What to see
St John’s, the capital city (pop. 36000): Built in the 17th century, it is one of the oldest ports in the Caribbean. This city represents a surprising mix of tradition and modernity.
St John’s Cathedral: it is one of the most impressive Anglican churches in the Caribbean. Originally constructed in 1683, it has been rebuilt twice. After the 1843 earthquake destroyed the previous cathedral, a structure designed to be quake and hurricane proof was devised of pitch pine encased in stone.
Betty’s Hope: Sir Christopher Codrington, one of the most powerful landowners in colonial Antigua, named his sugar estate after his daughter in 1674. It was one of the island’s first full-scale plantations, and is now one of the must-see attractions. Two windmill towers are still standing, as well as the arches of the boiling house. One of the twin windmills is again in working order, the only operational 18th-century windmill in the Caribbean; restoration work is continuing. Look out for this historic site not far from Pares Village.
Shirley Heights: named after the Governor-General in the 1780s, contains the windblown echoes of Antigua's colonial past. The Officer's Quarters once bustled with naval officers serving Admiral Nelson. Today a restaurant occupies the former Ordnance Building.

What to do
Shopping: The new Heritage Quay in St. John's offers a good variety of duty free shopping with quality leather, perfumes and jewelry. Nearby Redcliffe Quay has some delightful boutiques specializing in Antiguan designed clothing and several galleries with local arts and crafts.
Sporting Life: Many hotels offer sports facilities within their own grounds. Excellent beaches and crystal clear waters make watersports particularly popular, including scuba diving, water-skiing and windsurfing. Yacht chartering and deep sea fishing can easily be arranged. Cricket is the national game and is played at the highest international standards. Good golf can be found at Clear Valley (18 holes) and Half Moon Bay (9 holes).
Diving: A look at the map reveals countless embayments, harbors and islands - one of the most complex coastlines in the West Indies with everything from sheer cliffs to pure white sand beaches to mangrove wetlands which host thousands of migrant birds each winter. Antigua is one of those places where you will see more shades of blue, green and in-between than you thought possible.