Nassau, The Bahamas
Region: Nassau is located in New Providence
Geographic Coordinates: 25.078100, -77.338600
Temperature Range: 22.0°C to 32.0°C (72°F to 90°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and a rainy season from May to October.
Population: 274400
Language: English
Nassau, The capital city of The Bahamas, Is a vibrant and colorful destination that offers something for everyone. Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau is a bustling hub for tourists and locals alike. With its crystal-clear waters, White sandy beaches, And rich history, Nassau is an ideal vacation spot. One of the most popular attractions in Nassau is its beautiful beaches. The turquoise waters surrounding the island are perfect for swimming, Snorkeling or just relaxing in the sun.
Cable Beach is one of the most well-known beaches in Nassau and offers visitors a wide range of activities such as water sports like jet skiing or parasailing. Another must-visit attraction in Nassau is the famous Straw Market located downtown where you can find unique souvenirs like handcrafted straw bags and hats made by Bahamian artisans. For history buffs, There are several historical sites to explore around town such as Fort Charlotte which was built by British colonialists during their occupation of The Bahamas in 1788 to protect against pirates who were common visitors at that time.
If you’re looking for some adventure on your trip to Nassau then be sure to check out Blue Lagoon Island where you can swim with dolphins or visit Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre where you can see exotic animals up close. Foodies will also love exploring all that Nassau has to offer when it comes to cuisine from fresh seafood dishes at Arawak Cay Fish Fry to traditional Bahamian dishes like conch fritters served at local restaurants throughout town.
if shopping brings you joy then head over Bay Street which has been known as one of the best shopping destinations in The Bahamas with stores offering everything from luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton to local boutiques selling handmade jewelry made by Bahamian designers. Overall whether it’s soaking up some sun on pristine beaches or exploring the rich history and culture of The Bahamas, Nassau is a destination that has something for everyone.
Important Landmarks
- Atlantis Paradise Island Resort
- The Straw Market
- Queen’s Staircase
- Fort Fincastle
- Cable Beach
- Blue Lagoon Island
- Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center
- Bay Street
- Junkanoo Beach
- National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
Primary Industries
- Tourism
- Financial services
- Real estate development
- Offshore banking and finance
- Shipping and logistics
Noteable History
- Conch salad
- Cracked conch
- Peas and rice
- Guava duff
- Johnny cake
‘Conch salad’, ‘cracked conch’, ‘peas and rice’, ‘guava duff’, and ‘johnny cake’ are some of the popular dishes in Nassau and throughout The Bahamas.
Museums and Things To See
- National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
- Pirates of Nassau Museum
- Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
- Fort Charlotte
- Government House
- Queen’s Staircase
- Graycliff Chocolatier
- John Watling’s Distillery
- Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre
- Junkanoo World Museum & Arts Centre
Sports Teams
- The national football team of The Bahamas was founded in 1965 and has participated in various international competitions, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- The Bahamas Basketball Federation was established in 1957 and is responsible for organizing basketball events on the islands.
- The Nassau Pirates were a professional basketball team that played in the American Basketball Association from 2006 to 2008.
- The Baha Mar Tennis Invitational is an annual tennis tournament held at the Baha Mar resort that attracts some of the world’s top players.
- Marathon Bahamas is an annual marathon race that takes place on New Providence Island and draws runners from around the world.
- The Junkanoo Jam Women’s Basketball Tournament is an annual women’s basketball tournament held at St. Georges High School Gymnasium in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island since 2002.
- Sunshine Auto Lady Warriors FC is a local women’s soccer club that competes locally and internationally.
Cultural Events
- Junkanoo Festival is held on Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year’s Day, and it’s the biggest cultural event in The Bahamas. It features colorful costumes, music, and dancing.
- The Bahamas International Film Festival takes place annually in December. This festival showcases local and international films with screenings at various locations throughout Nassau.
- Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is a two-week celebration of music, food, and culture held in May. It features concerts by local and international artists.
- National Heroes Day is celebrated annually on October 8th to honor Bahamian heroes who have contributed significantly to the country’s development.
- Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1st to commemorate the end of slavery in The Bahamas with cultural events and activities.
- Independence Day is celebrated annually on July 10th to mark the country’s independence from Great Britain with parades, fireworks displays, and cultural performances.
- Easter celebrations are a big holiday in The Bahamas with many churches holding special services such as sunrise services followed by traditional Bahamian breakfasts including boiled fish or stewed chicken souse served with Johnny cake or hot cross buns for dessert.
- Christmas celebrations are also a big holiday where many churches hold special services such as carol singing followed by traditional Bahamian meals such as baked ham or turkey served with macaroni & cheese or potato salad along with traditional desserts like fruitcake or guava duff.
Cuisine
- Conch is a popular local dish in Nassau, made with conch meat and served in various forms such as fritters, salads, or as a main course. Some well-known restaurants for conch include Twin Brothers and Goldie’s Conch House.
- Bahamian-style seafood is known for its fresh taste and includes dishes like grilled fish, lobster tail, and shrimp scampi. Some of the best places to try seafood include Fish Fry at Arawak Cay and Graycliff Restaurant.
- Peas and rice are a staple side dish in Bahamian cuisine that consists of pigeon peas or black-eyed peas mixed with rice and spices. Popular restaurants for this dish include Cafe Matisse and The Poop Deck.
- Johnnycakes are traditional Bahamian bread made from cornmeal or flour that can be eaten alongside meals like soup or stew or served as breakfast items. You can try johnnycakes at The Green Parrot Bar & Grill or Dino’s Gourmet Conch Salad.
- Rum cocktails are famous in the Bahamas, with drinks such as the Bahama Mama, Goombay Smash, and Yellow Bird cocktail being popular choices found at bars around Nassau like Baha Mar Casino & Hotel and Pirate Republic Brewing Company.
- Guava duff is a sweet dessert made by rolling guava puree into dough before boiling it until cooked through then serving it warm topped with rum sauce or vanilla ice cream from local bakeries like Van Breugel’s Restaurant & Bakery.
- Baked macaroni n cheese is one of the most loved comfort foods in the Bahamas which can be found at many local eateries including Cafe Matisse, The Poop Deck, etc.
- Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre
- Clifton Heritage National Park
- Cable Beach
- Arawak Cay Fish Fry
- Junkanoo Beach
- Fort Charlotte
- Saunders Beach
- Goodman’s Bay Park
- Love Beach
- Blue Lagoon Island