What to do and see in Nassau, New Providence Island: The Best Free Things to do

April 4, 2022 Layne Dawes

Nassau teems with Bahamian and British flavor. The capital city of the Bahamas boasts miles of spectacular beaches and stretches of vivid coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. Shop, dine, and sightsee, particularly along busy Bay Street, or if you're a James Bond fan, visit the British Colonial Hotel, which was used as a filming location for two of the Sean Connery-era movies. Visit during the famed Junkanoo Festival to experience a high-energy parade of spectacularly costumed dancers.
Restaurants in Nassau

1. Doongalik Studios

18 Village Road, Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-394-1886 [email protected]
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Doongalik Studios

Reviewed By TheCarmenCruz - Vancouver, Canada

Tucked away down a side street, this art gallery and crafts studio is line a mini Bahamian oasis. Beautiful, locally made paintings, wood carved bowls and arts and crafts. Make sure you chat with the staff working there, who have amazing backstories about the art and crafts they sell.

13 Cumberland St Hillside House, Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-322-7678 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/HillsideHouse/
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Hillside House Art Gallery

This is a historical space and building dating back to the mid 1800's that has been restored to a serene, tropical and artistic space by the host artist Antonius Roberts. This space is an art gallery, a bar and can be transformed for many other occasions.

3. Christ Church Cathedral

George and King Sts., Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-322-4186 [email protected] http://christchurchcathedralbahamas.com
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 329 reviews

Christ Church Cathedral

Reviewed By gbloodworth - Ottawa, Canada

classic anglican architecture, nice quiet place to rest and contemplate, enjoy the organ music and examine the stain glass windows.

4. Cable Beach

Nassau New Providence Island
Excellent
60%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,293 reviews

Cable Beach

Reviewed By edthm

Beautiful beach lots of fun water sports available nice and clean beautiful water get to the beach early because the lounge chairs and umbrellas go quickly staff is very accommodating and will do their best to help get you settled on the beach

5. John Watling's Distillery

Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 848 reviews

John Watling's Distillery

John Watling's Distillery home to JOHN WATLING'S rum and RED TURTLE vodka, the "Spirit of The Bahamas" offers complimentary tours at its home, the Buena Vista Estate, in Downtown Nassau. The historic Estate, founded in 1789 and overlooking the harbour, is the site where Bahamians hand-craft JOHN WATLING'S small-batch rums RED TURTLE pink sand filtered vodka. At the Estate, John Watling's features a production and museum-like tour, shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails at its Red Turtle Tavern. Within walking distance from the cruise ship port in Downtown Nassau, John Watling's Distillery is located on Delancy Street and is open from 10am-6pm, seven days a week and on Friday's until 9pm. Free Tour

6. The Cloisters Nassau

Paradise Island Dr, Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-363-3000 http://www.bahamas.com/vendor/cloisters
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 292 reviews

The Cloisters Nassau

Reviewed By LairdDoug - St. Andrews, United Kingdom

A lovely spot away from the hustle and bustle of Atlantis on the way to the Ocean Club Golf Course and very close to The Ocean Club hotel. Worth a walk around the place and down to the water.

7. Jaws Beach

Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-362-4368
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Jaws Beach

Reviewed By snl143 - New York, United States

If you are visiting Nassau or Paradise Island this is a must see!! Crystal clear water, shallow, no waves. Perfect beach, looks just like the pictures. Not crowded, at all. Only downside is no facilities or restrooms. Call Lionel to take you here, or anywhere in Nassau/Paradise Island. The BEST cab driver around, reliable and trustworthy!!! Traveled from the US and felt completely safe with him. Tell him Arber, Mustache and Brian sent you!! Lionel: 242-814-8914 Really honest and great!!

8. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

West Hill Street, Nassau New Providence Island http://www.stfrancisxaviercathedral.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

Reviewed By yoolykeme - Chicago, United States

Okay, here's what's up. . . Went to Nassau for vacation. I've been there countless times, doing other stuff. This time, though, I brought my mom, and when we are somewhere on a Sunday, we go find a Catholic church. We totally miscalculated the weather, going to Nassau post-hurricane, so unfortunately, it was raining on this particular Sunday. We took the bus into town, and it dropped us off a number of blocks away. Undeterred, we walked up the hill and make it to the church, soaking wet. The church is beautiful, well-maintained, and air-conditioned. We were late, coming in at the end of the sermon. As we walked in and looked for a seat, the usher saw my mom, and offered her his handkerchief to dry her glasses. We walked down the aisle and were acknowledged with hellos and nods from many of the locals. The priest and the choir delivered an amazing ceremony, and it was obvious that the community was very much involved. But this isn't even the best part!!!!!! It was still raining after the mass ended. A family approached us, asked us where we were from, and because it was raining, OFFERED TO DRIVE US BACK TO OUR RESORT!!!! Still wanting to look around, we took them up on their offer, but asked that they drop us off downtown. At the end of the day, this was a great experience. It was a true display of Christianity - the church, the people, the ceremony - all authentic and real. If you ever have the opportunity to avail, please do.

9. Goodman's Bay

West Bay Street, Nassau New Providence Island
Excellent
64%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Goodman's Bay

Reviewed By amaze76 - Albany, United States

We took a Royal Caribbean cruise in February and wanted to plan our own day in Nassau. After taking in some historical sites we took the #10 bus (super easy) to Goodman's Bay Beach. It's a public beach in walking distance to the resorts at Cable Beach and exactly what we were looking for. Decent bathrooms, locals renting 2 chairs and umbrella for $30 and a small "bar" that would carve out pineapples and fill with unlimited drinks for $25. Kids had a blast, we had a blast. Recommended if you're looking for a quiet, but not deserted beach.

10. Parliament Square

Bay St., Nassau New Providence Island +1 242-322-7500 http://www.bahamas.com/vendor/parliament-square
Excellent
23%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 404 reviews

Parliament Square

With a statue of Queen Victoria situated in the center, this square is where most of Nassau's main government buildings can be found.

Reviewed By ehwarren11 - Washington, United States

there is a ton of history in this building. the architecture is fantastic, the history of the bahamas is very interesting

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