Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle & Junkanoo Beach- help please

[rdevine10]

We are headed back to Nassau, but this time just as a couple without our kids!

 

Last time we did the British Colonial Hilton and really enjoyed it. This time we thought we would try something that interests us a bit more!

 

Our plans are to walk to the Queen's Staircase & Fort Fincastle. From there we want to go to Junkanoo Beach for an hour or 2 before we head back on board.

 

I have looked at the walking tour threads and love the info! However, we do not really have time to stop at all the places this time.

 

What route would you use to walk from the Queen's staircase over to Junkanoo? (safest and quickest) Should we just reverse our route and go back to the cruise port and head over past the Hilton? Or should we follow the walking tour route, even though we do not plan on stopping at anything else.

 

Also, can anyone tell me how far Fort Charlotte is from Junkanoo Beach? We may opt to see that fort in lieu of the Queen's Staircase/Fort Fincastle.

 

Last question- is there any fee to see the forts?

 

Thanks for all the help!

[ERNLYN]

I looked over all the possible sites and narrowed them down to the itinerary below. Its my understanding the tour (excluding the length of time spent at the Pirates Museum and Junkanoo bch) can all be done in around 2 hrs. I have allowed 2 1/2 hrs and some additional time for the straw market upon return to the port. I'm sure someone else may have a different idea, but this is what we plan to do for the afternoon. Hope if may give you some ideas.....

 

NASSAU SELF WALKING & Bch TOUR(see map)

 

1-3:30-Debark at Prince George Wharf walk the quarter-mile cement pier; pass through new visitors' center T/L to East St. bare to the Right T/L on Sands Rd. T/R on Elizabeth St. to Queens Staircase:

 

Queens Staircase: Climb the 102’ tall Staircase, one step for each yr of Queen Victoria's life, named in her honor. 65 steps were carved out of the natural limestone wall by slaves between 1793 & 1794. Originally, it was built to provide British troops a protected route to Fort Fincastle. Top of staircase offers best view of the area.

 

The Water Tower: T/R or head east the water tower, which also serves as a Lighthouse, shaped like a white saltshaker. It is 126’ high & is 216’ above sea level, built in 1928 to maintain water pressure on the island. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to the observation point, 216’ above sea level for a panoramic view of Nassau.

 

Fort Fincastle: Straight ahead is Fort Fincastle, built in 1793, it was built on highest point of the island as a lookout by the British captain Lord Dunmore. Front of the fort is shaped like the bow of a ship & provided a good lookout spot overlooking the town. Several cannons were positioned to protect in every direction. But the cannons have never been fired in battle.

 

Government House: From Fort Fincastle go to Sands Rd & T/L and T/R on East St. T/L onto East Hill St. T/R onto Market St. & T/L onto Duke St. visitors can walk the grounds. The most secure building in the Bahamas. Patrolled & manned by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force.

 

Christ Cathedral Church: T/R onto George St. before you get to George & King St off to right see the Cathedral This enormous Gothic structure was built of local limestone. Built 1670, after 130 yrs the church was given a thorough facelift. Now it looms up majestically, dwarfing every other building on the block. It is still very active & holds multiple services & prayers in a traditional Anglican style. Admission is free; donations appreciated. Daily 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Pirates of Nassau Museum: To the left of George & King St. if the Pirate Museum A guide, dressed in pirate attire, is informative & quite entertaining. 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 & 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 20 minutes to a half hour to go through. Museum Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am- 6pm

 

3:30-4:15: Junkanoo Beach (see saved map) walk George St toward the ship & T/L onto Bay St. twist around the Hilton (across from McDonalds). Keep walking and it will come up on your right T/L on Baillou Hill Rd. T/R on Marlborough St. T/R on West St. bear left to West Bay St. Keep walking and it will come up on your right off of Cunningham. Not much shade can rent umbrellas. Bathrooms were right beside the Tiki Bar adjacent to the beach and were very clean and free.

 

4:15-4:30: Return to Port

 

4:30-5:30: Nassau's Straw Market: After Beach take West Bay St back T/L on Marlborough St T/L on Baillou Hill Rd walk to the cruise port to the little shops and market stalls where vendors sell vegetables, fish and of course, conch. Stop & watch a conch shelling demonstration & horse-drawn carriages line up here to take tourists on rides throughout the downtown area.

 

5:30 Return to Ship

 

7pm SAIL AWAY

[rdevine10]

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

[Sun Bunny]

Do you have the map attached to your post? I don't see it but would love to get ahold of it

[xeriod]

Do you have the map attached to your post? I don't see it but would love to get ahold of it

 

 

google " Nassu walking tour " , it will be at the bottom of the web page

Edited July 12, 2013 by xeriod
web address post broke board rules

[pink roses]

great info here!