One fun option is to ride all or part of the flat 18-mile Bermuda Railway Trail, which runs the length of the island. Rentals are available at Wheel Cycles on Front StreetĬonventional bikes (livery cycles or "peddle bikes" to the locals) are rentable for about $20 a day at just a few shops throughout the island - but since Bermuda is known for its steep hills, it might prove to be a bit of a challenge. Ask about multi-day prices (about $60 for two days, $81 for three) - otherwise plan on $38 for a one-day rental (built-for-twos will run $55 - $65). You don't need a driver's license, but you do need a helmet and insurance (the rental company includes both in the rental fee). The roads are narrow and winding, and you'll find yourself spending a good deal of time getting out of the way of speeding locals who don't care whether they pass on the left or right - to say nothing of that cumbersome left-side driving detail. Sure, those scooters are cute and you will be tempted to rent one, but we suggest thinking twice if you're a newbie. Also available here is the Heritage Pass ($25 per person) that gets you access to six cultural attractions within a seven-day period: the Bermuda National Gallery, Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, Bermuda Maritime Museum, Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and all forts or, if you have only one day to spend, $10 can get you into the Tucker House Museum, Bermuda National Trust and the Verdmont Museum.īermudians drive on the left - and car rentals are verboten - which means visitors must rely on mopeds, bikes, taxis, ferries and the cotton-candy pink bus system. If you're on a larger ship arriving at the Dockyard, a Visitor's Information Centre is located at the Clocktower Parade. 5 p.m.) for bus tokens, tickets and transportation passes. It provides an excellent overview, highlighting major attractions, golf courses and public beaches - along with a detailed street plan of Hamilton.Ī good first stop on your first day is at the Visitor's Information Centre on Front Street (open Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. The Department of Tourism publishes a free pocket map (Bermuda Handy Reference Map) which is typically distributed to hotels and is available at all Visitor Information Centres. If you're a first-time visitor, get a good map before setting out, and don't be shy about asking for directions. any night at After Hours, The Deep or Splash. on Wednesdays (when most of the cruise ships that call at Bermuda are docked at one or another of the island's ports), Hamilton's Front Street becomes party central the street's closed off to traffic and suddenly the sidewalks are lined with food concession stands, live music and plenty of dancing. You'll be tempted to buy gorgeous porcelain and cashmere till the cows come home, and the nightlife's not bad either - but remember, we're comparing it to the rest of Bermuda, not Vegas or Miami. Maybe that explains why the passionate loyalty to England is way more than just fish and chips and cricket games.Īmong Hamilton's other highlights? Golfing is a big deal, for sure, and beaches are conveniently close by. The port city was named after Henry Hamilton, a British Lieutenant Governor and the island's governor (1788 - 1794), whose ancestry traced all the way back to Mary Queen of Scots. Founded in 1790, Hamilton became the capitol of Bermuda in 1815 because of its central location on the island, which the Colonists believed offered more room to expand. As you stroll through this beautiful port town, you'll love the charming pastel-colored two-story buildings along Front Street (take a break inside the Par-La-Ville Gardens on Queen Street).Īmid the eye-candy viewing atop spots such as the Anglican Cathedral and Point Pleasant - and the must-see "bird cage" near Queen Street where Bermuda-shorts-wearing constables direct the traffic - is all the history that made this colorful and somewhat bustling town what it is today. Most attractions are easy to see on foot. It's also the place that attracts the most visitors because it has plenty of sightseeing attractions - including Bermuda's newest, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. In any event, you really shouldn't miss a visit to Hamilton. But by no means does that mean one must bypass Hamilton it's an easy ferry ride from the Dockyards. George's) now must go to King's Wharf (also known as the Royal Navy Dockyard). Which means, increasingly, that cruise ships once based at Hamilton, Bermuda's capital city (or even at the picturesque St. The charms of a cruise to Bermuda are not lost on those who prefer big-ship voyages, but alas, neither the mouth of Hamilton Harbour nor the dock facilities in town can accommodate those larger vessels.
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