By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Staff Reporter
karan@nasguard.com
The Bahamas, known as one of the world's most beautiful places has tons to do! But guess what, no one seems to know what , and that's a shame.
There are so many activities happening year round, but people seem to rarely take advantage of them.
Visitors travel from near and far just to explore our country but locals, seem not to care or are simply don't know.
Lately The Guardian, has been asked over and over: "What is there to do?," and as a result the newspaper has complied a list of 50 activities to do in the country to do. Enjoy!
1. Yoga - Sivananda Ashran Yoga Retreat - Paradise Island. Tel. 363-2902.
2. Horseback riding at Happy Trail stables located Coral Harbour. Tel. 362-1820.
3. Pottery making at the Earth & Fire Pottery Studio located in the Atlantis Hotel. Tel. contact 363-2000 Ext. 64470.
4. Day pass at Superclubs Breezes or Blue Lagoon Island to participate in activities including water sports.
5. Self-improvement courses such as culinary arts, languages or computers. Such courses are conducted at the College of The Bahamas or the Bahamas Technical Vocation Institution.
6. Express yourself poetry nights held at Da Island Club in the Nassau Beach Hotel Wednesday nights at 8.00 p.m.
7. A walk through the Retreat at the Bahamas National Trust on Village Road held daily.
8. Visit Ardastra Gardens located in Chippingham, West Bay Street.
9. Hot Rod car races at the Queen Elizabeht Sports Center held every weekend.
10. Take a friend and enjoy a three-course lunch and and wine tasting followed by a tour of Graycliff's extensive wine cellar. Monday through Friday!
11. Visit Sacred Spaces, an exhibit at Clifton Pier.
12. Museum touring such as the National Art Gallery, the Pompey Museum or the Pirates of Nassau.
13. Semi-submarines tours conducted by the Seaworld Explorer. Tel, 356-2548. Tours conducted daily at 11:30 am and 1:30 p.m..
14. Water sports conducted by Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas located South Ocean. Tel. 362-4171.
15. Take the power boat, operated by Power Boat Adventures to Exuma for the day and enjoy feeding the stingrays and sharks. Tel. 363-1466.
16. Booze Cruise. Tel. 393-3722.
17. Go to the beach at Goodman's Bay or Cabbage Beach (especially on a holiday).
18. Visit Top Shotter's Bar and Restaurant for Karaoke Night held Wednesday nights.
19. Slide on down to Charlie's Nightclub on Thursdays for Ladies night and Sunday's for Reggae night. Or Club Envy and Club Fluid on Fridays.
20. Go to Aquaventure, the new Atlantis theme park.
21. Attend the regattas held on Montagu Beach.
22. Visit the Marley Boutique located on Cable Beach
23. The Fish Fry on Arawak Cay, Friday - Sunday nights is a must.
24. Sit on the beautiful deck of the Compass Point Resort on West Bay from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday night and listen to the very cool sounds of Jay Mitchell and the Hot Ice band.
25. Visit the Versailles Gardens and Cloisters located on Paradise Island. It's a romantic spot with fantastic ocean views. Across the street are the Cloisters, a colonnade from a 14th-century Augustinian monastery.
26. Shopping. Explore downtown (Bay Street) stores and check out the Olde Town Shopping Center, Sandyport.
27. Visit the Bacardi Rum Distillery located on Bacardi Road for a free daily tour. Tours begin at 11 am and 2 PM.
28. Shoot pool at Top Shottas or similar restaurants and bars.
29. Enjoy oysters on the half shell and the stone crab claws on the island while tackling all the drinks you'll have during happy hour at the Oyster Bar in Sandy Port.
30. Canoeing at Lake Nancy.
31. Walk over the Paradise Island bridge with a camera. Nassau Harbour makes a great photo-op for couples.
32. Take a ferry from Prince George Wharf to Paradise Island. A round trip ticket is only $6 (three for one-way). Most harbor-tour passengers arrived by cruiseship, but the small ferries give all passengers an opportunity to see the massive ships up close. A guide will identify common Nassau/Paradise Island landmarks from the water.
33. Grab a $3 slice of home-made quiche at News Cafe at Hurricane Hole on Paradise Island. Free wireless Internet and communal copies of newspapers from four different countries (Bahamas, United States, United Kingdom, Italy) are available.
34. Take a dive off the reef at the end of Cabbage Beach. Cabbage is unquestionably the nicest beach on Nassau/Paradise Island. At more than a mile from the 500+ room Atlantis, the east end of the beach is relatively quiet. Swimming is safe, but reef diving is only recommended for strong swimmers; current is swift and visitors have drowned in the area.
35. Order a Kalik Gold and watch a golden sunset from Nesbitt's outdoor patio. The local watering hole is on West Bay just beyond Sandy Port and looks over a public park and natural reef.
36. Catch one of the best improvisational jazz shows on the island at the open-air stage of Jumbey Cafe on East Bay Street (next to Esso/On the Run). Bring your sax if you want to play, the group of local musicians come together to share their passion for jazz each week and encourages the audience to contribute. If you don't play, then sing. It's up to you. No cover for the show and strong gin and tonics are available.
37. There's only one night a week you can get the best conch fritters on the island. Drive west on Bay Street and stop at Traveler's Rest on Saturday night to enjoy cold beer, warm fritters and good company. Try to find a spot on their patio and listen to the ocean as you take in the meal.
38. Free outdoor independent film screenings at the National Art Gallery (next to Graycliff restaurant). Beer, wine and bottled water are available for purchase. Guests are allowed to bring their own refreshments. Films may be inappropriate for children, so parents are advised to check ratings before taking the family.
39. Go to Joker's Wild comedy club located in the Atlantis Hotel, Paradise Island.
40. Try Hartley's Undersea Walk. A futuristic helmet filled with air keeps you breathing while you walk the ocean floor. These tours allow everyone to view the marine life of the Caribbean.
41. Day Spa.
42. Watch a cricket game at the cricket club on Fort Charlotte or a rugby game at the Winton Rugby Field.
43. Visit Marina village on Friday and Saturday to watch Junkanoo.
44. Take a guided walking tour of downtown Nassau.
45. Stop at Cozy Corner for drinks at Sandyport.
46. Dance the night away at the Island Club on Saturday night.
47. Snorkel at Rose Island.
48. Have a late-night experience and head to Flamingo Cigars & Gourmet Cafe to listen to the all-girl Latin band while sipping on fabulous coffee and enjoying a wonderful cigar.
49. The changing of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force guard at Government House every other Saturday at 10 a.m. Tele. 322-2020.
50. See the stars from Fort Charlotte via telescope.
