The 15 Best Things To Do In Nassau According To Locals
Do you want to get a taste of paradise on your next vacation? You should head for the Bahamas and book a ticket to its capital, Nassau!
Nassau is a popular cruise ship stop and tropical destination known for its sandy beaches, turquoise waters, offshore coral reefs, and hilly landscape. This paradise island is also a sought-after venue for diving, snorkeling, and other water sports.
If you’re looking for the top 15 activities (with maybe a bonus activity) you can do in Nassau, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve put together all of them below.
1. Appreciate the view from the old forts
Fort Charlotte
Fort Charlotte is the largest of three colonial forts in the area. Built in 1789 by the British, it was named after King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte. The fort was constructed to defend Nassau from potential invasions by the Spanish, though it never saw any actual combat.
Perched on a hill overlooking Nassau Harbor, Fort Charlotte offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the sea. The fort features a complex structure with dungeons, underground passageways, 42 cannons, and a moat (which was never filled with water).
Visitors can explore the fort, learn about its history, and witness reenactments of colonial life. It’s a popular tourist attraction, combining historical significance with beautiful scenery.
Fort Fincastle
Fort Fincastle is the highest point on the island. The fort is shaped like a paddle-wheel steamer and is equipped with cannons and other defensive features, though it never saw battle.
Today, the fort serves as a historic site where visitors can explore its structure, learn about Nassau’s colonial past, and enjoy the panoramic views of the island and the sea. You can visit Fort Fincastle using the Queen’s Staircase, which is another famous landmark in Nassau.
Fort Montagu
Fort Montagu is located nearer to the ocean. It was built to defend the paradise island against the Spanish troops. There are free tours available every day from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Though it saw little combat, Fort Montagu is historically notable for being the site of a brief naval skirmish in 1776, when American forces seized the fort during the Revolutionary War, marking one of their first successful engagements overseas.
Today, Fort Montagu is a quiet, scenic spot for visitors to explore, offering views of Nassau Harbor and nearby beaches. Its compact design includes a few cannons and a small courtyard, making it a popular site for history enthusiasts and tourists looking to experience Nassau’s colonial history.
2. Check out the architecture
Versailles Garden and French Cloister
One of the prettiest places to visit in Nassau is the Versailles Garden and French Cloister. It features the remnants of an old French monastery, which was brought to the paradise island and reassembled stone by stone as the main feature of the Versailles Garden.
The terraced gardens overlook Nassau Harbor and you will also find several fish ponds in the area. Because of its beauty, it is a popular wedding venue for both locals and tourists. Personally, I love these gardens because they are a great place to sit back and take in the beauty of the island.
Blackbeard’s Tower
If you are a history buff or a pirate fanatic, you should check out Blackbeard’s Tower. Everybody knows the famous and notorious Blackbeard, who is the inspiration for a lot of pirate-themed literature, songs, and movies.
The famous Lookout Tower of Nassau Bahamas is a crumbling ruin at present, but it is an important part of the epic pirate history in the blue lagoon island.
3. Visit Nassau museums
Educulture Junkanoo Museum
The Educulture Junkanoo Museum is next-door to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. The exhibits in this Nassau museum focus on the history of Junkanoo and the Bahamas.
You will find costume pieces, traditional fabrics, music, artwork, and many more other items on display. There is also an interactive experience where you will be taught to dance to Bahamian music and make colorful masks. This can be a fun experience to do with your whole family!
Pirates of Nassau Museum
Pirates of Nassau Museum is a fun and interactive Nassau museum that you can find in the city’s downtown area. Nassau operated as a pirate base of operations back in the day and there’s a lot to learn about the golden age of piracy.
In Pirates of Nassau Museum, you can find different exhibits that will transport you back to those times. The Pirates of Nassau Museum also has an escape room called “Blackbeard’s Escape” that you can check out.
Bahamas Historical Society Museum
The exhibits in the Bahamas Historical Society Museum cover more than 500 years of Nassau’s history and you will find hundreds of items of memorabilia, documents, art, photos, and artifacts.
You will also get to see a collection of the most intricate model ships and get to know about the maritime history of the Bahamas islands.
4. Go for a hike and be one with nature
Clifton Heritage National Park
If you want to experience the natural beauty of the Bahamas, you should head out to Clifton Heritage National Park. The place is also a wildlife conservation center that boasts beautiful and colorful coral reefs.
The trails in the park will take you to the cliffs, dunes, sandy beaches, or coastal wetlands. If you love taking panoramic pictures, the views from the cliffs are the best.
