In 2004 Isle of Man opened the Villa Marina and Gardens. Featuring an arena, a theatre, intimate…read moreconcert halls, cinema and a children's play. Parking can be a challenge.

The Gaiety Theatre was built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house…read moreand theatre. The shell of the Old Pavillion was used and the Gaiety built within the shell. In 1976 restoration began to return the building to as near to its original appearance as possible, choosing the original paint colours, wallpaper, and carpeting to replicate its 1900 opening condition. The stage machinery in the theatre is amongst the most complete and unusual in any theatre in the world. Built at the end of the Victorian era, one of the traps, known as a 'Corsican Trap', is now unique in the world, being the only surviving example. The Theatre is today considered one of Frank Matcham's finest surviving Theatres. The Tour is $12 and it last just over 2 hours. Worth every penny. You will hear about the history whilst sitting in the auditorium, hear about the design details, stand on the stage and hear about stage management, go below the stage and see the demon and Corsican traps. We climbed to the top of the balcony seats which was a little sickening and then even higher to the gallery. The views are fantastic no matter where you sit.

It's a great Castle. lots of discreet rooms, twists and turns. The Ramparts are easy to climb and…read morenot scary. Good solid walls to lean against. We loved the dining and banqueting areas. the mannequins illustrate the stories. The gift shop is good and the staff are super friendly. We spent just over an hour but could have taken longer. Definitely one to revisit.

The more I see Castle Rushen, the more I like it! Granted, I would love to see it on a sunny day,…read morebut it's that great mix of an interior that gives the feel of ancient times and a well-kept, beautiful exterior with stunning views. It's so old that they can only "give or take" a century. First records have King Magnús Óláfsson dying there in 1265. As many castles are, it takes about a century to build it to its total glory, and sometime in at the 1300s that the tower, gatehouses, and protective walls to be of their current glory. Even with all of the rain on the Isle of Man, it's a well-kept castle. It's not damp or dank ... fireplaces keep things warm. There are so many interior scenes with crafted mannequins telling stories: castle guards, a medieval man doing construction, the king and other royals dining, Lord Stanley in the Presence Chamber, the portcullis chamber with "murder holes" .... every room tells a story. And, of course, you have to see the view from the top! It ranks up there, at least for me, with Edinburgh Castle as for a stunning castle view. Rushen has the great advantage of being build right off the harbor on the Irish Sea. From the ramparts (protective walls) you can both see the lapping water ... and on others, the quaint, classic city of Castletown. It's one of Isle of Man's finest gems!