On the lookout for free or low-cost issues to do throughout a cruise cease in Nassau? Let’s simply say you aren’t alone.

Nassau is among the most visited ports on this a part of the world, and tens of millions of cruise passengers cease right here annually. In actual fact, after a latest $300 million renovation for a new terminal and now six cruise ship berths, greater than 30,000 passengers can go to in a single day.

In Nassau there isn’t a scarcity of issues to do (see our list of 30 things to do here), however what if you wish to take pleasure in your time in port with out spending a lot cash?

Whereas many issues catering to cruise passengers within the space do value cash, there may be nonetheless a lot that you are able to do for affordable… and even free. This manner you may come ashore, take pleasure in The Bahamas, and never harm your pocket guide.

Hit the Water at Cabbage Seaside

After all, when folks consider The Bahamas the seashore is high of thoughts. Not like another ports, nevertheless, there’s not a seashore proper on the ship. Nonetheless, you may have a few choices.

Probably the most common is Cabbage Seaside. A brief ferry journey (round $5 per individual) to Paradise Island — the island throughout from the cruise port the place Atlantis sits — will get you there.

As soon as off the ferry, you’ll have a little bit of a stroll (or you may catch a cab), to get to the seashore. However as soon as there, you’ll be greeted by white sand and probably the most electrical blue water you’ve ever seen. The seashore is common, so count on a crowd. You possibly can stroll down the seashore — away from Atlantis — to get a bit extra space. There are additionally distributors in order for you a snack or drink. (For directions to Cabbage Beach, see our article here.)

Discover the New $300 Million Cruise Terminal

Nassau simply put the ending touches on a brand new $300 million cruise terminal, and should you’re in search of one thing inexpensive to do, it’s an excellent choice. The brand new terminal options displays, a museum, amphitheater, purchasing, and meals/drink choices.

Should you merely wish to get off the ship and stretch your legs a bit bit, it’s a great place to discover, folks watch, and absorb some nice views of the cruise ships in port that day with out going far.

Get a Image With the Ship

Need a straightforward memento of your cruise? Top-of-the-line is an image along with your ship, and Nassau affords among the finest spots to seize a snapshot.

As soon as docked, merely head off the ship and stroll down the docks till you discover the proper spot. In actual fact, you’ll doubtless see many different folks doing the identical. Remember that as a result of form of the berths, your greatest framed image may not be a shot proper on the ship. Strolling down the pier could permit you to get a pleasant shot with extra of the ship within the image.

One other phrase of recommendation — attempt to get your image earlier than round mid-day. Since Nassau’s port sits east and west, the morning solar hits the ships completely to essentially make the colour pop.

Stroll the Well-known Bay Avenue

One good perk of the Nassau cruise port is that it sits proper on the foot of downtown. That places it inside strolling distance of various issues to do and see. Living proof: Bay Avenue.

Bay Avenue is only one block from the cruise port and might be regarded as the purchasing hub of Nassau. It contains a ton of shops in brightly coloured buildings that cowl every part from Rolex shops to locations promoting cheap t-shirts and souvenirs.

However isn’t this text about low-cost issues to do? Nicely, we didn’t say you had to purchase something. It’s enjoyable to easily take within the sights and sounds of The Bahamas, even should you don’t purchase a flowery new watch.

Go to the Straw Marketplace for Cheap Souvenirs

Stroll only a quick distance west of the cruise port down the road proper in entrance of the terminal (Woodes Rodgers Stroll) or Bay Avenue, and also you’ll discover the Nassau Straw Market. This indoor facility is actually a coated memento market, with tons of stalls promoting every part from espresso mugs to t-shirts, earrings to solar hats.

Whereas distributors may settle for bank cards, we’d advocate bringing some money as you store native.

Go to the Nationwide Artwork Gallery

Need a bit tradition throughout your cease in Nassau? Most individuals consider beers and the seashore, however Nassau has rather a lot to supply past that.

The nation’s National Art Gallery of The Bahamas sits in an 1860s residence (Villa Doyle) that’s been transformed into an exhibition house. The grounds function an out of doors theater, a sculpture backyard, and two tales of Bahamian artwork shows. (Our favourite is “Crawfish Lady,” which is a concrete sculpture of a mixture between… nicely, a crawfish and a girl.)

The gallery is open most days from 10 a.m. to five p.m., however is closed Mondays. Sundays open at midday. Admission is $10 for adults. The stroll over is about 15-20 minutes from the cruise ship.

