This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Originally published: May 31st, 2022 Updated: January 8th, 2024 So you’ve found yourself in the Bahamas. A destination where pigs swim and they get about 340 sunny days per year. Certainly, it’s hard to have a bad day in the Caribbean. But, what are the “must see” things to do in Nassau Bahamas? You might envision a singular island when you hear, “Bahamas.” But, it’s actually an archipelago comprised of over 700 islands and 2400 cays! While there are many airports to fly into in the Bahamas, the most popular option is typically the Nassau International Airport. Nassau is also the most visited port by cruise ships, among all the islands. Thus, expect to see quite a few cruise ship goers from time to time. Without further adieu, here’s the gamut of popular things to do in Nassau Bahamas – from tourist attractions to hidden gems and day trips. Do you love rum cake? Looking for a great gift to bring to someone back home? This might be a place you need to visit. Bahamas Rum Cake Factory is owned and operated by a Bahamian local. It’s a small storefront that displays and samples its cakes. The factory portion, where the staff is making the rum cakes is visible to the public from the store floor. Rum cakes are available in a variety of flavors. You can mix and match any 6 of them for $37.50 USD. They’re pretty tasty and make great gifts! Tip: This store accepts credit cards. If you love rum or are simply curious, while in Nassau, Bahamas you must visit John Watling’s Distillery. It appears as though the free tour has mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. The tour is free, informative and brief. Having taken the tour twice, both times our host was very entertaining and engaging. The reason this is a must stop is… the rum is just spectacular. Buy a Piña Colada at the bar. They’re $13, but you won’t regret it. Both times I’ve visited, a year apart, the same bartender has been at the bar. Not only is he very personable and kind, but he makes one heck of a Piña Colada. As I perused the gift shop, many other travelers stopped to gaze at my Pina Colada and ask where they could get one. If you partake in the occasional spirit, having local rum is a must things to do in Nassau Bahamas! Tip: The Piña Colada’s are made with John Watling’s amber rum. It was sold out the first time I visited, but my second visit I was in luck. If it’s in stock when you visit, definitely grab a bottle! Traveling internationally? You will need to check the bottle of rum in to fly with it. I’m typically a carry on traveler, but I put the rum in my suitcase and checked it in to return home. Whether you love a quirky bazaar or bustling market, it is certainly the place where you will find the best deals on souvenirs, hand crafted local goods, oddities and general trinkets. True to it’s name, if you like straw goods, you will be elated at the selection at this market. Fantastic, handmade straw woven beach bags, purses, wallets and much more are available for a fraction of the cost you would find them elsewhere. This is also a great place to find tropical attire – from dresses to men’s polo’s, hats and other such finds. It isn’t as large as other popular souks and markets around the world, however, it’s easy to navigate. A lot of the merchandise can be repetitive, so once we found all the things we wanted to get, we didn’t browse much further. Tip: You’ll likely want to bring cash to pay here. Most vendors are cash only, however, if you make a large enough purchase they will partner with another vendor so that you can pay with credit card. Bargaining is expected and welcome… but also keep in mind that most all of these crafts are handmade and being sold for far less than standard retail prices as it is. Montagu Beach is a quieter beach that locals favor to relax or have a picnic lunch. There is also a convenient stand to wet your whistle (an open outdoor bar) close to Fort Montagu. You can buy a drink or a fresh coconut. I highly recommend grabbing a fresh coconut while there and enjoying it on the absolutely beautiful palm tree lined beach. Tip: If you aren’t into history or perhaps aren’t super interested in historical landmarks, you can either drive by Fort Montagu without getting out of the car or just skip it altogether. However, I’d still consider Montagu Beach for a fresh coconut. It’s also a great beach option for those whom want a more mellow environment that’s less of a ‘scene’ than Junkanoo Beach. If you like visiting historical sites during your travels, then you’ll likely want to visit the highly photographed Queen’s Staircase. Often referred to as the “66” steps, the major landmark was created out of solid limestone rock, by slaves, in the late 1700’s. Fort Fincastle was built to protect Nassau from pirate invasion. Tip: The Queen’s Staircase is an extremely popular attraction. There will likely be people walking up and down it all day. If you want to get photos sans crowds, you’ll likely need to arrive at sunrise or very early. Our guide said that locals even get up at 5am to walk the steps for exercise in the morning. If you are seeking Bahamian cuisine with a local flair and delicious drinks in a relaxed atmosphere, look no further. An area referred to as the “Fish Fry” is a gem in Nassau. Foodies and those seeking more of an authentic Bahamian food experience flock to Arawak Cay. While this is the area locals eat when they want to dine out, socialize or simply enjoy themselves, there are other travelers in the area too. This is honestly one of the “do not miss” things to do in Nassau Bahamas. Here are some foods you might want to try (anywhere) during your time in town, because they are delicious: Conch Fritters – this