This is one of my favorite destinations. When I was very young, we lived in St. George's. My father was stationed at the US Naval base and my mother taught at Mt. St. Agnes.
Bermuda is actually a string of islands, but the major islands are connected through bridges making it east to travel from one to the next by car.
As an adult, I have traveled to Bermuda several times. It's a short flight from NYC airports making it a great destination for a long weekend. I usually stay in St. George's. There are many options on AirBNB and VRBO to rent cottages, which I find to be a nicer option than a traditional hotel.
My first stop after settling in usually Wahoo's for a dark and stormy. Geza and Alfred will not only keep the cocktails flowing, but also satisfy you with their culinary delights. Another of my favorite destinations is the White Horse Pub where you must order the avocado eggrolls and it seems I am not the only one with this opinion. There is a cute little downtown area with shops and ferry access, but the true beauty lies in the beautiful pink sand beaches. Tobacco Bay is the most well known beach and there is a great little beach bar there as well. If you travel around the bend a bit toward Fort Saint Catherine, you will discover some beautiful coves and hidden beaches. What I love most about Bermuda is the scent. It is a blend of fragrant flowers, ocean air and rosemary bushes. No trip is complete without a stop at the perfumery to bring home a scent or two to hold me over until my next visit.
I usually make a day trip to Hamilton to explore the shops along front street, check out the fancy hotels and snap pictures of the moon gates. I enjoy browsing through the Irish Linen Shop as there are often interesting finds for unique housewarming or shower gifts. The other must browse for me is A.S. Cooper, the Bermudian department store. And once I have worked up an appetite, it time for a stop at The Pickled Onion for a cocktail and nosh. It is good to note that this restaurant is located on the second floor so be sure to remember the steep staircase before opting for "just one more" and be sure to sit outside on the porch to enjoy the view.
Bermuda is a popular destination for cruise ships and the Royal Naval Dockyard is a fun stop as well. There are local artisans crafting wood carvings, blowing glass and other touristy attractions. It is not a must-stop for me, however I do enjoy the rum swizzles at The Frog & Onion.
The two cocktails of Bermuda are the Dark & Stormy and The Swizzle. I am a fan of the former and was excited to learn that they now sell Dark & Stormies in a can, which make for easy consumption while relaxing at the beach. The Crown & Anchor in the Hamilton Princess makes a fancier version with house made ginger beer that is definitely worth a try. And for the rum lovers, there is the infamous Swizzle Inn. There are two locations. The original is a bit of a party scene and off the beaten path unless you are headed to the Crystal Caves or stop on the route from St. George's to Hamilton.
No post would be complete without mention of the amazing sailing options. Events include the Bermuda Gold Cup, The Fitted Dinghy Race and the 35th America's Cup was held in Bermuda in 2017. Although I have never been fortunate enough to have made the journey personally, Bermuda is a popular sailing destination from points along the coast from Rhode Island down to the Carolinas. I have been fortunate enough to have sailed around the waters of Bermuda. There are several options to join a group tour and if you are traveling with a large group or off-season, it can be somewhat affordable to schedule a private charter.
There are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to Bermuda. This is not an inexpensive destination. Be prepared to pay what you would in NYC for cocktails and meals. They do accept US Dollars. It is also quite conservative, bars and restaurants close early and proper attire is required.