Atlantis Casino, Aquariums & Waterpark

There’s no way to miss Atlantis if you’re staying on Paradise Island or Nassau/New Providence—and if entertainment’s your thing, there’s no reason you should. The resort’s casino is the largest in the Caribbean, with some 90 roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker tables set among giant Dale Chihuly glass sculptures (and a mini-mall full of pricey goods where you can spend your winnings). Equally thrilling are Atlantis’s fabulous indoor and outdoor aquariums: inside, you can walk through tunnels and tanks filled with sharks, jellyfish, tiny sea horses, and huge manta rays; outdoor “lagoons” contain masses of sea turtles and cownose stingrays, and a population of dolphins that survived Hurricane Katrina. The newest attraction is a 63-acre waterpark called Aquaventure, which includes a series of hair-raising waterslides and a mile-long “river” tubing ride, complete with surging rapids. Day passes for nonguests cost $105 ($75 for kids 4-12).

Tip: If you’re bringing the kids to Aquaventure, make sure they’re at least 48 inches tall (the minimum size requirement for riding the slides), and that they wear aquasocks—there are lots of slippery surfaces.