Secret Harbor · 7, Tours · Boat Tours in St. Thomas · Flavors of St. Thomas Walking. Blackbeard Castle is a collection of sites, national monuments and historic properties on five acres of land, also known as the Williamsburg of the Caribbean.
It is one of the most popular destinations for visitors, whether they are history buffs or not. With some of the properties dating back to the late 17th century, visitors will enjoy all of the famous hilltop sites. The French Heritage Museum has a long and interesting history; the building itself was built in the 1950s as a fire station and, over the years, has been a nursery and health clinic. Hurricane Marilyn damaged the structure in 1995, but the Frenchtown Civic Organization lovingly restored it to its original splendour.
There are several historic sites on the island that visitors can explore, such as the Creque marine railway, the Leprosarium and Shipley's Battery, a defensive fortification built in the 19th century by the British. One of the most exclusive attractions is the Garrison House, a building used as an artillery warehouse and to house weapons, ammunition and military equipment. . In addition to that, visitors will be able to see incredible views of the top of the hill and take great photos at the 5 ½ acre sugar plantation.
Peter Greathouse Estate and Gardens is a picturesque place that has been appreciated since the 1700s and was originally part of Plantation St. Visitors can explore the 2 ½ acre land that is full of tropical fruits, exotic plants and orchids, among other things. The original tower is preserved as a historic structure, surrounded by a patio with a 14-foot bronze sculpture depicting the 18th century pirate. Visitors can access the tower and site from the downtown Charlotte Amalie business district via a historic 99-step stepped staircase, which was built in the mid-18th century as part of the region's urban planning and was formerly known as Store Taarne Gade.
Taxi service is also available to get to the site from downtown Charlotte Amalie. In addition to Blackbeard Castle, three manor houses that are part of the historic site region are preserved, available for exploration as part of guided or self-guided tours. Villa Notman, originally built in 1860, features white cast iron balcony details imported from New Orleans and is an excellent example of the island's colonial period architecture. A large patio on the second floor of the villa overlooks the city's harbor, while the mahogany wooden floors and classic French doors show the comforts of the home era.
The historic 1829 hotel, originally built by French maritime merchants, has a world-famous amber waterfall fountain and houses the restored 1829 bar. The Haagensen House, the restored house of a 19th-century Danish banking magnate, has a Pirate Gallery on its first floor that displays 19 life-size statues of famous pirates. All three properties can be explored as part of walking tours, and admission to the facility includes rum tastings and access to the facility's pools. For visitors who want to spend the night on site, The Inn at Blackbeard's Castle offers 15 rental units as part of a historic pirate-themed property.
The inn's services include a terrace with views of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and free breakfast and rum tastings for all visitors. Free admission to Blackbeard Castle attractions is included in the price of all room reservations. Charlotte Amalie tourists can also access a bar located on the inn's property without paying for hotel reservations. A variety of aroids exhibit large green leaves and include Philodendron, Dieffenbachia, and Zamioculces.
Among the garden's most colorful offerings are bromeliads and heliconias, also known as “lobster claws”. There are more than 3,000 known species of bromeliads. While some are found in West Africa, most are native to the tropical Americas. Perhaps the most popular among garden residents are orchids.
Cattleyas are among the most popular and come in a variety of shapes and colors. Phalaenopsis, also known as moth orchids, are the easiest to grow at home and the type most commonly found in retail florists. Dendrobiums cover more than 1000 species of hard and soft cane varieties. Brasias are epiphytic varieties, meaning they hang on trees, decorate the forest with color and collect most of their moisture from the air.
A list of what is currently flourishing can be found on the Phantasea website. The Gran Casa de la Finca is a classic example of Antillean architecture, restored to its original 19th century historical state. A 2.5-acre Botanical Garden facility is offered on the house's grounds, which formerly housed the facility's sugarcane plantation fields. Today, more than 150 species of plants and fruits native to the Caribbean are on display in the gardens, which offer a nature trail, fish ponds and an observation deck offering views of the surrounding Magens Bay area.