Primeval Forest National Park
The Primeval Forest National Park is nearby Clifton Heritage National Park, so you can visit the two in just a day.
The Primeval Forest National Park is being treated by the Bahamas as an untouched time capsule. The small area is untouched and preserved to show everyone what the Bahamas used to be – home to evergreen tropical hardwood forests.
The Retreat Garden
The Retreat Garden is an urban green oasis located in the heart of Nassau and is the world’s best-known private palm tree collection. It is home to some rare tropical plants and a haven for a lot of birds. If you are into bird-watching, this is a worthy spot. I was surprised when I went at just how many birds there were!
5. Appreciate local art
National Art Gallery of the Bahamas
You can find this national art gallery near the government house in downtown Nassau. The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas houses different exhibitions and some of them are interactive.
Even locals check out the place every time new exhibits are coming. Take note that the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is closed on Mondays.
Doongalik Studios Art Gallery
The Doongalik Studios Art Gallery is a laidback gallery of the Bahamas promotes local artistic talents and is a great place to visit for art lovers.
Their place has a lush garden that features fruit and palm trees. Inside, you can see art in many forms from paintings, sculptures, quilts, ceramics, and many other cool displays.
6. Make your own chocolates
Did you know that Nassau has its own chocolatier? Just stroll downtown Nassau and look for the Graycliff Chocolatier, which offers three kinds of tours. There is the factory tour, the chocolate and spirits pairing tour, and the chocolate-making tour.
If you want a more immersive experience, the chocolate-making tour is the best choice because it lets you create your own chocolates. There is also a gift shop in the area where you can take home more sweet treats!
7. Drink like a pirate
Pirate Republic Brewery
Pirate Republic Brewing is the first craft beer producer in the Bahamas. Their Tap Room Bar features a lot of pirate flags and showcases Bahamian art, architecture, history, and music.
They also have a shop where you can buy Bahamian souvenirs and other pirate-themed goods. So, even if you are not that fond of beer, it still remains to be a worthy stop.
John Watling’s Distillery
You should get a taste of the “spirit of the Bahamas” – John Watling’s rum. The John Watling’s Distillery is located at the Buena Vista Estate, which has been around since 1789. The estate is a beautiful place since it overlooks the harbor.
You should drop by for their production and museum tour. And after the tour, make sure to stop at their tavern and try out some Bahamian cocktails.
8. Eat like a local
Bahamian Cookin’
When it comes to authentic Bahamian Island-style dishes, locals favor Bahamian Cookin’. Formerly known as Bahamian Kitchen, this restaurant is the oldest Bahamian restaurant and bar in Nassau.
They have been around since 1986 and the operation has been passed on for three generations of the owner’s family. This is the place to get your taste of authentic conch, a famous Bahamian delicacy.
Fish Fry
There are a lot of good local restaurants in Nassau. But if you want food that is more close to home cooking, go to Arawak Cay and head for “Fish Fry.”
Fish Fry is a long street filled with restaurants that serve huge platters of traditional Bahamian food. Make sure to get there early because the restaurants can get filled up quickly during dinner time.
The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
A visit to Nassau would not be complete without a taste of the “Official Rum Cake” of the Bahamas at the Rum Cake Factory. The bakery is just a short walk away from the cruise ship terminal and nearby the Straw Market.
Their original rum cake is recognized to be the best, but you can also find different flavored rum cakes such as chocolate, cinnamon, banana, Irish cream, coconut, pumpkin spice, and many more.
9. Dance the night away
Aura
If you want an extravagant and luxurious night out, you should head out to Aura, which is located in the Atlantis Casino.
Aura has an illuminated dance floor, two bars, and VIP lounge parlors. It is an upscale nightclub, so you should know that they have a strict dress code.
Xscape Lounge & Nightclub
If hip-hop music is more your jam, Xscape is a good place to spend your night. The hip-hop club is popular among local partygoers.
The club offers a lot of international and local drinks and serves Bahamian, Caribbean, and American dishes.
10. Interact with wildlife
Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Centre is a place where a variety of animals reside among the swaying palm trees and in the lush tropical gardens of the area.
Here, you can have guaranteed close encounters with the national bird of the Bahamas, the Caribbean flamingo. They also do flamingo shows, where trained flamingos dance and do tricks to entertain the audience.
11. Visit the historic sites
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is a famous Nassau landmark on Bay Street and it is the home of the Supreme Court, the local government’s House of Assembly, and the offices of the Leader of the Opposition.
