Castleton Gardens is located only 20 minutes from Kingston and is anchored on a landscape dominated by ravines and tall mountain ranges. This lush, unbelievably beautiful garden is located on 15 acres and is bordered by the main road on one side and a river on the other. The flora includes the most exotic, often indigenous ferns and majestic palms. Annual rainfall here is 45 inches! The picnic areas are sheltered by some of the island's most elegant trees. This is truly a nature-lover's paradise.
Jamaica's longest mountain range ascends high above lush plantain groves and the four parishes that skirt its foothills – Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary and St. Andrew. The summit of Blue Mountain Peak forms the topmost crest of the titular mountain range, towering at an altitude of 2256 meters (7402 feet) above the range's smaller peaks. Thick swirls of clouds descend to meet the mountains from their heavenly realm, shrouding the mountain range in a blue color gradient that lends it its poetic title. The mountains represent one of the oldest features of the Jamaican landscape, having risen from the folds of the earth somewhere during the Cretaceous Period nearly 65 million years ago. Today, its verdant slopes are home to the world's second-largest butterfly and a wealth of endemic flora that carpets its sides in cheerful bloom. The mountains also contribute a great deal to Jamaica's famous coffee economy. The widely marketed Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated on the mountain's middle reaches, while its topmost reaches are cloaked in overgrown woodlands.
Holywell National Park is an extensive area that occupies over almost 300 acres (120 hectares) of lush woodland and forest. It is an ideal place for nature lovers, boasting a wide variety of bird species. The hiking trails meander through the jungle-like grounds giving way to well-needed rest areas with picnic and play areas. Many tourists go in search of the Blue Mountain coffee plants that are grown in this fertile paradise.
Emancipation Park is characterized by well-paved pathways, tropical plants and flower beds. Walkers and joggers head here in the morning to exercise on the jogging tracks, while the dewy green lawns sparkle under the glow of golden incandescent lights at night. This park was built as a symbol of liberation and its highlight is the large, albeit controversial, sculpture Redemption Song at the park entrance. This 3.35-meter (11-foot) sculpture has two statues made of bronze. They represent a nude female and a nude male figure looking up at the sky in hope of emancipation. The park is a popular venue for concerts, performances, exhibitions and other large-scale events.
The Natural History Museum of Jamaica is part of the Institute of Jamaica, which governs several Jamaican museums. This museum boasts an astounding collection of 110,000 animal species and 130,000 plant varieties. Together, the collections in the herbarium and the zoology section represent the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean Islands. It also has a large science library for researchers, academics and students. Its educational programs include An Afternoon with a Scientist that helps students widen their grasp on scientific topics. This museum is closed on weekends and public holidays.
This classic 19th-century mansion captures Jamaica's architectural past. Nestled between towering palm trees overlooking a fountain, the restored landmark stands out prominently amidst the urban backdrop of Kingston. Furnished with antique furniture, carpets, paintings and drapes, the house immerses visitors in colonial charm. The adjoining courtyard has craft and souvenir shops, a restaurant and an ice cream shop that specializes in exotic Jamaican fruit flavors. This Garden/Great House is truly an idyllic treasure. Home to Jamaican millionaire George Stiebel, Devon House is National Heritage Site.