Here we will be continuing with items 7-14 on our list of top 14 fascinating Nassau attractions! For a brief overview of some tips for visiting the city as well as Nassau attractions 1-6 please click HERE to view our previous post. Without further ado, read on to learn more about what makes Nassau such a popular and fascinating travel destination.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
7. Swim with Pigs
This Nassau attraction has interestingly become a “must do” when visiting the Bahamas. For myself, it was fun and conveniently part of our snorkeling tour (found HERE), however there is little chance that I would book a specific tour just for this experience.
The original swimming pigs are found at Big Major Cay, one of the some 350 islands that make up the Exumas (a popular strip of islands in the Bahamas). Brought by farmers to this uninhabited island, the pigs quickly made themselves at home and adapted to their new tropical environment. One of these adaptations included swimming out to the farmers boats as they approached, trying to be one of the first piggies fed. In this adaptation, the famous swimming pigs of the Bahamas were born.
To access Big Major Cay and the original swimming pigs from Nassau probably includes a plane ride. Fortunately, there are now numerous similar “swimming pig” experiences set up on closer islands. Tour guides typically hand out carrots or apples on sticks which you feed to the pigs along the beach and in the water. It was fun and entertaining and our pigs seemed to genuinely enjoy our food and attention.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
8. Devour Fish Fry
Hearing countless people recommend “fish fry” seemed underwhelming. This dish is common throughout the United States on any given Friday, and was not something we considered very Bahamian. Alas, Fish Fry in Nassau is not a dish but moreover a place. A place you need to visit when next traveling to the Bahamas.
Fish Fry is a gathering of restaurants and small food stands just west of Junkanoo Beach (popular Bahamian beach for cruise ship tourists). It is one of the top Nassau attractions! On an island inundated with tourism and foreign influence, finding a truly classic Bahamian dish can be hard to come by. Fish Fry fills this niche beautifully. The restaurants are numerous and range widely in price and quality. Our tour guide Patrick decided to accompany us after our tour and highly recommended Da Legacy Deck. It was delicious. At Patrick’s recommendation, I ordered corn, mac and cheese, rice, and Nassau Grouper, all of which were divine.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
9. Experience Clifton Heritage National Park
When it comes to parks and wild places, New Providence (island where Nassau is located) is regrettably lacking. The island is small and quite developed, leaving little space for outdoor recreation beyond the beach. In this environment, we found Clifton Heritage National Park to be a refreshing change of pace. Located on the furthest west end of the island (opposite of Nassau on the east), the drive to Clifton Heritage Park still only takes about 30 minutes from downtown Nassau.
The park is small and $13 per person to enter, but does have some interesting features. There are several walking trails leading through the woods and shrubland. These trails take visitors past a preserved “slave village” as well as an interesting geologic phenomenon known as a “banana hole” (a cool cave in the ground said to be used by Lucayan indians for both shelter and religious ceremonies). They also guide visitors to several different beaches, to the 40 foot cliffs overlooking Clifton Pier, and the pirate stairs (stairs carved in stone leading down to the water).
Perhaps more than anything, Clifton Heritage National Park is known for snorkeling. Home to the 18 foot 60 ton “Ocean Atlas,” the largest underwater sculpture in the world, Clifton Heritage Park attracts snorkeling enthusiasts from all over the world. Natural reefs, abundant marine life, and even left over props from several 20th century movies further add to the intrigue of snorkeling this coast. Snorkeling tours are available daily as are Heritage Tours of the slave village and Lucayan Indian sites as well.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
10. Explore New Providence Caves
The “oldest attraction” on New Providence Island was formed millions of years ago by the sea and tides. The New Providence Caves are a fascinating geologic phenomenon with a storied history. Once used by the native Lucayan Indians for storage and protection, the caves were also said to be used later on by pirates for hiding both treasure and weaponry.
The caves are now under private ownership but are FREE and accessible to the public. There is a decent sized parking lot (google maps directions as follows: 3G9X+MQW, W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas) right off W Bay Street used solely for the caves and Caves Beach across the street. There is one main cave at the site with a second smaller cave to the left housing an interesting natural opening (said to be used by the Indians and pirates as a chimney).
