NASSAU/PARADISE ISLAND

One million visitors a year have cast their vote: They want to visit Nassau and adjoining Cable Beach and Paradise Island. Freeport/Lucaya is the runner-up, but Nassau, on New Providence Island, is the place if you want to be at the center of it all: the best shopping, the best entertainment, the most historic attractions--plus some of the best beaches in The Bahamas.

The capital of The Bahamas, the historic city of Nassau is a 35-minute flight from Miami. Despite the development and the modern hotels, a tropical indolence still hangs over the city. The commercial and banking hub of The Bahamas, Nassau lies on the north side of New Providence, which is 21 miles long and 7 miles wide at its greatest point.

Cable Beach, a stretch of sand just west of the city, is lined with luxury resorts--in fact, the Nassau/Cable Beach area has the largest tourist infrastructure in The Bahamas, though there's another concentration of luxury hotels on Paradise Island. (Except for Graycliff the accommodations within the heart of Nassau itself are lackluster.)

When you're based in Nassau/Cable Beach, you have an array of water sports, golf, tennis, and plenty of duty-free shopping nearby--and that's not to mention those powder-soft beaches. In addition, the resorts, restaurants, and beaches of Paradise Island are just a short distance away. (Paradise Island, which lies just opposite Nassau, is connected to New Providence Island by a toll bridge--$2 for cars, 25¢ for pedestrians; there's also frequent ferry and water taxi service between Nassau and Paradise Island.)

As the sun goes down, Cable Beach and Paradise Island heat up, offering fine dining, glitzy casinos, cabaret shows, moonlight cruises, dance clubs, and romantic evening strolls. We'd confine that evening stroll to Cable Beach or Paradise Island, though, and not the streets of downtown Nassau, which can be dangerous at night.

The daylight hours have just as much to offer. After hitting the beach, you can head for the Straw Market, filled with vendors hawking straw goods and other handcrafts, and for Bay Street. Bay Street is legendary in the islands for its duty-free items, especially china, perfume, crystal, linens, jewelry, watches, leather goods, liquor, and more.

The shops might draw a lot more business than the museums, but no city in The Bahamas is as rich in history as Nassau. The sights aren't to be ignored either. You can take a "royal climb" up the Queen's Staircase to Fort Fincastle. These 66 steps lead to a fort said to have been cut in the sandstone cliffs by slaves in the 1790s.

Other Nassau attractions include Ardastra Gardens, which features 5 acres of landscaping and more than 300 exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles. Most popular among the wildlife are the trained pink flamingos, which march for audiences daily to their trainer's commands.

And visitors also love Coral Island, an educational and entertainment theme park located between Nassau and Paradise Island on Silver Cay. The facility has 24 aquariums, including shark and turtle tanks, numerous landscaped parks, and an underwater observation tower that allows visitors to see marine life 20 feet below the surface in a natural sea environment.

One final aspect of Nassau that deserves mention is its remaining overlay of British colonial charm. It's surprising that Nassau has retained this flavor despite its proximity to the Florida mainland. It hasn't become Americanized, in other words; Nassau's a long way from becoming another Miami. Stately old homes and public buildings still stand, even though they exist side by side with eyesores such as modern high-rise buildings and government edifices. Tropical foliage lines streets where horse-drawn surreys still trot by, taking visitors for leisurely town tours. There is no more romantic way to see Nassau than this. Police officers in immaculate white starched jackets and colorful pith helmets still direct traffic on principal streets.

And what lies beyond the high-rises? Even though 60% of all Bahamians live on New Providence, a great deal of the island remains undeveloped. You can still take trail rides on horseback or perhaps find a secluded beach. You can even go exploring by car or scooter. If you arm yourself with a good map, you'll find getting around relatively easy. 

Attractions:

Fort Charlotte
Built in the late 18th century to guard the western entrance to Nassau Harbour. Tours every half hour from 9 00 a.m. to 4:30p. m.

Fort Fincastle
Built m 1793 by Governor Lord Dunmore. At the top of the Fort is the Water Tower and Lighthouse, which is 126 feet tall and provides a panoramic view of Nassau Tours are available from 8:00 a m to 5: 00 p m every day except Thursdays. Queens Staircase. This steep staircase is believed to have been cut from solid limestone by slaves in the 1790's to provide an escape route from Fort Fincastle to town.

Pompey Museum
This museum was once an auction site for slaves in the 18th century. It now displays artifacts, historical documents and drawings which recount the history of slavery and emancipation in The Bahamas. Museum hours 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Ardastra Gardens & Zoo
Home of the famous marching flamingos and hundreds of animals and birds on five and a half acres of tropical tranquility. Show times are 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Open every day from 9:00 a m to 5:00 p.m.

Cloisters
A 14th century, Augustinian Monastery was transported here to Paradise Island from France in 1968. It overlooks the harbour.

Parliament Square
Site of the Queen Victoria Statue and Chambers of Parliament - House of Assembly and the Senate. It is located on Bay Street. Loyalist influence is evident in these buildings which are based on Governor Tyron's Palace in New- Bern, the ancient capital of North Carolina.

Straw Market
A lively market offers local handicraft straw goods, T-shirts, souvenirs and wood carvings. The Market is located downtown Nassau.

Botanical Gardens
Eighteen acres of tropical flowers, trees and plants as well as a recreated Lucayan Village. It is located on West Bay Street.

Government House
The official residence of The Bahamas Governor General, the Queen's representative.

Junkanoo Museum
Some of the winning costumes which formed part of the Annual Junkanoo Festival held in the early morning hours of Boxing Day, (the day after Christmas) and New Year's Eve are displayed. Located on Prince George Dock. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily except holidays.

The Caves
Located on the western end of the island. The Lucayans sheltered here.

Balcony House
An 18th century restored house, the furnishings and design of Balcony House recapture the elegance and glory of a bygone era. Opening hours are 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m and 2:00 p.m. - 4 00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Marinas

Browns Boat Basin: East Bay Street 
242-393-3331

Claridge Marina: South Nassau
242-364-2218

Post Office
242-322-3025

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