10 Really Cool Things To Do In Barbados: Top Sights And Best Beaches

Whether you know it as the birthplace of Rihanna or rum, Barbados is a beautiful country full of adventure and rich history. Its Caribbean location gives the island its calm, protected western side and a wilder eastern side where Atlantic waves pelt the shores.

I visited during the dry season, which runs from December to April. If you don’t mind chancing occasional thunderstorms — and possibly a hurricane — you’ll find sparser crowds and better deals during the June through November wet season. When visiting Barbados, surrender to the island's pace; don’t overschedule and allow plenty of time to explore.

I enjoyed my glimpse into the island’s African and British heritage, as well as its natural beauty. Here are some of the best things to do in Barbados.

Taking a tour with Island Safari Barbados is a great intro to the island, and it allows you to go off-road on the island’s many bumpy dirt tracks. The five-hour tour stops at Barbados attractions like old sugar mills and dramatic ocean viewpoints. Our tour guide managed to spot a few of Barbados’ famous green monkeys, brought from West Africa more than 350 years ago.

Go scuba diving

My main aim in visiting Barbados was to become a certified scuba diver. With 35 years of diving experience, Edwin Blackman of Dive Hightide Watersports was an excellent instructor.

“Barbados is one of the undisclosed secret spots,” says Blackman, “so divers that come here are surprised when they see the fish and the wrecks we have.” Divers can shore dive from Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown and swim out to wrecks ranging from 20 feet to 50 feet deep.

Stroll through a secret submarine tracking station

On the eastern side of Barbados, stroll the paths of Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Barbadian horticulturalist and self-taught scientist Iris Bannochie founded this garden in 1954. Camouflaged by lush tropical plants and bearded figs, the U.S. Navy operated a secret submarine tracking station here during the Cold War.

Historic Bridgetown and Garrison is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top attractions in Barbados. When you explore the site, be sure to visit the Barbados Museum & Historical Society to gain a deeper understanding of this country.

You’ll learn about the island’s architecture, Barbado's now defunct railway (where third-class passengers were sometimes required to help push the train!), its Amerindian heritage, and its history with enslavement. Barbados was second only to Jamaica in the number of enslaved people. Beneath the veneer of rum, white sand beaches, and hospitality are people with complex backgrounds who are proud of what they’ve made of their country.

See the house where a teenaged George Washington slept

While in Bridgetown, the George Washington House is also worth visiting. Washington only visited one country outside the U.S. during this lifetime, and — yep, it was Barbados. Well before he had political ambitions, a 19-year-old Washington spent a few months in this yellow house in 1751, accompanying his older brother, Lawrence, who was fighting tuberculosis.

The house is grand, with an ocean view. Also, visitors are welcome to squeeze into the garrison tunnels, an engineering feat built initially for drainage and later for covert military movement. (PS: This experience isn't for the claustrophobic.)

At the People Environment Growth (PEG) Farm, you’ll learn about medicinal plants and biodynamic farming, meet cows and peacocks, and enjoy views of crashing waves. There’s a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant where you can get lunch. I sought refuge there, eating flatbread with eggplant spread, curried chickpeas, and sweet potatoes as a midday thunderstorm pelted the roof. Try the five-finger juice, a local name for starfruit.

Watch a cricket match

Barbados is really into cricket. It’s probably the most popular sport in the whole Caribbean. You can see a match at the world-famous Kensington Oval cricketing ground. Or just about anywhere. “The country is set up for cricket,” says Kamal Springer, manager for sports tourism at Barbados Tourism Marketing. “You can’t drive a few miles and not see a cricket field somewhere. Up the road, down the hill.”

So, bone up on the rules of this ball and bat sport and get in on the fun.

Test your mettle at Run Barbados

If you love to run, consider timing your visit for December and participating in the three-day Run Barbados, the island’s largest running event. It kicks off with a nighttime "fun mile" run around the historic Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown. On Saturday and Sunday, runners follow a rugged and hilly east coast course for longer races.

Explore the best beaches in Barbados

Visiting beautiful beaches is one of the top things to do in Barbados. For swimmers, the west coast beaches are best, as the water is calmest there. Mullins Beach, Pebbles Beach, and Dover Beach are safe and serene. As is Carlisle Bay, the site of the annual Barbados Open Water Festival.

“Carlisle Bay is world-class,” says Zary Evelyn, the festival's event director. “Lack of current. The pretty, pretty water. The turtles. Just the location is perfect, water conditions are perfect, and the scenery is perfect.”

Rockley Beach is fun and busy, with a mile-long boardwalk and beach vendors. Surfers prefer the wild and rocky east coast, especially Bathsheba.

Get down to a tuk band

Tuk bands play a type of music born from colonial tensions. When the British rulers banned Afro-based drums, enslaved people developed a new sound that merged European military instruments with African rhythms. Musicians played the pennywhistle, double-headed bass drum, flute, and snare drum while costumed characters danced.

Nowadays, tourists guzzle rum punch while watching Mother Sally (a character representing the fertility of Mother Africa) and acrobatic witch doctor Shaggy Bear dance to a tuk band at the Harbour Lights dinner show. It reminded me of how much history and culture lurk beneath the island’s gorgeous beaches.

For a lively scene with lots of beachgoers and slow traffic, check out The Rockley Barbados, a few miles south of Bridgetown. For something on the quieter eastern side of the island, book a stay at the palm-filled Eco Lifestyle + Lodge in Tent Bay.

