A Self-guided Nassau Walking Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers

A quick look online at what there is to do when your cruise stops in Nassau reveals more derision than answers. “Stay on the ship,” “Nothing,” and “Don’t waste your time” are common refrains. I certainly didn’t see anything suggesting a Nassau walking tour could be an option. Fortunately for me, I figured I’d at least take a little walk to explore Nassau while my wife and daughter napped.

I’m glad I did! Because of all the negativity online, I went in with low expectations but came away very pleasantly surprised. I decided I’d only go out into Nassau for about an hour or so because I didn’t have any real idea where I was going or what I was doing. I ended up finding several historical places that I think warrant at least a short visit, if for no other reason than to find some peace and quiet from a busy cruise ship.

This list details what I think is a worthwhile Nassau walking tour that can be done in just over an hour if you’re quick or closer to three hours if the museums are open and you’re taking your time.

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Orientation to My Nassau Walking Tour

My Nassau walking tour is designed for cruise passengers in mind who don’t want to take any expensive excursions but still want to see some of Nassau. It’s also ideal if you only want to spend a couple hours off the ship. Of course, you can still enjoy my Nassau walking tour even if you aren’t coming off a cruise.

All these sights are close to each other. In fact, most of them are all on one small block of Nassau. The only exception is the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Those two stops aren’t especially far away, but they feel kind of far because they’re uphill in the hot Caribbean sun.

If you’re quick and don’t go into the two museums, you should be able to do my Nassau walking tour in about an hour or so. That includes the time walking to and from the ship. If you go into the museums and Fort Fincastle, I expect my walking tour to take somewhere between two and three hours.

I created this Nassau walking tour with efficiency in mind. My wife and daughter both stayed on the cruise, and I didn’t want to leave them for too long. If time isn’t a concern for you, you could add the other two forts (Fort Charlotte and Fort Montagu) and the Pirates of Nassau museum. I didn’t include these because both forts are a bit of walk and the museum, while close to the dock and Parliament Square, didn’t interest me enough to take the time to visit.

With that said, you could visit these sights in almost any order without adding too much time to my Nassau walking tour. I think the best way to go about it is to start at Parliament Square. You can get here quickly from your ship, and it’s a good spot to orient yourself once you’re away from all the people crowding around the dock.

From Parliament Square, continue east on East Bay Street. Turn right on to Elizabeth Avenue and head uphill. You’ll pass the Bahamas Historical Society Museum on your right. You can stop here now or continue on up the hill to the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle. At least make sure to check their hours in case they’ll be closed unexpectedly on your way back down from the fort.

After the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle, come back down the way you came and turn left at the Bahamas Historical Society Museum. Take this road until you see Nassau Public Library and Museum. Everything else is right around this little park. From here you can head north on Parliament Street to get back to the dock.

Olde Nassau Cafe is a nice spot for refreshments away from all the touristy bars and restaurants next to the port. It’s just a couple buildings down from Magna Carta Court. The guava bread pudding is excellent!

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #1 – Parliament Square

Parliament Square is the main seat of the Bahamian government. If you’re facing the statue of Queen Victoria, the building to your right is the House of Assembly and in front of you is the Senate Building, where Bahamian senators work when the House isn’t in session. These two buildings were built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries by Loyalists who arrived from North Carolina fleeing the American Revolutionary War.

Behind the Senate Building is the Supreme Court of the Bahamas, which was built in 1921. The other newer addition is the statue of Queen Victoria, erected in 1905 to commemorate her birthday. Last but not least, is the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the building to the left of Parliament Square.

Besides taking in the view of the buildings, you likely won’t have much else to do here. Unless, that is, the House of Assembly is in session. Apparently, visitors with an interest in politics can stand in the building’s galley to listen to Bahamian politicians debating. You may also get a glimpse of Supreme Court members in their traditional white wigs and robes.

Parliament Square is just one block south from the dock on Bay Street and should take no more than five minutes or so to visit.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #2 – Queen’s Staircase

The Queen’s Staircase is the most popular attraction on this list (but it still isn’t especially busy). As its name suggests, it’s a staircase made up of 65 stone steps leading to Fort Fincastle. To its side is a relaxing manmade waterfall that cascades from the top of the staircase to the ground below, and the path leading up to the staircase is lined with tropical plants and foliage.

The Queen’s Staircase was built in the late 18th century by slaves who were forced to carve into the limestone ground to create a direct route between Fort Fincastle and the town below. Upon its completion, it had 66 steps, but that last step has been covered by modern pavement. Near the steps is a plaque commemorating its construction.

Interestingly, the Queen’s Staircase was named for Queen Victoria, but if you know your history, you’ll realize that the staircase was built prior to her being queen. It was named after her later to commemorate her reign.

The easiest way to get to the Queen’s Staircase is to walk to Parliament Square and keep going east on East Bay Street till you get to Elizabeth Avenue. Turn right and go uphill. A bit past the hospital on your left is the entrance to the Queen’s Staircase.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #3 – Fort Fincastle

Fort Fincastle is one of three British forts built on the island still standing (the others being Fort Charlotte and Fort Montagu). These forts were built to protect the island from pirates and Spanish invasions.

It was built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, the colonial governor of the Bahamas after being ousted as the governor of Virginia during the American Revolution. The name Fincastle comes from his second title, Viscount Fincastle.

During its time in use, it contained several cannons, a few replicas of which can still be seen. Other things you can see at Fort Fincastle include the Nassau water tower, various historical signage and views of Nassau. The views are the highlight here as Fort Fincastle is the highest point on Nassau.

