George Washington House
George Washington House
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A nineteen year-old George Washington spent two months at this house, making Barbados the only foreign nation Washington ever visited.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Erin M6 contributionsMake this part of your visit to BarbadosOur tour of the George Washington House was a highlight of our cruise. Our tour guide, James, did a wonderful job explaining the history of the island and George Washington’s visit there. Very interesting and informative and so worth the price of a ticket! Highly recommend. 10 out of 10.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 26, 2024
- Sarah CAshtead, United Kingdom1,321 contributionsExcellent historic houseAbsolutely fascinating and very well presented, this is a delightful museum and taught us so much, we had no idea of GW's (brief) connection with Barbados. It's easy to feel the historic atmosphere and imagine life in the house several hundred years ago. We also walked the long tunnel, gosh how narrow (people were slimmer then!)Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- RicochanNew York386 contributionsThe first president of the U.S. was hereAs an American, I've had the privilege of visiting numerous locations that the first U.S. president, George Washington, either resided in or visited, even if it was just for a single beer. Barbados is the only (currently) foreign country he ever stayed in, and it was here that a young George Washington gained scientific knowledge and made significant connections that would later aid his career. The audio self-guided tour, which was included in the $20 admission fee, along with a short film, were well worth the cost. A section of the extensive tunnel system is accessible from the property. Normally, I'm not one for confined spaces, but the path was sufficiently lit for this claustrophobic person. We walked to the house from our hotel, but there was ample parking available on-site. I'm not certain if access might be challenging on race days. I recommend a stroll to the clock tower for an excellent photo opportunity. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I noticed a charming couple seated on one of the benches around the racetrack. Garrison is indeed a tranquil area.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 18, 2024
- Roving636956308511 contributionGreat tour of George Washington HouseThe tour of the Geo. Washington house was very informative and well done! Learned a good deal about the Caribbean Slave trade. Did not know that the value of sugar and rum far outpaced US goods as far as the British were concerned. Also toured the Barbados museum just up the hill and that also was well worth doing. Did not walk through the "Garrison tunnel"...went down the steps and peered in and it was way too narrow to be comfortable for us.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 19, 2024
- Frank MFlorence, South Carolina123 contributionsThe George Washington HouseWent to visit after seeing the Barbados Museum, which is a short walk away. the grounds are quite accessible and have some nice restrooms and a cafe. the house is accessible on the first level to wheelchairs, however the upper level and the tunnel are stairs only. definitely cool to see and gives some interesting insights into George Washington and the revolutionary war. I would highly recommend to walk around and see the area then stop at the cafe and get some rum punch and their ceviche, as both are excellent.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 19, 2024
- mr bPreston, United Kingdom187 contributionsAmerican history. InterestingNice area next to the race track. Colonial house and lots of info about George before the revolution . Plenty to see and the best made of it. Watch the video first beforehand 63m tunnel bit tight. Nice cafe to relax at the end or before.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 21, 2024
- Scott GWashington DC, District of Columbia448 contributionsPleasant, beautiful, informativeThe first floor of the house is handsomely, if a bit Spartanly, furnished. The house and grounds are lovely; there are a few small outbuildings and the garrison tunnel. The upstairs is a museum with interesting information. There is a well-produced film that is also very informative about Washington's visit to Barbados and its influence on him as a leader.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 24, 2024
- Robert D5,379 contributionsLink between Barbados and the U.S.George Washington only left the United States only once. At age 19, he accompanied his half-brother Lawrence to Barbados in the hope of finding a cure for Lawrence's tuberculosis. While in Barbados, George caught smallpox. He was sick for three weeks, but recovered. More importantly he was now immune to smallpox. Thus during the American Revolution, he inoculated his troops against the disease and that helped to prevent a disaster. Also in Barbados, he saw the British military up close since he was staying at the Garrison. This inspired him to chose a military career. He knew the British procedures so he could anticipate their moves during the revolution. The house George and Lawrence rented was built in the early 18th century. You can tour the rooms with an audio-guide. You can see his bedroom. George Washington slept here, but as the museum points out, he also woke up here. (His experiences in Barbados helped shape his future.) The upper floor of the house has museum exhibits about George and his visit to Barbados. You can see costumes used for re-enactments. The Garrison area had many tunnels to facilitate movement between the various areas. These tunnels were only rediscovered recently. You can walk through a short section at the George Washington House. This home is well worth a visit and far less crowded than Mount Vernon. PS Lawrence was not cured in Barbados. He went to Bermuda. When that did not work, he returned to Virginia in 1752 and died a month later. George inherited Mount Vernon after Lawrence's daughter died.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten June 29, 2024
- Naya95Ansonia, Connecticut169 contributionsEasy walkingThe house and grounds are a nice and easy walk. The video is not to long but gives a lot of information. The building does have a second floor. So if stairs are a challenge for you, you can still enjoy the first level and the kitchen building and Cafe. If you are not a fan of tight place you might want to skip the tunnel. Don't worry, no big deal.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 17, 2024
- WendyNova Scotia, Canada17 contributionsWould recommend!Although it’s not our first visit to Barbados, this was our first time at this museum. We enjoyed the video and the exhibits. So much history! We had a cup of coffee while there, it was very good. We also picked up a map of the area and used it to locate the military grave yard in the Garrison, where we took a walk around the next day.Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 5, 2024
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Francie H
5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We had two days in Bridgetown Barbados after our Caribbean cruise. Our cab driver from the port pointed out the George Washington house, explaining that George Washington had spent time on Barbados and they had a museum of the house where he stayed. We love history and so George Washington House was the 1st place we visited in Barbados. It is a fascinating tour that I recommend for any history fan. The house is furnished the way it would have been when George Washington stayed there. Your tour ticket includes a recorded tour which gives all kinds of fascinating information about what George Washington did during his visit and how what he learned in Barbados informed choices he made as general of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. There is also a lovely cafe on the property where we stopped and had a coke break. While we didn't eat there, the food looked amazing. I highly recommend making George Washington House part of your visit to Bridgetown, Barbados.
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njcavalier
Chatham, NJ429 contributions
Jan 2023
Our recent tour of the George Washington House was fascinating. I highly recommend the tour to anyone interested in history or architecture; it is an absolute must for any American visiting Bridgetown, Barbados. The only place in which Washington lived outside the United States, the house is splendidly curated, with the bedrooms where George and his half-brother Lawrence stayed on the ground floor and an interesting museum on the upper floor of the home. We had a guided tour of the home and grounds — including the delightfully creepy Garrison Tunnels — given by Peter, whose knowledge of and insights into the Washington brothers’ 1751 visit to Barbados made the visit even more special. (Audio guides are also available for a self-guided tour.)
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daisy
Leeds, UK7 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This museum details George Washington’s 2 week holiday in the 1700’s where he spent most of it in bed with smallpox! As you can imagine, there isn’t much to see but some good info about the history of Barbados.
The cafe however, is excellent! Our waiter, Andre, was exceptional!! Friendly, charismatic, attentive and ensured we were well looked after. The rum punch is a must, we had several!
We would absolutely return but bypass the museum and head straight to the cafe!
The cafe however, is excellent! Our waiter, Andre, was exceptional!! Friendly, charismatic, attentive and ensured we were well looked after. The rum punch is a must, we had several!
We would absolutely return but bypass the museum and head straight to the cafe!
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veryuniquetraveler
NEBRASKA578 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and the insight into this era of George Washington's life. Now I feel I have a complete history lesson, as I have been to his birthplace, Caribbean home, and Mt. Vernon, plus several of the battlefields he served at during the Revolution. Your visit begins with a video presentation of George's time in Barbados followed by a good self-guided audio tour. Upstairs there is a museum with exhibits of Barbados' history. I only wish the view from the home today could have been the same as it was when George was there.
You also get to tour a section of the Garrison tunnels, which is really fascinating.
Before covid, they hosted a weekly candlelit Dinner with George Washington in the high season, which I dearly wanted to attend, but unfortunately it has not resumed yet.
You also get to tour a section of the Garrison tunnels, which is really fascinating.
Before covid, they hosted a weekly candlelit Dinner with George Washington in the high season, which I dearly wanted to attend, but unfortunately it has not resumed yet.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyCapp69
UK88 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Great little cafe to have lunch and the Berger & chips were very nice. Good informative video. Museum let down by explaining slavery, but not a word on how slavery was ended (after much hardship trying to do so)
Written February 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona N
Edinburgh, UK27 contributions
Sep 2022
Totally unknown to us. We were just exploring the Garrison UNESCO historical site
Very interesting well restored old house in which George Washington lived as a young man .
Beautifully kept and fascinating even for a Brit.
The original house predates the military garrison
Highly recommended self guided tour with audio guide as part of entry fee
Very interesting well restored old house in which George Washington lived as a young man .
