WOW! There is really no other word to describe this property. Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, only a short drive, ride or ferry from Nassau), the Atlantis is one property not to be missed. Whether it would be staying there as a guest, or merely touring the property on one of their tours, (available every 15 minutes at the resort for a fee - and often offered as excursion on cruises ships), this is one spot you and your children, (or even you without your children), will truly enjoy.

We arrived in Nassau by cruise ship, and then opted to share a cab ride over to the resort.(The cab fare for sharing is $4 each, we heard the ferry is $3 - but the ferry involved some waiting and walking).

The Atlantis is so large you would need to stay there many days in order to see the entire property. BUT, the tour is definitely fun because it highlights the property and its 11-million gallon marine habitat which includes the Ruins Lagoon, Shark Lagoon, Stingray Lagoon, and more! They claim to have over 200 sea species, or 50,000 individual animals. There property is as expansive as most aquariums here in the United States. They also feature an attraction named, "The Dig". The theory behind this is that Atlantis actually did exist, (by the end of the tour you aren't so sure it didn't), and this attraction is an imaginative, full-sized depiction of the ruins of Atlantis.

If you are lucky enough to be a guest of the property, you will certainly want to try one of the many water slides located there. My absolute favorite was named "The Serpent", in which you take a corkscrew slide 48 feet up thru the blackness of the Mayan Temple and emerge through a tunnel in a "shark viewing" place. (Basically you are in a clear tube with Sharks swimming all around you - too cool!!!!).

For kids staying on property, the Atlantis and Discovery Channel have hooked up to provide, "Discovery Channel Camp at Atlantis" for kids ages 4 to 12. Unlike many babysitting-type camps this camp gets your kids thinking while they are having fun with science experiments, animal touch tanks, computers, nature crafts and more! There is a fee, and reservations are strongly suggested. They offer a variety of sessions, so if you want your child to be part of the camp from 9am - 10pm or any mix of sessions in between they can accommodate you. (So you can head off to the casino, or spa, or just relax without the kids). Babysitting in room is also available. For younger children they are offering a special, "Mommy, Daddy and Me" program and Thursday - Saturday evenings from 6pm - 9pm they feature the Seagrapes Circus with jugglers, balloon artist, face painters, stilt walkers and clowns.

I could easily go on and on about the joys of the Atlantis. They have one of the best websites I have ever seen, make sure you check it out at www.Atlantis.com - fun for you and the kids even if you can't make it to the Bahamas. (But we highly recommend you try!). Contact the resort directly for room rates and future information - we did find out the fall is the "off season" and rates are usually dramatically reduced. (Rates can run as low as $185 for off season, but as high as $625 for peak periods). This is important because, while Atlantis is one of the best properties we've seen; it can be quite pricey for your average American working-class family. BUT - if you are saving up to take your kids on a really big trip they won't ever forget you might want to ad the Atlantis to your list of possibilities.