Bahamas Vacation and Information Center

Nassau City, Country & Botanical Gardens Tour Overview

Enjoy the day getting to know Nassau City and the beautiful flora of the Bahamas. The tour will begin with the historical sites of this capital city. Our friendly and knowledgeable guides narrate the sites along the way. Nassau was originally known as Charles Town. The Spanish burnt the town to the ground in 1684, rebuilt it, and named it Nassau. Over the next century, the French, the British, and the Americans took turns occupying the city. And, of course, there were always a few pirates about. The beautiful Parliament Square in downtown Nassau speaks of the colonial tradition of these islands. It is also the site of the statue of Queen Victoria. The square includes the House of Assembly and Supreme Court buildings.

This tour will also take you past Fort Fincastle and Fort Charlotte. Fort Fincastle was built atop Bennet's Hill overlooking the city in 1793. Fort Charlotte is the largest fort in Nassau. It was built in 1789 and has never been engaged in battle.

Next you will visit Ardastra Gardens. Ardastra Gardens includes a zoo, gardens, and a nature conservatory. More than 300 mammals, birds, and reptiles live in the zoo, many of them endangered species of the Caribbean and South America. Ardastra Gardens is also home to the famous Flamingo Show, where the flamingos march around on command. The gardens take up more than five acres of the park. The Bahamas soak in rain and sun. Temperatures rarely fall below 60 degrees or reach above 90. It is just the right atmosphere for exotic fruit trees and beautiful flowering plants. Ardastra Gardens is a perfect place for interesting photographs and leisurely walks.