As you plan your trip to St. Thomas, you’ll probably find that one of your favorite St. Thomas vacation activities is duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie. While shopping and walking the streets of this colonial capital can be a great start to a St. Thomas vacation, tourism in St. Thomas certainly has more to offer than just shopping and dining. From the historic colonial sites scattered throughout the island to the natural beauty of the Caribbean, St. Thomas has something to offer any type of tourist. You and your family can embark on exotic underwater adventures or ride a cable car to the top of a Caribbean peak. The possibilities are endless on St. Thomas.
A family favorite, Coral World Ocean Park features more than five acres of aquariums, pools, hiking trails and observatories. Feeding shows and snorkeling expeditions allow kids to interact with some of the most interesting sea creatures in the Caribbean. For the adventurous tourist, the site even offers paragliding and a swim with sharks program. Also for lovers of marine life, the high-tech submarine tour – Atlantis XV – allows tourists to navigate through coral reefs and observe numerous types of fish, turtles and other Caribbean creatures. Your tour guide will point out interesting and rare species along the way.
Just east of the capital city of Charlotte Amalie is another tourist favorite, Bluebeard’s Castle. Although local legend says that the structure was built by the famous pirate to commemorate his love for Mercedita, the stone tower was actually built by Danish settlers in 1689 as a watchtower for nearby Fort Christian. Connected to this site is the complex known as the Frederiksberg, a residence erected after the colonial government sold the land in 1818. Today, the buildings serve as one of the most unique architectural sites in the Caribbean.
The highest point on St. Thomas, the 1,542-foot peak of St. Peter Mountain, was once used by the US government as a communications station. Today, this overlook features shops and restaurants that overlook Drake Passage, the legendary site believed to have been a lookout for Sir Francis Drake to spy on the Spanish Armada, and the surrounding Virgin Islands. Another great location for that perfect Caribbean view is The St. Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point. The on-site cable car takes you up to 700 feet in less than 7 minutes with stunning scenery along the way. At the top you’ll find a number of fun shops and restaurants, all of which offer stunning views of Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Tillet Gardens is home to St. Thomas’s vibrant local art scene. Formerly a Danish farmhouse, English artist Jim Tillet converted the property into a center for visual and performing arts after coming to St. Thomas in 1959. In addition to being one of the few colonial farmhouses open to the public, Tillet Gardens is filled with paintings silkscreens, jewelry and other handicrafts, all created by the local community. After enjoying a cold drink and snack, check out the event program as you may have the pleasure of listening to a classical music performance. The charming fishing post known as Frenchtown is another great area to visit and relax while on St. Thomas. Settled in the late 19th century by fishermen from the nearby French-Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy, Frenchtown still boasts a bustling fish market. Early in the morning, you can watch the fishermen approaching the shore in their small boats and preparing their catch for sale. Resting on top of a hill in the middle of the city is St. Ann’s Catholic Church, a great place to enjoy a view of the city and the vast Caribbean. Frenchtown also has the beautiful French Heritage Museum with artifacts documenting the French colonial experience in the Caribbean region. A little further off the beaten track is the town of Red Hook, a departure point for many Caribbean ferries and other vessels. Supporting the local marinas are several excellent restaurants and bars, each with unique offerings. Experiencing small towns like Red Hook, plus the capital of Charlotte Amalie and the surrounding countryside, will certainly give you a better understanding of the rich culture and history of this beautiful Caribbean island.