Turks & Caicos National Museum

The basics

The museum is housed in one of Grand Turk’s most impressive colonial buildings, Guinep House. Constructed over 200 years ago using the salvaged timber of shipwrecks, it demonstrates classic colonial architectural style with a whitewashed frontage and bright red roof. The museum includes collections of objects crafted by the island’s earliest inhabitants, the Lucayans, plus later artifacts that relate to its salt industry and maritime links.

See the poignant message-in-a-bottle collection, plus items believed to have been recovered from Christopher Columbus’ ship, La Pinta, as well as the museum’s showpiece—the Molasses Reef Wreck— the oldest shipwreck ever excavated in the Americas. The museum makes an ideal stop on when visiting as part of an island tour or day trip to Cockburn Town.

Things to know before you go

• The museum has a small entrance fee. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult get free admission.

• The museum’s balcony, which overlooks Front Street and the ocean, provides a lovely spot for visitors to pause and rest their feet.

• Once a month, the museum presents first-run films in the rear courtyard, along with drinks and popcorn.

• There’s a gift shop inside for local jewelry, artwork, and other souvenirs.

How to get there

The museum is situated in Guinep House on Front Street, at the northern end of Cockburn Town on Grand Turk island. If you're visiting as part of a day trip from a cruise ship, the best way to reach the museum from the cruise center is by taxi. The museum is close to Cockburn Town’s other main sights, plus shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from morning to early afternoon. On Wednesdays, it's open only during the afternoon. The museum is busiest when there are cruise ships docked at the island.

Visit Grand Turk’s historic lighthouse

A 3-mile (5-kilometer) taxi ride north of Front Street is Grand Turk’s historic lighthouse—the most famous landmark on the island. It was built in 1852, following insistence from American and British shipping companies, as a navigational aid to help prevent the high number of ships wrecked by the reef-filled waters. Though the lighthouse is no longer in operation, today visitors can admire the scenic grounds, coastal path, and stunning ocean views.