Disney World may not be the first place you think of when it comes to romance, but it's home to some of the most legendary couples of all time, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric, and Cinderella and Prince Charming.

So it should come as no surprise that there are many romantic things to do at Disney World. Thousands of real-life couples pilgrimage to the park each year to get engaged, marry, honeymoon, or renew their vows. It’s a tale as old as time, and in many ways, it’s the perfect place to pursue your happily ever after.

“From fireworks spectaculars to Michelin-starred dining and sunset cruises, the options for celebrating a couple’s love story are endless,” says Korri McFann of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. “There’s no more romantic place for weddings and vow renewals. We have venues that fit any wedding vision, including castles, beaches, romantic gardens, immersive theme parks, and Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, which sits on a small island in the Seven Seas Lagoon with Cinderella Castle framed in the altar window.”

Whether you’re considering a Walt Disney World Valentine’s Day date night, anniversary celebration, or wedding, here’s everything you need to know about Disney's romantic side.

Can I propose at Disney World?

“Yes!” says McFann. “We have many magical backdrops for an unforgettable proposal, including iconic locations like Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park and the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The international settings of World Showcase pavilions at EPCOT can hold special significance to a couple. Plus, the gorgeous new World Celebration Gardens feature dazzling lights synchronized with thousands of lights on Spaceship Earth.”

Book a Capture Your Moment session with a professional Disney photographer to document your proposal. This will relieve the stress of the person popping the question and ensure photos and memories that last a lifetime.

“People often think of Disney destinations as places for kids or families, but I think this is a complete misconception,” says Josh Blye, a travel advisor who specializes in Disney vacations. He proposed to his husband at their favorite spot in Walt Disney World, the Victoria Gardens in the Canada Pavilion at EPCOT. "It's a small, usually overlooked spot that most people simply walk through to access other areas. It's so serene and beautiful.”

That path also leads to Le Cellier Steakhouse, a personal favorite of the couple. They make a reservation at the chateau-inspired award-winning theme park restaurant every visit.

“On our way to dinner, I stopped Owen in the gardens and told him I wanted to give him his final birthday present," Blye recounts. "Very quietly and privately, I proposed, and he said yes. Afterward, we enjoyed an incredible meal and celebrated with champagne."

The next day, Blye arranged a private engagement photo shoot in the park with Disney Fine Art Photography and Video. "It was truly magical."

Among the many romantic things to do at Disney World, there are hidden spots and parks where you can propose, grab a kiss, or take a photo.

“Cinderella Castle is the epitome of romance,” says Blye. “That's why so many people pop the question in front of it.”

McFann also recommends the Wishing Well at Magic Kingdom for a photo opp. “It’s a quiet location that features the iconic Cinderella Castle as a backdrop,” she says. “I’m also a fan of the many private venues around World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT. Imagine having a multimillion-dollar fireworks and fountain spectacular as the backdrop to a proposal.”

At EPCOT, you can stroll through bucket-list destinations like Italy, France, and Japan and take romantic photos in front of sights like the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget to pick up a couple of Happily Ever After buttons at any guest relations location. These buttons will garner shoutouts from cast members and maybe even a high-five from Mickey himself.

It’s easy to enjoy romantic dining in Disney World, although even sharing the park’s signature Dole Whip can be romantic with the right person.

Love is always in the air at the Michelin-starred Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and at Cinderella's Royal Table inside Cinderella Castle.

“Couples will also find romantic settings at our many rooftop restaurants with incomparable views of the parks, fireworks displays, and more,” says McFann.

You could spend a Walt Disney World Valentine's Day at the California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Topolino's Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Toledo at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Romantic hotels in Disney World

Unfortunately, you can’t stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite unless you're invited or win a rare Disney-sponsored contest or charity auction. However, plenty of romantic hotel options remain for a Disney World honeymoon or romantic getaway.

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a top choice, with its adults-only pool, indulgent spa treatments for couples, and private balconies overlooking the fireworks.

Celebrated for its Victorian charm and sophistication, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is luxurious and romantic. A USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice winner for Best Amusement Park Hotel is home to Enchanted Rose, the "Beauty and the Beast"-inspired lounge featuring cocktails, candlelight, and the cozy Belle’s library.

“The new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of my favorite romantic spots,” says McFann. “This island-inspired retreat [and Readers' Choice Awards favorite] offers sweeping views of Seven Seas Lagoon and prime viewing for the Magic Kingdom fireworks. It’s an idyllic resort for couples looking for a tropical oasis and offers incredible dining at Wailulu Bar & Grill.”

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is another of McFann’s favorites for a romantic getaway. Located within walking distance of EPCOT and with water taxi and Disney Skyliner service to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it gives couples quick access to the parks. The resort also has an extensive collection of restaurants and shops along its waterfront boardwalk that are perfect for date night.

Whether it's a Disney World honeymoon, Valentine's Day, or anniversary, you can book many romantic packages. It all begins at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, where experts, like Cinderella’s fairy godmother, work their magic to create a couple’s dream experience, customizing each detail specifically for them.

“We specialize in creating ‘surprise and delight’ moments, from musical performances to Disney character greetings," says McFann. "One of the biggest compliments for our team is seeing the children of couples we worked with coming to us for their weddings. We’ve been celebrating love stories for more than 30 years, and it’s amazing to see the entire family return to celebrate the next generation.”

Happily after ever, indeed.