You’re looking for some ideas of things to do with your family while on vacation in Nassau, Bahamas but you’re not sure where to start.
With so many options, it can be hard to choose what’s right for your family. Do you want to go explore the natural beauty of the island, try out some new and exciting activities, or just relax on the beach?
You have found help right here! This list of things to do in Nassau Bahamas for families includes a variety of activities that will appeal to all members of your family – from swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters to learning about local culture at one of the museums. From swimming with dolphins to visiting the pirate museum, there’s something for everyone in Nassau. Read on to help you decide!
Recommendations For Things To Do In Nassau Bahamas For Families
Here are our recommendations for some of the best Nassau offers. You and your family will surely find a favorite!
Primeval Forest National Park
If you are looking for a bit of an escape into nature, try Primeval Forest National Park situated in South-Western New Providence. This gorgeous spot is 7.5 acres of indigenous tropical hardwoods and breathtaking limestone caverns, some of which are up to 50 feet in length!
A series of boardwalks and bridges allow you to travel through the park easily, even with small children. The park also has restrooms, which are often a concern when traveling with small children. The length of the walk is also short enough to ensure that even children complete them with no fuss.
The park, standing since 2002, acts as a time capsule of Nassau’s natural beauty, sustaining a wide range of birds, insects, and plants. So, if you love walking and birdwatching some of the most exotic bird species out there, this place is truly for you!
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Aquaventure Water Park
For boatloads of adventure, look no further than Aquaventure Nature Park! Stretching along some of Nassau’s finest coastline for over 140 acres, it has many water-themed attractions.
Boasting 141-acres of water rides and pools, Aquaventure is the largest water park in the Caribbean. It is located within the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. Resident overnight guests of the resort enjoy complimentary access to Aquaventure. Others may purchase a day pass. The park features an extensive menu of thrilling water slides, a mile-long river ride with rolling rapids, numerous swimming pools, and an impressive kids water-play fort.
The park also has access to multiple beaches. The property also features the seven-acre Paradise Lagoon where you can enjoy low-key snorkeling, paddle boats and other water adventures.
There are activities for every family member, all of this provided by one day pass! You can have so many kinds of fun in the same place, so it is designed to be a multiple-day Experience. Aquaventure is definitely worth a visit if you want to soak up some of the Caribbean sun with the kids in mind.
Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre
A form of heaven on Earth, this tropical paradise is chock full of exotic flamingoes, iguanas, meerkats, goats, macaws, and more. Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre covers four acres of lush tropical gardens. The boutique zoo that specializes in bird rescue & rehabilitation, as well as education and conservation efforts.
Ardastra is home to many native species of plants and animals – including the Bahamas National Bird, the Caribbean Flamingo. Visitors have opportunities to get “up close “with some of the residents.
Due to guidelines and restrictions put in place by the Covid-19 pandemic, the facility operates under limited hours and capacity.
Pirates of Nassau Museum
When you think of the Bahamas, the word ‘pirates’ is sure to follow! With decades of pirate history, it comes as no surprise that Nassau has a Pirate Museum. It features model recreations of infamous pirates such as Blackbeard that recreate real historical events.
The museum also displays accurate replicas of pistols, cannons, flags, gold coins, and even ships that come equipped with speakers playing the sounds of crashing waves and the shouts of seagulls. Informational plaques, along with live-action figurines, create an immersive experience.
Paintings and photographs also line the walls, some of which depict the Bahamas’ first female pirates. The museum also features a gift shop so you can buy souvenirs to have something to remember the trip by. A visit to this museum is also excellent for some photos of the kids alongside history’s most infamous pirates!
Cable Beach
This four-mile stretch of soft, white sand and sparkling blue sea is the perfect spot for families! With year-round warm shallow water and a lifeguard on duty, this spot offers a safe, relaxing place to unwind with the family. After all, it is literally on Nassau’s doorstep, located only a few minutes outside of the city.
Exploring Cable Beach reveals an amazing place to explore marine life through fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. You and the family could catch a boat, frolick in the clear blue water, or even just build sandcastles!
Catch an ice cream or a cool drink from one of the many beach vendors, and for the adults, visit one of the many beach casinos or even attend a local bar or club. Nevertheless, if you’re visiting this idyllic spot, be sure to bring some sunblock and umbrellas with you since sunburn can be a bummer!
Educulture Bahamas – Junkanoo Museum
You’ll find the Educulture Junkanoo Museum on West Street, next to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. (31 West Street at Delancey Street ) Established by Junkanoo expert Arlene Nash Ferguson in her childhood home, the museum contains interactive exhibits detailing the history of The Bahamas and the Junkanoo tradition. Guests enjoy the exhibits, but what they rave about are enthusiastic and welcoming owners and tour guides. In other words, it’s the people who make this place truly special.
Tours last between 30 and 45 minutes and are very kid-friendly. Visitors are encouraged to play traditional Bahamian instruments and try on Junkanoo costumes. This is a great opportunity to take photos! This is a great way to get a taste of the Junkanoo experience.
Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase commonly referred to as the 66 steps (although there are actually only 65), is located in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex. The steps were originally built to provide direct access to the strategically positioned fort atop Bennett Hill. It was carved out of solid limestone rock by slaves starting around 1793, and it took over 16 years to complete. Approximately 600 slaves chiseled the staircase, exceeding 100 feet in height, from a single continuous block using only pick axes and other hand tools.
Many years later the steps were named in honor of Queen Victoria of England. Although it is often reported that the stairs were named in the Queen’s honor because she abolished slavery when she took the throne in 1837, the legislation that ended slavery in the British Commonwealth was actually passed several years prior to the Queen’s ascension.
Regardless of the origin of the name for the Staircase, it is worth a visit.
Fort Fincastle
Engage in Nassau’s history when you visit Fort Fincastle built overlooking the city of Nassau. You can learn about Nassau’s military history, walk through the preserved buildings, and enjoy views of the city from its’ highest spot.
Erected in 1793, Fort Fincastle was named after British captain Lord Dunmore—and his second title, Viscount Fincastle—who had it built to protect Nassau Harbour and watch for encroaching pirates. Since it was located atop Bennet’s Hill, the highest point on New Providence Island, the fort provided fantastic views of Nassau and Paradise Island as well as the eastern approaches to New Providence. Its appearance alone must have been daunting enough to all would-be marauders since its cannons were never fired! Open seven days a week, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation
Explore the history of slavery and emancipation in the Bahamas with a visit to the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation during part of a larger tour. Located in downtown Nassau, the museum is in the historic Vendue House which was used as a slave auction house in the 18th and 19th centuries. The name of the museum honors a slave named Pompey, who led a revolt at the Rolle Plantation on Exuma.
The one-room museum has a small collection of artifacts, photos, and other objects that help document this era of Bahamian history, from the slave trade and daily life of slaves on the island, to emancipation in 1834 and beyond.
Closing Thoughts
No matter what your family is interested in, Nassau has something to offer. With beautiful beaches and lush vegetation, there’s plenty of natural beauty to enjoy. There are also plenty of opportunities to learn about the culture and history of Nassau Bahamas. Start planning your visit today and enjoy everything this wonderful island has to offer!
