Sights—The Georgian government buildings and the Remembrance Garden in Parliament Square; the jail-turned-library; Fort Charlotte; the calm setting of the Versailles Gardens and 13th-century Augustinian cloister on Paradise Island.
Museums—Bahamian art at The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas; history exhibits at Pirates of Nassau.
Memorable Meals—Graycliff for the old mansion's architecture; homemade pasta and filet mignon at Matisse; the fresh catch at The Poop Deck near the marina; elegant and romantic Luciano's for its great views; contemporary-chic atmosphere at Dune.
Late Night—Piano Bar at the Villaggio; Palm Court Lounge for a relaxed atmosphere with its house band; dancing at Dragon's.
Walks—Climbing the Queen's Staircase; strolling along the white sands of Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island.
Especially for Kids—Swimming with the dolphins at Blue Lagoon; the flamingo show at Ardastra Gardens.
Nassau is situated on the northern end of New Providence, dominating the bay between the main island and Paradise Island. Bay Street and its perpendicular side streets and arcades are the focus of the town's commercial activity. The area constitutes the main shopping center of the island. Bay Street extends along the seashore to the tips of the 21-mi-/33-km-long island.
The historical part of Nassau is bordered by the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle to the south, Villa Doyle and St. Francis Xavier Church to the west and Bay Street to the north. The district encompasses Parliament Square, where the government buildings are located.
About 4 mi/6 km west of town, Cable Beach is an animated area distinguished by high-rise resorts. Farther west, you'll see pretty beaches along the shore. Two bridges connect New Providence with Paradise Island, a pedestrian-friendly tourist center.
The Lucayans were the original inhabitants of the island of New Providence. Not much is known of their history, but the Spanish encountered the Lucayans when Spain's fleets landed in the Bahamas in the 16th century. The island remained largely uninhabited until around 1666, when it was settled by people from Bermuda and by English who were seeking refuge from religious disputes. In 1695, the settlement was named Nassau in honor of William III of England, Prince of Orange-Nassau.
Thanks to Nassau's strategic position, it became a base for pirates and privateers. Combined Spanish and French forces took Nassau in 1703 and plundered and burnt the town to avenge the pirate assaults they had suffered. The first royal governor, Sir Woodes Rogers (the street that runs along the port is named in his honor), offered a pardon to any pirate who renounced his evil ways and helped rebuild the city. Those who did not cooperate were hanged at Fort Nassau.
Spain, Britain and the U.S. all laid claim to the Bahamas, but the islands were officially assigned to Great Britain by treaty in 1783. Blockade-running during the Civil War and rum-running during Prohibition in the U.S. brought periods of prosperity to Nassau. By the early 20th century, the pineapple, sponge, sisal and salt industries—mainstays of the island's economy—were in decline. Tourism quickly saved the city: In the 1950s, the Tourism Board began actively promoting the Bahamas as a tourist destination. The development of Paradise Island started in the 1960s.
Tourism and the banking industry are the main staples of the economy. Nassau attracts tourists and businesses with its favorable climate and laid-back way of life, and there seems to be no limit to new development.
Proudly confirming its status as the national fish, a blue marlin graces the country's largest banknote, the 100-dollar bill.
Junkanoo, held twice a year, is an important festival for Bahamians. The festival's roots trace back to the 17th century when slaves were allowed three days off per year. They celebrated at that time, wearing grotesque masks and walking on stilts, letting off steam after a year of endured hard labor.
Some believe the word junkanoo derives from the name John Canoe, a West-African tribal leader who claimed the right to celebrate with his people after he was brought to the West Indies as a slave. Others believe it stems from the French gens inconnus, referring to people wearing disguises. Masks are a part of the celebration.
Junkanoo music is deeply rooted in Bahamian culture. Goombay drums, copper bells and mouth whistles are combined to sweep you into a fast cadence.
Cable Beach's name comes from the spot where the first telegraph cable from Florida to Nassau was laid in 1892.
Nassau has been a hot spot for James Bond fans ever since Sean Connery starred as 007 in the film classic Thunderball in the 1960s, and the actor keeps a home there. The latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig, was filmed on location in Nassau as well as other Bahamian locales. Five other Bond films have filmed in Nassau, too.
Touted as the largest casino in the Caribbean, the Paradise Island Casino is part of the megacomplex Atlantis Resort, which just happens to be the biggest resort in the country.
