Oh Mama, The Bahamas

I already know that one of our stops will be Nassau, Bahamas so I decided to check out what kinds of stuff there is to do there, and also what if anything is wheelchair friendly. What I have discovered is that the accessibility in Nassau is improving as more and more travelers with special needs visit the tropical destination.Resorts and tourist hot spots do not want to alienate any of the visiting populace so they strive to make accommodations whenever it is feasible. That being said Nassau is a very old city and not everything will be easy to access if you can get into it. Here are some things that I have confirmed can be visited by a chair or scooter user:

Ardastra Gardens (Zoo and Conservation Center), this multi acre botanical paradise has been almost totally retrofitted to accommodate travelers with special needs. You can stroll through the gardens and view over 300 different types of animals and plants. I am told the dancing Flamingos are not to be missed.

Paradise Island  is where the well known resort Atlantis is situated. They have a limited number of  wheelchair accessible rooms and just about everything is set up so that someone with a mobility impairment can have a good time (just no water slides, and depending who you ask the beach. But there are other beaches)

The shopping districts are what you might expect on a Caribbean island. Some are accessible some are not, but if you are looking to spend some money at their stores I am sure they are willing to accommodate you. From the cruise terminal you can get to the Straw Markets and Bay Street which are pretty good in the accessibility department. I have read that you want to stay in the middle isle and edge because it can get pretty tight in the smaller isles. Also avoid Bay Street during the mid day rush because it can get very cramped if you are in a scooter or wheelchair.

Over all what I have found is that if you are visiting you will not feel short changed or that there was something you didn't get to experience. The people are very welcoming and warm...if you are not an obnoxious tourist (remember be nice to them, they will be nice to you).