Established on land once belonging to the historic Montpelier Estate, the Botanical Gardens of Nevis are owned and operated by a local family and showcases tropical plants from around the world. Within, the 5-acre (2-hectare) sanctuary overflows with fragrant flowers, cascading dolphin fountains, orchid terraces, and water lily ponds.
Established in the building once belonging to the parents of Alexander Hamilton, the waterfront Museum of Nevis History is one of the most important museums on the island. The two-story museum features memorabilia from the U.S. statesman’s life on the island alongside exhibits about Nevis’s unique geology and pre-colonial history.
Built in 1778, the once opulent Bath Hotel and Spring House was the Caribbean’s first tourist hotel, with the international jet set flocking to its therapeutic hot springs. While it’s no longer a hotel, the volcanic baths and the relaxing landscaped gardens are open to the public.
Caribelle Batik is a shop located within Romney Manor, a stately estate once owned by the great-great-great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson. Most of the eye-catching fabrics and apparel for sale are made on the premises, which means you can walk away with a beautiful souvenir or gift while seeing how they create their signature take on the ancient dyeing process.
With its calm, shallow waters and its lovely views of St. Kitts, Oualie Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Nevis, especially for swimming and watching the sunset from the charming beachfront bar. Enjoy water sports and have a meal while soaking up the local culture.
Set within a sprawling 18th-century plantation, Montpellier House is Nevis’s most historic estate, earning its swell reputation by hosting the nuptials of British Admiral Horatio Nelson and Fanny Nisbet and prestigious guests such as Princess Diana and Prince William. While its sugar cane days are over, it’s now a luxury hotel. The restaurant, spa, and grounds are open to visitors.
The highest point on the island of Nevis, Nevis Peak is a tree-covered, and now-dormant, volcano. Although it has not erupted since prehistoric times, there are still signs of volcanic activity in the area, including jets of steam and natural hot springs. Hiking to the peak is a popular activity for adventurous visitors.
Set within the grounds of a former sugar plantation and cotton ginnery, the Nevis Heritage Village at Fothergills Estate recreates the living conditions and examines the social history of the different peoples that have lived on Nevis, from the Carib Indians to the present day.
One of the lesser developed beaches of St. Kitt’s southeast peninsula, tranquil Turtle Beach is a lovely little stretch of sand, boasting opportunities to spot monkeys playing in the trees and swim with a view of the green mountains of Nevis. Snorkelers come here to observe the protected coral reef teaming with fish.
Built in 1740, the Eden Brown Estate is a former sugar and cotton plantation whose great house and outbuildings are in a state of beautiful disrepair. Encroaching wildflowers and overgrown grass surround the ruins, giving this hardly accessed site a magical, haunted feel. In fact, it's the most popular place on the island to spot a ghost.
Clay Villa Plantation House and Gardens is a 10-acre (7.5-hectare) property in Basseterre. Built in 1763, and owned by a family of Carib Indians whose 7th-generation descendants are the current owners, the estate is famous for being the only property of its type that stayed a free working plantation as others around it were profiting from the slave trade.
The Jewish cemetery in Nevis is a poignant reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community that lived on the island. Found in Charlestown, the island’s capital, the cemetery has headstones dating back to the late 17th century, when a number of Jewish families lived on the Caribbean island.
Saddle Hill Fortress stands as a reminder of British Admiral Lord Nelson’s presence on the island of Nevis. Designed as a fallback position in case of invasion, Nelson is said to have used it as a lookout point, though the fort was never equipped with weapons. Today, visitors come to enjoy great views from the observation post.
Located on the southeastern tip of St. Kitts, Great Salt Pond is a tranquil spot to hike paths and birdwatch. Bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the pond has bright white sand beaches within walking distance. Body surfing is popular in the rougher waters of the Atlantic side, while snorkeling and swimming are the names of the games on the calm Caribbean side.
Built in 1680, St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church is one of the oldest churches in the Carribean. Inside the modest stone structure is one of the island’s most precious artifacts, the marriage certificate of British Navy Admiral Horatio Nelson and Frances Nisbet. Outside on the grounds is a cemetery where some of the weather-worn gravestones date back more than 300 years.
