Paradise Island

Just off Nassau's north shore lies paradise, with a sweeping tropical beach edged by a luxurious grove of casuarina trees. Paradise Island's centerpiece is the mammoth Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino, a pulsing nightlife mecca and a sightseeing attraction in its own right. Think Vegas in the tropics. Away from the resort's lively casinos, sunsets at The Cloister and strolls in beautiful Versailles Gardens provide peaceful respite. Tired of paradise? Cross to Nassau on foot, by boat or car for sightseeing and shopping.

Things to Do
Try your luck at the Atlantis Paradise Casino, one of the most imaginatively decorated casinos in the Caribbean. Away from the glitz and glamor, wander around the statues of the peaceful Versailles Gardens, a popular location for weddings. The sugar-white sand of Cabbage Beach invites sunbathing and swimming. For one of the most beautiful pink and mauve sunsets in all The Bahamas, sit amid stone remains of the 12th-century French monastery at The Cloister.

Shopping
The energy from the Atlantis Paradise Casino spills over at the Shops at the Atlantis, an impressive collection of high-end couture boutiques and designer emporiums. All the top labels are here, from Cartier to Versace, alongside fine jewelry, giftware and perfume. For Bahamian handicrafts and artwork, browse the shops at Marina Village. For cut-price jewelry, cosmetics and hand-rolled cigars, as well as a plethora of T-shirts and souvenirs, cross the Paradise Island Bridge into Nassau and head to Bay Street.

Nightlife & Entertainment
The razzle-dazzle of gaming tables and a thousand clanging slot machines vie for your attention at the lavish Atlantis Paradise Casino. Away from the casino, sip cocktails and gawk at yachts in Marina Village, squeeze onto a packed dance floor in a flashy club or enjoy a late-night latte in the Royal Towers -- the tallest and most imaginative edifice in The Bahamas. Dress casually but leave the beachwear in the hotel.

Restaurants & Dining
Paradise Island offers the broadest mix of restaurants in The Bahamas, from elegant beachfront bistros with harbor views to earthy surf-and-turf spots clustered around the Atlantis Paradise Island Casino. If you want a brand name, Nobu and Bobby Flay have a presence. Enjoy gourmet takes on seafood fresh from the Atlantic, broiled grouper almondine, for instance, or Nassau conch chowder. Paradise is pricey, though. Budged-minded visitors may want to cross over the bridge into downtown Nassau.