Accra On a Budget
Sights
One of the top attractions of Accra is the National Museum of Ghana, which showcases Ghanaian history and culture from prehistory to the present. Cultural exhibits include artifacts from clothing, thrones, and carvings, to paintings, pottery, and a variety of instruments and tools used in various rituals. Another place of historical discovery is the W.E.B. DuBois Memorial Centre, which houses a research library and gallery of manuscripts dedicated to the Civil Rights activist. His house, grave, and several monuments in honor of DuBois are located throughout the city. Other landmarks include Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, The Flagstaff House (the office of the Government of Ghana and the President of Ghana), the Parliament House of Ghana, Accra Sports Stadium, and the Accra Centre for National Culture.For entertainment, visitors often stop by the National Theatre of Ghana, which is host to the National Dance Company, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Theatre Players. The city's foremost historical site is the Jamestown area, which includes the Ussher Fort and James Fort, and Osu Castle (also known as Christiansborg), which was built by Danish settlers in the 17th century. Additional sights include the Cape Coast Castle, which hosts a museum of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and Manhyia Palace which was built for the local ruler in 1925.
Neighborhoods
Accra is generally divided into Accra Central, Accra North, Accra East, and Accra West. Making up the heart of the city is Accra Central-home to historic districts, residential districts, the administrative and cultural center, business districts, and the downtown area with plenty of hotels, shopping, and dining opportunities. Makola Market in the downtown encompasses a large boulevard and several alleys full of fabric shops with local goods and crafts like wax prints or embroidered and beaded cotton. Other main attractions of the area include the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the National Museum, Independence Square, the National Theatre, and the Ohene Djan Stadium. Accra North is a residential and business district with features like The Flagstaff House, several foreign embassies, Achimota School, and Achimota Golf Park. Accra East is largely residential, and Accra West is residential and business, home to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital landmark.Activities
In addition to cultural and historical attractions within the city itself, Accra also has an Atlantic beachfront. The most popular of the city's beaches is Labadi Beach, which is largely maintained by the local hotels. On holidays and weekends there are often musical performances like reggae as well as cultural drumming and dancing. Kokrobite Beach is also popular, located 25 about kilometers (16 miles) west of Accra. The beachfront area additionally houses the Academy of African Music and Arts.There are also plenty of opportunities for shopping, not only at the Markola Market mentioned above, but also at the Kaneshie Market which sells mostly traditional items. Other curiosities can be found at the National Cultural Center and Wild Gecko, or, for a modern shopping experience, one can visit the Accra Mall off of Liberation Road.