If you have time to visit only one fort, see Fort Charlotte, the largest one on New Providence at 100 acres. Located one mile west of downtown Nassau, just off West Bay Street, it sits on a hill overlooking the far west end of the harbour, commanding an impressive view of Paradise Island, Nassau, and the harbour.

Built in 1788 by Lord Dunmore, the fort was named after the wife of King George III, Queen Saharia Charlotte. The middle bastion, Ft. Stanley and the western portion, Fort D'Arcy were added later. The fort has a moat, dungeons, underground passageways, and 42 cannons, which have never been fired in an act of aggression.  

Tour guides (working for tips) are happy to give you a complete history of the fort. Every Wednesday and Friday, starting at 11:30 a.m., a living historical scene lets you step back in time and experience daily life in 18th-century Nassau. It features characters dressed in period costume, who exhibit basketweaving techniques, kitchen utensils used over 250 years ago, and fruits sold at the market. It culminates with the firing of the cannon at 12:00 noon.