Highlights of the botanical gardens and their adjacent facilities include an orchid jungle, a multi-level wooden walkway, an exhibition of caged toucans, and an art gallery showcasing rotating displays of works by local artists. Free locally produced rum punch is offered to visitors of legal age to drink, which they can consume while strolling through the botanical gardens. Thomas is one of the three main islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands. Saint Croix is the largest of these islands and is about 2 hours from St.
Saint John is located just east of St. Charlotte Amalie is the capital and largest city of the United States Virgin Islands. Its deepwater port was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean. If you're going to be in St.
Thomas, for a few days, you'll most likely see one or more cruise ships parked at the port of Charlotte Amalie. Charlotte Amalie is full of boutiques, jewelry stores and historic buildings. In the city, you'll see Danish influences, with Danish architecture and streets with Danish names. For a small island, the list of things to do on St.
Some things we loved; others were just fine. The first list is our favorite experiences at St. Thomas, things worth doing if you only have one or two days on the island. Then, I make a list of optional things to do.
They are worth it for those who have more time in St. Thomas (or you can skip them and spend more time at the beach). Without a doubt, Magen's Bay Beach is our favorite thing to do in St. Magen's Bay beach is the most beautiful beach on the island.
This long stretch of white sand (just under 1 mile wide) is the perfect place to spend the day. With picnic tables parked under palm trees, paddleboard and kayak rentals, restrooms, a restaurant and bar, and sea turtles that occasionally appear in the water, what else is needed? We visited Magen's Bay three of the four days we were in St. We were here first thing in the morning, at noon and at dusk, and it's great all day. We took the best pain relievers in the United States Virgin Islands at the beach bar (Magens Point Bar and Grill) in Magen's Bay.
So if you do something in St. Thomas, visit the wonderful Magen's Bay beach. Mountain Top is the highest peak in St. From here, you get a spectacular view of Magen Bay.
To get here, it's very windy by car to St. Walk through the huge tax-free gift shop to head out to the terrace, where a breathtaking view awaits you. Thomas, with views of Magen Bay and the smaller islands that lie on the north coast. It is quick and easy to visit and is located very close to another spectacular viewpoint, the Charlotte Amalie Overlook, mentioned below.
This viewpoint is located just around the corner from Drake's Seat, but since it overlooks the south side of St. Thomas, the view is completely different. Now, you're looking at Charlotte Amalie, Water Island, and Hassel Island. From Paradise Point, you get one of the best views of St.
There are two ways to get here. The easiest and most picturesque way to get here is to get on the Skyride. This small gondola takes visitors from the east end of Charlotte Amalie to the viewpoint. During our visit, the Skyride only seemed to be working when there was a cruise ship in town.
Of the four days we were in St. Thomas, the Skyride only worked one of those days. Therefore, you will most likely have to get to Paradise Point by car. Numerous boutiques and jewelry stores line the main street (Dronningens Gade) in Charlotte Amalie.
These tax-free stores sell Swiss watches, loose gemstones, perfumes, Dutch chocolate and jewelry. It's a beautiful area of the city for walking. Explore the main street and take the detours to the back alleys, where you'll find quiet, shady spots to take a break and some great restaurants. Our favorite restaurant in this area is Greengo's Caribbean Cantina.
They have a tequila bar and the tacos and canteen are fantastic. This small and pretty beach is located at the eastern end of St. This is a great place for swimming and diving. Sitting right on the beach is Sunset Grille.
From here, you can order lunch or dinner, or enjoy tropical drinks. This beach is also home to Harbour Beach Villas, so if you're looking for a place to stay with access to the beach, this is one to consider. There are picnic tables located under the trees. There are also bathrooms, but there are no food or rental services.
Basically, you're visiting a state park with a beach. Bring a picnic lunch, towels and a bathing suit and enjoy the view. This is the most unique beach in St. The mermaid chair is a narrow strip of sand that only appears at low tide.
At high tide, the water covers this beach. Mermaid's Chair isn't just the most exclusive beach in St. Thomas is also one of the hardest to get to. It's a 3-mile round trip hike with 600 feet of total climb.
It's a mostly downhill walk to the beach and a mostly uphill walk back to the front door. For most of the walk, you'll be on a sidewalk, but the last part of the “walk” is along the road. There is very little shade, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. If you like the idea of diving with sea turtles, a visit to Buck Island is one of the best things to do in St.
