Throughout its history, Nassau has been by turns a haven for those fleeing religious persecution, home to pirates and privateers, smugglers, African slaves, and British aristocrats. Formerly known as Charles Town, it was renamed Nassau in 1695. In 1973, Nassau and the Bahamas achieved independence from the English, but it still belongs to the Commonwealth. Nassau offers a mix of British, Spanish, and West African influences, with a singular local culture and cuisine.

Nassau's buildings reflect the country's colonial past. Parliament Square houses administrative offices, the Nassau Public Library & Museum is a former colonial prison which today houses historic artifacts, the 65 limestone steps of the Queen's Staircase were constructed by slaves during Queen Victoria's rule and lead to Fort Fincastle, built in 1783 to repel foreign marauders, and Fort Charlotte is the largest on Providence Island, with subterranean passages and deep underground cells.

Around Nassau are plenty of white-sand beaches, including Western Esplanade and Saunders, for sunbathing, strolling, and swimming. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, surfing, parasailing, water skiing, snorkeling and diving to explore shipwrecks, caves and walls are other activities, and there are plenty of marinas to dock the yacht.

While Nassau nightlife revolves around many of the island's hotels and casinos, like the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, there are notable off-resort dining options. The waterfront Luciano's of Chicago offers Bahamian and Italian favorites, set in the historic home of Bahamas first prime minister. While Nassau is known as a primary port for cruise ships, an excursion to Graycliff, an old Nassau inn dating from the 1740s, is a popular upscale dining destination. Voted one of the top ten restaurants in the world by the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, it is known for sophisticated international cuisine, home-rolled cigars, and an impressive vintage wine and port cellar.

Nassau is known as a prominent duty-free shopping port with the usual plethora of designer clothing and liquor labels found throughout, but the city's Straw Market is worth a visit, where fine handcrafted arts and crafts, handbags and hats, conch and shell jewelry, home furnishings and accessories have a distinctive Bahamian touch.