Whether you have been to Nassau before or are about to head there again (probably on a cruise), you know you're going to be hearing a lot about Atlantis.
This is the awesome mega-resort water world in the Bahamas. The sprawling playland deserves your consideration with its marine habitat, dolphin cay, Aquaventure waterpark, golf course, pools, beaches and more.
But maybe you've already tried Atlantis and are looking for something new. Or maybe you're going to play a bit at Atlantis but have time to try other attractions in Nassau as well. Here are five additionally cool things to check out on your next visit to the Bahamas.
Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant
An easy walk from the port area, this resort in the heart of the city and set on the beautiful grounds of a mid-18th-century mansion. The main hotel building is decorated with historic artifacts, paintings, furnishings and is home to the largest private wine cellar in the Bahamas as well as a fine-dining restaurant. The serene grounds feature lush tropical gardens and pretty, tiled swimming pools.
Head over to Graycliff for a tour of the wine cellar or to try hand rolling cigars at the on-site factory-taught by Cuban workers who are resident experts in the craft. You can also try a rum tasting or tempt your sweet tooth at the ice cream shop or chocolatier (yes, they have a chocolate factory, too).
You can buy a day pass to enjoy the pool and rest of the resort, which also has a pizzeria and churrascaria restaurant.
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Straw Market
A Nassau institution, the straw market is a shopping bazaar where you can bargain with vendors for all sorts of items. This is the place to go for good prices on souvenirs like wood carvings, hats, scarves, sun dresses, necklaces and many other things. (You'll find plenty of items made in the Bahamas, though much of the other stuff probably was made in China.)
Bring small bills and plan to haggle for a deal. The sprawling complex is about a five-minute walk from the end of the cruise pier as you enter town on Bay Street.
Junkanoo Beach
Also walkable from your ship (about 20 minutes), this is a fun public beach filled with locals and tourists alike. Small huts serve as bars and eateries, with many pumping out island tunes from speakers blasting toward the sea. You'll dive into cold Bahamian beers and delicious freshly prepared plates of food.
A few small vendors also have stands selling souvenirs, crafts and hair-braiding services.
The waters are clear and refreshing, and you can swim and snorkel right off the end of concrete piers. It's a wonderful place to go for beer and a dip around sunset as crowds thin and the sun slips below the clouds, fading on the horizon.
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Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Steps down Bay Street from the Straw Market, this museum honors a brave slave and chronicles the legacy of the Bahamas slave trade and emancipation.
The site of the museum is a restored building that dates to the 1760s and is one of Nassau's oldest sites. It is known as Vendue House and was the marketplace where slaves were sold.
Paradise Island
Take a taxi, walk or even jog to get to Paradise Island. (This is where Atlantis is located, and there are a few other spots of interest that you'll enjoy.)
A less than two-mile walk (30 minutes via Bay Street) takes you over the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, the largest in the Bahamas. The span connects New Providence to Paradise Island, and you should stop at its steep peak to take a few pics of the impressive Atlantis skyline, the ships and other sights across Nassau Harbor.
A small straw market sits just beneath the bridge once you reach Paradise Island. You can find even better deals here than at the main market in town. Or, stop to cool off in the shade and have a cold beverage from the small bar located at the market.
Marina Village is a complex filled with shops and restaurants, and you can stroll the pretty marina area that encircles Paradise Lake while spying opulent yachts. This puts your right at the doorstep of Atlantis, so it's a convenient destination to do a lot.
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