Things to do in Freetown
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Alex's
From under the palm trees you have a wonderful view west over Man of War Bay at what is easily Freetown's loveliest dining room. Seafood is the speciality, but the large global menu includes enchiladas, lasagne, shepherds pie, jollof rice (rice and vegetables with meat and fish), falafel and Cajun chicken. The adjacent sports bar has a wide-screen TV and a pool table.
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Lumley Beach
With every patch of beachfront property purchased and many construction projects underway, it's not hard to imagine what Lumley Beach will look like in a few years, but for now development is pretty much limited to a few bamboo and thatch beer-shacks. Life guards and beach wardens are on duty and the public toilets and showers are kept clean, but the beach is not.
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Old Fourah Bay College
Gutted by fire in 1999, only the stone shell of the Old Fourah Bay College remains, but this 1848 building is graceful even in its decay. The World Monuments Fund lists it as one of the world's 100 most-endangered historic sites. There is talk of turning it into a community arts centre.
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Paddy's
No longer the den of iniquity it once was, Paddy's is still Freetown's most famous nightspot and the only place were everyone, no matter what their stripe, can really let their hair down at the bar or on the dance floor. The food is pretty good too. Paddy's never closes.
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Fourah Bay College
On Mt Aureol is Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827. It later became one of the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa. On the edge of campus is a botanical garden and you can follow the walking path through the forest down to the waterfall you passed on the drive up.
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Sierra Leone Parliament Building
Sierra Leone's Parliament Building sits atop Tower Hill, close to downtown. If MPs are in session the police might take you in for a look. Next to the entrance is the foundation of the Martello Tower, built in 1805 to defend Freetown against Temne attacks.
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Cotton Tree
The massive Cotton Tree, perhaps 500 years old, in the heart of town, is the city's principal landmark. Thousands of bats fly out en masse at dusk and return in the morning. This beloved tree casts its shadow on the Sierra Leone National Museum.
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Old Wharf Steps
The Old Wharf Steps, sometimes erroneously called the Portuguese Steps, lead up from Government Wharf. The stones were set in 1818. Many of the new arrivals brought here by the British to start a new life climbed these steps.
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Big Market
The top floor of the Big Market, or Basket Market, in Downtown, has a larger selection than markets in Lumley. What makes this the best place to shop for souvenirs is the traditional household goods on the ground floor.
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King's Yard Gate
The ancestors of nearly all present-day Krios passed through King's Yard Gate. Now the site of Connaught Hospital, this is where the British brought rescued slaves to begin their new lives.
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Sierra Leone National Museum
The Sierra Leone National Museum has a small but fascinating collection of jujutrinkets and historical artefacts, including Temne Guerrilla leader Bai Bureh's drum, clothes and sword.
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Krio Houses
Many wood-framed Krio houses are scattered west of Tower Hill. A walk down Pademba Rd presents many good examples. Most date from the late 19th century and a few are even older.
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Jovana
Popular with business people, Jovana serves tasty African dishes, pizza and the usual meat and seafood choices. The patio is shady and the air-con is turned up inside.
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Angel's Delight Restaurant
Angel's Delight, part of the Family Kingdom hotel complex, serves tasty Lebanese dishes, seafood and good pizzas. After the meal you can enjoy a hookah on the patio.
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National Railway Museum
Visitors to the National Railway Museum are rare, but the short tour around these restored engines and cars is fairly interesting.
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Crown Bakery
Besides being a delicious bakery, this expat favourite has a broad and expensive menu spanning pancakes to pizzas and curries to fajitas.
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Tower Hill
Freetown's beauty, and potential, shows clearly when seen from above. The views are especially good from Hill Station and Leister Peak.
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Lumley Beach Arts & Crafts Market
The Lumley Beach Arts & Crafts Market is one of the main places people pick up woodcarvings, baskets and other tourist bric-a-brac.
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Buggy's
This is a wild place on Man of War Bay. It has a dance floor and snooker tables. Many album launches by local artists take place here.
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St John's Maroon Church
St John's Maroon Church is a squat white building with big windows built around 1820. Located two blocks southwest of the Cotton Tree.
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Law Courts
The ornate Law Courts have been beautifully restored following considerable war damage. Located immediately east of the Cotton Tree.
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Korean Restaurant
Attached to the Korean Guest House, Sierra Leone's small Korean community gathers here for Korean, Chinese and European dishes.
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Atlantic Restaurant
This restaurant at the southern end of Lumley Beach has good fish dishes and a terrace, which is great for drinks at sunset.
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Prince Pizza
This simple little snack bar not far from Lumley Village makes tasty brick-oven pizzas, plus other fast-food favourites.
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Freetown Golf Club
Only desperate hackers will be satisfied, but visitors can rent clubs and play a round at the Freetown Golf Club.
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