Stretch your legs and see the highlights with a walking excursion of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Learn more about the island's history, sample some local rum and sightsee. A wonderful local experience!
You'll meet your guide outside your St. Maarten cruise terminal to begin your day. Philipsburg is the capital of St. Maarten and sits on a narrow strip of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. Packed into this small town you'll find shops, restaurants, casinos, and hotels. You'll begin your leisurely paced walk from the cruise terminal to your first stop, St. Maarten's only Dutch cheese shop, the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Shop. Here you'll have a chance to sample some of the delicious gouda cheeses they offer.
With a visit to the Museum, you'll learn more about the history of the island. The museum contains historical exhibits, photos, clothing, belongings of former residents of Granite County and a mural of a mining community. The next stop is at the most popular tourist attraction on the island, The Guavaberry Emporium, located in a former governor's house. Here they make and sell the island's famous rum from cane sugar and guava berries. Your guide will give you the colorful history of the island while you sample some rum. You can also purchase some to take home.
You'll stroll down the Boardwalk, which runs in front of the hotels and restaurants by the Great Bay waterfront. Nearly 50 feet wide it runs the length of the city. Front Street has jewelry stores, high-end shops and casinos and Back Street is a local marketplace where you can purchase Caribbean dresses, hats, bags, and souvenirs. Stop to have a look at the stunning array of diamonds and get a refreshing complimentary drink at the family-run Caribbean Gems. Do some window shopping on St. Rose Arcade, the sight of a former hospital turned elderly care facility, and now a shopping mall. Rents from the stores still provide care for the elderly on St. Maarten.
Pass Philipsburg Court House, built-in 1793 for Scottish Commander John Philips and an important site on the island. The cupola-topped structure has been a fire station, a post office and a jail. End your walk with a stop at the world's smallest bar, Juggie's Place. With its sunny yellow front, bright blue counter, handwritten words of wisdom on pieces of brown paper, and a talkative barkeep, this is one of the favorite bars in town. Here you'll sample more of the islands rum and the right to say you've been to the world's smallest bar!
Your guide will say goodbye at Philipsburg courthouse and leave you to explore, shop or stroll on your own. When you're finished, you can walk back to your St. Maarten cruise terminal just a 10-minute walk away or take a 5-minute water taxi ride at your leisure and own expense.
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