Nassau is undoubtedly the best-known and most-visited destination in the Bahamas. Each year, tens of thousands of cruise ship passengers disembark at the city's downtown docks to spend a few hours searching for souvenir T-shirts and baubles at the straw market, savor a celebratory libation at Senor Frog's or Crocodile's, then head back to the boat for a shower before dinner. But there's much more to this capital city of the Bahamas and the entire island of New Providence. Shore-based vacationers with the luxury of time can easily fill a week's itinerary with diverse adventures, and boat-based visitors can also tap into these experiences to create a truly memorable shore leave, whatever form it takes. The warm, clear waters that surround the island provide a wealth of water sport activities. Beaches all along the north shore are replete with concessions offering personal watercraft, windsurfers and sailboats for hire, along with parasailing, waterskiing and snorkeling excursions. The underwater observatory at Coral World provides a glimpse of fish and corals without the need for a dive mask, while the more adventurous can take a short boat ride to nearby Blue Lagoon Island to swim with dolphins, or travel to the island's south coast where Stuart Cove's offers everything from sedate immersion with colorful reef fish to shark diving adventures and one-person submarines. In addition to tourism, Nassau is the Bahamas seat of government, and a thriving commercial center. As a result, it has a depth of character often lacking in ports of call that came into being solely to serve the tourism trade. Several operators offer walking and driving tours that delve deeper into the island's heritage and history, but a simple self-guided walking tour can also reveal many points of interest. Bay Street remains the epicenter of shopping activity, but just a few blocks away, the quieter streets of Old Town offer historical points of interest that include the Queen's Staircase, Christ Church Cathedral and a number of historic buildings dating to the colonial era. A bit farther afield, Blackbeard's Tower and the Water Tower at Fort Fincastle reward climbers with a panoramic view of the island. For an authentic taste of the island's working waterfront, head east from the Straw Market to Potters Cay, where island freighters and out-island mail boats flank fishmongers and makeshift food stalls serving up savory cracked conch, local fish dishes and fresh produce shipped in from the out islands. Alternately, head past Bay Street and into Nassau's Old Town Cable Beach, once the island's primary luxury hotel strand, once again boasts a stellar collection of casual and upscale eateries and watering holes. The ultimate Bahamian resort experience can be found on Paradise Island, home to the famed Atlantis Resort complex. One need not be a guest of the resort to enjoy the upscale amenities, as a day pass provides access to themed aquariums, water parks and beaches, while upscale dining and a casino cater to the well heeled. From local fish stands and beach shacks spinning reggae favorites to five-star kitchens and sophisticated nightlife, Nassau offers a range of vacation indulgences to suite most all tastes and budgets.