is the Bahamas national dish! Johnny Cakes Pigeon Peas & Rice Conch Salad or Tropical Conch Salad Guava Duff Guava duff is one of the most delicious Bahamian foods you can try in Nassau. Keep in mind that when Guavas are in season, fresh fruit is used to make this dish. Otherwise, canned Guavas it is. Bahamian fare is very seafood centric, however, there are lots of chicken options available, prepared in various ways. Goldie’s Conch House: I asked a few cab drivers and a group of friendly neighborhood folks at The Salty Crab which Bahamian food restaurants they like and it seemed to be conclusive: locals love Goldie’s. After dining at Goldie’s Conch House, I can tell you: I also love Goldie’s. It’s a really large restaurant with a very tiny bathroom (but at least it has a bathroom, right?). We sat all the way in the back in the window lined dining room that had a gorgeous view of the water. I mean, would you look at this view? Goldie’s is a completely casual restaurant, but it’s on the spendy side. But, again, what isn’t spendy on the Bahamian islands? Other than the finds you will discover at the Straw Market, you’d be pressed to find many things that aren’t spendy. That being said, the portions are huge and shareable and everything is delicious. The service is also very good. For an enormous tropical conch salad, a large shareable entree, dessert and two drinks our bill was well over $100 + tip. It’s worth it though, if you’re seeking authentic, traditional Bahamian food. Tip: A cab from Paradise Island to the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay should cost between $18 – $20. If you are already downtown, it’s walkable. From Bay Street to Arawak Cay, it was a distance but nothing unreasonable. It also makes for a great chance to site see and take photos! The Fish Fry Restaurant I’ve dined here twice and the service can be hit or miss, but when the service is good here, it’s great. Ultimately, it provides delicious food in a quieter, very laid back environment. It never seems to be crowded at this restaurant, possibly because it’s a relatively newer restaurant at the Fish Fry. If you sit on outside back patio, there’s a gorgeous view of the water and some manta ray’s in the wild! I always sit outside on the back patio here, because who would want to miss the view of this turquoise water? The Fish Fry restaurant offers Bahamian fare, some American dishes as well as a variety of Caribbean specialties. Tip: The Fish Fry has a large restroom for Guests and also accepts a wide variety of credit cards. I asked a local during my first visit to the Bahamas, “Where do you like to go get some really delicious Bahamian food?” the response? An emphatic, “Oh Andros!” It will likely be a tradition to visit this restaurant when in Nassau. It truly is a locals spot with yummy, authentic Bahamian food. It’s a very relaxed, comfortable and homey atmosphere with large comfy booth seating and televisions adorning every corner. Despite its very casual atmosphere, I wouldn’t describe O Andros as inexpensive. But, it’s worth it and the portions are huge (read: gargantuan) and shareable. We were told the portions were big, but we genuinely had no idea that they were leftovers-for-days big. Otherwise, we definitely would’ve only ordered one entree and shared it. In comparison to all the other similar restaurants I’ve dined at in Nassau and Paradise Island, my bill was the least here and the portions were the largest! The menu features Bahamian favorites and also a selection of Haitian specialities. After chatting with the server, I decided to try Haitian pikliz. It was soo good, but boy, I think it was the spicest thing I have ever eaten. If you don’t have a spice tolerance – you’ve been warned! Tip: If you partake in boozy beverages, I highly recommend trying the Sky Juice at Oh Andros. Sky Juice is a staple of Bahamian beverage cuisine. It’s made of coconut water, condensed milk and gin. Oh Andros is cash only and has no customer restroom, so be prepared!– I didn’t dine here. But they are renowned for serving their self declared “real” Daiquiri’s and I did try one of those! If you intend on just grabbing drinks (which is what they’re known for), there is a stand separate from the main restaurant where you can walk up, pay cash and grab a drink to go. Tip: Even if you don’t dine at Twin Brothers, I think it’s definitely worth it to stop by their Daiquiri Shack and snag a flavored Daiquiri of your choice to go! Junkanoo Beach is a bonafide tourist attraction nowadays. It’s a hot spot for cruise ship goers to hang out in Nassau for the day – be it at the beach or guzzling rum punch or Bahama Mama’s somewhere. While there are other beaches I’d likely park myself on for hours, I do love strolling down Junkanoo Beach. Firstly, it’s a nice scenic walk down to the Fish Fry at Arawak Caye. Secondly, I love buying handmade earrings from the locals that have setup shop on tables along the way. Lastly, I love the Salty Crab! Tip: Salty Crab is a beach bar that serves some chow as well. It’s owned by a very friendly and hospitable Bahamian local. Stop by for a drink when you’re in the area! Did you think Nassau and the Bahamas is just beaches? Don’t get me wrong… the beach is the main event, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of other interesting activities as well! There are several fascinating museums in downtown Nassau and they are mostly all walking distance from one another. You can learn so many new things while getting a reprieve from the heat! Here are five museums I visited and enjoyed that I think are worth your time: $12 per person Hooked on pirate lore? This museum is so fun and interactive. If you’re fascinated by the “golden age” of piracy, you’ll definitely