Junkanoo Expo Museum
Junkanoo Expo Museum
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Museum showcasing the costumes and floats from the annual Junkanoo parade.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
251 within 3 miles
Attractions
101 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
69 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
3
CH
Indianapolis, IN11 contributions
Mar 2011
This was small museum in the home of the curator. There were a few costumes we were able to try on, and then in the back of the house we made music with cow bells and drums, the traditional instruments of the Junkanoo Parade. This was part of an excursion from a Disney Cruise. It was the most entertaining exhibit we saw in Nassau and the owner and her husband were very welcoming and made the exhibit really fun.
Written March 11, 2011
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.
MyTwoCent s
Orlando, FL451 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Following some reviews here on Trip Advisor and other indirect website notations, we were able to find this GEM of a museum. Royal Caribbean does not sponsor an excursion here, and that is a shame (I believe right now only Norwegian and Disney do!). The tradition of Junkanoo dates back to the slave era, where they were given 3 days off for Christmas to celebrate on their own. The celebrations now include a huge, colorful parade of many Junkanoo teams who all create their own theme and costumes, and march playing loudly on drums, whistles, and bells. There seems to be some confusion on the actual location of this museum, as it has moved over the years. But the one at 31 West Street and Delancy is the one we visited. It is actually on West Street, where Delancy starts/dead ends, about a block just behind and on the same side of the street as the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB). They need a larger space to do justice to this story! (And I believe they are working on achieving that.) The founder, Mrs. Arlene Nash Ferguson, and her family who runs the "Educulture Mini Junkanoo Museum" has a long, close history with maintaining the Junkanoo traditions. The exhibits go from room to room in their repurposed home, and the history is well explained. One room has fantastic examples of each type of material traditionally used to make the costumes – everything from newspaper to sponge! We were there when, in their large back room, they were teaching school children about the tradition. Each made their own Junkanoo hat, and then was shown how to play an instrument. Then we were treated to a mini-Junkanoo parade, as the children marched through every room of the house several times! The owners really take great pride in telling this story, and are more than happy to answer questions. We only paid $5 each to see this, and by the end donated them double that to honor their dedication to their culture. You can tour this place fast, or take your time and really enjoy the intricacy of each costume and read each informative placard. At the port you can see a few examples of Junkanoo costumes, but they do not compare to what you will see here. This was THE highlight of our single day in Nassau – and we also toured the NAGB, Pirate Museum, and Fort Charlotte. We even bought a small Junkanoo mask from the NAGB gift shop as the sole souvenir of our cruise. Fantastic story, fantastic people, fantastic visit!
Written July 24, 2012
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.
HawkeyeFLA
Orlando, FL87 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
Visited Nassau as a port of call on the Disney Dream. I had no interest in things like Atlantis and such. Found a Nassau Forts and Junkanoo tour offered and decided to take it. Glad I did. When we got to the Junkanoo Expo, I really knew I had made the right choice for an excursion. I really wish I could remember the names of our two hosts, but regardless of that, they welcomed us into the museum and proceeded to give us a great history of Junkanoo and what it meant to the islanders. We then got a chance to make our own Junkanoo music and dance some before heading back to the costume display area where we were allowed to try on the various head pieces and pose for pictures. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Nassau and looking for something a bit more historical than truly touristy to check this one out.
Written January 5, 2013
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.
MDTraveler2010
Crofton, MD166 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
The Educulture Junkanoo Museum is at 31 West Street, which is about 5 minutes from the Straw Market and is well worth a visit. I read about this expo on TripAdviser and emailed to confirm the location and hours. The museum director responded and gave detailed directions to the museum. The same director, Arlene Ferguson, gave us a tour of the museum and was very helpful and informative. She shared wonderful stories about the various Junkanoo outfits and gave us a brief history of the Junkanoo festival. At the end of the tour, we took pictures with the Junkanoo outfits and the kids loved it.
The museum takes less than an hour and shows the kids a non-tourist side of the Bahamas. I'm not sure the cost since no signs were posts so I give gave Arlene a donation at the end. Great place.
The museum takes less than an hour and shows the kids a non-tourist side of the Bahamas. I'm not sure the cost since no signs were posts so I give gave Arlene a donation at the end. Great place.
Written November 24, 2012
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.
SEPIKMERI
London, UK248 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
This museum is located at Ivern House, 31 West St. at Delancey St.in the heart of Nassau’s Historic Hilltop, do not get confused with the exhibition at the wharf! My sister lives in Nassau and she took me to visit this amazing little museum. It was filled with lots of colourful Junkanoo costumes. The young girl working there was a wealth of information. She dances at Junkanoo herself so shared her first hand knowledge. We were allowed to try on some hats and play the instruments. The museum was filled with informative posters, telling the history of Junkanoo and other Bahamian culture. This museum is definitely worth a visit and was in fact one of the highlights of my trip. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Nassau.
Written April 24, 2012
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.
ChicBurbs
Chicago, IL48 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
The Junkanoo holiday originated as a day when slaves in Bahama were allowed to celebrate with loud music, extravagant masks & costumes, and dancing in the streets.
