Caribbean charm shines in the Bahamian capital, where you’re never more than a few steps away from rhythmic percussions, appetizing flavors, white-sand beaches, and some of the clearest waters in the world. This picture-perfect paradise was once a pirate’s haven— and you can explore its colorful past of buccaneers, blockade-runners and bootleggers along historical streets and at the three colonial fortresses that line the shores. If you’re looking for a more hands-on maritime adventure, look no further. Cruise to Nassau and swim with stingrays, dive with dolphins, or spot colorful coral on a glass-bottom boat. And just across the bridge is beautiful Paradise Island, home to world-famous luxury hotels and resorts. Spend the day at the famous Atlantis and splash your way through its expansive water park, grab a piña colada at the Marina Village, and spot the hammerhead sharks in Predator Lagoon.

• • Visit the Atlantis Resort and Casino for a day of fun sliding down waterslides and checking out a fascinating aquarium. At night the casino is a buzz as is the resorts restaurants and nightclubs.
           
  • Head to the Fish Fry, a strip of restaurants in Nassau that make delicious local cuisine featuring the island’s most famous ingredient, conch. Try a conch fritter or a conch salad.

   

  • Explore nearly 40 acres of beautiful nature trails along with two underwater caves at the Lucayan National Park off of Grand Bahama Island.

   

  • Feel the serenity at the beautiful and calm Versailles Gardens which contain several statues to such historical figures as Napoleon and FDR. On this spot is the remains of a stone monastery built in the 13th century that was transported from France by William Randolph Hearst.

   

  • Various sites throughout the island offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you can get nose-to-nose with a dolphin.

   

  • Check out the handmade crafts and pick up a few souvenirs at Nassau’s famous Straw Market. Here you can make your own price as bartering is the norm.