The Colonial City is situated between Independence Park and the Ozama River, the starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. It is built by European settlers.

The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress (the oldest fortress in the Americas), Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), Alcazar de Colon (Castle of Columbus) built by Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo, niece of the Spanish King Ferdinand.  While touring the colonial city, the stone made even more famous by Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park film. The Amber Museum on Calle Arz. Merino features exceptional educational exhibits of this semi-precious jewel.

The Plaza de la Cultura is known as city of museum. They include The Museum of Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of History and Geography, and the National Museum of Natural History.

Museo Bellapart Located on the John F. Kennedy Expressway in the Naco part of town, this privately-owned museum on Dominican contemporary art.

Another name the Faro a Colon, located in the Mirador del Este Park. It is an impressive structure in the shape of a cross which was constructed to mark the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. It is exciting to view the Lighthouse at night from the Colonial City, when the powerful lights are reflected into the sky in the shape of a cross.

Los Tres Ojos is a 50-foot deep cave with three lagoons surrounded by stalagmites and lush vegetation. The National Aquarium where the main attraction is the huge fish tank with a Plexiglas tunnel passing through it. Tamaury, a giant manatee, is the star of the park. 

The Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens is the largest in the Caribbean so viewable by small train. Also on the grounds is what was once the largest floral clock in the world. Other city parks are the Mirador del Sur Park and the Mirador del Norte Park (for bicycling, skating, jogging and kite-flying). 

Santo Domingo's hotels cater to the business executive that visits the city. Several small hotels offer attractive rates for those on a budget or wanting to stay longer. 
Santo Domingo's dining scene rivals any cosmopolitan city around the world in restaurants. The nightlife starts late, with people arriving at the discos after 11 pm and the merengue, salsa and rock beats don't stop until around 4 am at upscale dance clubs in town. 

Santo Domingo is a city for shoppers. Shops like gift shop, offers the largest selection of handicrafts. Shopping venues are located in the 27 de Febrero to Gustavo Mejia Ricart environs, including Plaza Central, Plaza Lama, Plaza Naco, Americana Departamentos, Hache, Acropolis, Plaza Bolera, Cuesta, Bella Vista, Diamond large stores.