want to check this out. You’ll learn a lot and the information is shared in an immersive and engaging way. $5.50 per person Despite being a smaller museum in size, it is absolutely packed with valuable information. It isn’t as visual as some of the other museums, but there are a lot of impactful photographs and lots of important text to read. Given the subject, it is heavy, but it’s important to visit this museum while in Nassau. $10 per person Junkanoo is a very important festival in the Bahamas that’s been celebrated for hundreds of years now. This is the place to learn about the history of Junkanoo and all that goes into making the magnificent costumes that revelers adorn for the celebration. This museum focuses on “educulture” – learning about culture in a meaningful way. It’s a tiny, yet jam packed exhibit housed in the former residence of a retired educator. During our visit, the museum curator did give us a tour and overview of the exhibition with some insightful dialogue before she left us to our own browsing. $10 per person The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is located on a beautiful property. There is a seating area outside for you to relax and also a cool mural to take pictures with! This is definitely a fine art gallery, with quirky and very creative pieces. If Beaux Arts aren’t your thing, you may not appreciate this gallery as much. But if you love the arts, you’ll certainly enjoy this. $11.25 per person or $20.35 with tour The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas is a fantastic way to get an overview of the history and background of the Bahamian islands. Whereas all the other museums focus on a very niche topic about the islands, this is more of a macro view of the Bahamas legacy. If you’re pressed for time, this is a great museums to check out to understand the past and present of the Bahamas better. Tip: to get a bit more context and value out of then museum, you have the option of taking a guided tour. Here is a highly rated tour of The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas. One of the most popular things to do when someone finds themselves in Nassau, is to head over the bridge to Paradise Island. You can get a day pass to enjoy the Aquaventure Water Park at the Atlantis Resort. You can also explore the shops, restaurants and casino. The water park is really fun and a great way to escape the heat! Here is a complete guide to the Atlantis on Paradise Island! Since you’ve made it to the end, I have a gift for you. Okay, it’s well known that the majority of resorts on the islands have spas – some of them being very posh. The only thing is, you’ll be paying through the nose for them. Which, if it’s something you’ve planned to do, want to do or are just in the mood to splurge on, by all means. Please do. However, if you, similar to me, can’t bare the thought of paying $300 USD for a massage that might just be mediocre at best, then you’re in luck. My first visit, I was trying to find a mobile masseuse that would come to my hotel room. I didn’t have much luck with that, despite reaching out to a couple operators. It was spring and the few available on the island were already booked. On my second visit to the Bahamas, when I got off the plane I was determined to find a spa to rejuvenate in until our hotel room was ready. Cue: angels singing. I stumbled upon the Baha Retreat Spa online, gave them a ring and they could accommodate me! The spa is housed in a manor from the 1800’s. There are several different areas and rooms and they appear to be a full service spa. While the facilities aren’t what one would describe as luxurious, they are clean, comfy and the services are very high quality for the prices charged. Tip: I highly recommend making an appointment. Baha retreat accepts a variety of credit cards. I inquired at the front desk about the tipping practices at the spa and was informed that tips are greatly appreciated (any amount, but no specific percentage is anticipated or expected. I chose to follow the standard 20% tipping practice in states. • Most Taxi drivers in Nassau are also tour guides. They all seem to charge $60 an hour and will customize your tour according to your interests. It’s a nice way to get a private tour that is fully tailored to the places you want to see. I recommend using a tour to get around the city and take pictures and view points of interest briefly; not to stop at places you’ll want to spend some time, like a museum. • There are no ride share apps available in the Bahamas. Almost all taxi drivers in Nassau only accept cash. There are pretty set rates for most distances. For example Paradise Island to the Bay Street area should cost $10 – $15 USD. • USD is widely accepted everywhere in the Bahamas and is equivalent to the Bahamian Dollar. You will need either of these currencies to pay cash for goods and services while on the island. Have any questions about exploring Nassau, Bahamas? Drop them in the comments, below! Check these out: Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Your Must See Things to Do in Nassau Bahamas
Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
Have a Piña Colada at John Watling’s Distillery
Shop for Souvenirs at Straw Market
Grab a Coconut at Montagu Beach & Fort Montagu
The Queen’s Staircase & Fort Fincastle
The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay
Restaurants I’ve Tried
Stroll along Junkanoo Beach
Go on A Museum Crawl
Pirates of Nassau
Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Junkanoo Expo Museum
The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas
Heritage Museum of the Bahamas
Visit Aquaventure & Atlantis on Paradise Island
Enjoy a Spa Experience
Know Before You Go
Headed to the Bahamas?
