Graycliff Chocolatier
Family of 4
Chocolate factory tour and class: $54.
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Best Ages
4 and up
About
Graycliff Chocolatier is one of those unexpected Nassau gems that turns a regular vacation day into a core memory. Set on the grounds of the historic Graycliff Hotel — a gorgeous colonial mansion that dates back to 1740 — the chocolatier offers interactive bean-to-bar chocolate-making classes that are genuinely engaging for both kids and adults.
The experience runs about 1. 5 to 2 hours and begins with a tour of the small chocolate factory where you see raw cacao beans from local Bahamian farmers being roasted, ground, and processed into chocolate. The guide explains each step in a way that's accessible for kids without being dumbed down.
You'll sample chocolate at different stages of production — from bitter raw cacao to the finished product.
The main event is the hands-on chocolate-making class. Each participant gets their own workstation with molds and a pot of tempered chocolate. You pour, decorate with your choice of toppings (everything from sea salt and coconut to sprinkles and cookie crumbles), and create a custom chocolate bar that goes home with you in a nice presentation box.
Kids absolutely love the creative control, and the instructors are patient and encouraging with younger participants.
For families, this is an ideal rainy-day activity or a cool midday escape from the Nassau heat (the classroom is well air-conditioned). It works best for kids ages 4 and up — younger children can attend but won't be able to fully participate in the hands-on elements. The 9:45 AM session tends to have the smallest groups.
At $54.95 per person, it's not the cheapest activity, but you're paying for a hands-on experience, expert instruction, chocolate samples, and a take-home product. Book at least 24 hours in advance through their website — same-day availability is rare when cruise ships are in port.
The Graycliff property itself is worth exploring. The gardens are lush and historic, and the main hotel building has a fascinating history (it was once a pirate garrison). If you have time, peek into the cigar-rolling facility next door — it's free to watch the rollers at work.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Indoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Book the 9:45 AM class for the coolest temperatures and smallest groups. Classes also run at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Wait Times
By appointment only. Book at least 24 hours in advance — same-day spots fill up when cruise ships are in port.
Nearby Food
Graycliff Restaurant (fine dining, on-site) serves lunch. The Pirates of Nassau Museum area has casual restaurants on Bay Street. The Straw Market food stalls are a 5-minute walk.
Why Kids Love It
What kid doesn't want to make their own chocolate bar? Graycliff Chocolatier is housed in a gorgeous colonial-era building on the grounds of the historic Graycliff Hotel, and the chocolate-making class is hands-down one of the most fun rainy-day activities in Nassau. Kids learn the bean-to-bar process — seeing raw cacao beans, watching them roast, and then creating their own custom chocolate bars with toppings of their choice.
The classroom is set up so every person has their own workstation with molds, tempered chocolate, and a spread of toppings (sprinkles, nuts, dried fruit, cookie crumbles). Kids design, pour, and decorate their own bars, then take them home in a nice box. The instructors are playful and patient with kids, making the whole thing feel more like a party than a class.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Book the earliest session (9:45 AM) — groups are smaller and the building is cooler
- Kids 4+ can fully participate; younger kids can watch but it's not worth the admission for them
- The Graycliff grounds are beautiful — allow 15-20 minutes to walk the gardens before or after
- Bring the chocolate bars in a cooler bag for the walk back — they'll melt in the Nassau heat within minutes
- Combine with the nearby Pirates of Nassau Museum and Queen's Staircase for a full downtown morning
What to Bring
- Insulated bag or cooler for transporting chocolate in the heat
- Camera for the hands-on class photos
- Cash for the gift shop (tempting artisan chocolates)
- Light jacket (the classroom is air-conditioned)
- Empty stomach — you'll be tasting chocolate throughout
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Chocolate factory tour and class: $54.
95 per person.
Family of 4: approximately $220.
Children 4+ accepted with adult supervision.
Tips to Save
- The factory tour alone (without the interactive class) is cheaper.
- Book directly through graycliff.
- rezdy.
- com rather than through cruise ship excursion desks.
- Kids under 4 aren't charged but can't participate in the hands-on making.