Buck Island is located 2 miles south of St. Thomas. This island is a protected bird sanctuary and people are not allowed to walk on it. It is surrounded by numerous coral reefs and a shipwreck.
Buck Island Excursions: Visit Turtle Cove. This place gets its name because it's one of the best places to see sea turtles. We use the VI CAT, which departs from Marriott's Frenchman's Cove. This 3-hour tour includes sailing time to and from the island, an hour of snorkeling, plus snorkeling equipment, food and drink.
While we were diving, we had a guide who pointed out sea turtles, corals and tropical fish. On the cruise back to St. Thomas, provided snacks and drinks from the open bar. Of the two tours we did in St.
Turtle Cove was one of the best dive spots we visited while we were in the British Virgin Islands. The tour is very well managed and sailing on a catamaran is a great way to see St. Thomas, if you don't have any other boat trips planned. Visiting Water Island was one of our favorite things to do in St.
As a visitor, you can't take a car to the island, so to get around, you can rent a golf cart for a day. How much fun is that? When you pick up your golf cart, you'll receive a map of the island and suggestions on where to go. The island is small enough that it takes about an hour to visit Limestone Beach and Fort Segarra. The rest of your time can be spent on the beach.
At a minimum, plan 2 to 3 hours on Water Island. It takes about an hour to drive around the island, visiting Limestone Beach and Fort Segarra. You can spend another hour at Honeymoon Beach, having lunch here. However, Honeymoon Beach is a great place to spend the day.
With paddle boards, beach volleyball and loungers for rent, not to mention the beautiful views, Honeymoon Beach is one of our favorite beaches in St. The excellent food and drink at Dinghy's are a nice bonus. For those interested in surfing, or if you just want to visit a quiet, uncrowded beach, put Hulls Bay Beach on your list. Another popular activity in St.
Thomas will tour it by boat. We did this on our first trip to St. Thomas many years ago and we had a great experience. If you prefer to take a private tour, you can take an 8-hour private catamaran trip on St.
The advantages of a private tour are that you can customize your itinerary and spend some time in St. If you're traveling in a group of up to 12 people, this full-day cruise on a luxury catamaran includes both St. Below, we've listed several more things to do in St. Some of them we did, but we thought they were fine (but they're still worth seeing) and others were closed during our visit.
Right next to Coki Beach is the Coral World Ocean Park. Visit the underwater observatory, observe the stinrays in the Stingray Lagoon, see dolphins and sea turtles, and enjoy a hands-on experience in the touch pool, where you can fish for sea cucumbers, starfish and snails. This is another beach that we have heard very well about, but we liked several beaches more than this one. Sapphire Beach is part of Sapphire Vacations, a resort resort in St.
From the outside, this complex looked dilapidated. The beach was great, and from here you have a great view of San Juan. There are also rental facilities and a bar and restaurant, making it a good place to spend the day. However, we prefer Magen's Bay Beach and Honeymoon Beach to this.
This small botanical garden is located near Mountain Top. The highlight for us was seeing the turtles and orchids growing in the forest. This is a quiet, shady and charming place to visit and is well worth it for those interested in tropical plants and seeing the local flora and fauna. The visit here lasts approximately one hour.
In Charlotte Amalie, there are several museums, historic buildings and sites to visit. It's nice to do them, but it's only worth it if you have time in your schedule (you'll need at least 2 or 3 days in St. This museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Charlotte Amalie. Meet the legendary pirates who sailed the seas around the Virgin Islands and enjoy the interactive exhibits.
From what we saw, this is another place that only seems to open when there is a cruise ship in the city. Hours vary daily, so call ahead for scheduled openings. The Thomas Aqua Marine Dive Center offers scuba diving lessons, as well as snorkeling and diving trips to dive sites around St. Thomas has an international airport, the Cyril E.
King Airport, with numerous flights per day. The best way to get around St. Thomas is renting a car. This gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace and reach remote places that are more difficult to reach by public transport.
We rented a car from Avis in Cyril E. King Airport and used this both in St. Most roads are very windy and have no shoulders. However, we found that roads were easier to drive in St.
