Nassau Historical Tour: Queen's Staircase & Pirates Museum

Limestone stairs, rum cake, chocolate samples and a fort built in 1793

This half-day historical sightseeing tour of Nassau includes hotel pickup, transport by air-conditioned van, and a local guide who takes you through the city's colonial past and pirate-era attractions. You'll climb the 102-foot Queen's Staircase to Fort Fincastle, taste rum cake and 17 chocolate flavors at the Graycliff Chocolate Factory, sample a rum distillery's Pina Colada, and pass the Pirates Museum in downtown Nassau. The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes bottled water and live commentary. The Pirates Museum admission is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Queen's Staircase30m
2. Pirates of Nassau20m

Half-day Nassau historical sightseeing

• Drive through historic Nassau
• Visit Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
• Climb Queen's Staircase and visit Fort Fincastle
• Shop at mini market atop Bennet's Hill
• Tour Graycliff Chocolate Factory and sample chocolate
• Sample rum at John Watlings Distillery
• Explore Pirates Museum (admission not included)

The experience

The tour starts with a 15-minute stop at the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, where you'll get free samples of flavors like pina colada, banana and chocolate. From there, the guide drives you to the Queen's Staircase: a 102-foot limestone passage carved in the late 18th century. You can climb the 65 steps to the top of Bennet's Hill, the highest point in Nassau, where Fort Fincastle stands (built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore). If climbing isn't an option, the driver takes you to the top by van instead. A small market with handmade goods sits at the summit.

Next is a 30-minute stop at the Graycliff Chocolate Factory, where you'll watch how the chocolate is made and taste 17 different flavors. After that, you visit the John Watlings Distillery, a local rum producer where you can sample what the operator calls one of the best Pina Coladas on the island. The tour passes the Pirates Museum in downtown Nassau (an interactive attraction set in 1716 when pirates ruled the Caribbean), though entry there costs extra. Throughout the day you're traveling in an air-conditioned van with a local guide providing live commentary on Nassau's history and culture.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all major hotels and the Prince George Wharf. You choose between a morning or afternoon departure, and the whole experience runs 3.5 hours. Bottled water is provided. Children from age 4 can join. The tour is not recommended for travelers with cardiovascular or spinal issues, and a moderate fitness level helps because of the staircase climb.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at major hotels and the Prince George Wharf.
• transport in an air-conditioned van.
• a local guide providing live commentary.
• rum cake samples at the factory.
• chocolate tastings (17 flavors) at the Graycliff Chocolate Factory.
• a Pina Colada sample at the John Watlings Distillery.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• local taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Morning TourGuide in English · 10:00The tour leaves at 10 am and at 1:00 pm

Afternoon TourGuide in English · 13:00The tour leaves at 1 pm

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tyrone Wilson

Is this one for you?Choose the morning tour if you want to start early and have the afternoon free, or the afternoon tour if your ship or hotel schedule runs late. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included transport mean you're not arranging stops, timing or how to get between them. The guide handles the route and the history.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Queen's Staircase and why is it on this tour?

The Queen's Staircase is a 102-foot limestone passage carved in the late 18th century. Climbing its 65 steps takes you to Bennet's Hill, the highest point in Nassau, where Fort Fincastle (built in 1793) stands. It's a central historical landmark and the climb is the main physical demand of the tour, though the driver can take you to the top by van if you prefer not to climb.

Can I taste food and drinks on this tour, or do I need to buy them separately?

Food and drink tastings are included: free rum cake samples at the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, chocolate samples (17 flavors) at the Graycliff Chocolate Factory, and a Pina Colada sample at the John Watlings Distillery. Bottled water is also provided throughout the tour.

Is the Pirates Museum admission included in the tour price?

The Pirates Museum is a stop on the tour, but admission to enter the museum is not included and costs extra if you want to go inside. The tour passes by it and the guide provides information about the attraction.

Does the tour pick up from my hotel or cruise ship?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all major hotels on New Providence Island and the Prince George Wharf. Pickup is not available for Airbnbs or private residential homes, so if you're staying at either of those, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 3.5 hours total. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, and the itinerary includes stops at the rum cake factory (15 minutes), Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, the chocolate factory (30 minutes), the rum distillery, and a pass by the Pirates Museum downtown.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The main physical demand is climbing the 65 steps of the Queen's Staircase to reach Fort Fincastle. A moderate fitness level is recommended. If climbing isn't possible, the driver will take you to the top by van instead. The tour is not recommended for travelers with cardiovascular or spinal injuries.