I recently visited Turks and Caicos for the first time and am absolutely obsessed. The island has a certain charm about it, and the locals are so friendly. With the flight being only three and a half hours from New York, I don’t think it will be long before I head back. A couple of you have asked me for recommendations on what to do, eat and see, so this one’s for you. Scroll down to read about some of my favorite attractions, plus see more photos from my trip.
Where to Stay
I stayed at Grace Bay Club—a sprawling resort with three beautiful pools, luxurious accommodations and several different dining experiences on-site. My personal favorite was the pop up restaurant on the beach, that changes concepts each fall. When I was there it was called Kones, and they served up waffle cones filled with different savory combinations. It has since switched over to be called Stix, where everything is aptly served on skewers. Because food should be fun, right?
What to Eat & Drink
Bugaloos| To get a taste of the island’s best local food, I highly recommend a trip to Bugaloos. Order the conch fritters and a local beverage, and let their beachside, live music entertain you. If you’re lucky, you may see the a guest appearance from the island’s James Brown impersonator. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!
Sandbar | This is the place to go out and dance the night away. The signature drink of the island—Rum Punch—is always flowing, and they usually have a DJ spinning fun music all night long. Be sure to add this one to your list.
The Fish Fry | For a truly local experience, go to the Thursday night fish fry at Bight Park. The whole community comes out to enjoy local food vendors and entertainers for a night of proper island fun. Definitely don’t miss out on this, if you happen to be there on a Thursday!
Lemons 2 Go | This is apparently the best coffee in town. I was dying to try it, so I walked into town on a Sunday morning in hopes of having a revitalizing iced latte. Sadly, it was closed, so be sure to check it out any other day of the week when you go.
Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club | The Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club is the longest bar in the Caribbean, and makes for the perfect place to enjoy a drink while watching the beautiful island sunset. Stick around after dark to hang out around the fire pit. This is such a fun spot!
What to Do
Caribbean Wine and Food Festival | I was lucky enough to go to Turks and Caicos during the 6th Annual Caribbean Wine and Food Festival . This is a weekend-long event filled with delicious meals and wine tasting events that celebrate the culinary traditions of the island. My favorite evening was a progressive dinner event, called Gourmet Safari, where we traveled around by bus to 5 different resorts and restaurants on the island for one course at each stop. If you’re planning a trip for next year, try to align with the festival in the fall months.
Beachside Relaxation | At the end of the day, this is the best part of the island. When I’m on vacation, I truly want to unwind and, trust me, the beaches of Turks and Caicos are just what the doctor ordered. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are water sports on many of the beaches to enjoy—like my personal favorite, paddle boarding. Just wait until afterwards to indulge in too many Rum Punches!
