The picturesque capital city of St. George's is wrapped around the island's finest harbour, and was founded by the French in the early 18th century. French heritage is reflected in the red tile roofs and pastel colors of St. George's traditional architecture. The Gothic tower of St. George's Cathedral is the most visible landmark: built in 1818, the cathedral adds to the town's distinctively European character. Across Church Street from the cathedral are the early 18th century York House, which holds the country's House of Parliament and Supreme Court, and the Registry, built in 1780. The capital also contains the country's national museum, and the botanical garden is nearby.
St. George's inner harbour, the Carenage, has been Grenada's center of marine activity for three centuries. A walk along the encircling Wharf Road shows you a lovely view of the harbour and its bounty of colorful vessels, ranging from small fishing boats to sumptuous yachts and huge white cruise ships.
The bustling and colorful Market Square has been the hub of the capital's commercial and civic life for the last 200 years. It's the main site for buying and selling local produce, as well as the focal point for parades and political speeches. It's also a starting point for minibuses to the outer areas of the island. While you're there, don't miss the nearby Esplanade that looks out to the west across the Caribbean. It's a fine spot to stroll and watch the sunset.
Fort George is on a peninsula that commands the harbour entrance, a strategic position since the French constructed it at the beginning of the 18th century. Although it continues to serve as the police headquarters, sightseers can enjoy spectacular views and explore its ancient stone fortifications. On a hill in the capital's center is the smaller Fort Frederick, built by the British in 1791 during the French Revolution.
Grenville, situated about halfway up Grenada's windward eastern shore, is the island's second largest city. Grenville is also home to Grenada's largest nutmeg processing factory, which offers visitors extensive tours of the entire process of nutmeg preparation. Grenville's colorful Saturday market is also worth a visit, as local farmers, fishermen, and merchants gather to sell fresh produce and local handicrafts. Six miles north of the city lies the beautiful Lake Antoine, a crater lake formed by an extinct volcano and part of the Lake Antoine National Landmark, home to a wide variety of wildlife. The lake's perimeter trail, a beautiful walk in itself, provides excellent birdwatching. About a mile and a half from the lake is the Mount Carmel Waterfall, the highest on the island. Actually two falls, they tumble 70 feet to the crystal clear waters below. If you continue another mile and a half north, you'll find River Sallee Boiling Springs. These famous springs are a natural wishing well, noted for their unique geology.
The drive from St. George's to Gouyave, along Grenada's western coast, passes through some of the island's most picturesque areas. Set at the entrance of mountain valleys that abound with papaya and breadfruit trees, Gouyave is the site of elaborate Fisherman's Birthday celebrations in June. Located just outside of the town is the historic Dougaldston Spice Estate, still the primary producer of the island's spices and the place where they are first processed after harvest. Tours provide a fascinating glimpse of the traditional preparation of spices as well as samples of the spices in their fresh, unprocessed form.
Sauteurs is located on Grenada's northernmost point. A noted stop is the Morne Fendue Plantation House, a beautiful 1908 home that serves up a wonderful West Indian lunch buffet on a scenic verandah. North of town is a steep cliff face that descends vertically into the sea for more than 100 feet. Known as called Carib's Leap, it was from the top of the cliff that Grenada's last remaining Carib Indians hurled themselves in 1651. After a century and a half of fiercely repulsing all attempts at European settlement, they preferred suicide to domination by the French. Just to the west of town is Sauteur's Beach. Usually deserted, this beautiful white beach is easily accessible by road and is a pleasant destination for anyone planning an island tour.