Head to the straw market and downtown area
the Queen’s Staircase. Located on Elizabeth Avenue South,
If you’re staying on Paradise Island, rent a bicycle and explore
For a taste of the Bahamas Out Islands, keeper of traditions, visit Arawak Cay, on the west side of downtown Nassau – a cluster of restaurants and bars that serve the conch salad, cracked conch, fresh fish, Bahamian lobster, guava duff, and other dishes signature to the Bahamas.
the main attraction on Paradise Island, and even non-guests can buy day passes to enjoy the plethora of beach, water park, animal interaction, casino, shopping and dining attractions on property.
On day two on New Providence, begin by exploring the sights on the island's eastern side, including The Retreat and St. Augustine's Monastery. Continue west around the island, perhaps taking time to visit the Bacardi Distillery or the Commonwealth Brewery.Head back toward Nassau and stop by Arawak Cay, a nice spot for a quick, local-style lunch. Or, alternatively, visit three sites: Fort Charlotte, the Nassau Botanic Gardens,and Ardastra Gardens and Conservation Centre, home to the famous marching flamingos.
spend your last day on Paradise Island wandering through the Atlantis resort, visiting Cabbage Beach or Paradise Beach, and spending a few minutes in the lovely Versailles Gardens
, I'm climbing the steps of the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort's Mayan Temple, ever so slowly approaching the entrance to Leap of Faith, the largest, steepest water slide I've ever been on. Not only that, this seven-story slide will take me through the Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon—a large aquarium full of Caribbean reef sharks. Gulp.
And then I find out there's another, easier way to see the sharks up close: another Mayan Temple attraction called the Serpent Slide that doesn't involve a terrifying drop down a 60-foot tall almost-vertical body slide, but rather a fun ride on an inner tube that ends in a large, clear tunnel, slowly taking you through the shark-filled aquarium.
Plus, the U.S. Dollar is on par with the Bahamian Dollar
Bahamian Cookin' Restaurant & Bar, where the locals go for traditional eats;
For a fun, super-authentic dining experience, check out the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, a collection of small, local restaurants just outside Downtown Nassau where you can sample Bahamian favorites like cracked conch (pronounced "conk" by the way) and Sky Juice, a milky-white concoction made with gin, coconut water, sweet milk, cinnamon, sugar, and fresh nutmeg. A number of locals I spoke to recommended Oh Andros as their favorite spot for food in Arawak Cay and Twin Brothers for the best daiquiri cocktails. I concur.
Visit Fort Charlotte, The Queen's Staircase, and a Pirate Museum!
History buffs will love exploring Nassau's old forts, originally built to protect the island from invaders, but luckily, none has ever had to be used in battle. Fort Charlotte is about a five-minute walk from Downtown Nassau and features displays of how the complex was built and what it was like to be stationed there in the 17th century (spoiler alert: it wasn't easy!) Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children ages 6-12, ages five and under get in free. Closer to Downtown, Fort Fincastle sits at the top of Bennet's Hill overlooking the city. To reach it, climb the Queen's Staircase, a 102-foot tall staircase built by slaves in the late-1700s and later named in honor of Queen Victoria, who is credited with abolishing slavery in 1837—or do what I did and take a taxi to Fort Fincastle and make your way down the Queen's Staircase instead (admission is free for both sites). Pirate lovers will want to visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum, home to an interactive pirate attraction that feels like you've become part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride—keep an eye out for the pirate ship Revenge and get your close up of Blackbeard himself ($13 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 4-17).
an easy 10-minute water taxi ride to get between Paradise Island and Downtown Nassau ($4 one way, $8 round-trip, every half hour). Another option, especially if you're staying along Cable Beach or areas west, is to hop a ride on the jitneys into and out of Downtown Nassau, a great way to chat with locals who are doing the same thing (each ride is about $1.50). Tucked away on the eastern end of Paradise Island about a 15-minute walk from the Atlantis Resort area, you'll find Versailles Gardens, a lovely, terraced, European-style garden modeled after its namesake in France. The Versailles Gardens are located on part of the One & Only Ocean Club's property along Paradise Island Drive, but are free and open to the public 24/7,
Wind down with a fresh seafood dinner next to the water. Nassau’s famous Arawak Cay Fish Fry is the perfect place to try conch fritters, cracked conch, or conch salad. Wash it down with an ice-cold Kalik beer, brewed right here in The Bahamas.
Once you’ve had your fill of water slides, check out The Dig. Stroll the streets and tunnels of the lost city of Atlantis and bring your camera to capture the gorgeous marine life exhibits. Make sure to stop by the interactive touch tank aquarium for a chance to get up close and personal with conch, starfish, crabs and more.
If you happen to be visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday, stick around for the Junkanoo parades, which happen twice weekly at 9 pm.
Harborside Resort at Atlantis shares all the renowned amenities of Atlantis
"Aquaventure" is basically the water amenities at the Atlantis Resort. You get access to them for free if you stay at the Atlantis or their affiliated resorts (i.e. Comfort Suites, The Cove, The Reef, Harborside timeshare)
The endless amenities at Atlantis, Paradise Island are available to all Owners and guests of Harborside Resort at Atlantis to enjoy.
Fort Fincastle
Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor at the time, to protect the island. Sitting atop Society Hill, the fort overlooks the city of Nassau and the Queen’s Staircase, the avenue through which many visitors access the Fort. Fincastle features huge brick walls with canons peeking at the top and gives an impressive view of the Bahamian waters.
Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase, commonly referred to as the 66 steps, is a major landmark that is located at the bottom of Fort Fincastle. The steps were carved from limestone by slaves between 1793 and 1794. A century later, the staircase was renamed to honor Queen Victoria and her role in the abolition of slavery in the Bahamas. This complex is one of Nassau’s most significant and historical landmarks.
Fort Charlotte
The largest fort in Nassau, Fort Charlotte, was built in the 18th century by Lord Dunmore. The fort has a waterless moat, dungeons, underground passageways, and 42 cannons, which have never been fired in a war. Sitting atop a hill overlooking the harbor, the Fort commands an impressive view of Paradise Island and the harbor of Nassau.
Cable Beach
Cable Beach in Nassau is famous for its clear, white sand and turquoise waters. Known as the hotel district of Nassau, the area features five first-class, luxury hotels that line the beach. The beach is the perfect way to spend a relaxing day in Nassau, soaking up the sun or engaging in water sports and activities. Cable Beach also has numerous dining options near the beach.
How much is a taxi from Nassau Airport to Atlantis Resort?
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