The capital (pop. around 1,900) sits on a narrow strip between the Great Salt Pond and Great Bay and sports a friendly, festive vibe, especially when cruise ships are in port. In addition to Pondfill, the Dutch side´s main artery (and the only road with traffic lights), Philipsburg has two main streets—straightforwardly called Front Street and Back Street—packed with colorful boutiques, galleries, and street murals, as well as duty-free and jewelry shops, cafés, and ice-cream parlors. Down Street, by contrast, is quieter and more historical, lined with old wooden houses. For many, though, the real star is the Great Bay Boardwalk. This long pedestrian promenade runs beside the beach, lined with restaurants and bars where you can dip your toes in the sand while ordering fresh seafood or a cold Guavaberry cocktail (the island’s signature liqueur). It’s great for a beach day, a casual stroll, or people-watching as the sunset turns the water golden, and runs alongside Great Bay Beach, perfect for sunning and swimming.
Other notable Philipsburg attractions include the Sint Maarten Heritage Foundation and Museum between Front Street and the Boardwalk, the 232-year-old clapboard Philipsburg Courthouse off Front Street, and Front Street´s Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit of film props and memorabilia (especially when it comes to the Star Wars franchise; it was started by a designer for the films – and yes, he created Yoda), And a short drive from downtown, you´ll find the ruins of Fort Amsterdam, built by the Dutch in 1631; Fort William, which the British put up in 1801; Parrotte Ville Bird Park; and Rockland Estate Rainforest Adventures, with ziplines, a tube slide, and rainforest canopy tours.
And beyond the bustle of the boardwalk, Great Bay Beach itself is a beautiful sweep of bright blue water and soft sand. Calm, accessible, and dotted with beach chairs and umbrellas, it’s ideal for easygoing swimming. Just over the peninsula is Little Bay Beach, quieter and more intimate. With gentle waves, snorkeling spots, and views of Fort Amsterdam perched above, it’s a serene alternative to the busier beaches.
Read more in my post 5 Highlights of Dutch Sint Maarten.
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