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While visiting St. Thomas you can take a glimpse into 18th century city planning by walking up or down the 99 steps, view defense structures like a fort, canons and watch towers or learn about local history at museums and historic houses. More on Historical Sights.
How about driving to the top of the highest mountain on St. Thomas for a fabulous view or stopping at the famous Drakes Seat for a stunning panoramic of Magens Bay. You can explore these lookout points and other interesting sites around the island on your own or on a tour with a knowledgeable guide. More on taking an Island Tour.
Perhaps riding a tram to a spot with a name that says it all; Paradise Point. Enjoy the underwater scenery at a marine park or by submarine. Read on to learn more!
Virgin Islands EcotoursKayak from Frenchtown to Historic Hassel Island in the Virgin Islands National Park! Paddle past Danish and British Colonial ruins and Careening Cove. A ten minute hike brings you to Fort Willoughby, a British Fort from the Napoleonic era. Visit the Garrison House and the Creque Marine Railway. Continue kayaking to a secluded and picturesque beach offering a choice of snorkeling with colorful marine life, enjoying a cool dip or relaxing in the shade. A five minute paddle will bring you back to Frencthtown. Departs Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Reservations Required.
Coral World Ocean ParkSpend the day at Coral World Ocean Park, one of St. Thomas’s Greatest Attractions. Get up close and personal with the beauty and magic of Caribbean marine life in a stunning setting. View life on a coral reef from the unique Undersea Observatory. Pet a shark, hand feed a stingray or a rainbow lorikeet! There are several gift shops, cafes and shower facilities. Additional activities include Sea Lion activities, Sea Trek Helmet Dive, Snuba Diving, Shark and Turtle Encounters, and the Nautilus Semi-Submarine. Located next to Coki Beach. Open 9-4 daily, November - May. Summer schedule will vary.
Virgin Islands EcotoursVirgin Islands Ecotours offers the only half and full day guided kayak & snorkel tours of St. Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary & Marine Preserve. Explore the Mangroves on two person easy to paddle sit-on-top kayaks. Explore crystal clear lagoons and a deserted tropical island with hermit crabs races and the famous Red Point Blow hole. Snorkel in an underwater paradise. No experience is necessary. If you only do one snorkel tour, this is it! “It’s fun. It’s beautiful. And from the Professional guides that lead the tours, it’s also educational. It’s ecotourism at its best.” Fun for the entire family! Morning and afternoon tours daily. Reservations required.
Skyride to Paradise PointThe St. Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point, a modern aerial cable car, is your ride to the best sightseeing in the Virgin Islands. The trip is 7 minutes one-way and takes you 700 feet above sea level. Stay at the top for as long as you want and enjoy unique shops, a neat Bird Show (10:30am & 1:30pm), a fun bar featuring the famous Bushwacker, a grill for a nice lunch and fabulous panoramic views of cruise ships, Charlotte Amalie harbor and neighboring islands. Open 9am-5pm; Tuesdays 9am-7pm and Wednesdays 9am-9pm. Roundtrip: Adults are $21. Children 6-12 are $9.50, and kids 5 and under are free! Open ship days. Call for summer operating schedule. Open every Mon-Tues 9AM-5PM, Weds 9AM-9PM Other days vary. Sunset Party every Weds 5PM-9PM.
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.
Drake's Seat 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.
