For great views of Roseau and the sea beyond it, head up to Morne Bruce, a small mountain at the back of the Dominica Botanic Gardens. This grassy viewpoint area is a great place to take a nature break without leaving the city and is ideal for sunset viewing.
Morne Bruce is named after the architect who designed the garrison here, though enslaved African laborers and craftspeople built it. At its prime, there were 235 cannons around the garrison, all but a few of which were removed when the garrison was closed in 1854. Many island tours stop here for a quick photo break on their way in or out of town.
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Wear sun protection and bring your own water, especially if you’re coming on foot.
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Morne Bruce is a must-visit for photographers wanting a panoramic shot of Roseau.
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The viewpoint area is grassy, with paths and stairs that wheelchair users may find challenging to navigate.
The Morne Bruce viewpoint is less than a 5-minute drive from the center of Roseau off Elms Hall Road or about a 20-minute walk. If you’re on foot, you can reach the viewpoint via a steep footpath that leads up from the Dominica Botanical Gardens. The walk from the garden to the top takes about 15 minutes.
The best time to visit Morne Bruce is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. Temperatures start dying down around this time, and the sunset views are fantastic. If you’re coming on foot, you may prefer to make the trek up to Morne Bruce first thing in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.
At the base of Morne Bruce, the Dominica Botanic Gardens are among the most-visited attractions in Roseau. Spread out over approximately 40 acres (16 hectares), this flora-filled space has more than 50 different types of plants and trees. The garden attracts all sorts of colorful birds, including the Sisserou parrot, the national bird of Dominica.
