Nassau is without doubt one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. It’s a typical port on quick Caribbean cruise itineraries, providing attractive seashores, tasty delicacies, and centuries of historical past to find.
However, it may be difficult to determine one of the best issues to do in Nassau. Some passengers could spend $100 or extra on shore excursions whereas others could decide to spend the day on their cruise ship as an alternative of disembarking.
To provide help to plan your day in Nassau, we wished to share one of the vital fascinating methods to spend the day within the metropolis: a self-guided strolling tour, impressed by our good good friend Brandon Smith of The Weekend Cruiser.
Brandon, founding father of The Weekend Cruiser YouTube Channel, boards a cruise ship almost each weekend. Because 3-night weekend cruises sometimes go to the identical two ports, Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Brandon is an knowledgeable in all the things to see, do, and expertise in these two Bahamian cruise ports.
In one in every of Brandon’s YouTube movies, he offers an in depth plan for a self-guided strolling tour in Nassau, with a concentrate on tradition and historical past. This tour could be finished solely by foot and on a price range, as a lot of the points of interest are both free to enter or have an admission charge of only some {dollars}.
Let’s check out Brandon’s self-guided strolling tour itinerary to encourage your subsequent port day in Nassau.
The Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase is a significant landmark of Nassau. It was constructed within the late 1700s and includes 66 steps constructed immediately into limestone. The work was accomplished by an estimated 600 slaves to create an escape route from Fort Fincastle, which is situated immediately above the steps.
Visiting the Queen’s Staircase is totally free, though a information is commonly out there on the base of the staircase for these serious about studying extra of the realm’s historical past.
A small waterfall is situated subsequent to the steps as effectively, and the walkway resulting in the steps is shadowed by steep limestone cliffs on either side.
Directions out of your cruise ship to the Queen’s Staircase:
When you stroll into port, instantly make a left onto Bay Street, the primary avenue in downtown Nassau. Continue on the road till it meets Elizabeth Avenue, the place you’ll take a proper. Walk previous the Princess Margaret Hospital till you attain the staircase.
Fort Fincastle
Built in 1793, Fort Fincastle is a historic fortress atop Bennet Hill in downtown Nassau, which overlooks town and ocean. The fort, constructed within the form of a paddle-wheel steamer, protected town’s harbor when it was in use.
Walking the fort’s exterior is freed from cost, however you’ll be able to enter the fort for round $3 to discover extra of this historic landmark. US {dollars} and Bahamian {dollars} are each accepted, and an optionally available information could also be out there contained in the fort as effectively.
Next to the fort is a straw market the place guests should buy souvenirs, snacks, and refreshments.
Directions from the Queen’s Staircase to Fort Fincastle:
Climb the Queen’s Staircase. Once on the high, flip to the fitting and also you’ll see Fort Fincastle.
Government House
Photo credit score: Bahamas.com
Mount Fitzwilliam, a hill overlooking Nassau, has been the location of the residence for the Governor General of The Bahamas since 1737. The 10-acre property has housed a number of buildings since then, with the newest inbuilt 1932.
Today, guests can admire the structure of the brilliant pink Government House, a colonial-style constructing with giant white pillars. A statue of Christopher Columbus stands in entrance of the home on the staircase, commemorating his discovery of the New World on San Salvador Island, Bahamas in 1492.
While the constructing itself is gated, you’ll be able to take a photograph of the Government House from exterior. Note that the Government House could presently be underneath development as of 2023.
Directions from Fort Fincastle to the Government House:
When you stroll out of the citadel, make a proper and go down the again staircase earlier than making a left onto Sand Road, a proper onto East Street, and a left on E Hill Street. Walk on E Hill Street till reaching the Government House on the left.
Graycliff Hotel
Next door to the Government House is the Graycliff, which is Nassau’s oldest resort. Originally constructed as a mansion in 1740, the upscale resort now has 20 visitor rooms.
While cruise ship friends received’t keep in a single day on the Graycliff, there are a number of methods to benefit from the resort’s choices throughout a port day. Day passes to the resort can be found, which embrace pool entry and a three-course lunch.
Numerous courses are supplied, too, together with cooking, cigar rolling, and chocolate making classes. A tour just isn’t required to stroll across the resort, whether or not visiting the Graycliff Cigar Company or chocolate store.
