Top Attractions in St. Thomas
The duty-free shopping capital of the Caribbean features block after block (and alley after alley) of jewelry stores selling precious gems, watches, and more at bargain prices. You will also find the usual souvenir shops, and there’s a market along the waterfront with vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and knockoff designer handbags.
The island’s busiest road (Veteran’s Drive) separates downtown from the harbor, making this an unsuitable area for waterfront dining and drinking. However, the city’s narrow streets, most with their original Danish names, are home to several small specialty restaurants, often housed in historic former warehouses and other buildings.
Historic sites include Fort Christian, which is currently undergoing renovations; the 99 Steps, built by the Danes in the mid-1700s using bricks transported as ships’ ballast; and Blackbeard’s Castle. You can also catch a ferry from here to Cruz Bay, St. John, or a seaplane to St. Croix.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Red Hook
Located on the southeast coast of St. Thomas, Red Hook is known for its ferry service to nearby St. John (20 minutes away, $6 each way for adults) and increasingly for its dining and nightlife scene. Steps from the ferry terminal are an array of restaurants and bars, some on the waterfront (Fish Tails, Big Bambooz, Molly Malone’s), others in strip malls (the XO Bistro martini bar, Fat Boys, and the walk-up Taco Hell stand). One of the best, Duffy’s Love Shack, sits in the middle of a parking lot but hosts a popular dance party and free well drinks for the ladies on Wednesday nights.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Frenchtown
This historic port community just west of Charlotte Amalie is home to the island’s fresh-fish market and a marina where you can charter a yacht or join a kayaking excursion to nearby Hassell Island. There’s also a cluster of great restaurants here, including Hook, Line, and Sinker (facing the marina with a seafood-heavy menu), Bella Blu (known for its schnitzel), Pie Whole (offering outstanding thin-crust pizza), Looney Bien, a Mexican place for reasonably priced tacos and two varieties of homemade sangria, and Craig and Sally’s, which offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Havensight
If you come off a cruise ship docked in Charlotte Amalie, Havensight is the first thing you’ll see—a purpose-built waterfront mall with souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and touristy bars like Hooters and Señor Frogs. However, there are a few standouts: the Pirates Chest offers genuine coins and artifacts from shipwrecks, and Mojo’s is a lively bar with decent drink specials. The Shipwreck Tavern claims to have the island’s best burger, and there’s also the Al Cohen liquor store known for its excellent selection of duty-free spirits, including Cruzan rum.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Yacht Haven
Yachts and mega-yachts dock here for port calls at Charlotte Amalie, disgorging their passengers into Yacht Haven Grande, which features upscale shops selling designer goods. At night, the blue dock lights draw visitors to the Fat Turtle, where drinks and dining are surprisingly affordable. The Friday night dance party is one of the best on the island.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Water Island
Tiny (about 500 acres) Water Island has just 120 year-round residents and is very low-key. This “fourth Virgin Island” is only 10 minutes away from St. Thomas by ferry ($3 one-way), making it a popular day-tripper’s destination. You can rent a bike, lay on the beach, kayak, or snorkel. Stop by Joe’s Beach Bar for a drink. For an overnight stay, rent a tent-cottage at the island’s campground near Honeymoon Beach.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Hassell Island
Historic Hassell Island is tantalizingly close to Charlotte Amalie but has been somewhat inaccessible for years. The U.S. National Park Service is restoring several sites on the island, and eventually, there will be ferry service, but for now, you can visit by way of a kayak excursion that leaves from Frenchtown and includes a guided tour and hike.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Magen’s Bay Beach
One of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean, Magen’s Bay is a stunning stretch of sand on St. Thomas’s north side. Most visiting agree that the small fee to enter is worth it, as long as you avoid peak times when cruise ships are in port.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Coral World Ocean Park
Located between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook on St. Thomas’ Route 38, Coral World Ocean Park is focused on marine life. Basic admission includes access to the park’s Undersea Observatory and various exhibits, with add-ons for special encounters and activities. Visitors can also enjoy swimming and sunning at nearby Coki Beach.
Top St. Thomas Attractions: Buck Island Reef National Wildlife Refuge
Located two miles off the south coast of St. Thomas, the Buck Island Reef National Wildlife Refuge features the historic Buck Island Lighthouse. The main attraction here is the surrounding reefs, which are popular among divers and snorkelers.
