Nassau is the bustling capital city of one of the busiest islands ? New Providence ? in the Bahamas. Notorious for a lifestyle tending towards the luxurious and leisurely, Nassau has the shopping and golf to keep you moving if you've had your fill of relaxation on the beach.

Educate yourself in indigenous artifacts at the Bahamas Historical Society Museum or stop by the Lyford Cay Gallery for international art before returning to the rat-race of an offshore, on-deck existence. Anyone laboring under pirates of the Bahamas delusions can rejoice with matey of choice in the Pirates of Nassau exhibition downtown. For some foliage peeping, check out the exotic palm gardens at The Retreat on Village Road. Ardastra Gardens and Zoo offer the unique opportunity to view marching West Indian flamingos in a tropical setting; animal-lovers will be happy to learn that there are 299 other, less militaristic species living in the zoo environs. Get your exercise with a climb up The Water Tower, the island's equivalent to crows-nest views on land, and scope out your plan of attack.

It will be obvious to the casual observer that some amphibious launchings and landing are in order. While Nassau certainly has cultural attractions, a trip to the Bahamas that stops short of long sandy stretches lapped by tropical waters and illuminated by brilliantly bright blue skies would be positively sinful. Cable Beach runs up to downtown Nassau, or head over the bridge to Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island for white sand, water sports and a tour of Atlantis Resort's open-air aquarium. If you're not in Nassau with your own set of sails, join a boat excursion out to sea for scuba diving, snorkeling and sport fishing.

Time your visit right and experience first-hand the music, dancing and costumes that are part of the parade on Junkanoo, a national festival that lights up the nights of December 26, New Years and several June weekends.

Nassau is located on the northeast coast of New Providence