Additionally, the Graycliff has a number of eating choices, together with the 5-star Graycliff Restaurant and a Brazilian churrascaria. Wine luncheons and afternoon tea could also be out there throughout your port day as effectively, which might make for a singular method to spend the day in Nassau.
The Graycliff has the third largest wine cellar within the Western Hemisphere with over 175,000 bottles!
Directions from the Government House to the Graycliff Hotel:
The Government House is simply two minutes strolling distance away from the Graycliff. From the entrance of the Government House on Duke Street, proceed west earlier than making a left on Baillou Hill Road. Continue on this street briefly earlier than making a proper onto W Hill Street, the place the resort is situated.
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is an artwork museum, which options each everlasting collections and rotating exhibitions on Bahamian historical past and tradition.
Like most buildings on our Nassau strolling tour, the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is situated in a historic constructing, having been initially constructed as a mansion within the 1860s. The grounds characteristic a backyard with sculptures and greenery, and this can be a widespread place to stroll by way of when visiting.
Admission to the museum is $5.
Directions from the Graycliff Hotel to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas:
The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas is situated proper subsequent door to the Graycliff. Simply proceed strolling west on W Hill Street for 600 toes and the artwork gallery might be in your left.
John Watling’s Distillery
John Watling’s Distillery is situated on the Buena Vista Estate in Downtown Nassau, which was initially based in 1789.
Short, guided excursions of the distillery are complimentary (ideas are anticipated) and train guests concerning the historical past of The Bahamas, of John Watling’s, and why rum is made in The Bahamas.
The tour will finish within the distillery’s rum retailer, the place you’ll be able to order John Watling’s rum on the distillery’s bar. Flights of rum can be found along with cocktails together with a piña colada and rum runner.
Directions from the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to John Watling’s Distillery:
From the museum’s entrance on W Hill Street, flip left onto West Street. Continue for 300 toes earlier than making a proper on Delancy Street, which is the place you’ll discover the distillery.
Junkanoo Beach
If you’re searching for an easy-to-access seaside in Nassau, Junkanoo Beach is your greatest guess. This seaside is without doubt one of the closest seashores to the cruise port and presents bars and meals stalls together with ample seaside area to loosen up and sunbathe.
From Junkanoo Beach, you’ll be able to both head again to your cruise ship by strolling east on Bay Street, or you’ll be able to proceed heading west on Bay Street till reaching the Fish Fry.
The Fish Fry is the place you’ll discover a wide array of meals stalls and eating places specializing in Bahamian delicacies and recent seafood.
Directions from John Watling’s Distillery to Junkanoo Beach:
Upon exiting John Watling’s Distillery, make a left onto Delancy Street earlier than taking a proper on Augusta Street. Continue on Augusta Street till Bay Street. Take a left on Bay Street and stroll alongside Nassau’s waterfront till you run into Junkanoo Beach on the fitting.
How to arrange for a self-guided strolling tour of Nassau
Before setting off in your self-guided strolling tour of Nassau, it’s vital to be ready, from sporting the fitting clothes to staying hydrated.
Be positive to put on snug strolling footwear throughout your tour of Nassau. Nobody desires to finish their port day with blisters, so making certain your strolling footwear are sturdy and match correctly will assist guarantee your strolling tour goes easily.
Related: What to pack for a Bahamas cruise
In addition, be ready for the tour by making use of sunscreen and sporting light-weight clothes, particularly in the event you’re touring in the summertime. Nassau can get extraordinarily heat in the summertime months, and exploring town for a number of hours could be uncomfortable in the event you don’t costume correctly.
In the winter, nevertheless, it’s vital to verify climate forecasts earlier than disembarking the ship in Nassau. Some days within the peak of winter can really feel comparatively chilly, so it’s possible you’ll must pack a light-weight cardigan or jacket.
Bringing a bottle of water is vital, too, however you’ll be able to all the time buy water bottles or different refreshments whereas strolling across the metropolis. When buying something, we advocate having money readily available. US {dollars} or Bahamian {dollars} are accepted on the island.
Finally, earlier than beginning your self-guided strolling tour, remember to have entry to a map. If you don’t have worldwide cellular phone service, obtain an offline map of downtown Nassau from Google Maps. This permits you to entry town’s maps with out an web connection.
Alternatively, pleasant Bahamians can information you in the fitting route do you have to get misplaced at any level throughout your strolling tour.
Thanks once more to Brandon from The Weekend Cruiser for sharing his wonderful self-guided strolling tour of Nassau with us!