Gregory’s Arch

Gregorys Arch Nassau is another one of the top things to do in Downtown Nassau. Located in Nassau Old Town, it’s almost 200 years old and separates the capital from the rest of the island. 

Nassau Old Town is full of exciting historical sites, with Gregory’s Arch Nassau being one of them. Constructed in the 19th century, the arch has stood over a main Nassau thoroughfare for almost 200 years. As you look for different things to do in Downtown Nassau, give yourself time to see the attraction. 

Gregorys Arch Nassau: See It on a Nassau Old Town Tour 

Gregorys Arch Bahamas: A History

The name “Gregorys Arch Bahamas” comes from Royal Governor John Gregory, who served from 1849-54. The arch itself opened to the public in 1852, at a time when the Bahamas was still a British colony. Likewise, Nassau was an up-and-coming settlement, having received an influx of American Loyalists and their slaves decades prior. 

Gregorys Arch Bahamas has separated downtown Nassau from the rest of New Providence for centuries.

In the 1820s, Governor Lewis Grant constructed Grant’s Town as a neighborhood for freed slaves. Gregorys Arch Nassau separated the downtown portion of the capital from this neighborhood, with the latter quickly growing as an area where much of the local population resided. 

Today, visitors exploring Nassau Old Town can see the arch in its original position over Market Street. Similarly, the area of Grant’s Town continues to be a place that many Nassau residents call home. 

What to See and Do in Nassau Old Town

Gregorys Arch Nassau

The arch has a bright pink color.

Gregorys Arch Nassau makes its way over Market Street, and as mentioned, served as a barrier between Downtown Nassau and other parts of the island. Its pink colors clash vividly with the darker, natural-looking limestone surrounding it. 

Its position, significance, and colors make it an excellent location for photos.

Government House

The Nassau Government House is around the corner from Gregorys Arch Bahamas. Home of the current governor of the Bahamas, you can see the front of the complex on Duke Street. 

Like most of the other political buildings in Nassau, it features bright pink colors and classic colonial architecture. 

The nearby Nassau Government House is another beautiful, historic structure.

Other Nassau Old Town Attractions 

Some of the other top Nassau attractions are just a short walk away.

From old buildings to colorful flowers, Nassau Old Town is full of sights.

Fort Fincastle and Queens Staircase are some of the oldest structures in Nassau and were built to defend the island from pirates and rival empires. Likewise, Parliament Square features three important political buildings, all of which date back to the 18th and 19th Centuries. Finally, the Nassau Public Library is close by as well. Having been both a library and a prison, the colorful building is another fascinating site to see.

Getting in

Gregorys Arch Nassau is easy to visit no matter how much (or little) time you have to spend on the island. Its central location makes seeing it one of the best things to do in Downtown Nassau.

If you’re staying at a hotel somewhere on New Providence or Paradise Island, you might be able to walk to the arch. If it’s too long of a walk or you’re just looking to stay cool when the sun is at its zenith, taxiing to Nassau Old Town is also an option.

Visitors to the island arriving on a cruise ship will find Gregorys Arch Bahamas to be a short walk from the cruise terminal. It should take you less than 10 minutes to get there, giving you plenty of time to continue exploring more of the area.  

Getting Around

Once you see the arch, you’ll find yourself at the epicenter of some of Nassau’s top attractions. Given the number of destination options you have around you, it’s up to you to decide where to go next.

The staircase near the arch is pretty, but not the famous “Queen’s Staircase.”

Near the arch is a staircase, and while it’s beautiful, it’s not the famous Queen’s Steps. That said, that staircase, along with 18th Century forts and museums, are nearby. The same goes for cultural sites, like art galleries and shops. Beaches such as Junkanoo Beach are also just a short walk away. 

All of these sites are within the Nassau Old Town and downtown areas, making a walking tour through the capital an excellent way to check them all off of your itinerary. 

Our Travel Guide Suggests…

Tours are a great way to help you appreciate what you’re seeing.

While you can see Gregorys Arch Nassau and other Old Town sites around the island on your own, a walking tour with a local expert can help put everything in context. Consider booking a tour to make your time in Nassau more memorable and impactful. 

Gregorys Arch Nassau: Step Into Nassau’s History 

Gregorys Arch Nassau is one of the many fascinating sites to see in Old Town. From its interesting history to its position as a barrier between Nassau and the rest of the island, visiting the arch is one of the best things to do in Downtown Nassau.

After seeing Gregorys Arch Nassau, you’ll find yourself in the perfect place to see an array of other sites and attractions. The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, Fort Fincastle and Queens Staircase, and the Government House are some of the many nearby attractions worth checking out.

Are you interested in learning more about the different Nassau attractions?

Make sure to browse through our other articles and our interactive Nassau Old Town map.