Beautifully kept and fascinating even for a Brit.
The original house predates the military garrison
Highly recommended self guided tour with audio guide as part of entry fee
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2HappyinCR
Cedar Rapids, IA39 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
It was only $10 US and I was thinking it would be too brief as it’s only one home. It took about 1.5 hrs. You can opt out of the detailed guided tour at any point as well. It starts with a 15 minute informative video in a small air conditioned theatre.
From there our professional, warm, humorous Guide, Martha, gave us a very in depth tour regarding many, many, many aspects of the house. Our group of 14 dwindled to 8 with people breaking off and finishing their Look About with less history.
We mostly enjoyed it, (a touch long with history on every piece of furniture) and the top floor was a museum with plaques with more information. George kept a diary so the authenticity was evident in the historical analysis.
You can also go see the changing of the Barbados guard starting at 11:50am on Thursdays. It’s about 20 minutes all said with the pomp. The veterans did an excellent job. I felt sorry for the men in the hot uniforms. If you’ve seen the British changing of the Guard you could pass on it.
We walked from the Hilton, about a half mile.
From there our professional, warm, humorous Guide, Martha, gave us a very in depth tour regarding many, many, many aspects of the house. Our group of 14 dwindled to 8 with people breaking off and finishing their Look About with less history.
We mostly enjoyed it, (a touch long with history on every piece of furniture) and the top floor was a museum with plaques with more information. George kept a diary so the authenticity was evident in the historical analysis.
You can also go see the changing of the Barbados guard starting at 11:50am on Thursdays. It’s about 20 minutes all said with the pomp. The veterans did an excellent job. I felt sorry for the men in the hot uniforms. If you’ve seen the British changing of the Guard you could pass on it.
We walked from the Hilton, about a half mile.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nick
17 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
It’s interesting. Never knew GW lived in Barbados and survived the pox which led to his immunity. Hand held audio devices. Well kept garden. The tunnels were cool. 20$US per person is a bit steep for a self guided tour that takes less than 45mins. Nothing special tbh.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy B
St Helens, UK17 contributions
Mar 2023
We did the self-guided tour of the house and grounds starting with a short video and ending in the Garrison Tunnel. The tour was very informative and we learnt a lot about the history and importance of Washington's stay in Barbados. We enjoyed a brew and cake listening to some great music in the cafe afterwards.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob_and_Kate_Scotia
Glasgow166 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We were so glad we made the effort to visit George Washington’s house (even though he only lived there for a few months!). We had total freedom to roam around the house and grounds and the museum upstairs was really informative.
Loved the garrison tunnel too - an added bonus.
Loved the garrison tunnel too - an added bonus.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're headed to Bridgetown as part of a cruise itinerary in January. How would you recommend getting to the GW House? Are there buses that go by there that are fairly consistent or is a taxi our best bet? Thanks!
Julia
Written October 10, 2018
If on a time crunch get a taxi from airport which are generally more "on time" than the local mini van type taxis which locals use. Also, get pricw before entering any "taxi" or be prepared to pay more than you should.
Written October 22, 2018
What sort of food is included in the dinner
Written March 20, 2015
I believe the menu changes. During our December "Dinner with George Washington" my wife and I had the following 18th Century local dishes...First course was Split Pea and Eddo Soup. Second course was Dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) and Yam Pie with Plantains (this was our favorite). We then had Pineapple (an exotic fruit for the time) to cleanse our palates. Third course was Chicken Stew and Dumplings with Chriftophene. Dessert was Rumbullion'd Bread Pudding. It was an excellent dinner. The best we had in Barbados.
Written March 21, 2015
Can you walk here from the cruise terminal? How much time would you allow for a visit?
Written March 6, 2015
PJMS66
Bridgetown, Barbados
It would be a 2.3 mile walk and you would need about 90 minutes to do the House and tunnels.
Written March 7, 2015
How often do tours of the George Washington House run? Are they every day throughout the day? How long do they last? I am looking for a tour with a guide or docent, not a self tour. Thank you.
Written February 28, 2015
We toured the museum last year. They do guided tours M-F. Tour times seemed to be as needed...when people arrived. Our guide was Martin. He is very knowledgeable!! This year we did the tunnel tour and the dinner. Very well done and interesting.The house tour would be about 45 minutes. There is a 10-15 minute video before you begin the actual house tour. Enjoy!!
Written March 2, 2015
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