Just some hours from the East Coast, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is a perfect Caribbean getaway. The water is good blue, the seashores are excellent, and there may be an unbelievable number of good meals choices. From historic websites to dazzling views to actions that may get your adrenaline pumping, there are many enjoyable issues to do in St. Thomas.
We’ve visited St. Thomas a number of occasions previously however at all times on cruises. We not too long ago had the possibility to discover the island in depth to see extra of what there may be to do on this lovely place. Right here’s a take a look at a few of our favorites.
See the view at Mountain High
Probably the most in style points of interest, particularly for cruise ship passengers, Mountain High has a number of claims to fame. At 2,100 toes above sea degree on the highest of St. Peter Mountain, its most notable function is its beautiful views. You may see not solely Magens Bay seashore under, however views prolong all the best way to Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.
Mountain High additionally payments itself because the island’s largest present store. There are many memento t-shirts, seashore luggage, and extra, typically at decrease costs than different locations on the island. After shopping, we wish to benefit from the view whereas sipping a banana daiquiri made on the bar the place it was invented within the Fifties. Big indicators overhead proclaim that over 7 million have been offered right here, although it’s absolutely greater than that.
Go to Emancipation Backyard
Emancipation Backyard commemorates the liberating of enslaved folks in St. Thomas by the Danish governor on July 3, 1848, 15 years earlier than the Emancipation Proclamation did the identical within the US. A commemorative plaque and a bronze bust of a newly freed man blowing a conch shell mark the placement, together with a small duplicate of the Liberty Bell.
Positioned close to Charlotte Amalie’s waterfront, the park supplies a shady place to take a break close to a number of the in style websites. All year long, it’s the location of particular occasions, together with the inauguration ceremonies for the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Emancipation Day festivities. At Christmas, the park is stuffed with lights and decorations, making it a should see through the holidays.
Climb the 99 Steps
The hills rising round Charlotte Amalie are filled with steep streets. Maybe essentially the most visited by vacationers are the 99 Steps, which have been constructed by the Danes within the 1700s.
Truly clocking in at 103 steps, the 99 Steps are probably the most well-known landmarks in St. Thomas. Not removed from historic Fort Christian and the Emancipation Backyard, they lead guests to a pleasant view of the island and near the foot of Blackbeard’s Fortress, although that Nationwide Historic Landmark is at the moment closed.
Chill out on the native seashores
Visiting the island’s beautiful seashores is among the greatest issues to do in St. Thomas. Our favorites vary from a pristine park with white sand at Lindquist Seaside to the vacationer favourite Magens Bay Seaside, which options rental chairs and a full seashore bar and restaurant. Some spots like Coki Seaside supply possibilities for excellent shore diving, or you may head to Sapphire Seaside for snorkeling and beautiful views. We’ve been to all 4 of those seashores (and extra) and promise that it’s exhausting to go flawed right here.
Go snorkeling
Practically each seashore on St. Thomas gives an opportunity to see one thing distinctive just some yards from shore, so it’s an ideal place to go snorkeling. Relying on how busy the seashores are and the way deep the water is, plant and animal life differ, however there’s nearly at all times one thing cool from sea urchins and mind coral to sea turtles and stingrays. Now we have essentially the most flexibility touring with our personal snorkels, however just a few of the seashores supply hourly snorkel rental for many who need to discover.
To dive right into a bit deeper water, try a number of the catamarans that provide snorkel excursions from the island. We went with the VI Cat, which gives a number of snorkel and seashore excursions.
Zip line above the bushes
Should you’re on the lookout for a bit journey, head to Tree Limin’ Excessive ziplining, the primary zipline park within the Virgin Islands. This expertise isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, as you zip as much as 35 miles per hour above the bushes.
Tree Limin’ has six ziplines and two sky walks that may get your adrenaline pumping. Even on overcast days, they supply unbelievable views of Magens Bay, Jost van Dyke, Tortola, and past. It’s a should do for teenagers or anybody on the lookout for a little bit of a break from the seashore. We felt protected the entire time and liked seeing the island differently. Plus, the guides are tremendous pleasant and humorous.
See the vegetation at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Backyard
For over 20 years, the gardens at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Backyard have been cultivated to showcase orchids, bromeliads, tropical bushes, and different Caribbean vegetation. Now open to the general public, the backyard educates guests in regards to the tropical vegetation and conservation strategies.
As you wander by way of the 2-acre backyard, there are many locations to sit down and respect the pure magnificence. A few of the spots even have views of neighboring Tortola and St. John in addition to the cruise ship harbor. With vegetation blooming all 12 months lengthy, there isn’t any dangerous time to go to this lush location.
Seize a drink in a car parking zone
Should you’re questioning what to do in St. Thomas at evening, head to Crimson Hook, which is filled with plenty of nice eating places and enjoyable locations for going out. Probably the most distinctive is Duffy’s Love Shack.
Duffy’s, a enjoyable tiki bar that serves meals, is within the car parking zone of a strip mall proper within the coronary heart of downtown. You may eat exterior within the car parking zone or inside the place you’re more likely to discover bubbles coming down from the ceiling and an animated shark shifting round a minimum of a while throughout your go to. It’s an expertise to not be missed. We appreciated it a lot that we went a number of occasions.
Discover the bounty on the Pirates Treasure Museum
In its centuries of maritime historical past, 1000’s of voyages have began and ended on the shores of St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands, however not all of them have made it safely. Reveals on the Pirates Treasure Museum embody gadgets recovered from close by shipwrecks and educate guests in regards to the know-how used to search out and get better wrecks. There are many participating tales from survivors of doomed ships and many pirate lore to maintain you entertained. (The museum’s opening hours comply with the cruise ship schedule.)