It doesn’t take long to explore the caves and nearby beach but if you are in the area it is certainly worth a stop. There are no workers at the cave and it is “enter at your own risk.” There are typically a host of fruit bats lining the ceiling and conditions in the cave are often damp and dark (duh). That being said, employing the buddy system, wearing closed-toed shoes, and using your phone light make the caves a quick and interesting stop for the more adventurous travelers touring the island.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
11. Savor the Rum Cake Factory
Originally used by British Colonists to preserve cakes in the hot and humid Caribbean, rum is a staple of Bahamian life and makes a delicious and useful addition to pastries. As prohibition loomed over the US, the island of Nassau became flooded with rum and other booze, destined for a “rum running” expedition to the Florida coast. In this environment, the rum cake was born.
Rum cakes are now a very popular souvenir for those visiting the Bahamas. The rum preservative allows them to be shelf stable and last in their packaging at room temperature for weeks to months depending on the source. Just a 10 minute walk from the cruise ship dock in Nassau, the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory is an excellent spot to fulfill your island dessert craving. They make their cakes in a small factory on site and offer free samples as well as prices far below the airport or other stands selling the same product.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
12. Sample Bush Teas
Numerous locals reiterated that they only go to the doctor if they are dying, for everything else they use “bush medicine.” Bush we were told simply refers to plants found on the island. For centuries, local healers have been honing the intrinsic properties of local plants for the treatment of countless daily ailments.
Bush medicine shops are a common sight while walking the streets of Nassau. As we entered “Tasty Teas,” one such local shop, we were greeted by a nice young woman who immediately provided samples of several teas. She also readily provided information on the ingredients and medicinal benefits of each sample, as well as the numerous other teas for sale in the shop. She commedically mentioned that their most expensive and popular tea, the “21 Gun Salute,” was one known to increase libido and virility. We were told that the founder of Tasty Teas was a terminally ill cancer patient who was given a poor prognosis without any viable treatment options. It is said that she turned to the bush, was healed, and has been practicing bush medicine ever since.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
13. Experience Baha Mar
The Bahamas is known for pristine beaches and luxurious resorts. Whereas Atlantis on Paradise Island is perhaps the best known of these resort behemoths, Baha Mar along Cable Beach is quickly becoming a viable contender.
During your next trip to the Bahamas, we recommend that you stay for at least a night or two at Baha Mar (or Atlantis). These resorts are massive. Although likely more expensive than some other even all inclusive options, the offerings at these larger resorts are unique and entertaining enough to justify the cost. You can likely do all the included features that you want within a day or two and then move onto cheaper more relaxing accommodations should you choose.
On our most previous trip, we stayed at Baha Mar for a night before spending the next 5 nights at Breezes All Inclusive Resort next door. Baha Mar was excellent. On that day and a half (we got a late check out), we explored the extensive shopping and art exhibits, saw their flamingoes parade around the grounds, enjoyed heated pools abutting a shark/sea turtle/aquarium exhibit, and took advantage of the included Baha Bay Water Park! For context, just a 1 day pass to the waterpark for non-hotel guests is $160. Furthermore, we also took advantage of the numerous fine dining selections (shout out Marcus at Baha Mar Fish and Chophouse) as well as the Baha Mar Resort Casino, the largest in the Caribbean.
Fascinating Nassau Attractions
14. Admire Architecture
It is difficult not to notice the vibrancy and beauty of Bahamian architecture. Colorful hues of various pastels saturate entire blocks acting as a warm and colorful greeting from the Bahamian people.
Walking along Bay Street, you will likely see numerous examples of colonial design blending with the more colorful vivacity of contemporary Bahamian life. This interesting color palette is also used for more practical purposes as well. A specific shade of pink and white is used for all government buildings. You will only see these specific colors on commercial buildings if they fulfill a specific government role. We were similarly told that police and fire stations are a specific shade of green and white.
When admiring the architecture, we in particular recommend viewing the Governor’s Mansion, the Parliament Building, and the Nassau Public Library in parliament square. The library is a cylindrical building formerly used as a prison which is now a fascinating place open to the public Monday through Saturday.
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