A Resort for All Generations – Atlantis, Bahamas

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Atlantis, The Royal Tower

I’ve found it! A resort that offers bucket list activities for all generations from grandparents to grandchildren from mothers to daughters. With scheduled entertainment, a marine habitat, a water park, and extreme water adventures, my mother, my sister, my daughter, and I all crossed items off of our list while staying at Atlantis, Bahamas. Offering the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, a 63-acre Aquaventure waterpark, and the largest conference space in the Caribbean, Atlantis is a palace fit for a bucket list lifestyle. 

My bucket list reads like Santa’s naughty and nice list. It’s endless with names of places and things that are beyond my wildest imagination. One item has been lingering for years, always being pushed further and further down the naughty list. I started to think maybe it was time I just took it off altogether. Swimming with sharks gave me such a paralyzing fear, that I thought I’d never actually be able to do it but while at Atlantis, I finally overcame my most crippling item. Using a state-of-the-art clear-glass helmet with Sea Trek, I was able walk on the bottom of the Shark Exhibit and get nose-to-nose with the guardians of the lost world of Atlantis.

Sea Trek Walk with Sharks

Sea Trek Walk with Sharks

My sister, Gabriella, is only 11 years old. She’s the youngest of six and the most timid one of us all. While she’s fun, caring, creative, and holds a vast imagination, her adventurous side is not as great as mine. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with age as well, but getting her to step outside of her adventure comfort zone can be a challenge. When she told me that she always wanted to ride a tube down a water slide, I was overjoyed that she was going to do it with me. We dove into The Current, a ride which propelled us through lush, tropical foliage along a mile-long river in an inner tube via water escalators, rolling waves, and extreme rapids powered by master blaster technology. As we were being pulled up the water escalator to ride the water slide through dark tunnels and drop 58 feet to ground level before being propelled up through a water roller coaster of twisting tubes, she had a smile on her face and I was the one bracing myself. Not only did she tick that one off of her list, but I’m sure it led to more thrilling ideas to add in the near future.

The Current, Atlantis, Bahamas

The Current, Atlantis, Bahamas

The Current, Atlantis

Even if Athena has a bucket list, I have no idea what it is. It’s not like she can convey it to me; she’s not even two after all. But when she laid down on the floor of The Dig, a journey through the streets and tunnels of the fabulous lost city of Atlantis with stunning marine life exhibits, I knew that it was a great adventure for her. She watched, wide-eyed, as lobsters, lionfish, grouper, clownfish, jellyfish, eels, piranha, and sharks darted around the tanks and playfully moved about their habitat. She said, “I love you sharky” and “awwww” as she hugged the tank. She may only be a toddler, but she’s taking after her mother already. Prepared for any adventure, she’s always looking to explore as much as possible.

The Dig, Atlantis, Bahamas

My mother is now in her fifties, but if you tell a person’s age by their activity level or passion for life, she might be younger than me. She rode every ride that we wanted, chased Athena up and down the beach, rose early and went to bed late. She was willing to do everything and anything that we wanted during our Bahamas vacation. When she heard that Sherri Shepherd was performing live in the Atlantis Theatre, she asked for one bucket list experience for herself. She was like a kid asking her parents to go to Disneyland. She was sitting down and looked up at me, “Sherri Shepherd from The View is performing here tonight. I can’t believe it. If there was anyone that I could meet or see, it would be her. Can we go, please?” I would have gone regardless, but it was a pleasure to do something for my mother. She had done so much for me during the vacation, and my entire life, that it felt better to go with her than anything else I did while in Atlantis. (Maybe not walking with the sharks, but you get the idea.) We both laughed from start to finish. Both Sheri and Caroline Rhea were hilarious and my mother could easily relate to the punch line of most of the jokes. We laughed all the way back to our room after the show and as my mother drifted off to sleep, she said, “Thank you, Lesley. I haven’t had that much fun in… a can’t remember when.” I didn’t tell her, but I almost started to cry.

Sherri Shepherd - Atlantis

We experienced a bucket list getaway for the generations; one that brought us even closer as a family and as bucket list seekers. Being surrounded by family reminds me to live in the moment and enjoy every second of the day. From exploring the underground tunnels and marine habitats to walking with sharks, we found bucket list activities in every section of Atlantis.

52 thoughts on “A Resort for All Generations – Atlantis, Bahamas”

    • Thanks, Mike! We’re still talking about which parts were our favorite and thinking about how much the rest of our family would love it at Atlantis. My brother and my husband would be even bigger fans, if that’s actually possible. Hopefully we’ll all be able to go back again soon.

