The Bahamas - It's More Than Just Beaches

While the beaches of the Bahamas are the premierThis site is several blocks of limestone just off the
tourist attraction, there are many more things to docoast of the island. Divers can trace the road and
if you travel inland. On Abaco you can visit the Abacohave found some interesting relics just 20 feet below
National Park, which is a 20,500-acre national parkthe surface.Grand Bahama Island offers visitors a
dedicated to preservation of the native plants andplethora of non-beach related activities. At Fragrance
animals of the Bahamas. It is one of the only placesof the Bahamas you can make and bottle your own
in the Bahamas where you can see the endangeredperfume. This interesting exhibit is housed in a
Bahama Parrots. These beautiful emerald coloredhistorical English-style mansion that you can tour. The
birds call the park home. Also on Abaco you can seeInternational Bazaar is a 10-acre series of shops and
the wild horses of Abaco. These horses are probablyrestaurants that feature products from around the
descendants of the horses Columbus brought on hisworld. This is a great place to pick up some trinkets
trips to the New World. They are housed in ato commemorate your trip.Long Island is home to the
preservation area in the pine forests of Abaco. AlsoColumbus Monument, which attributes to the
on Abaco you can explore the Hope Towndiscovery of the archipelago by Christopher
Lighthouse. This candy-striped lighthouse was built inColumbus. Hamilton's Cave is an interesting location to
the early 1860s. It is still lit by a keroseneexplore. Here you can see the cave where Lucayan
lamp.Andros Island also has a lighthouse on theartifacts were found. St. Mary's Church is an
southern end of the island. The Andros Lighthouseinteresting location. It does not have stunning
was built in the 1890s. Andros is home to many ruinsarchitecture like some of the other churches on the
of the sugar cane plantations of the Bahamas past.islands, but it is thought to be the oldest church on
You can visit the Old Government Administratethe island. The church was built in the 1600s by the
Building and Jail House, Old School Buildings, theSpanish.Paradise Island is home to the Ardastra
Whyms Plantation, the Chamberlain Sisal Plantation,Gardens and Conservation Center. This miniature zoo
several old wells, the Twin Lakes Farm and more.houses 300 animals from around the world in beautiful
History lovers will want to spend several days visitingtropical garden displays. For those who enjoy military
these sites from the 1800s and early 1900s. The Starhistory, there are several historic forts to visit on
Gate Blue Hole dive is famous because in the 1990sParadise Island, including Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle
several Indian skulls were found here. Andros also hasand Fort Montagu.As you can see, there is much
several historic churches for visitors to explore.Themore to do on the islands of the Bahamas than just
next island in a tour of the Bahamas is Bimini. Biminithe beaches. Of course, if you are traveling to the
has its own museum, dedicated to the history andBahamas, you are going to want to spend some time
culture of the people of the island. There is a siteocean-side. Be sure to schedule some time, however,
that has been nicknamed the "Lost City of Atlantis".to explore the many inland activities of the Bahamas.