Freeport, Bahamas

Roughly 1 mile offshore of Grand Bahama, Peterson Cay National Park is a tiny island surrounded by active coral reefs. Covering only 1.5 acres, it's the smallest park in the Bahamas, but it offers plenty of incredible opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Visitors can reach the island either by boat or by jet ski; some tours will also include a stop on the island so that visitors can spend some time relaxing on the beach. The island itself is an excellent place to enjoy a picnic or do some birdwatching, and chairs, umbrellas, and lockers are available for rent.

Nestled on 100 beautiful acres in the heart of Freeport, the Rand Nature Center is a nature-lover's paradise. Visitors can stroll along the 2,000-foot trail that winds through the pine forest and coppice; there are plenty of educational signs and exhibits that cover topics such as the local flora and fauna, traditional Bahamian culture, and visual art by local artists. The center is also home to a wide variety of bird species that reside in the park all year round, but the best time to birdwatch here is between October and May, when migratory birds arrive for the winter.

E Settlers Way, Freeport, The Bahamas, Phone: 242-352-5438

Perfect for anyone looking to relax and unwind, The Garden of the Groves is a tranquil garden oasis with plenty of shady paths and beautiful waterfalls and fountains. In addition to wandering along the trails and admiring the wide variety of lush tropical plants, guests can do a bit of shopping in the gift store, enjoy a meal or a drink at the garden cafe, or visit the picturesque little church. Families will appreciate the playground and the charming labyrinth, and the garden often hosts special events such as art classes, summer camps, and special birdwatching tours.

Phone: 242-374-7778

Constructed in the early 1800s by American Loyalists, Parliament Square is located right in downtown Nassau. The square is best-known for its pink colonial-style buildings, including the House of Assembly and the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. The Parliament Square Cultural Center offers unique, local-guided tours of this important landmark and of other attractions in the area. Tours also cover various aspects of Bahamian culture, including art and literature, Christianity, traditional handicrafts, and daily life. Guests will usually get the chance to participate in interactive experiences such as listening to music, dancing, and drinking traditional herbal tea.

Attractions for Couples

Founded in 2007, the Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company is the country’s only brewery owned and operated exclusively by Bahamians. Sands Beer was the first beer the brewery made, and it remains the favorite local beer in the Bahamas to this very day. The brewery sits on 20 acres of land near Grand Bahama Harbor; the brewery itself is roughly 60,000 square feet in size, and guided tours are available. All tours end with a complimentary beer tasting, and visitors are also welcome to enjoy the on-site beer garden, souvenir and retail store, and liquor store.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas, Phone: 242-352-4070

Offering a selection of exciting nature-based adventures, Calabash Eco Adventures was founded by local Bahamian Shamie Basil Rolle, known to some as the Bahamian Jacques Cousteau. Tours are offered on both the land and the water; options include kayaking adventures, cavern dives in Lucayan National Park, birdwatching tours, and a bike ride tour along the island followed by the chance to snorkel off the beach. All tours include free pickup and drop-off anywhere in the Freeport resort area, and some also offer the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine and learn about the fascinating history of the island.

Phone: 242-727-1974

Situated on 46 acres of land on one of the highest points in Grand Bahama, Cooper's Castle holds the honor of being the only castle on the island. The castle was built in the 1980s by Mr. Harvard Cooper, a local Bahamian who went from owning only one pair of pants as a child to being one of the richest men in the country. The castle is inhabited by the Cooper family to this day, but guided tours are available to the public and the family sometimes accepts bookings for weddings and other special events.

Freeport, Bahamas, Phone: 242-727-3314