      What’s your favorite resort/hotel? Do you have one?

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      • One of the many reasons I find your blog interesting is the fact that your adventures are a lot different than mine. You’ve opened my eyes to different travel possibilities especially in regards to vacationing at resorts. I really don’t have a favorite resort although I have a home in Thailand, so I would probably say that is my favorite place!

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      • We travel in Canada mostly, our biggest trip thus far was to Mexico last year. I am based in Winnipeg and would love to make it out east and visit your home on the coast one day. I have been out west to Vancouver and the Island a few times but never further East than Ottawa in Canada.

        If I may ask how do you get to all of these nice places is it all your writing?

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      • We booked a great deal and got a free trip to the breakfast buffet every morning. That was very yummy. It’s a toss up between the water slides and the miles of aquariums.
        Oh, and then there’s the casino, Mesa Grill, dolphin encounters… phew! Definitely too much fun for all ages.
        If you didn’t get a chance, next time I would recommend going into Nassau. There are a lot of fun hikes and shops there, too!

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  6. Lesley this will be one o my favorite posts of yours. Perhaps because I am in my fifties I can relate to the joy of spending time with my adult daughter on such a wonderful getaway. Such a lovely description of your special time with family.

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    • It was the first time in more than ten years that my mother and I were able to travel together. Even though we spend lots of time together on a regular basis, I felt like I missed her… if that makes sense at all. It was great to just hang out together.

      Do you and your daughter get away together often?

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      • It does make sense Lesley. My daughter and Itry to get away for an annual trip and have since she was in her early teens. This year we are taking both ‘kids’ and partners to Jamaica. Should be great fun!

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  10. Speaking as a Mum and a Granny, it is so special to spend real time with your grown-up daughter and her little daughter. I can imagine your Mum’s delight to spend such precious time with her daughters and her Granddaughter. My love to you all 🙂

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  11. My husband and I were talking about a cruise to the Bahamas just yesterday, and your post has convinced me to follow through with it. And by the way, since I’m in my 60’s now (how did that happen so quickly??), I can well understand how your mother wanted to do all those things even if it meant getting up early and going to bed late. She wants to live her life to the absolute fullest.

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  12. It’a great to hear about your adventures as a family, I too remember mine not with my mum unfortunately as she had passed away by the time my first born was two but with my Mother in Law. She was a fun lady.:-)

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      • What can I say – My mum was a lady who gave up a lot to care for my sister and I as children. My father was ill when i was little, pretty much until the end of his life and my Mum always had the job of caring for all of us in different ways. It was an honour to know her, spend time in laughter with her and the love she shared with us I still miss today – especially at christmas time which she loved and held dear. 😉

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      • My daughter LOVED it…Senior high school trip. My son was 16…I think it probably is a good place like you said for a multi-generation trip.
        My son wanted to go to the Casino..couldn’t and he didn’t want to go to the “teen club”
        I found all the restaurants very overpriced, and the rooms mediocre. We stay on the “concierge level” of the Royal Towers Hotel.

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      • Hi Lesley,
        We loved the service, the restaurants are amazing including an underwater one with a massive glass wall they give you a shawl if you are a little cold, then there is a massive aquarium wall to admire, the rooms were very nice, my two favourite things were the water park lots and lots of fun (top tip put suncream on your knees!!) i got burnt as were often in hoops etc in the water like you show on your pics. My top thing was we swam with dolphins!!! Totally amazing!!! I will put some pics on my blog at some point and let you know xx

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  19. I’ve got Atlantis pinned on our travel map as a must visit! We saw it when our cruise stopped in Nassau, but we decided to explore the city and go scuba diving instead of taking an excursion over to the resort. We figured there would be too much to do for just a brief visit and your post shows that we were right! Looks like you had an amazing time!

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  21. I’ve nominated you for a Liebster award. This is not Spam. Please check out my blog, electrichaggis.com, for details. Have a good evening.

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  22. Thanks for checking my blog out. Looks like you had a great trip, will be keeping an eye on your blog for vacation ideas. I live in Chile and I hope visiting this country is on your list!! Take care!

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  28. Pingback: 2014 Bucket List | Bucket List Publications

  29. Pingback: Traveling and Children | OregonMike (Michael Melville)

  30. Pingback: 2014 Bucket List Update | Bucket List Publications

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