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St. Croix is an island of many appearances; from dry arid plains to lush green forest to towns of historical importance. There is only one way to appreciate St. Croix's landscape and beauty and that is to take an island tour or rent a vehicle and drive around. Many areas of St. Croix still retain their plantation period names, names that in many ways express the dreams of the owner. Names like Betsy's Jewel, Peter's Rest, Eliza's Retreat, Anna's Hope; others include Prosperity, Profit and Wheel of Fortune. Some 300 great houses and plantations once covered St. Croix. The plantation history and sugar mill ruins on St. Croix are some of the most extensive in the Caribbean. Several of these plantations have been restored into museums, which are open to visitors. St. Croix also offers hiking trails in forest and along coastlines, tours of rum factories, historical sites and much more. Take you time and enjoy the sites St. Croix offers you.
History comes alive when you walk through the beautiful Whim Plantation, operated by the St. Croix Landmarks Society. Located on one of the 300 plantations that once dominated St. Croix’s economy and landscape, Estate Whim Museum illustrates life on a typical sugar plantation. The restored 18th century great house and sugar plantation is a museum that features antiques, photos, plantation tools, historical artifacts, sugar processing equipment and historical records from the Danish colonial period. You can visit the great house, cookhouse, servant’s quarters, wind and steam mills and more on this 12-acre site. Tours offer you a unique look at this well-preserved historically important sugar plantation. This wonderful museum is worth visiting. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday and on Cruise Ship Days from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission for Adults $10, Seniors with ID $5, children between 6 and 12 years $4 and children under 6 are free. . For groups of 10 or more the admission is $5 per person (reservations required). For additional information call (340) 772-0598.
Located in Estate Little La Grange is a building and property that dates more than 100 years ago. It belonged and continues to be in the family of the Lawaetz's. Nestled in a valley northeast of Frederiksted, Little La Grange’s 19th century estate house with gardens offer you old island charm and hospitality. It was converted from a plantation to a dairy farm in the late 1890s by a farmer from Denmark and has been occupied by his family ever since. The house contains old furnishings and heirlooms providing a unique view of Danish life. The Lawaetz family’s Danish West Indian Plantation home borders St. Croix’s lovely 'rain forest'. The home is beautiful and the flower and fruit gardens lovely. Recently opened to the public, the site offers a unique look at life in the Danish West Indies in the early 1900’s. Knowledgeable guides will walk you through the West Indian great house and explain the furnishings, antiques, photographs and the general history of the property. Open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Admission rates: Adults $10, Seniors with ID $5, children between 6 and 12 years $4 and children under 6 years old are free. For groups of 10 or more the admission is $5 per person (reservations required).
St. Croix’s heritage trail traverses the entire island of St. Croix highlighting special sites, historical buildings, churches, flora and fauna and more. If you have an interest in island history, culture and nature then pick up a Heritage Trail map and explore. The trail is one of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails recognized by the White House Millennium Council. It points out more than 200 sites of interest. The St. Croix Landmarks Society provides the map at no cost.
Created among the ruins of an 18th century sugar plantation the Botanical Gardens are a wonderful place to visit. The gardens are planted on 16 acres containing over 1000 species of local and exotic tress and shrubs. An interesting blend of history and flora and fauna awaits you at St. George’s Gardens. A rich history surrounds the location of the gardens as they are built upon a pre-Columbus Indian settlement and the ruins of a sugar plantation. A cactus garden, rain forest trail and beautiful mahogany trees surround acres of tropical garden. A working nursery and a gift shop are available on site.
Since the 1650's the Virgin Islands has produced some of the best rums in the world. Cruzan Rum has been made on location for some 300 years. Tour the rum factory, and discover how our popular local rum, Cruzan, is made. Learn the difference between white rum and gold rum, how varying proofs are achieved, and sample the Cruzan Rum for yourself. Guided tours can be taken on Monday-Friday 9 to11:30 am and 1 to 4:15 pm. These tours of the distillery will explain the role of rum in St. Croix’s history, how rum is produced as well as helping you to understand an industry that started centuries ago.