Fort Fincastle is the only thing on my Nassau walking tour I didn’t see. I saw it was closed online when I tried to look up how to get to it. Even though I wasn’t sure how accurate that was, I didn’t want to spend too much time finding something I might not be able to visit.

As it is, based on online reviews and its proximity to the Queen’s Staircase, a brief visit may be nice to see the exterior of the fort (you have to pay to go inside) and the views from atop the hill. To get here, go generally right from the top of the staircase.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #4 – Bahamas Historical Society Museum

The Bahamas Historical Society Museum is possibly the most comprehensive museum of Bahamian history in Nassau. From the outside, it’s a large light pink building with simple columns on the outside, a bit like a Neoclassical temple.

Inside, the Bahamas Historical Society Museum has amassed a collection of historical artifacts that tell the story of the country from its first indigenous people, the Lucayan, all the way to the modern day and its efforts to gain independence from England.

The collection is set up in a somewhat circular fashion around one large room with seats to rest placed in the middle. Visitors are free to walk around the exhibits at their own pace. Staff members are also on hand if you’d like a guided tour.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go inside to look at the collection. The official sign hanging on the door said they were open, but someone had hung a handwritten note next to this saying they were closed for a couple hours. I thought about going back once they opened, but I didn’t want to miss out on ship time with my daughter.

Despite that, online reviews are mostly glowing. People say the museum does a good job at describing the history of the Bahamas. They also like the way the museum is organized.

The Bahamas Historical Society Museum is located at the corner of Shirley Street and Elizabeth Avenue. You can stop here either on your way to or coming back from the Queen’s Staircase. Entrance is free but donations are appreciated.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #5 – Nassau Public Library and Museum

Built from 1798 to 1800 by a Loyalist from the American colonies named Joseph Eves, the Nassau Public Library and Museum was originally a prison. Today, what were once jail cells are now nooks housing books and a small museum showing historical artifacts from the Bahamas.

In the museum, you can see artifacts from the indigenous Arawak culture, colonial charts and documents, prints, and old newspapers. Once you’re done with the museum, head to the top floor for views of Nassau.

Even if you don’t enter the museum, the Nassau Public Library and Museum is still a delight due to its unique architecture. It’s the only octagonal building on the island and one of the few I’ve seen anywhere.

However, like my experience with the Bahamas Historical Society Museum, the Bahamas Public Library and Museum had a note on it saying there was no viewing on the day of my visit. Still, I enjoyed my time viewing the architecture of the building and its grounds.

From the Bahamas Historical Society Museum, walk west on Shirley Street. Just past the intersection with East Street is the Bahamas Public Library and Museum at the southern edge of the Garden of Remembrance.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #6 – Garden of Remembrance

Behind Parliament Square is the Garden of Remembrance. This small park’s focal point is a memorial dedicated to Bahamians lost during both World Wars and four marines lost during an international incident with Cuba.

If it seems unusual for there to be a war memorial in the Bahamas, remember that this was a British colony until 1973. Many Bahamians volunteered and served in various capacities during each of the World Wars.

Apart from the memorial, the Garden of Remembrance is a pleasant little greenspace bordered by several interesting buildings, including seashell-pink government buildings, Magna Carta Court and the Nassau Public Library and Museum. It’s a nice spot to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Continue west on Shirley Street if you’re coming from the direction of the Bahamas Historical Society to get to the Garden of Remembrance.

Nassau Walking Tour Stop #7 – Magna Carta Court

At the southwest corner of the park is one of the oldest structures in Nassau and one of the only buildings built with exposed stone. It’s hard to miss Magna Carta Court while walking around the Garden of Remembrance.

Apart from that, Magna Carta Court’s history is fairly unremarkable. It was built in the 1780s, and since then has changed hands a number of times. Despite its name, it seems to have never been used as a courthouse.

If you like old things for the sake of them being old, you’ll appreciate Magna Carta Court. It’s also just an attractive building, with its stone walls and vivid red shutters sticking out amid all the other buildings in the area.

Magna Carta Court is located at the corner of Shirley Street and Parliament Street. There’s no historical signage at the building, so you can just stop to admire it from afar while walking in the area.

Back to the Ship

Once you’re done at the Garden of Remembrance, you can continue north along Parliament Street to get back to the dock. If you want to explore more, you can stop at the Pirates of Nassau museum or walk a bit farther west to Fort Charlotte. Fort Montagu is another option, but it’s a much longer walk east from the dock.

If you want to stop for a bite to eat, I recommend checking out Olde Nassau Cafe by the Garden of Remembrance for something a bit more local. The walk back to the dock will take you past all sorts of busy bars and restaurants for tourists.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nassau

Can I use United States currency in Nassau?

Yes, you’ll be fine using your United States cash on the island, but if you’re coming from another country, you may need to exchange currency if you want to buy anything. It’s worth noting, too, that you should have cash on hand. You’ll likely be okay with a card at restaurants, but some small vendors may be cash only.

Is Nassau safe for tourists?

Nassau is generally considered safe for tourists as long as you don’t go too far from the beaten path. The majority of my Nassau walking tour takes places in this safer part of Nassau, but the U.S. State Department warns tourists to be careful when venturing to the “Over the Hill” section of town south of Shirley Street. My walk takes you in this direction to get to the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle. I never felt unsafe, but I was aware I was going into a more run-down part of town. If you stick to Elizabeth Avenue as it goes past the hospital, you should be fine as long as you aren’t doing anything to attract unwanted attention.

Can I drink the water in Nassau?

It is technically safe to drink the water in Nassau, but most of my research suggests drinking from bottled sources due to the poor taste of the water here. Personally, I had hot tea at a cafe without any health issues afterwards.

Book Your Trip to Nassau

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