Go to Coral World Ocean Park
Proper subsequent to Coki Seaside, Coral World Ocean Park exhibits guests the thrilling world of the ocean up shut. Its signature Underwater Observatory Tower goes 20 toes under the floor of the water, letting you are feeling such as you’re SCUBA diving whereas seeing sea life in a singular method.
Coral reef tanks and an enormous aquarium additionally permit guests to Coral World to see sea turtles, sea lions, plenty of fish, coral, and sharks. These serious about getting a better look can attempt a sea trek expertise–strolling on the ocean flooring with an oxygen-filled helmet. Notice: we by no means endorse actions that contain interacting with sea life in a method they wouldn’t behave within the wild resembling swimming with animals.
Go to Fort Christian
Probably the most historic points of interest in St. Thomas, Fort Christian was first constructed within the 1670s. Named after Danish King Christian V, the fort was designed to offer protection for the island.
Over the centuries, the construction and objective of the fort advanced, and it grew to become police headquarters of the Virgin Islands and a jail. Right this moment, the purple and white Gothic revival construction is a Nationwide Historic Landmark that includes a museum stuffed with interval furnishings and historic paperwork and images that inform the story of the island.
See the St. Thomas Synagogue
The St. Thomas Synagogue—formally named Beracha Veshalom Vegimulth Hasidim, which means Blessing and Peace and Loving Deeds—is the second-oldest synagogue within the Western Hemisphere. The congregation began with simply 9 Sephardic Jewish households and dates from 1796.
The present synagogue was inbuilt 1833 in the identical location as earlier buildings. On the common excursions, guests can see its distinctive historic options, together with its domed ceiling with European chandeliers, mahogany pews, and the Menorah, which dates from the 11th century. Uniquely, the constructing’s flooring is roofed in sand, symbolic of the desert the place the Moses and the kids of Israel wandered for 40 years.
Discover the underwater world on a SCUBA Dive
Dozens of breathtaking dive websites line the waters off the coast. Whether or not you’re serious about getting SCUBA licensed or are a sophisticated diver, there are many choices from newbie’s lessons to wreck dives.
We dove off Coki Seaside and noticed essentially the most colourful coral we’ve seen anyplace on the planet together with sharks, sea turtles, eels, and all types of fish. The surroundings is attractive and the water is heat, so it’s exhausting to ask for something extra.
Have a pint at Leatherback Brewing
To pattern some beer from the islands, head to Leatherback Brewing Firm. Brewed with Caribbean grown components, the beers at Leatherback are made each in St. Croix and in St. Thomas at Havensight Plaza not removed from the cruise port.
A celebration of life within the Caribbean, the signature beers are Seaside Life, Island Life, and Reef Life. With these beers and a collection of different ales, IPAs, hefeweizens, and extra, Leatherback has a broad providing. The taproom has plenty of seating and is a good place to get out of the solar.
See Frederick Lutheran Church
Based in 1666, the Frederick Lutheran Church is among the oldest establishments on the island. The present constructing, which was devoted in 1793, has survived disasters and been repaired and transformed through the years. It stays one of many oldest frequently used buildings in St. Thomas and is price a cease while you’re downtown.
Take the Skyride to Paradise Level
Rising to 700 toes above sea degree, the Skyride to Paradise Level supplies sweeping views of the island. It’s an attractive place to go to any time however is very in style at sundown. On the prime, guests will discover the well-known Bailey’s Bushwacker cocktail in addition to PRIME at Paradise Level, a steakhouse that is among the prime eating places on the island. For shorter strains, plan to go earlier within the day.
Seize a espresso at Virgin Islands Espresso Roaster
Virgin Islands Espresso Roasters is a small batch artisanal espresso roaster whose espresso ensures a scrumptious drink (and caffeine repair!) throughout the island. Their beans are roasted and packaged on St. Thomas for optimum freshness.
Virgin Islands Espresso Roasters has a restaurant proper close to the cruise port the place guests can attempt their espresso alongside snacks like ice cream and Belgian waffles and different drinks like fruit teas and regionally brewed espresso beers. Should you can’t make it to the cafe, their beans are used at espresso outlets and eating places everywhere in the island, so look out for his or her signal.
Go to Water Island
A 7-minute ferry journey from the Crown Bay Marina will take you to the shores of Water Island, the smallest of the US Virgin Islands. A lot smaller (and customarily quieter) than St. Thomas, a go to right here appears like a getaway out of your trip.
Lease a chair, seize a cocktail from Dinghy’s Seaside Bar, and settle in for a calming day among the many waves. Sea turtles feed on sea grass just some yards from shore, so carry your snorkel to look at them of their pure habitat.
Laura Longwell is an award-winning journey blogger and photographer. Since founding Journey Addicts in 2008, she has written a whole bunch of articles that assist over 3 million folks a 12 months get essentially the most out of their journey. In that point, she has visited almost 60 international locations on 5 continents, typically returning to favourite locations again and again. She has a deep love of historical past, uncovering sudden points of interest, and attempting all the nice meals a spot has to supply.
Along with Journey Addicts, Laura runs a website about her hometown of Philadelphia—Information to Philly—which chronicles distinctive issues to do and locations to see round southeastern Pennsylvania. Her journey ideas and recommendation seem throughout the online.