There’s nothing to do in Georgetown? Think again. Here are 51 ideas to get you started – one for every year of independence in Guyana.
- Lime on the seawall on a Sunday afternoon with friends, beers and hotdogs.
- Take your photo with Gandhi at the Promenade Gardens.
- Buy cassava bread and casareep for pepperpot at Guyana Shop on Robb Street.
- Watch a blockbuster at Giftland Mall Caribbean Cinemas.
- Feed grass to the manatees in the pond at the National Park.
- Go birdwatching before dawn on a Feather Friends tour.
- Buy Amerindian crafts at the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs on Quamina/Thomas Streets.
- See the work of top local artists at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road/Homestretch Avenue.
- Go for an early morning or evening swim (5am-6am or 7pm-9pm, according to last check) at the National Aquatic Centre (near Giftland). [Update: See reader’s correction in comments box]
- Look at the back of the 1763 Monument, aka Cuffy’s statue, in Independence Square to see Philip Moore’s handiwork in 360 degrees.
- Ride Guyana’s first-ever escalator at City Mall on Regent Street. Then eat at the food court.
- Have a saltfish & bakes breakfast at Oasis Cafe (cheaper than some coffees, believe it or not).
- Explore the history and culture of Guyana’s nine indigenous peoples at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology on Main Street.
- Cower in the shadow of the giant sloth at the National Museum on North Road.
- See indigenous, no-nails construction at the Umana Yana benab on High Street.
- Count the missing body parts on the statue of Queen Victoria outside Georgetown’s High Court.
- Place bets now at the casino inside Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel – or venture upstairs to the games arcade.
- Make a splash at HJ Water World located behind the National Stadium.
- Croon a classic at The Vintage on Lamaha Street where every Thursday is karaoke night.
- Watch go-kart racing at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club track on Albert Street.
- Climb the walls (literally) at Universal PlayPark directly next to Giftland Mall.
- Learn about Guyana’s slave rebellion leaders and see African arts and crafts at the Museum of African Heritage on Barima Avenue, off Vlissengen Road.
- Experiment with cheese meets plantain at Cheeze Pleaze on David Street, Kitty.
- Read a Caribbean classic at the National Library on Church Street.
- Organise a Sunday brunch at the Backyard Barbecue & Grill (a corner away from Cool Square on the back road) – or alternatively Antonio’s Grille on Sheriff Street or Hermanston Lodge on Lamaha/Peter Rose Streets.
- Take five in the peace and quiet of St George’s Cathedral on Church Street – one of the tallest wooden churches in the world.
- Learn another language. There are Portuguese classes at the Brazil-Guyana Cultural Centre on Church Street, Spanish classes at the Venezuelan Embassy, Mandarin classes at the Confucious Institute at UG, to name just three.
- Practice yoga (and perfect your ommmm) at the Indian Cultural Centre in Prashad Nagar ($3,000 for three classes a week for four months – thats $62.5 a class). Other classes available include Kathak dance, harmonium, tabla and vocals.
- Learn how to play guitar, piano, drums, bass or sing at Music Unlimited on Durban Street.
- Buy local art and craft from the Main Street Art Group located on, er, Main Street.
- Eat a Trini ‘doubles’ at Layla’s Doubles outside JR Burgers on Sandy Babb Street.
- Kick back to live music at the Pegasus on Friday and Saturday nights, and Cara Lodge on Saturday nights.
- Take a trip up the Georgetown Lighthouse – advance tickets available from the nearby Maritime Administration Department (don’t think on the day is an option). [Update: See reader’s correction in comments box]
- Buy a book written by a local author at the well-stocked Austin’s Book Store on Church Street.
- Create your own piece of art (while drinking wine) at a Red Entertainment Art Glass class.
- Feast for $440 (large portion) at House of Flavours on Charlotte Street. Other Ital favourites include Steppers on Thomas Street.
- Buy a natural nemwa-husk body loofah at Bourda Market and scrub your troubles (or old skin, at least) away.
- Go on a tour of Diamond Distillery Limited (DDL) – the home of Guyana’s world-famous El Dorado Rum, including a visit to the Demerara Rum Heritage Centre.
- Splash out on Sunday dim sum lunch at New Thriving on Main Street (or pick up some treats at the downstairs bakery).
- Wiggle your hips at a Latin Heat dance class in Kitty. Cuban Salsa, Bachata, cha cha, advanced waltz…
- Take inspiration from neighbouring Brazil and enjoy a caipirinha cocktail at the Brasil Churrascaria & Pizzaria on Alexander Street – or the Brazilian bar at Status Hotel on Croal Street.
- Sample wild meat, pepperpot and other Amerindian dishes – washed down with fresh juice or piwari – at Tocuma restaurant on Waterloo Street.
- Catch a show at the National Cultural Centre on Mandela/Home Stretch Avenues or Theatre Guild on Parade Street.
- Kiss on the Kissing Bridge in the Botanical Gardens. (You can stand on it right?)
- Shop in the shadow of Stabroek Market‘s famous iron-and-steel structure. Don’t set your watch by the clock, though – although that is due to be fixed.
- Spot the curled serpent atop the Radha Krishna Mandir (see main picture) on Camp/Quamina Streets.
- Pay a visit to the 1823 Monument along the seawall in Kitty, commemorating those who died in the Demerara slave revolt of that year.
- Buy a leather handbag, wallet or sandals – handmade in Guyana (hopefully) – at the craft stalls outside the National Museum.
- Order a health-boosting fresh, local juice from Juice Power on Middle Street, or Nicky’s on Albert and Robb Streets.
- See a cricket match at the National Stadium in Providence – if no matches are scheduled, cheer on Guyana’s blind and partially sighted cricket team in practice there every Sunday morning.
- Take a walk through the Walter Rodney Monument on Hadfield Street – and note down all the titles of his books you need to read.