Nassau Public Library & Museum<\/strong> building. This octagonal structure dates from 1797 and originally served as the city jail. The district is picturesque, but its rhythm is set by ships at the port.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn days when four to six cruise ships dock at the piers, Bay Street gets packed with crowds roughly from 9 am to 4 pm. If you want to explore the square in peace and photograph buildings without crowds, head here early in the morning before 9 am or after 4 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 Tip: The ship schedule for each day is at nassaucruiseport.com\/schedule. Check it the evening before and save downtown for morning or late afternoon. On days with several ships, head instead to Clifton, Love Beach or Jaws Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Anderson England \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>2. Pompey Museum (slavery and emancipation museum)<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA few steps from the waterfront stands the historic stone Vendue House<\/strong>, which bears the heavy past of the archipelago. In the 18th century it served as a marketplace and auction site for enslaved people. Today its rooms house the Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation<\/strong>, which commemorates the era of slavery and the path to freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe institution is named after Pompey, an enslaved man who according to tradition led an 1830 rebellion on the Exumas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed on Sundays. Information about Thursday varies: some sources list shortened hours until 1 pm, so verify this before a Thursday visit. Admission for an adult costs approximately 5 to 5.50 USD (roughly \u20ac5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: RJ \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>3. Straw Market<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe covered Straw Market<\/strong> on Bay Street is where vendors under a roof offer hand-woven straw baskets, hats, bags and souvenirs. The original market was destroyed by fire on September 4, 2001, and traders then spent ten years in makeshift tents. The new 12-million-dollar building opened on December 15, 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrice negotiation is common when shopping. Much of the small merchandise is imported, so search carefully among the stalls for genuine local work. The market is open daily from 7:30 am to 5 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Szabolcs Vincze \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>4. Pirates of Nassau<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn the eighteenth century Nassau served as a feared pirate haven, and this era is brought to life at the Pirates of Nassau<\/strong> museum on the corner of King Street and George Street. The exhibit covers the city’s history as a pirate base and walks you through a ship replica. The tour takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes and suits families with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission costs approximately 14 USD (roughly \u20ac12) for an adult and 7 USD (roughly \u20ac6) for children aged 4 to 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Brittany Thomson \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>5. Junkanoo Museum at the port<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nJunkanoo is a traditional Bahamian street parade in costume with music, and the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo<\/strong> is dedicated to it right on Wood Rodgers Wharf pier in the Nassau Cruise Port area. The operator states that the roots of the Junkanoo parade reach back to enslaved African ancestors and the tradition spans over three hundred years. According to the operator, this is the only place in the city where you can experience Junkanoo year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe exhibit includes explanation about this parade, displayed musical instruments and costume pieces. The program also includes a short parade demonstration, called a mini rush-out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The museum opens daily including public holidays from 8 am to 4 pm, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The guided Guided Experience program with commentary runs 45 minutes and costs 20 USD (roughly \u20ac18) per person. The extended Ultimate Junkanoo Experience takes about an hour, costs 35 USD (roughly \u20ac32), and includes a creative part where you make your own piece. A family package for two adults and two children runs 110 USD (roughly \u20ac100). Children under three enter free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Adam Schiraldi \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>6. Queen’s Staircase and closed Fort Fincastle<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFrom the port you can walk roughly 13 minutes or take a taxi about 5 minutes to the limestone Queen’s Staircase<\/strong>, nicknamed the 66 steps. According to 2026 visitors, the staircase is freely accessible and free of charge. Between 1793 and 1794, enslaved laborers carved it by hand from rock and it stands 31 meters high.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLater paving reduced the step count to 64. The late-eighteenth-century staircase received its name only later after Queen Victoria, who ascended to the throne in 1837. In April 2024 they also unveiled a completed $200,000 reconstruction here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right above the staircase on Bennet’s Hill sits Fort Fincastle<\/strong> from 1793 in the shape of a paddle steamer, which later also served as a lighthouse. The fort and neighboring Water Tower have been closed since March 2025 for reconstruction. The tower restoration costs roughly 3 million dollars. The reopening date is not yet confirmed, so don’t plan a fort visit for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Jason Cooper \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>7. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFans of visual arts should head to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas<\/strong>. The gallery occupies Villa Doyle, a 19th-century mansion on West Hill Street, and exhibits works by Bahamian artists. You’ll find the smaller Doongalik Studios Art Gallery at 20 Village Road, open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe National Gallery opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM. The doors remain closed on Mondays and during Bahamian public holidays. Admission for international visitors costs 10 USD (approximately \u20ac9), residents pay 7 USD (approximately \u20ac6), seniors and students 5 USD (approximately \u20ac5), and children under 12 enter free. A 10% VAT is added to online ticket purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPhoto: Scott \/ Google Maps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>8. Graycliff: chocolate factory and cigars<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn West Hill Street you’ll come across the historic Graycliff<\/strong> estate. This historic mansion houses a hotel with a restaurant alongside a chocolate factory and cigar manufactory.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGraycliff Chocolatier<\/strong> opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except December 25 and January 1. The basic Factory Tour lasts about 15 minutes and costs from 10 USD (approximately \u20ac9). The longer Art of Chocolate & Factory Tour workshop takes about an hour, costs from 58.95 USD (approximately \u20ac50), and children aged four and up can make their own chocolate accompanied by an adult. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe second part of the estate belongs to the
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