Rawson Square, Nassau

Rawson Square was named for Sir Rawson William Rawson, who was Governor of The Bahamas in the 1860s. Rawson Square is often the first stop for cruise ship passengers.

Rawson Square is a charming destination with cobblestone paving and colonial-style government buildings. The Churchill Building is on the south side of the square, and visitors can find horse-drawn surreys on the west side of the square. There's also a pavilion for open-air hair-braiding.

Rawson Square has a bronze bust of Sir Milo Butler. Butler was sworn in as the first Bahamian governor of an Independent Bahamas in 1973. Rawson Square also features a fountain named for the first Bahamian Minister of Tourism, Sir Stafford Sands. In addition, a life-size bronze statue features a woman holding a child and celebrates Bahamian women.

Visitors will also find a monument honoring Christopher Columbus. The Christopher Columbus monument was erected in 1992 during the Bahamas Quincentennial Celebrations.

Visitors can pose for pictures underneath a "The Islands of The Bahamas" sign with the historic cruise ship port in the background.

Rawson Square hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. Junkanoo festivals are held the day after Christmas, on New Year's Day, and during the summer. During Junkanoo, the square is packed with residents and tourists taking part in a vibrant parade.