston harbour have lots of treasures from the loots of the privateers that plundered countless sea vessels during colonial times.
The Port Royal has a unique topography as it is standing in a Palisadoes, described as a spit or a tombolo. During the earthquakes of 1692 and 1907, the Port Royal suffered severe damage and some parts of it sunk. At the present time, it serves as a natural protection for Kingston Harbour and the Norman Manley Airport.
13. Spanish Town
📍Address: Spanish Town, Kingston
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston Day Trip From Ocho Rios
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Andyville Jamaica
The Spanish Town was once the capital of Jamaica during the Spanish and British occupation of the island until 1872. Just 18 kilometres / 11 miles away from Kingston, is a must-visit and one of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica.
Due to its cultural and political importance most especially during colonial times, the Spanish town has loads of important landmarks worth visiting.
Some of the notable landmarks in Spanish Town are: The Old King’s House in Spanish Town was where the proclamation of the abolition of slavery was read. The Cathedral of St. James is an Anglican church and the oldest cathedral in the British Caribbean. The Cast Iron Bridge spanning across the Rio Cobre was erected in 1801, was designed by a British engineer and was manufactured in Rotherham, England.
14. Emancipation Park
📍Address: 2636+53W, Oxford Road and, Knutsford Blvd, Kingston
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Courtyard by Marriott Kingston, Jamaica
Gwyneth Davidson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A gentle stroll in the Emancipation Park is one of the relaxing things to do in Kingston Jamaica. The park was formally opened in 2002 and was a gift by the Linguanea Club to the Jamaican people. The park is unmissable due to its two towering statues that symbolise the resilience and strength of the Jamaican people.
15. Trench Town Culture Yard Museum
📍Address: 6 & 8 1st St, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston)
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Whitfield Hall
A visit to Trench Town is one of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica. If you are familiar with Bob Marley’s music and lyrics, you would notice that most of the inspirations of the songs were from his life experiences in Trench Town.
The Trench Town Culture Yard Museum located at 6 & 8 1st Street, Kingston offers a first-hand walking tour of the Government Yard of Trench Town. They will showcase all the different key spots when it comes to the music history and cultural value of the area.
Read more: 13 Best Things to do in Portland Jamaica for families and couples
16. Hope Zoo and Botanical Gardens
📍Address: 231 Old Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: 3 in 1 – Hope Zoo, Devon House and Boardwalk Beach
🌟 Ratings: 4.3 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Moon Hill
The Royal Botanical Gardens is also known as the “Hope Gardens and Zoo”. The Hope Garden is part of the 200 acres of land in the Lingunaea Plains just in the upper part of Kingston city. It is the largest public park in Kingston.
A gentle stroll around the Hope Gardens and Zoo is one of the best things to do in Kingston Jamaica if you are up for a relaxing day with your family and loved ones. You can visit the Zoo, Sunken Garden, Peace Garden, Palm Drive and the Chinese Garden all within the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens.
Map of Kingston, Jamaica:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
I hope that this list helped you in planning and appreciating more all the different things to do in Kingston Jamaica.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published in BBC, Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet, and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British-Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK, Europe, and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history, and culture.