What
To Do In Nassau
Part British, part Spanish, part West African,
Nassau/Paradise Island emits a cultural vibe all its own. Here, find out what it
means to be Bahamian. Islanders like a party, and visitors are always welcome.
Join the festivities during a weekly fish fry or the semiannual Junkanoo
celebrations, where people parading in costumes shimmy down the street
to the tune of rake ‘n’ s
crape
bands. Bring home a handmade souvenir, such as a straw basket or clay bead
necklace. And be sure to save time for a leisurely walk past the pretty
pastels of our historic streets.
Long before the first tourist stepped foot on its golden sands, The Bahamas were the playground of pirates, explorers, armies and entrepreneurs, whose influences can still be found throughout the islands. But the native Bahamian people have a history all their own, woven into a colorful tapestry that blankets the islands in sunny warmth.
Discover Nassau / Paradise Island’s wealth of cultural offerings, most of which make for an easy break from the beach or a short side trip from an afternoon shopping excursion, and learn a little bit about the history and mystery of this Bahamian island.
Take a Tour Of The City:
This beautiful island
is the capital of the Bahamas. You have your choice of seeing t
he
city in a horse-drawn carriage or by limousine. Visit The
Queen’s Staircase, walk through the dungeons of Fort Charlotte and take a
ride to the top of the Water Tower, where one of the best views of the
island awaits. Do a little "native" shopping at The Straw Market. Take
your city tour in the morning, and there is still plenty of time to
make it to one
of the Blue Lagoon Excursions.
On an island that has been alternately visited by marauding pirates, Spanish
invaders and Prohibition-era rum runners, the history that rustles the garden
leaves the loudest on Nassau/Paradise Island is that of The Bahamas' 200 years
of British government. Hop a taxi from the
airport to Rawson Square and start your trip with a carriage ride around downtown
Nassau, taking in the Colonial charm of Nassau's English Georgian-style
architecture and just enjoying the refreshing breezes off the water. If you're
feeling more ambitious, join one of the Ministry of
Tourism's walking tours through downtown ($10 per person) or pick up
materials for a self-guided tour.
Nassau
is a treasure trove of early Colonial architecture. The rich history of British
Colonial rule is expressed from within the battery walls of Fort
Charlotte. Wander down historic lanes among
centuries-old buildings, finding hidden jewels like the Queen's Staircase.
Climbing the thousand steps (or so it seems) to the top, Visit Fort
Fincastle and the Water Tower and shop at a small straw market.
While you meander through horse-drawn surreys and yield to traffic bobbies in their dress whites and sherbet-hued pith helmets in historic downtown Nassau, note the flamingo-pink government buildings of Parliament Square, the House of Assembly and the old colonial Secretary's Office. The Changing of the Guard at the Government House, every other Saturday, recalls the residual pomp of early English settlers, while the Queen’s Staircase at Fort Fincastle is a must, not built but carved by slaves out of a solid limestone cliff in 1793. The ultimate photo-op of the whole island.
Start off y
our romantic island trip with a visit to the Hairbraider's
Centre, then try the Straw
Market, where countless stalls cajole visitors with handmade souvenirs,
anything from hats and baskets to carvings and beads. Act like you’ve been there
before and barter for that rush mat. Festival Place, in direct wandering
distance from the big-boat docks, is an open-air pavilion of shops selling
authentic Bahamian arts and crafts, T-shirts and hot sauces. There are also stalls with tour info, a post office, a WiFi kiosk and scooter rentals.
Visit
Graycliff, a jewel of an inn nestled in the heart of Old Nassau. The
resort offers exceptional amenities: award-winning cuisine, an atmosphere of
romance, a collection of vintage wines and a humidor stocked with a savory
selection of cigars. Lazy days can be spent exploring this wonderful old city,
like watching the changing of the guard at Parliament Square. Nestled in a
residential area two miles east of downtown, the
Red Carpet Inn
is close to shops, restaurants and the eastern shore, making it a great
economical option for families and other cost-minded travelers. The owners live
on the 1.5-acre property and rates stay the same year-round.
Conch and Junkanoo:
After a casual Bahamian lunch of cracked conch and fried snapper, take
your time
wandering Nassau's back streets, stopping in at the
Bahamas
Historical Society Museum ($1 admission) and the historic
Christ Church Cathedral. On your way to the National Art Gallery, look
out for a Junkanoo group warming up for a "rush out".... by
trumpeting and drumming down the middle of the street.
