6 Reasons To Visit The Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica

If you ever needed a reason to visit Jamaica other than the pristine beaches and tropical waterfalls, you could try checking out Jamaica's most-visited attraction: The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.

Bob Marley is arguably the most famous Jamaican who ever lived, and his music still reverberates around the island, creating the real soundtrack of the country. The music he created is essential to Jamaican culture.

Bob Marley’s house on Hope Road is still standing, but it’s no longer a home. Now, the building is a museum to all things Bob Marley, and fans of his music flock to this distinctive wooden house to find out all there is to know about one of the world’s best-loved musicians.

If you’re wondering whether or not to plan a visit to the Bob Marley Museum Jamaica as part of your next holiday on the island, wonder no more. We’ve got six great reasons why you can’t miss out on a day at the original Bob Marley house.

Ready? Let’s begin.

1. You’ll learn all there is to know about Bob Marley

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering about Bob Marley’s life, his upbringing and what made him the person that he became, you’ve got to make your way to the Bob Marley museum. Kingston is home to this unique museum, which has become something of a shrine to the man himself.

This unassuming Hope Road house is home to one of the biggest and best collections of Bob Marley memorabilia in the world. Feast your eyes on amazing Bob Marley artefacts, from his original gold and platinum records, which adorn the walls of the house, to Marley’s own clothing, including the iconic denim shirt that he wore for so many of his performances.

You can also see original documents relating to the singer’s intriguing life, such as the Order of Merit that he was awarded by the government of Jamaica. The Order of Merit was awarded to Marley in February 1981. At the time, it was the third highest honour that could be awarded by the Jamaican government.

2. You can take a step back in time

Museums are wonderful in that they often allow a visitor to really immerse themselves in a particular era, and the Bob Marley museum is no exception. You’ll find one room that is entirely covered in old newspaper clippings about the singer himself, all taken from a moment in history that any real Bob Marley fan would love to experience: his final tour.

Not only that - you can also step inside Bob Marley’s bedroom, where you’ll discover that the room looks exactly as it did when Marley slept there. The room even boasts his original star guitar, hanging over the bed. And if you head outside, you’ll be able to see the actual spot where Bob Marley’s failed assassination took place in 1976.

3. You’ll discover a traditional colonial Jamaican building

The Hope Road house was originally built in the Colonial era, and is a wonderful example of traditional Jamaican housing from that time.

But of course, the reason people want to see it is to live and breathe Bob Marley, and to really get up close and personal with the life that Marley lived.

4. You can shop at Wail’n Soul’m

Did you know that Bob Marley had his own record label? Back in 1966, Bob Marley and The Wailers created a rocksteady label named Wail’n Soul’m. And the Bob Marley Museum brings that record label back to life, to the delight of its visitors.

One room of Bob Marley’s house has been turned into an exact replica of the original record shop made famous by Bob Marley and The Wailers, so you can step right in and experience this amazing piece of music history for yourself.

5. There’s a movie at the end

After your tour of the Bob Marley museum, you’ll be treated to a great 20-minute movie about the iconic reggae superstar. The film is shown in a theatre, which is housed in Bob Marley’s former recording studio.

There’s also an exhibition of amazing Bob Marley photographs, many of which you have likely never seen before. If you’re a budding photographer yourself, you’ll love this part of the tour. Remember though, photographs aren’t allowed inside the house, so leave the cameras at your all-inclusive resort.

6. You can unwind at the One Love Cafe

No trip to the Bob Marley Museum would be complete without a moment of calm at the One Love Cafe. This authentic Jamaican café serves up great light bites. We highly recommend the jerk chicken sandwich and a fresh fruit smoothie made with locally sourced exotic fruits.

It’s the perfect way to round off your day out experiencing the Jamaica that Bob Marley knew and loved. Oh, and if you’ve got room for pudding, make sure you grab a chocolate brownie for the road.

Visit the Bob Marley Museum

Are you on your way to Jamaica soon? We hope you’ll take the time to visit the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road. Not only is this an amazing attraction, it’s a real piece of Jamaican history.

If there’s one day out you can't miss as part of your Jamaican escape, it’s an afternoon spent exploring the life of one of the nation’s (and the world’s) greatest singers. You won’t be able to get his tunes out of your head for the rest of the trip!