This quick guide will help you kick off your Monrovia, Liberia travel itinerary.
Monrovia, Liberia is rich in history, so really immersing yourself in the culture should be at the top of your list when visiting! Historic sites like Centennial Pavilion, the Liberian National Museum, Providence Island and Hotel Africa, will help you better understand the country’s past and present.
In this post, you’ll learn more about the top three places to visit in Monrovia, Liberia that you’ll want to add to your West Africa travel itinerary.
After reading this post and watching the video below, you’ll have all the information you need to make your trip a memorable and educational one.
1. CENTENNIAL PAVILION
The Centennial Pavilion is a commemorative site that was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Liberia’s independence in 1947. It’s a two-story building with an exhibition space, a meeting room and a balcony area.
It has served as a venue for Liberia’s independence celebrations and the inauguration of presidents. Needless to say, it’s a pretty big deal!
Pro-tip: you can capture the exhibition space, but you can’t get video or pictures in the private meeting room. However, during my visit, our tour guide took us inside and it’s quite impressive, so be sure to at least see it!
Right in the Centennial Pavilion’s backyard is the Liberian National Museum. This is a bonus you don’t want to miss.
BONUS: LIBERIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Liberian National Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of Liberia.
It was founded in 1958 and is housed in a historic building that was once used as the presidential mansion. The museum’s collection includes a wide range of artifacts and exhibits, including traditional Liberian clothing, tools, artwork, historical documents, and memorabilia.
Furthermore, the Liberian National Museum is really easy to navigate. It’s divided into several different sections, each dedicated to a different aspect of Liberian culture and history. Tour guides are available (which I highly recommend) to give a verbal history as well. Being able to ask the guides questions, proved to be helpful during my visit.
One section of the museum is dedicated to the country’s early history and pre-colonial cultures, while another focuses on Liberia’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Other exhibits at the museum showcase Liberia’s political history, including its struggle for independence from colonial powers and its development as a modern African nation.
Additionally, there are also exhibits that focus on Liberia’s music, dance, and religious traditions.
Overall, the Liberia National Museum is an important cultural institution in Liberia, providing a unique insight into the country’s history and culture. It’s a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike, and it plays an important role in preserving Liberia’s heritage.
2. PROVIDENCE ISLAND
Providence Island is a small island located off the coast of Monrovia. It’s significant in Liberian history, because it was the site of the first permanent European settlement in Africa.
In 1821, a group of free African Americans and former slaves from the United States were sent to Liberia by the American Colonization Society. The goal was to establish a colony for freed slaves. The settlers landed on Providence Island and established a settlement there, which they named Monrovia after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. Liberia and the US have always had a deep-rooted history.
Over time, the settlement on Providence Island grew and expanded onto the mainland, and Monrovia eventually became the capital city of Liberia.
Today, Providence Island is a popular tourist destination in Monrovia, with several historic landmarks and attractions.
Pro-Tip: Visit Providence Island with a local Liberian family member or friend. Sometimes the gate on site is locked, but usually locals know who to contact to have it unlocked by a tour guide.
3. HOTEL AFRICA
Hotel Africa is a historic hotel built in the 1970s by the Liberian government as a symbol of national pride. It was also meant to showcase Liberia’s economic progress.
It’s a large, colorful, multi-story building, and for many years was a popular destination for tourists and business travelers. Hotel Africa played an important role in Liberia’s hospitality industry, until it was damaged and fell into disrepair during Liberia’s civil war in the 1990s.
For more details on Hotel Africa and all of the attractions listed above, watch the video below!
If this quick guide of the top three Liberian attractions was helpful, let me know below!
Other Posts You May Like
TOP 3 TASTIEST WEST AFRICAN RESTAURANTS IN LIBERIA
TRAVEL TO LIBERIA: PACKING LIST AND TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
