Nassau: Walking Tour of Queen's Staircase, Fort & Straw Market

Summary

Downtown Nassau history walk with murals, forts and market stops

You’ll walk through Nassau’s colorful streets with a local guide, hear stories at Queen’s Staircase, explore Fort Fincastle’s sun-warmed walls, and meet vendors at the Straw Market. Expect laughter, unexpected details and plenty of chances to stop for photos or just soak it all in.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the morning light hit the Queen’s Staircase — kind of golden, but also sort of shy behind the palms. Our guide, Tanya, handed us headsets (which I almost dropped because my hands were sweaty already) and started telling us how these 66 limestone steps were carved by hand. You could actually feel the coolness coming off the stone if you leaned in close. There was this faint smell — maybe moss? Or just old rain trapped in the cracks. Anyway, I took more photos than I needed.

We wandered over to Fort Fincastle after that. The guard out front waved at Tanya like they were old friends. She told us stories about pirates and water shortages — apparently this place used to be Nassau’s main water supply ages ago. The walls felt rough and warm from the sun. Kids ran around pretending to be soldiers (I tried not to trip over them). And then someone pointed out a mural on Bay Street that looked almost alive with color; it made me stop for a second longer than I meant to.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the Straw Market as much as I did. The air inside was thick with woven straw and something sweet — coconut maybe? Local women called out greetings while weaving baskets faster than I could blink. I tried haggling for a little turtle keychain (failed), but one vendor just laughed and gave me a discount anyway. We ended up back near Rawson Square where Tanya recommended her favorite conch salad stand — wish I’d had time for that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Nassau's historic landmarks

• Visit Queen's Staircase and take photos
• View historic main water supply
• Tour Fort Fincastle and hear history
• Walk around Government House and take photos
• See important landmark and statue
• Experience art at National Art Gallery
• Sip wine and chocolate tasting
• Shop and explore Straw Market

Top questions

How long is the Nassau walking tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but it covers several downtown attractions at a relaxed pace.

What attractions are included on this day trip?

The tour visits Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Government House, National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Rawson Square and the Straw Market.

Is lunch included on this Nassau walking tour?

No lunch is included but there are food stands nearby; your guide may recommend favorites.

Are headsets provided during the tour?

Yes, each guest receives an audio headset for clear commentary from your guide.

Is bottled water provided on this Nassau tour?

Yes, cold bottled water is included for each participant.

Is this walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator.

Can you shop at the Straw Market during this tour?

Yes, there’s time to browse and shop at the Straw Market before returning to the starting point.

What’s included

Your day includes a professional local guide who shares stories along every stop, an audio headset so you can actually hear those stories even when traffic gets loud, a map if you want to wander later on your own, and cold bottled water — which honestly saved me halfway through Bay Street.