The Thomas are generally wider and straighter, with fewer obstacles (in St. John, we often saw donkeys, chickens and goats on the roads). If you have plans to visit these two islands, drive through St. Thomas is a good warm-up for Saint John's roads.
December, January and February are high season in the Virgin Islands. Daytime temperatures are colder (in the 80s) and this is the dry season, so it's unlikely that it will rain. As it is high season, hotel prices are higher and beaches can be crowded. June, July and August are the hottest and wettest months to visit Santo Tomas.
Temperatures peak at 90° in summer. This season coincides with the arrival of the wet season and the hurricane season. The peak hurricane season runs from July to October. The months of fall, September, October and November, tend to be hot and humid.
September and October are the wettest months of the year. However, in November, the hurricane season and the wet season end, so this month is a good time to visit it before the arrival of the peak season. We recommend 2 to 3 days in St. This gives you plenty of time to relax on one or two beaches, visit the viewpoints and hike to Buck Island, visit Water Island or take a boat tour of St.
Thomas, visit the viewpoints and viewpoints as you drive to Magen Bay. Spend midday at Magen's Bay beach. In the evening, dine at Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. With a week, you can visit both St.
Read our detailed 7-day itinerary for the Virgin Islands for more information. Located in Charlotte Amalie, this is one of our favorite restaurants. They serve tacos, enchiladas, nachos, margaritas and a very good canteen. This fun place has an odd location in a parking lot, but once inside, the atmosphere is great.
It's an ideal place to enjoy American and Caribbean food and tropical beverages. Located on Water Island, this restaurant is located right on the beach. Here we ate one of our best meals (I loved the Ahi tuna poke bowl). Virgilio's is an Italian restaurant in Charlotte Amalie.
The food is very good and the walls are covered by local works of art. However, Pesce Italian was our favorite place to eat Italian food in St. This restaurant has an excellent location right on Secret Harbor Beach, but we thought the food was regular. If you have any questions about the best things to do in St.
Thomas, let us know in the comments section below. Thomas Adventure Tours: You are guaranteed to have a good time regardless of your choice, as each of them offers an incredible experience for exploring the coasts, the lush tropics and wildlife. The crystal clear waters bathe the warm golden sand of Coki Point Beach, and it is within this beautiful landscape that visitors will live one of the most memorable experiences of their trip to the Virgin Islands. University of the Virgin Islands: This popular monument is a great backdrop for that vacation profile photo.
Now, visitors can explore the public museum dedicated to the rich French culture and heritage found in the Virgin Islands. Johns Fragrance Company has been an integral part of the history of the Virgin Islands for nearly 200 years. Built between 1672 and 1680, Fort Christian is a fort built in Saint Thomas as a point of defense during the Dano-Norwegian government. John's bay oils, which had a unique smell due to the climate and the rich soil, together with the fine rums of the Virgin Islands created a delicious fragrance.
I have read on the Internet that it is sometimes necessary to show a birth certificate as proof of residence when leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands. UU. Whether you're 5 or 95 years old, a visit to Tree Limin' Extreme Zipline Park will be one of the best experiences for visitors to the Virgin Islands.
ThomasGreen Cay Plantation While Green Cay Plantation may not have many attractions, you can go to the surrounding area to see attractions such as Bolongo Bay and Bluebeards Beach. James Vacations Bluebeards Beach Vacations Fort Christian Vacations Cabes Point Vacations 99 Steps Vacations Grand Hotel Vacations Virgin Islands Vacation in the Brewers Bay Legislature Building Brewers Bay Beach Vacations at Mangrove Lagoon Vacations St. Thomas's Red Hook Harbor, Ocean Surfari Fishing Charters, offers incomparable ocean adventures that visitors will remember and appreciate during their vacation in the Virgin Islands. The park was chosen as the best tourist activity in all of the Virgin Islands, a well-deserved award, since adrenaline-filled zipline tours show a side of St.
Thomas Synagogue Hotels near the University of the Virgin Islands Hotels near Skyride to Paradise Point Hotels near Caribbean Genealogy Library Hotels near Frenchtown Hotels near Mahogany Run Golf Course Hotels near Morningstar Beach Hotels near Hull Bay Hotels near Buck Island Turtle Cove Hotels near Great St. .