Balcony House
Balcony House
4.5
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The oldest wooden structure on the island, built in the 18th century.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
66 reviews
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travelbob1
New Windsor, NY1,135 contributions
Mar 2022
We had pleasant and informative 30 minute tour from a very knowledgeable docent. The history is a good survey of the home's and island's 250 years as experienced by the homes occupants. The artifacts show the many changes the house went through at the hand of each new owner. This tour helped us to better appreciate the history and people of an historical Nassau.
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cam N
Los Angeles, CA210 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
Besides visiting the Bay St souvenir shops and jewelry stores right off Market st is the oldest house on Nassau historic registry. It is definitely worth a photo. Further on there is a blue house known as the Maritime house.These two are good examples of the architecture of the time.
Written 23 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Highlight of a visit to Nassau was this very informative tour of this very 'English' home.
The tour guide Godfrey is a mine of information, and can give the visitor an insight into the history of the Bahamas, the slave trade, and how the islands have evolved to the present day.
The tour guide Godfrey is a mine of information, and can give the visitor an insight into the history of the Bahamas, the slave trade, and how the islands have evolved to the present day.
Written 23 March 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Edinburgh, UK31 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
If you’re in Nassau for the history as well as the beach you definitely need to go visit The Balcony House - it’s Nassau’s oldest wooden residence and has been maintained to keep as much of its original features as possible. The visit (which is free btw!) is about 1/2hr long and is guided by whoever is on shift that day. They’ll tell you a bit about the house’s origins, its list of owners, random tidbits about famous guests etc.
Written 6 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keith j
47 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
This is one of the most recognizable buildings on the island of Nassau Bahamas dating back to 1788. The Balcony House in Nassau is a bright pink home with an interesting history. Ian Fleming stayed there once as he did research for his James Bond Bahamian based stories.
The house is located on Bay Street and is a short walk from the Straw Market. There is no charge for the tour, but donations are appreciated.
The house is located on Bay Street and is a short walk from the Straw Market. There is no charge for the tour, but donations are appreciated.
Written 16 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
indianajones47150
New Albany443 contributions
Built in 1788, this is the oldest wooden residence still standing in Nassau and a fine example of a tropical colonial house. The interior has been restored using both period correct antiques (sorry no photos allowed) and some objects original to the house.
Past house guests included Ian Fleming, Lord Mountbatten of Burma and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Balcony House was designed and constructed to naturally keep the house cool, dry and termite free.
Antiques on display include a mahogany set of swan-neck chairs, four poster beds, china and crystal and hand-worked brass valences.
Past house guests included Ian Fleming, Lord Mountbatten of Burma and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Balcony House was designed and constructed to naturally keep the house cool, dry and termite free.
Antiques on display include a mahogany set of swan-neck chairs, four poster beds, china and crystal and hand-worked brass valences.
Written 6 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiaD_242
Nassau City, New Providence, The Bahamas4 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Balcony House was closed due to much needed repairs but is now opened to the public to enjoy.
Operating hours are Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.
No admission fee but donations are always welcomed and appreciated.
The tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable.
Balcony House is the oldest standing residence on the island of New Providence.
It is a must visit!
Operating hours are Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.
No admission fee but donations are always welcomed and appreciated.
The tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable.
Balcony House is the oldest standing residence on the island of New Providence.
It is a must visit!
Written 29 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally_and_Ian_G
Nottinghamshire, UK7 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We only saw this marked on a local guide map and went to check it out as it was close to the main shopping street.
Our first impression was that it was closed but there was an open gateway to the left which led to a glass door. We were still unsure if it was accessible but then the door clearly unlocked electronically.
Maybe we missed seeing any signage but we didn't think it was "selling itself" as a place to visit.
However, once inside we received a lovely warm welcome and then a local guide escorted us around the house. She was extremely helpful and informative without being boring as some can be. Her pride in the house and its history came across really well.
The visit was free but I was more than happy to give a totally voluntary donation into the slot in the desk, given the great experience we had.
This is a hidden gem for anyone wandering in the vacinity of the port area/main street but could do with being a bit more obvious about how to enter/being open.
Our first impression was that it was closed but there was an open gateway to the left which led to a glass door. We were still unsure if it was accessible but then the door clearly unlocked electronically.
Maybe we missed seeing any signage but we didn't think it was "selling itself" as a place to visit.
However, once inside we received a lovely warm welcome and then a local guide escorted us around the house. She was extremely helpful and informative without being boring as some can be. Her pride in the house and its history came across really well.
The visit was free but I was more than happy to give a totally voluntary donation into the slot in the desk, given the great experience we had.
This is a hidden gem for anyone wandering in the vacinity of the port area/main street but could do with being a bit more obvious about how to enter/being open.
Written 7 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CyndyandByron
Bridgeton, NJ865 contributions
Nov 2018
Watch closely for the entry to this attraction. You will enter through the stables area(now the office), not the front or side door. You don't want to miss this restoration. This house was originally occupied by Steven Dillard, the first black government official and later occupied by American business woman Josephine Brice. More recently it was purchased,restored, and maintained by a large Caribbean bank. The restoration combined the furnishings from Mr. Dillard and Mrs. Brice to create a really beautiful look back into time. The linens, draperies, the dining room table settings, the butler's pantry, and the needlework were our favorite "touches". We felt like a family member might enter any minute, sit down at the piano, and play a song for us. The docent, Dion, who provided our tour truly loved his job and loved the house. There is no entry fee for this attraction, but donations are kindly accepted,
Written 9 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamaRaury
Austin, MN98 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
If you're in downtown Nassau stop by for a visit! Included in this home, local history, a live guide, and historical architecture. We so enjoyed our time here, and definitely an upgrade to the "tour" at the pirate museum. We payed admission at the pirate museum, this is a freewill donation, but you will learn so much and have an opportunity to gain understanding of the cultures of the times. The guide highlighted 2 of the previous owners, of which one served in the local government as the first black man only a few years after slavery was abolished. The other was the heiress to the A&P market, she apparently had a thing for purple...
Written 23 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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