Almost a million cruise ship passengers are disgorged onto the streets of Nassau each year, making this port on the tip of New Providence island one of the busiest on a Caribbean cruise. While the policemen in pith helmets and horse-drawn carriages hark from a bygone era, Nassau is a modern, bustling and tourist-friendly spot. The flip side is that it can be crowded. A short flight from the U.S. mainland, and an early stop on the short Caribbean circuit, Nassau lures the majority of its visitors swiftly to awaiting excursions. However, those who want to avoid the high prices of the Atlantis Resort, or tour at their own pace, will find plenty of alternatives to the scheduled excursion.
Idyllic Beaches
- With year-round sunshine and temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, the simplest option of all is to head for the beach. Cruise Critic counts 52 of them around Nassau, both man-made and natural. In the shadow of some busy resorts, Junkanoo is the nearest to the cruise terminal. Farther afield, a short ride from downtown in a No. 10 jitney (bus), you'll find Cable Beach in the hotel district, a four-mile stretch of powder sand fringed by giant resorts, casinos and restaurants. Cabbage Beach on the northern side of Paradise Island has three miles of sand backed by casuarina trees, with excellent water sports and snorkeling. Pedestrians can cross from Nassau onto Paradise Island via the free bridge.
Famous Landmarks
- Independent visitors can comfortably cover downtown Nassau on foot and explore some historic landmarks from the colonial era. Marking the entrance to downtown is Gregory Arch on Market Street, built in the 1850s in honor of the then-governor. Equally impressive, but with the added kudos of being Nassau’s most visited tourist attraction, Queen’s Staircase rises to Fort Fincastle via 65 steps hewn from the limestone by 600 slaves, a feat which took 16 years to accomplish. The staircase is a shortcut to Bennet’s Hill, the highest point in Nassau, with great views. The 18th century Fort Charlotte is another prominent city bastion, concealing a network of underground passageways and dungeons. Admission is free.
Food and Shopping
- Cracked conch, a true delicacy not to be missed, is the Bahamian specialty. Devotees worship at Arawak Cay, a man-made island known locally as The Fish Fry, where local stands also dish out shrimp, lobster and fresh fish. The spot is busy on weekend evenings. Alternatively, investigate the seafood shacks of Potter’s Cay beneath the Paradise Island Bridge. The port’s busiest thoroughfare, Bay Street, is a haven of duty-free shopping and boutiques. One of its more charming offshoots is the Straw Market, where around 450 vendors hawk traditional Bahamian crafts, straw hats, conch shell jewelry and Junkanoo crafts.
Historical Nassau
- Culture vultures will find Nassau one of the more historically interesting stops on a Caribbean tour, characterized by Old Nassau’s distinctive pink buildings. Parliament Square is an ideal point of departure, home of the government buildings including the Senate, House of Assembly and Supreme Court, overlooked by the imperious gaze of Queen Victoria, enshrined in a marble statue. Government House was built in 1737 and remains one of the best examples of Colonial Georgian architecture. Today, the building is home to the Bahamas’ governor. For further exploration of Bahamian culture, the Junkanoo Museum celebrates the islands’ annual carnival celebration, while the Bahamas Historical Museum packs in 500 years of Bahamian culture. It is, however, closed in July and August.