The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island
Travel resources for YOU to plan an epic trip!
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I love the extra tips you have given us and will be coming back to your post for when I plan my trip! Thank you
Hi Sophie! I really enjoyed exploring Nassau, and of course the Bahamas is just beautiful. Thank you for checking out my guide. When you plan to visit the islands let me know – would love to chat further about it!
This was such an informative post. I will bookmark it for reference when I plan my trip. Thanks for your insights.
Thank you for reading, Julie! Let me know if you ever have any questions!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Bahamas! Looks fantastic!
The Bahamas are gorgeous, the water is just mesmerizing!
Very helpful guide! I love that you added where to get souvenirs because that’s literally my least favorite part of planning a trip.
Hi Courtney! Thank you so much for reading, I’m so glad you found it helpful. Yes, I always want to know the best places to buy certain goods at the destination I’m traveling to, so it’s important for me to mention.
I’ve been dying to go to the Bahamas!
Hi Kaz! You know, I ended up LOVING the Bahamas. The water is just gorgeous and Bahamian food is delicious!
You had me at rum cake! All the food looks so delicious and mouth-watering.
Right? Just mention Rum cake and I’m in! :giggles:
What a colorful, flavorful destination! Love it.
That is such a spot on description!
I didn’t know Nassau had so many museums. I guess there’s a lot more to do than just the beach. So interesting that you can get a tour with a taxi driver. How convenient! Great tips!
Right?! Almost ALL the cab drivers in Nassau also offer tour guide services. It’s SO convenient and if you find a cabbie that you really vibe with, it’s a great way to see the city and gain a lot of context and insight. I was surprised by the plentiful amount of museums as well, but I really enjoyed them!
What a great guide! I went many years ago and would love to visit again some time.
Thank you, Marga! I am headed back this year and I hope to see the island of Exuma too this time!
Apart from the weather, I think I would really enjoy all the local produce as I love my food. I’m looking forward to eating a few rum cakes!
Bahamian food has been one of my surprise foodie delights! Enjoy the rum cakes, Sharyn 🙂
I would definitely be prioritizing the Rum Cake Factory and the Pirate Museum! All of these food pictures look so good too, maybe the way I should go about it is to just do a massive foodie tour of the Bahamas lol. Thanks for the recommendations, I’m not familiar with the islands and wouldn’t know where to start.
Honestly, I loved the Pirate Museum. Out of all of the museums that one was the most fun and interactive. Yes, there’s so much good food in the Bahamas! My pleasure.
I love a good rum cake so the next time I am in Nassau, I will definitely stop at the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory. The last time I had a rum cake was actually in the Bahamas! Oh, sweet memories.
Rum cake is synonymous with the Bahamas. A must when visiting!
Oh my gosh, the Bahamas has been on my bucket list for YEARS. The buildings look so fun and colourful in your photos. It would definitely be the spa experience and rum factory pina colada for me! Great tip also about the taxi drivers doing tours. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Amabel. I also love the vibrant and colorful buildings in the Bahamas. The rum factory is still to this day the best Piña Colada I’ve had. My pleasure!
How can travelers get around Nassau? Are there reliable public transportation options, or is renting a car recommended?
Hi Trisha! This is such a great question. You can absolutely rent a car, although, I never have. I walk everywhere possible and take taxis. The public transportation is a viable option though. Their bus system, locally referred to as “jitneys” run in downtown Nassau and Cable Beach and charge about $1.50 per ride (exact change is required!).