Visit The Blue Lagoon:
Take a harbor cruise in a Calypso boat to a small
tropical paradise known as Bl
ue
Lagoon. This was the original
filming location of “Gilligan’s Island” as well as the movie “Splash” and
most recently “Return to Blue Lagoon”. The whole family will enjoy
this experience. Two thousand palm trees, crystal clear waters,
and white sandy beaches greet you upon arrival. Enjoy a delicious
island buffet, provided by our own onboard chefs, in a beautiful pavilion
setting right on Blue Lagoons coastline. Swing peacefully in a hammock
the shade of the giant palms. Beach volleyball, water bikes, and
kayaks (available for rent) help keep you occupied, or enjoy swimming in the
warm blue waters of the Caribbean.
Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island
Paradise Island Ferry Terminal
242-363-1003
www.dolphinencounters.com
For a different type of wildlife experience, spend some time at Dolphin Cay Atlantis, an extraordinary 14-acre dolphin habitat, one of the largest of it's kind in the world. A place where swimming with dolphins has been redefined. Whether you share in their playful shallow water antics or experience their speed and agility first-hand in deeper waters, the dolphins of Atlantis welcome you to share in their fun. With 6 interactive programs, you'll have a lot to choose from including Sea Lions - Behind the Scenes, Trainer for a Day, Sea Keeper and more.
Also enjoy Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island for award-winning, educational dolphin and sea lion interactive programs suited for kids of all ages. Children six and older can participate in the exciting Dolphin Swim program and youngsters of any age can meet dolphins in the Close Encounter. The highly popular Sea Lion Encounter lets kids hug, kiss and feed these affectionate mammals from a waist-deep water platform. Spend the day having fun with your family on the private beaches of Blue Lagoon Island and enjoy water sports, lunch, games or just lazing in a hammock.
Go Para-Sailing or Wind-Surfing:
Para-Sailing will allow you to see the
island from a unique vantage point, high above the crystal blue waters of
the Bahamas. You will be pulled by a speedboat and attached to
a parachute that will wind its way between the islands of Blue Lagoon and
Nassau. A memory and a thrill of a lifetime!
Go Snorkeling At The Blue Lagoon
Snorkeling is an experience for all skill levels. You will be escorted
to the dock
where you will board the newest catamaran snorkel boat in the
Bahamas, known as the “Lady Savannah”. This will take you on a cruise
to the world-famous "Sea Gardens" past the
beautiful Nassau waterfront where you will see beautiful tropical fish-and
coral reefs.
An incredible opportunity to
snorkel with one of nature’s most graceful creatures, the Stingray!
After you snorkel, you will then be taken to Blue Lagoon Island for your
buffet lunch, beaches and more. This is the island’s most highly
recommended snorkel experience.
All of your equipment
will be included, as well as instruction and supervision, so you can have a safe, memorable
experience.
The waters around Nassau / Paradise Island offer great
snorkeling
and diving. If you want to take the laid-back, low-tech route,
snorkeling is the way to go – basically anyone who feels comfortable in the
water can be taught to do it in a few minutes. Alternately, for those who want
to dive deeper, area resorts and dive shops feature speedy certification courses
for teens and adults.
GO Horse-back Riding On The Beach :
Horseback riding on a pretty beach in
the morning – it doesn’t get much better than
this.
Try
Happy
Trails Stables. Just a couple of caveats – kids should be ages 12
and up, and riders can’t weigh more than 200 pounds.
They will choose gentle and
easy-going horses for you.
Happy Trails Stables
Coral Harbour
242-362-1820
www.WindsorEquestrianCentre.com
Take A Glass Bottom Boat Ride
The boat will take you to the world famous
“Sea Gardens”, often the subject of underwater documentaries. You will
have an unparalleled view of the tropical fish and plant life that only
Nassau has to offer. Complimentary fruit punch or rum punch is
provided. After you view the underwater world, you will then be
dropped off at Blue Lagoon, for lunch and fun in the sun. This exciting
adventure will take you down through the harbor of Nassau offering a glimpse
of the life styles of the rich and famous.
Pirates of Nassau
George and King Streets
242-356-3759
www.pirates-of-nassau.com