George Town Walking Tour in Grand Cayman

Family Walking Tour

• 1. Start at the National Museum A great introduction to Cayman’s natural history and heritage. There are interactive displays, a movie theatre, a children’s gallery and gift shop. (Allow 40–60mins).

• 2. Local Art Keeping the waterfront on your right, walk to the Guy Harvey Gallery & Shoppe to see some local art. On your way, make sure to stop at the Stingray fountain at Bayshore Mall for a great photo. At Guy Harvey's gallery, you can browse the beautiful art, and shop for souvenirs. (10-15 mins)

• 3. Heroes Square Walk ow with the waterfront on your left, walk past the Museum and turn right into Cardinall Avenue, then left into Albert Panton Street. 100 yards on the right you will see a long colourful mural depicting Cayman’s history. Continue another 50 yards past the law courts and you can explore Heroes Square and the Wall of Honour, which lists the names of 500 Caymanians who have contributed to the development of the Cayman Islands. You'll also see the clock tower which was built in 1937 in memory of King George V. (15–20 mins)
• 4. Fort George Now turn left into Fort Street and walk towards the waterfront. At the end you will find the 18th century fort that once stood overlooking the harbour. It's believed to date back to around 1790. You'll also see a replica of a cannon that was used to defend Grand Cayman from attacks by Spanish marauders and pirates. (10–15 mins)
• 5. Craft Market Continue walking with the waterfront to your left and you'll spot the Craft Market on the right-hand side of the road. Here you'll find locally produced goods, crafts and collector's items. Stalls are open on days when cruise ships are in port. (15–30 mins)
• 6. Fish Market Continue walking in the same direction for to where the fishermen sell their daily catch on the water. (10 mins)

Other Points of Interest

• 7. Elmslie Church Named after Rev. James Elmslie, who preached in Cayman in the 1840s, this church was constructed during the 1920s by the naval architect Capt. Rayal Bodden. Inside you will notice the roof is designed like a ship’s hull turned upside down. A war memorial in the form of a large white Celtic cross stands just in front of the church. Open to visitors Monday-Friday 10.30am-2pm on days that the cruise ships are in. If closed ask in the church office. (15–30mins)
• 8. Cayman Islands Parliament Building Now turn down Fort Street. Walk for 100 yards and on the left is the House of Parliament where government meets. When Parliament is in session, members of the public can watch the proceedings from the public viewing gallery on the second floor. (5mins)
• 9. Seamen’s Memorial The statue represents a father and son on a ship’s deck and features the names of 450 brave and heroic Caymanian seafarers who lost their lives at sea. Located in Heroes Square.
• 10. WW II US Navy Base Code named 'Baldpate', this secret base of 40-60 men helped monitor submarine activity in the area. The base consisted of a radio shack, supply office, barracks/tents and an officer’s club.

Maritime Heritage Trail

This 20 stop tour celebrates Cayman’s rich maritime heritage. It's usually a driving tour, with stops marked by roadside signs, but you can walk to two of the sites in George Town. For more information on the tour, pick up a booklet from the National Museum.

• Hog Sty Bay A busy port with anchorage for local vessels, visiting merchant navy and cruise ships. Archeology finds suggest that the shoreline dates back to the mid-1700s. In 1773 British Navy Surveyor, George Gauld, wrote ‘This, in good weather is very convenient place for wooding and watering and getting stock and other refreshment'.

• Shipbuilding Look very carefully beside the old Atlantis Submarine building for a slipway carved into the ironshore where the Arch family’s shipyard launched their vessels. Local wood was used in construction, including mahogany, cedar and pop nut. You will find a number of other slipways if you follow the iron shore south towards Dart Park.