Discover Atlantis

With regards to Nassau, for sure probably the most eye-catching spot is Atlantis. Positioned throughout the channel from the principle metropolis and sitting on Paradise Island, the lodge dominates the skyline.

The lodge itself is known, nevertheless it’s greater than only a spot for the prosperous to remain whereas visiting The Bahamas. It’s truly a complete resort and complicated, with a marina, on line casino, high-end purchasing, eating places, and even a waterpark. To make certain, if you wish to spend cash, you may spend… rather a lot.

However it’s additionally free to go discover some elements of the lodge, together with visiting the marina, retailers, and on line casino. It’s fairly a fancy that’s spectacular with lots of guests from the cruise ships.

Study Concerning the Pirates of Nassau

Nassau’s historical past goes again a whole bunch of years, and pirates performed an enormous half in its improvement. The times of piracy are lengthy gone, however the Pirates of Nassau brings the historical past alive.

Positioned only a quick stroll from the ships (and proper close to the Straw Market on Bay Avenue), this spot is good for these with youngsters involved in pirates. There are recreations and displays that element pirate life in a enjoyable method, full with a duplicate pirate ship.

There’s a cost for admission — $13.50 for adults, $6.75 for teenagers — so whereas it’s not free, it’s a comparatively cheap factor to do close to the cruise ships.

Discover Parliament Sq.

Many individuals don’t understand that Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas. And only a quick one-block stroll from the cruise terminal is Parliament Sq., which acts because the seat of presidency.

You possibly can go stroll the world in only a few minutes, the place you’ll discover Parliament, the Senate, Home of Meeting and the Supreme Court docket.

Don’t count on it to look identical to Washington, D.C.! The buildings are pretty quaint by American requirements, however they’re additionally painted a wonderful pink that matches with the type and perspective of The Bahamas.

Climb the Historic Queen’s Staircase

Should you look by the excursions affords by the cruise line when visiting Nassau, little doubt you’ll discover that many function a go to to the Queen’s Staircase. What’s so fascinating about some stairs?

Nicely, this spot was carved out of stable limestone by slaves within the late 1700s. At present the identical 66 steps nonetheless exist, providing you with the flexibility to actually stroll by historical past. It’s half of a bigger fort complicated (Fort Fincastle) that used to guard the town from pirates.

The stroll is a bit over a half-mile from the cruise port, so it ought to solely take about quarter-hour. It’s additionally proper subsequent to the brand new U.S. embassy.

Go to Junkanoo Seaside

Should you’re in search of the closest seashore to the cruise port, simply exit the terminal, flip to the precise, and stroll about 10 minutes. Round a Hilton and Margaritaville lodge, you’ll come to Junkanoo Seaside. It’s nearer and simpler to get to than Cabbage Seaside, besides, it doubtless has fewer folks.

The seashore itself is beautiful, and also you’ll additionally discover various small eating places serving meals and drinks, together with distributors providing entry to loungers and umbrellas. However should you like, you may simply lay down a towel, get some solar, after which go for a dip.

There’s additionally an incredible view trying again on the cruise ships that makes an excellent picture.

Take a Rum Tour on the Watlings Distillery

This space of the world is understood for its rum, and there’s a distillery proper in downtown Nassau. The John Watlings Rum Distillery sits a couple of 15-minute stroll from the cruise port.

On the web site (the Buena Vista property), you’ll get to expertise the spot constructed within the 1780s that as we speak homes the distillery. There are free excursions out there of the manufacturing course of, and there’s additionally a tavern the place you may expertise the rum in one of many distillery’s signature cocktails.

After all, there are tastings, and should you like there are additionally bottles you should purchase and take again residence with you. It’s an actual Bahamian expertise that you just can’t get anyplace else.

Study the Story of The Bahamas on the Bahamas Historic Society

There’s no scarcity of historical past in The Bahamas, and should you’re involved in it, then the spot to go is the Bahamas Historical Society. Because the museum says, right here you may “study our folks, tradition, crafts and the archaeology and anthropology of The Bahamas.” Displays embody every part from the natives that inhabited earlier than the world was found by Europeans by as we speak.

This museum makes a pleasant stop-off should you’re headed to the Queen’s Staircase because it’s on the best way and simply minutes from the cruise port.

Map of Issues to Do in Nassau

To offer you an concept of the place issues are in relation to the cruise port, use the map under. 

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