Barbuda Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Accessible only by boat, this tangled mangrove lagoon is home to more than 170 species of birds, including the nation's official bird, the frigate. Over 5,000 frigate birds live in the sanctuary. The frigate's wingspan can reach up to eight feet (2.4 m) and is the largest in proportion to its body size of any bird in the world. Also called the man o' war bird, the frigate feeds by agitating less agile flyers like pelicans, egrets, and cormorants until they drop their catch. From August to December, visitors can watch the frigate birds' dramatic courtship, where the males balloon their red throat pouches while flying only a few feet above the flapping females below. There are boatmen on the island (+268 460-0077 or +268 460-0604) who can take guests into the Codrington Lagoon to observe.

Beach Hopping
The major attraction in Antigua is its beaches. Some west coast beaches are crowded with cruise-ship tourists one or two days a week. Other beaches are secluded and quiet, with no amenities and no hassles. There are 365 beaches in all. Half Moon Bay, named for its crescent shape, is considered to be the most beautiful beach on the island. Pigeon Point, near English Harbour, has white beaches and calm waters. Dickenson Bay offers more of the same. Barbuda features pink-and-white sand beaches and Coco Point, an isolated, eight-mile (13 km) stretch of shoreline.

Betty's Hope
Located in the center of Antigua, Betty's Hope was one of Antigua's largest sugar plantations in the 17th century. Today, guests can take a guided tour that explains the entire cane-to-sugar process.

Carnival
Like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Venice or Rio de Janeiro, Antigua's Carnival is A nonstop, 10-day party. The streets are filled with people in costumes, and visitors won't lack for something to do. Beauty pageants, parades, food fairs, cocktail parties, talent shows, and music festivals are highlights. Carnival was first enacted to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and later extended to mark the island's emancipation from slavery in 1834. It is more like celebrations in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago than Louisiana and Italy.

Cricket
Visitors who have time should attend a cricket match. Antigua is always a contender in West Indian and international cricket, and the island has turned out several famous players, including Vivian Richards, the former captain of the West Indies Cricket Club and one of the greatest batsmen of all times. Richie Richardson, who became captain after Vivian Richards, was another popular player. Local, regional, and international matches are frequently held on the island.

Fig Tree Drive
For an afternoon excursion, take the scenic route along fig Tree Drive through the southwestern part of Antigua. The road is lined with lush vegetation and runs through a rain forest. A number of old sugar mills can be seen from the road, and visitors pass several of Antigua's beautiful churches. The drive begins outside Liberta and continues to Old Road at the head of Carlisle Bay.

Gambling
Antigua has four large gaming centers with full-service casinos that include tables and slot machines. All cater to the cruise-ship crowd. The casinos include King's Casino (+268 462-1727), St. James Club (+268 463-1113), Royal Antiguan Resort (+268 462-3733), and Casino Riviera (+268 562-1423).

Museum of Marine and Living Art, St. John's
An extensive collection of seashells, samples of numerous and distinctly different sands from Antigua/Barbuda beaches, relics from old shipwrecks, and photos of articles from Antigua's early days are on display at this one-of-a-kind museum.

Nelson's Dockyard National Park
Considered a national treasure, this historic Antigua village was an important garrisoned station for the English during the 1600s and 1700s. It is named for Horatio Nelson, a young captain and second-in-command of the Leeward Island Station. After the station was abandoned in 1889, it fell into disrepair until a local preservation group rallied to restore it. Today, some of the world's most expensive yachts are anchored h ere. The compound also features craft shops, restaurants, and hotels. It encompasses 10 square miles (26 sq km), from Mamora Bay along English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, past Rendezvous Bay on to Carlisle Bay in the south. The heart of the park is the English Harbour, Nelson's Dockyard area. The 18th-century governor's residence, the Belvedere, is also close by. Shirley Heights inside the park is the place to watch the sunset in Antigua. For information, call +268 460-1053.

Sailing Week
Antigua's Sailing Week is the premier yachting event in the Caribbean and among the top five on the world's yacht racing calendar. Held in late spring, the week begins with a warm-up race from Des Haies in Guadeloupe to English Harbour. There are parties throughout the week at virtually every hotel and restaurant, not to mention the private events held for race participants. For more information, call +268 462-8872, or visit the Web site at http://www.sailingweek.com/.

Shopping in St. John's
Just follow the cruise ships. Because there are no customs duties or sales tax on tourism-related items, shoppers go crazy in Antigua. U.S. citizens are allowed a duty-free shopping quota of $1,200 - twice that of any other island in the Caribbean. There are two main areas in St. John's: Heritage Quay, a huge, duty-free shopping complex with everything from T-shirts to jewelry, is a favorite of cruisers, and Redcliffe Quay, with its restored buildings and colorful, eclectic shops, is where the locals go. There are no duty-free shops at Redcliffe, but visitors will find a mix of restaurants and boutiques. Smart visitors will plan shopping excursions for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the cruise-ship throngs.