Attractions on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Located on Bluebeards Hill, east of Charlotte Amalie, is Bluebeard's Castle. Local stories state that the structure was built by the pirate Bluebeard for his love Mercedita, however this is no more than a story. The Danes actually built the stone tower around 1689 as a supplementary watchtower to aid the defenses of Fort Christian. It was called Frederik's Fort when originally constructed and is actually on the site of a fortification the first colonists to the island had started. Today the tower is incorporated into Bluebeard's Castle Hotel.

Also incorporated into the hotel is Frederiksberg. In 1818 the colonial government sold the watchtower and surrounding lands to a merchant and in the 1820's the large residence of Frederiksberg was constructed. While the hotel has changed it somewhat;  the columned portico, staircase and parts of the interior retain the original look. Part of the interior is used as the hotel lobby.

The Nisky Moravian Church was established by Moravian missionaries who came to minister mainly to the slave population. Originally built around 1755, the church has had several renovations over the centuries. The walls are made of red and yellow bricks that were used as ballast in ships. Today it houses a church and school.

British privateer Sir Francis Drake, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, is said to have used this spot to spy on enemy ships of the Spanish Fleet passing through what is now called Drake's Passage. You can pull off the road and enjoy the same view from this lookout point. There is actually a bench on the spot... thus the name Drake's seat. Bring your camera.

At 1542 feet above sea level, the summit of St. Peter Mountain is the highest point on St. Thomas. Mountain Top, also known as Signal Hill, was used in the 1940s by the U.S. government as a strategic communications location. Mountain Top is a scenic overlook that houses shops, a dining area and bar and of course a balcony for taking in the breathtaking view of Drake's passage, the British Virgin Islands and beautiful Magens Bay. Mountain Top holds the title for having the original and best banana daiquiris on the island.

Tillett Gardens was once an old Danish farm. While it has been largely changed in order to incorporate present uses; it is one of the few old farm buildings on St. Thomas that is open to the public. It was transformed into a center for local artists and performers by Jim Tillett, an English silkscreen artist, who arrived on St. Thomas in 1959. Tillett described the garden as "a peaceful sanctuary of creativity and wonderment." In the shops at Tillett Gardens, you will find silkscreen prints, paintings, enamel jewelry, candles and many other locally hand-crafted items. There is a lovely restaurant located in the garden. It is a great spot to enjoy a cool drink or have something to eat while shopping for local art. Arts and crafts shows and classical music concerts are hosted at Tillett Gardens throughout the year. Visit the Events Calendar for more information.

Frenchtown is located about a half-mile southwest of Charlotte Amalie. It is popular with tourists and locals for its restaurants and bars. Frenchtown was settled by immigrants from the French Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy in the late 1800's through mid-1900's. Many of the men were fishermen and so the area became a fishing village and is still today. In the early morning you can watch fishermen coming in with their small fishing boats, or cleaning and selling their catches from the jetties and from the Quetel Fish Market. Many of the older French people still speak Creole, a French dialect. In the middle of Frenchtown is a hill crowned by St. Ann's Catholic Church.  A small museum contains several hundred artifacts of historical interest related to the area and to the French community including photographs, pottery, tools and furniture. The French Heritage Museum is located next to the Joseph Aubain ballpark.

Originally the Red Hook area was a little town connected to the rest of the island by dirt roads. Today, it has become a busy village. There are various stores located there, many of which cater to the boating community. Ferries to St. John and the British Virgin Islands depart from the Red Hook Ferry Dock. Many charter boat companies are located in the vicinity as there are numerous marinas in the area. Red Hook is home to several good bars and restaurants.