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Cloisters
Paradise Island Drive
Paradise Island
At the top of the Versailles Gardens stand the remains of a 14th-century French stone monastery.
This landmark was taken to the United States in the 1920s by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.
Forty years later, however, grocery-chain heir Hartford bought the Cloisters and had it rebuilt on its
present site overlooking Nassau Harbour.
Versailles Gardens
Paradise Island Drive
Ocean Club, Paradise Island
A garden brimming with gorgeous statues.
Bacardi Distillery
Bacardi and Carmichael roads
New Providence Island
The Bacardi Refinery Tour opens its doors on Tuesdays for a taste testing. Bacardi manufactures
some of the most popular rums in the world, and has up to 60 selections for you to sample. Each
tour requires a minimum of 10 people. The
minimum number of drinks to consume is 40 and the maximum is 60. Try this excursion while visiting
The Bahamas.
Queen's Staircase
Top of Elizabeth Avenue, off Shirley Street
Nassau
The most-visited and famous architectural sight in Nassau, the Queen's Staircase is a flight of 66
steps linking Fort Fincastle to the Princess Margaret Hospital. What makes it remarkable is its history.
The staircase was carved from coral-based sandstone by slaves at the end of the 18th century. This
102-foot staircase was created to commemorate the 65 years of Queen Victoria's reign.
Ardastra Gardens and Conservation Centre
Chippingham Road, south of West Bay Street
Nassau
This attraction is more than a garden. Dedicated to conserving plants and animals, it showcases a
garden, arboretum, zoo, and aquarium. Ardastra is also home to an array of species and plants - from
rare tropical birds to native Bahamian creatures such as rock iguanas and marching flamingos. Catch a
glimpse of the national birds of the Bahamas as they give parading performances daily at 11 a.m.,
2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Government House
Duke and George Street
Nassau, Paradise Island
The Government House has been the official residence of the governor-general of the Bahamas since
1801. This impressive pink-and-white building on Duke Street is an excellent example of the fusion
of Bahamian-British and American Colonial architecture. The styles also highlight the influence some
southern states like Virginia and the Carolinas had on the islands. However, the bright pink color,
cross-laid cornerstones, and wooden shutters are typical models of island structural design.
The Changing of the Guards
Nassau, New Providence Island
The Changing of the Guards takes place every other Saturday at Government House - the residence of
the Governor-General, representative of the Queen. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band performs a
beautiful ceremony.
Balcony House
Market Street and Trinity Place
Nassau, New Providence Island
The Balcony House is an 18th-century landmark named for its overhanging balcony. Known as the
oldest wooden residential structure in Nassau, this pink two-story house - and its furnishings
and designs - re-capture the elegance of an era. Inside the house there is a mahogany staircase
recovered from a ship during the 19th century.
Fort Charlotte
West Bay Street and Marcus Bethel Way
Nassau, New Providence Island
This military site is an imposing fort built in the late 18th century. It comes complete with
a waterless moat, drawbridge, ramparts, and dungeons. Lord Dunmore, who built it, named the massive
structure in honor of George III's wife. The fort is located one mile west of central Nassau.
Fort Mantagu
Eastern Road, Montagu Bay
New Providence Island
The oldest fort on the island.
The Retreat
Village Road
Nassau, New Providence Island
A garden / arboretum with a diversity of species and tropical palm trees, The Retreat offers a
serene, peaceful, and silent environment. Strolling through these peaceful grounds, visitors will
also find smiling Buddhas. The park also serves as the site for the Bahamas National
Trust. A perfect choice for relaxing on a steamy Nassau day.
Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower
Top of Elizabeth Avenue hill, south of Shirley Street
Nassau
The Fort is a military site shaped like a paddle-wheel steamer, located near the top
of the Queen's Staircase. Fort Fincastle was completed in 1793 as a lookout point to prevent
pirates from sneaking into the harbor. Its 126-foot water tower, which is more than 200
feet above sea level, is the highest point on the island. From here, the panoramic view of
Nassau and its harbor is simply breathtaking.
Christ Church Cathedral
George and King streets
Nassau
Built in 1837, the Cathedral is a short walk from the main thoroughfare, and is worth visiting
if only for its stained-glass windows. Inside the cathedral there is a glorious contrast between
the white pillars and dark wood beams used to support the high ceiling. The Crucifixion in the
center panel of the east window is flanked by depictions of the empty tomb and the Ascension.
Before you leave, be sure to spend a few minutes in the small, flower-filled Garden of Remembrance.
Parliament Square
Bay Street
Nassau
Parliament Square's pink, colonnaded government buildings were constructed in the early 1800s by
Loyalists who came to the Bahamas from North Carolina. The Square is dominated by a statue of a
young Queen Victoria, erected on May 24, 1905, the day of her birthday. In the immediate area are
six magistrates' courts. Behind the House of Assembly is the Supreme Court. Its quarterly
opening ceremonies (held during the first weeks of January, April, July, and October) are similar to the
pageantry of the Houses of Parliament in London. A pass must be obtained in order to view these sessions.
Crystal Cay
Silver Cay
New Providence Island
Crystal Cay is a zoo / aquarium that occupies an entire island, and is linked to Arawak Cay and
the mainland by a bridge. Its observation tower soars 100 feet above the ocean surface. You can
descend a winding staircase to a depth of 20 feet below sea level for a 360-degree view of coral,
sponges, tropical fish, and other sea life - or wind your way along the Pleasure Reef snorkeling
trail. Transportation is available to and from Nassau docks to the Cay.
Royal Victoria Gardens
Shirley Street
Nassau, Paradise Island
The Royal Victoria Hotel was once the grand damme of the Bahamas. The hotel and its gardens were built
during the American Civil War, finally closing in 1971. Shortly thereafter, a fire consumed the building.
All that remained were the gardens and a sprawling, empty shell of pillars and stone. The resulting
landscape is a stunning cross between a botanical garden and something resembling Roman ruins.
Junkanoo Festival Expo
Prince George Wharf
Downtown Nassau
This museum is dedicated to the Bahamas' Junkanoo Festival - a colorful, musical, and surreal festival
held on December 26. Watch Bahamian culture explode in a kaleidoscope of masks and sounds. Visiting the
Expo is the next best thing to being in the Bahamas during Junkanoo.
Roselawn Museum
Nassau
Within this 19th-century home, you'll find a curious and colorful collection of artifacts recounting
Bahamian history.
The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation
Vendue House, Bay Street
Nassau
Vendue House served as the location for slave auctions in the 18th century, as well as a place where
salvaged items from shipwrecks were sold. Today, the museum displays a fine collection of Bahamian
history and art. A permanent exhibit portrays the slavery and post-emancipation eras of The Bahamas. In addition,
work by local Bahamian artist Amos Ferguson is displayed in the art gallery on the second level.
The Bahamas Historical Society Museum
Elizabeth Avenue and Shirley Street
Nassau
The Bahamas Historical Society Museum showcases exhibits depicting the history of the Bahamas from
pre-Columbus time to the present. In the museum there are many Lucayan-Taino-Arawak artifacts on
display. Open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Closed holidays. Admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children
ages 5 to 12.
Pirates of Nassau
Marlborough and George streets
Nassau
Pirate's of Nassau is a world-class, swashbuckling venue located in the heart of downtown Nassau.
Experience the true story of pirates in an amazing, historically interactive program that promises
to teach and entertain.
Click here for more Tourist Attractions In The Bahamas.
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