Hamilton Parish

Hamilton Parish surrounds most of Harrington Sound. The focal point is the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo at Flatts Inlet. Built in 1926, it's one of the oldest continuously operating aquariums in the New World and features an intriguing look at the wildlife of Bermuda and other islands.

The facility features more than 200 species of indigenous fish, including parrotfish, sergeant majors, barracudas, sharks and moray eels. You'll also enjoy reptiles, birds, pink flamingos and lush gardens.

Exhibits include "North Rock," a 140,000-gallon display that replicates a living coral reef, and "Islands of Australasia," which introduces visitors to lemurs, otters and wallabies. Children love the "touch pool" in the Local Tails exhibit, and the coastal walkway offers splendid views of Harrington Sound. If you're curious about how Bermuda came to be, then visit the new Natural History Museum.

"The aquarium is just booming," says naturalist Jennifer Gray, an authority on sea turtles. "Madagascar, which spotlights the unusual life that abounds on the African island, will open soon."

In addition, she says, the facility is building a hospital to support Bermuda's environment and care for injured wildlife. "It's a big project that's going to be very important here."

The aquarium and zoo are open daily, except Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the facility offers daily North Rock tank tours with seal feedings following at 1:10 p.m. from April through October (call for a winter tour schedule).

Near the aquarium is the Bermuda Railway Museum. Years ago, the Bermuda Railway rumbled through woodlands over cliffs, past beaches and dunes. Today all that's left of the route is a nature trail stretching from Sandys Parish in the west to St. George's in the east. The trail is divided into seven scenic sections, and each takes one-and-a-half to three hours to walk. Along the way, you can enjoy native plants and views or simply soak up Bermuda's balmy sun. The museum can teach you more about the railway's fascinating history.

You can also explore the Crystal Caves of Bermuda, discovered in 1905, as well as Crystal's sister, Fantasy Cave, discovered in 1907. The caves are named for subterranean pools of crystal-clear waters fed by Castle Harbour. You can admire the incredible shapes of stalactites and stalagmites from a pontoon bridge. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in season.

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