Bridgetown is the capital city of Barbados, with the focal point being The Careenage, a narrow inner harbour at the mouth of the Constitution River, discovered by an English expedition in 1625.  The Careenage is now a pleasant place to watch the world pass by, with a handful of waterfront cafes and restaurants to while away an hour or so.

On the north bank of this inlet stands National Heroes Square, formerly known as Trafalgar Square, where a statue of Horatio Nelson has stood since 1813 to commemorate his death at the Battle of Trafalgar.  However, this is likely to be moved elsewhere on the island, and replaced with a Barbadian figure.

A short walk east will lead you to St Michael's Cathedral, rebuilt several times, and said to have been worshipped in by George Washington, in one of his rare trips outside the US. 

The old military prison houses the Barbados Museum, showing an overview of the island's natural history and the early settlers.  Twice a week an exuberant folklore show takes place here, tracing the island's history and culture, accompanied by traditional drums and a steel band.