Nassau's Straw Market:
There
is great
"pirate" atmosphere throughout the museum. As you enter the museum
you walk thru a "pirate ship" where you can scrutinize the size
of a ship and imagine what went on inside the cabins.
Factual information on Pirates of the
Indies, their backgrounds and lifestyles, along with good food in the cool courtyard and
excellent treasures in the gift shop can be found here. Youngsters would enjoy this
adventure. It takes about 20 minutes to a half hour to go through.
Museum Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday: 9
a.m. - 12 noon. Admission: Adults $12/Child
$6 (Age 4-17) 
Guided
tours are given where visitors can view the restored interiors displaying period
antiques and objects that are original to the house. The house once
stood closer to the water before fill expanded the waterfront. The
interesting facts about Balcony House is the architecture. The design
and construction features were used to keep the house cool, dry and termite
free. Open Hours: 10 a.m. -4:30 p.m. daily (Visit Time: 1 hr-1.5hr) 
Government House: This conch-pink Georgian mansion sitting atop Mt. Fitzwilliam has been the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas since 1801. The structure is an excellent example of the mingling of Bahamian, British and American Colonial architecture. The graceful columns and broad, circular drive recall the styles of Virginia or the Carolinas, but the pink color, distinctive cross-laid cornerstones, and louvered wooden shutters are typically Bahamian.
Visitors can walk the grounds, but for a closer look at the building you'll need permission and accompaniment from the guards. Interior tours are not available. Government House is undoubtedly the most secure building in the Bahamas. It is patrolled and manned by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. However, if your ship happens to be scheduled in port during certain times, you might be lucky enough to take tea with the Governor General's wife on the last Friday of every month. (Contact People-to-People coordinator at pwilliams@bahamas.com for reservations) Listen to exquisite Bahamian music, great stories and enjoy a great tea with Bahamian cakes and a variety of finger foods. Or watch the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony which takes place every other Saturday at 10 a.m. twice a month. The ceremony, accompanied by world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band is held in the honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 12-foot statue of Christopher Columbus stands as a silent sentinel in front, honoring the explorer's Bahamian landfall in 1492. The statue was imported by Sir James Carmichael Smyth in 1830.
The original home was built in 1737 by Governor Fitzwilliam (1733-38). A new structure was built in 1806. Additional wings were added during the 20th century, but the entire house was destroyed by a hurricane in 1929. The current building was completed in 1932. The lavish decorations date from 1940 when the interior of Government House was redecorated under the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when he arrived as governor. His Royal Highness Prince Charles lived there during the Independence celebrations in 1973.
Look to see Market St. tunnel through the crest of the hill, just to the left of Government House and make your way up narrow Peck's Slope, (an unmarked lane) that winds its way to the top of the hill until you've reached East Hill Street.
Gregory Arch: This tunnel (now a busy street) was cut through the hill in 1850. It allowed the working class Bahamians a short-cut from work to home (over the hill)
Pass
the
large, high rise contemporary Post Office building.
East
Hill St. dead ends at the intersection of East Street.
Make your way over to Elizabeth Street --a
route that brings you to the neighborhood of the
Water Tower and Fort Fincastle.
Queens Staircase:
Be sure to climb the
102-foot tall
Queen's Staircase.
There's
one step for each year of Queen Victoria's life,
and so named in her honor. The 65 steps were
carved out of the natural limestone wall by slaves between 1793 and 1794.
Originally, the Queens Staircase was built to provide
British troops a protected route to Fort Fincastle. The
top of this limestone staircase offers one of the best views
of the area.
The ravine is shaded far above by overhanging foliage, lush palm trees grow from the floor of the quarry, and at the far end, alongside the steps, is a beautiful, man-made waterfall
It's also a short walk from the top to Fort Fincastle, built in 1793, another spectacular vantage point to capture Nassau's magnificent landscapes in photos. Fort Fincastle was built on the highest point of the island as a lookout by the British captain Lord Dunmore in 1793. While the Queens Staircase and Fort Fincastle were inspired by a desire to watch for encroaching marauders and pirates, none ever attacked, and the fort is now a lighthouse that tourists can view. Climb the stairs to the Water Tower where, for a small fee, you can take the elevator to the observation point, 216 feet above sea level for a panoramic view of Nassau. Check to see if the elevator is working--it has been closed recently.
Fort Fincastle: Built in 1793, the front of the fort is shaped like the bow of a ship and would have provided a good lookout spot since it was built on Bennet Hill overlooking the town. It has several cannons which were positioned to protect in every direction should the enemy make landing. But the cannons have never been fired in battle. The fort has not been carefully preserved and you have to watch out for broken glass on the sidewalks.
The
Water Tower:
The
water tower, which also serves as a lighthouse, is shaped
like a white saltshaker. It stands 126 feet high and it is
216 feet above sea level. It was built in 1928 to maintain
water pressure on the island
After
leaving the water tower head back towards town and the
Parliament Building...
Parliament Building: Parliament Square is located in the center of Nassau and features the three public buildings of Parliament Square; the Parliament Building (pictured here), the Supreme Court Building, and the Ansbacher House--all clustered around a marble statue of a young Queen Victoria (installed 1905) . All three buildings have been in continuous use since 1812, and contain most of the nation's government offices. Tours are available when the government is not in session. Parliament Square is located just across Bay Street from Rawson Square.
...then back to Bay Street for a little more shopping before returning to your ship.
Senor
Frogs: Two years in the planning and the first location in the
Bahamas is up and running. Senor Frog’s Restaurant and bar, situated in
downtown Nassau, has been welcomed with open arms from both locals and
tourists alike. Location: Near the British Colonial Hotel on Woodes
Rogers Walk.