You can visit the House of Assembly while it is in session and observe lawmakers debate. The Bahamian judges and lawyers still dress in traditional British robes and wigs.
Government House
This neoclassical residence is the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas. It has a great view overlooking Nassau. There is a 12-foot statue of Christopher Columbus on the stairs leading to its entrance.
The Government House is a popular and scenic historic paradise island attraction and is known to be the best example of Georgian colonial architecture in the Bahamas.
Nassau Public Library
The pink colonial-era building used to be a jail for over two centuries before it was converted into a public library.
Today, the Nassau Public Library has a wide collection of books and documents coming from the 1700s to the present day. It is designated as a National Monument of the Bahamas.
12. Spend the day on the beach
Cable Beach
Cable Beach is the most popular beach in Nassau for both locals and tourists. Over a mile long, Cable Beach is also the longest beach and it houses all the top resorts in Nassau.
You can also find the largest casino and a private golf course in Cable Beach. FYI…Locals usually avoid Cable Beach during peak seasons because of the crowd.
Cabbage Beach
If you want to do water activities like parasailing or jet skiing, Cabbage Beach is the place for you. But you should know that Cabbage Beach is mainly used for water sports.
The water at Cabbage Beach can be rough to swim in because the waves are too strong, so any relaxing should be done on the sand. If you want a swim, you should try the other beaches in the area.
Junkanoo Beach
Junkanoo beach is favored by the locals who want to avoid the crowd of tourists in their paradise island. Junkanoo beach is a public beach and it is a great area for swimming.
Junkanoo Beach is also just a walk away from downtown Nassau, so it is the most accessible if you are staying in the city center.
13. Get a day pass for Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis Paradise Island is the most popular resort and sea park in Nassau and is also a pricey one. But you do not have to stay overnight and pay a hefty price to use their amenities. There are day passes available that will fit your budget and let your family spend the day in the water parks.
The day passes available allow you to visit their aquariums, lagoons, and underwater shark tank, as well as the water parks and private beach. It’s a great blue lagoon island stop, especially if you have kids with you.
14. Shop for souvenirs
Straw Market
A lot of Bahamian artists and local vendors sell their craft and goods at the Straw Market. You can find such things like wood carvings, straw purses, straw hats, jewelry, and many more locally made items.
Locals suggest you do your souvenir shopping in Straw Market, if you want to find something unique or something that does not scream “tourist” in the paradise island. You can find the Straw Market market in the middle of Bay Street in downtown Nassau. Make sure to get there early as the market generally closes at 5pm every day and be ready to do a little haggling for that souvenir you’re looking to bring home.
A. Baker & Sons
If you are a classy man who loves to dress up, you should drop by the oldest store in Nassau, A. Baker & Sons. The shop has been in business for over 100 years.
It’s more of a men’s fashion shop, featuring Victorian-style British clothes and a great hat collection. You can also find some high-quality cuff links in there.
15. Attend the Junkanoo Festival
If you want to see Nassau at its best, plan your visit with the Junkanoo Festival. It is the Bahamian version of the Mardi Gras, only you get to enjoy it on a paradise island.
Nassau and the surrounding islands spend months preparing their elaborate costumes and perfecting their dance routines for the biggest celebration on the island. It is an important part of their Bahamian culture that you should not miss out on.
The big Junkanoo parade happens twice a year – Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1) and it takes place at 2 AM! And take note: the parade on Boxing Day is completely different from the one on New Year’s Day! It’s no wonder Nassau is also a popular tropical Christmas destination.
16. Bonus Thing to do – Scuba Diving
For those that want to see more of the aquatic side of Nassau, there is fantastic scuba diving to be found. From the “James Bond Wrecks” to several ships sunk on purpose to create artificial reefs, there is plenty to see and do for both beginner and experienced dives. Information on all the great Nassau diving can be found in Scuba Jay’s Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving In Nassau, Bahamas.
Summary
Nassau City is the largest tourist destination in the Bahamas. It is easy to reach this paradise island because they have an international airport that caters to tourists from all over the world plus it is a favored cruise ship port.
Nassau Bahamas is not only known for its natural beauty, it has a lot of interesting architecture and a rich cultural history. It is the best place to experience every aspect of a true Caribbean lifestyle. A stroll in downtown Nassau can easily take up your whole day. There surely is something for everyone to enjoy!
Now that you know the best things to do in Nassau, book your ticket and start immersing yourself to the Bahamian culture!
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“How boring would the world be if everywhere and everyone were the same. Safe travels and good adventures.” Scuba Jay