This attraction offers Informative & interesting history of the Bahamian culture, and extremely welcoming hosts. Yet, it wasn't "our" thing- you're certainly taken out of your comfort zone by participating in creating loud "music" with various instruments, trying on some of the costumes (if you choose), and walking freely throughout this couple's home.
The space is fairly small (we were among a group of approximately 15 people), all who were trying to see the costumes on display, take pictures, and talk with the hosts. We were taken to a garage space and given various instruments to use to make loud music. Although we were given a first hand look at this culture, I might have preferred simply to read about it.
This attraction offers Informative & interesting history of the Bahamian culture, and extremely welcoming hosts. Yet, it wasn't "our" thing- you're certainly taken out of your comfort zone by participating in creating loud "music" with various instruments, trying on some of the costumes (if you choose), and walking freely throughout this couple's home.
The space is fairly small (we were among a group of approximately 15 people), all who were trying to see the costumes on display, take pictures, and talk with the hosts. We were taken to a garage space and given various instruments to use to make loud music. Although we were given a first hand look at this culture, I might have preferred simply to read about it.
Written February 18, 2014
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.
travellingguyone
Toronto14 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
We just had the oppurtunity of going on a tour to the Jankanoo Educulture that is run by Arlene and her husband Silbert. The do such a wonderful job at explaining the history of Junkanoo and why it is so important to the Bahamian culture. We spent around an hour with them in a group of 15. The museum is in the house Arlene grew up which has a very special atmosphere. WE then went on to see how the coutumes are made and got to take part in what the Bahamians do twice yearly at christmas time and New Year. We got to taste some Junkanoo drinks and each got our own Junkanoo whistle. Then we made so much noise and had a lot of fun. WE got to take some amazing pictures with the Junkanoo headgear. All in all, I would rate this place on a scale of 1-5 a 5, especially if you have small children and also the adults had a lot of fun we got to be kids again. She has a website where you can book ahead, which is what we did. A must do, not far from downtown Nassau, we went on the no.10 bus and she gave us directions on how to get there. You also have the option of attending the whole hour there, but if you don't have time, then you could just do the museum. The entrance fee is very norminal compared to the experience you have there. It is small but very infortmative.
Written February 18, 2013
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.
ibflee
tosa, wi109 contributions
Junkanoo is a celebration in the Bahamas for New Years (also done on Boxing Day 12/26). It is an exciting celebration that draws the whole island together. Expect a never-ending party. The parade lasts from early afternoon well into the night. The parade is free, but you can purchase tickets to assure seating. It is excellent no matter when you get there.
About 50,000 people attend this event and it was standing room only when we got there. There were people of all ages there. I would not suggest bringing kids that are easily scared. Some of the costumes and floats are noisy and scary looking. It is a safe event that is exciting. Be sure to bring your camera and/or camcorder for vibrant pics. I will be sure to post mine as soon as I can loacate them.
About 50,000 people attend this event and it was standing room only when we got there. There were people of all ages there. I would not suggest bringing kids that are easily scared. Some of the costumes and floats are noisy and scary looking. It is a safe event that is exciting. Be sure to bring your camera and/or camcorder for vibrant pics. I will be sure to post mine as soon as I can loacate them.
Written April 19, 2007
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.
Scuba477
Florida325 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
We went here after the free tour and tasting at John Watling's Distillery. This place was amazing. The man and woman who gave the tour were awesome! They answered any and all of my questions. They also explained what Junkanoo is and how it got started. They had amazing costumes from Junkanoo...one was even made from ocean sponges. They also showed us the instruments they use in Junkanoo and gave us the chance to try them out. The coolest part was we got to try three specialty Junkanoo sodas. One was ginger, champagne, a punch one that tasted like pineapple.
Written March 9, 2014
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.
boo2U
Bowie, MD1,174 contributions
Sep 2012 • Couples
What a wonderful museum! We were able to tour the repurposed home by Mrs. Arlene Nash Ferguson herself. She and her family run the "Educulture Mini Junkanoo Museum" she and her family have a long history of maintaining and keeping the Junkanoo traditions alive. The exhibits go from room to room and the history is very interesting, including all the materials used to make the costumes. They are stunning. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it as a great history stop while visiting the rest of the island. Everyone made us feel like family, we were very warmly welcomed. What a great place! it is small so don't expect to spend more than 20 min. going through it, however, we were lucky and were given a tour and history lesson from Mrs. Nash Ferguson so it took a bit longer, something like 30-45 min. very interesting!
Written October 2, 2012
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.
Cterral
26 contributions
Can you tell me the location of the Junkanoo Expo? I see in one place it is near Prince George Wharf and another map shows it about 30 minute walk from the pier off of Market Street. I would love to see this but just can't quite figure out where it is.
Hugook
Gosport, UK133 contributions
Located on West Street in downtown Nassau, next to The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
Ashley Marie
2 contributions
does anyone have the exact address for this place , I'm super interested to go but have read reviews of some saying its by the cruise ship pier and some saying its in the middle of the island?
Hugook
Gosport, UK133 contributions
Located on West Street in downtown Nassau, next to The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing