Nassau Things to Do Tips by grkboiler

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation is a very interesting museum featuring the history of slavery and the slave trade. It details the slave trade circle from London to West Africa to the Americas.

Artifacts from the only known sunken slave ship, the Henrietta Marie, are on display. The British ship sank in 1700 off the coast of Key West after unloading its cargo and slaves in Jamaica. It was discovered in 1972 and later excavated.

The museum is housed in the historic Vendue House, which was a marketplace where slaves were one of the commodities sold.

The museum is open daily except Thursday. Hours are 9:30am - 4:30pm (Sunday 12pm - 4pm). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students, and $1 for children under 12.

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Phone: (242) 356-4191
Address: Bay and George St.
Directions: West end of Bay St. near the Straw Market

The Pirate Museum tells of the history of pirates. Nassau was the base for many pirates during the Golden Age of piracy (1690-1720) and had the largest concentration of pirates ever seen.

The museum is interactive, with sounds of water and celebrating pirates filling the air. The displays of wax pirates and narratives paint a vivid picture of a life that was favored by many sailors tired of the strict and often fatal life offered by merchant and military ships. A replica pirate ship, the Revenge, is also on display, and you will learn about the lives of many famous pirates and their fate.

Hours are Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm and Sunday 9am - Noon. Admission is listed at $12 but we got in for $10. It takes about 30-45 minutes to walk through the museum.

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Phone: (242) 356 3759
Address: King & George St.
Directions: Walk a block down George St. from Bay St.
Website: http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/

The Christ Church Cathedral, built in 1837, has a beautiful stained-glass windows and an impressive interior.

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Address: King & George St.
Directions: Across from the Pirate Museum

The Government House, built in 1801, is the official residence of the governor-general. The front is decorated with a statue of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island in 1492.

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Address: South end of George St.
Directions: From Bay St. walk up George St. You can see the building from Bay St.

The Greek Orthodox Church is the focal point of the large Greek community in Nassau. It is an interesting little blue and white building.

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Address: West St.
Directions: From the Hilton, walk west on Marlborough St. and south on West St.

Parliament Square is where the Houses of Parliament, Supreme Court, and Public Library & Museum are located. The pink buildings were constructed in the early 1800's by loyalists who moved to Nassau from North Carolina. The Bahamas were a British colony until their independence in 1973. They remain a member of the Commonwealth.

Parliament is composed of the House of Assembly and the Senate. House members are directly elected to 5 year terms and Senators are appointed by the Governor-General. The Bahamas are one of the most stable countries in the world.

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Directions: Bay & Parliament St.
Near the cruise ships.

This marble statue of Queen Victoria was placed in Parliament Square on her birthday, May 24, 1905. The Bahamas were a British colony and the queen was ruler until her death in 1901.

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Directions: Parliament Square at Bay and Parliament St.

Rawson Square is the heart of Nassau, located across from Parliament Square. Here you will find some tourism info and can see the Churchill House (office of the Prime Minister), and the Treasury building. It has also been the scene of demonstrations.

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Directions: Across from Parliament Square

A bronze statue of Sir Milo Butler stands at Rawson Square. He was the first Bahamian Governor-General of the Bahamas.

The plaque reads:

Sir Milo Boughton Butler, K.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.
Born at New Providence, August 11, 1906.
Son of George and Francis Butler.
Married Caroline Watson and was father of ten children; served as vestryman, synodsman, businessman, and politician. Elected to House of Assembly in 1937 for the Western District. Served until 1949. Elected 1956 for Baintown. Served until 1973. Served as Minister of Health & Welfare, Minister of Labour & Welfare, Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries. Twice honoured by Her Majesty the Queen. Sworn in Aug. 1, 1973 as first Bahamian Governor-General in an independent Bahamas. He died January 22, 1979.

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Address: Rawson Square

Paradise Island is home to many millionaires and the world-famous Atlantis resort. The resort itself is a must-see. See my Paradise Island page for more info and pictures.

In this picture taken from my cruise ship, to the left you will see Paradise Island and the Atlantis, and to the right is New Providence Island and Nassau. In the middle is the bridge connecting the 2 islands.

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Directions: Get a taxi to take you across the bridge to Paradise Island