| Straw Market tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nassau locals. • 13 Photos
• 13 Reviews
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One place everybody wants to go to when they come to Nassau is its famous Straw Market. The Straw Market is a huge, mostly open air place, packed to the brim with little stalls selling all manner of souvenirs and crafts, including the famous straw-woven items that the Bahamas are known for. You'll also find people selling woodcarvings, masks, statues, jewelry, sea shells, and even hairbraiding which is REALLY BIG here. Most sellers are willing to bargain for their goods if you are respectful and fair-minded.
In the second picture you will see a man carving a large fish from wood which is quite fantastic. I could have watched him for hours, but for some reason I don't think that he and his wife appreciated it. I knew I wanted to come home with something but there were so many things to choose from that it was difficult. For some reason I finally ended up with a handpainted, carved mask which I bargained for a price of around $20. In my 4th picture you see a budding businessman with a great little personality. I bought the mask from him!!
A few years ago, the original Straw Market burned down, and the one you visit today is the most recently built (corrugated metal walls & roof). Unfortunately, they didn't seem to make it any bigger and the narrow aisles are extremely difficult to navigate. Leave a Comment Directions: The Straw Market is at the end of Woodes Rogers Walk, right next to Senor Frogs on the waterfront. Within easy walking distance of cruise ships piers and the British Colonial Hilton Hotel.
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Here's the place that you've read about countless times - the Straw Market. It's beside Senor Frogs and the Hilton. If you take the 10 bus from Cable Beach, you'll get dropped off right across the street from it. If you're a big pretentious spender and could afford to take a cab everywhere at all times (although I'd advise you to take the 10 bus just to lighten up and experience the local life a little), just ask the driver. They know about EVERY touristy location in town, as they should.
Before you go shop for souvenirs on Bay street, stroll(or march) through the Straw Market first. Otherwise you'll be aguished to find that the $10 photo album that you bought at a store is being sold for an negotiable $7 in the market.
Here you'll find shot glasses, photo albums, plethra of nicely made fake designer bags (although my friend managed to score a real Coach bag complete with serial number), t-shirts, wrap skirts (sarongs), jewlery, straw hats and bags, beautiful wood carvings, etc. being sold by 500 different local merchants. They're very persistant and you even might find them to be somewhat intrusive when you're just perusing their wares - but a simple and pleasant 'I'm just looking, thank you.' will be sufficient to give you some peace. The pressure to buy could get somewhat intense so be sure you know what you're looking for before going in, and do not be afraid to haggle. Leave a Comment Address: Beginning of central Bay StreetDirections: Beside Senor Frog's and the Colonial Hilton, across from the stop of the number 10 bus
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 Enrtance to the Bacardi Plant by HotSpotJLeave a Comment Directions: South Nassau
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 by Stellaluna
Open 9 am - 5 pm
Save your purchases until the end of your vacation. That way you won't be tempted to go back and buy souvenirs you won't need. Leave a Comment Address: Downtown Bay Street
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The Straw Market is located at the west end of Bay St and makes for a nice stroll around. There are well over 100 different vendors selling all kinds of goods from woodwork to T-shirts. Some of it's nice, some of it is tourist rubbish. You can watch some of the craftspeople carving wood or weaving straw. The market can become crowded when the crusie ships are in port and it can be a bit difficult to get around as the aisles are narrow. Leave a Comment Address: W Bay St
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The Straw Market. This was the first place we went when we arrived. It is a unique 'open air type' market where locals display their wares, including many straw type products. We did not purchase anything and it has been awhile - so I do not remember costs and if there were bargains. It was worth walking through.
People were very friendly. The town was very colorful and has a British infulence. Leave a Comment
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This is the first "sight" you will come to .... if you have managed to avoid the horse drawn surrey trip!
I would say that if you need 5 minutes to look at a map, get your bearing etc... it is better to come into the market and do that than stay outside where you will be badgered by everybody!
The market is a great place for straw goods. The top sellers are hats, dolls, bags and baskets but you have to be careful. There is a decline in basket-making throughuot the Bahamas and they have started to import from the Far East - you will probably be able to tell which ones these are because they are considerably cheaper in price.
It's a good atmosphere if you are not feeling too harassed! But then again the women who run the stalls are so enthusiastic and friendly, regardless of whether you turn them down their sale or not, that it is hard to remain aggitated!
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You haven't been to Nassau, Bahamas if you do not go to the Straw Market. Lots of keepsakes to buy, also lots of haggling. So don't settle for the first price you here, bring it down a bit.
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 by Alicja1Leave a Comment
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