I've got a friend coming to visit and they asked me what are the things they should do when the get here. This is actually a very common questions that I get maybe once every 2 years 😂. I'm kidding! I only answered this question like once in Yahoo! Answers. Answers went away last year. Too bad. I used to be the top Answerer for the Virgin Islands. I digress. Here's my top 10 list of things you have to do when you're in St. Thomas for the first time:
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| View of the St. Thomas Waterfront |
1. Coral World
Coral World Ocean Park is the closest thing we have to a zoo here. There's a lot going on there too. In the old days there weren't so many options. You just paid admission, walked around, checked out the exhibits and maybe have a bite to eat in the cafe. Now they've got tours, encounters and experiences. Just running around on your own is cool though. While you're there, hang out at Coki Point Beach right next door. Word of advice: It's not a very big beach and if you're there on a Sunday, there's gonna be a party. All. Day. Long. Heard you can get some pretty good local food there too. During the week though, it's pretty chill.
2. Magens Bay Beach
Magens Bay Beach is often regarded as one of the top 10 beaches in the world (in my opinion it doesn't beat Trunk Bay in St. John but more on that later). The beach is so nice we have a whole authority set up to manage it. I only linked the website for reference though. You don't need to plan anything, rent anything or check in with anyone. Just go! There's a small fee to enter, but it helps to keep the beach clean and maintained. If you get the munchies, pick a spot close to the concession though.
3. The Paradise Point Skyride
The Tramway is a scenic experience that isn't to be missed. You may have seen pictures of the view but nothing beats seeing it live and experiencing it for yourself. There are some shops at the top and a pretty nice lookout. Have one of their famous Bailey's Bushwackers while you're there (you'll find those at taste). Paradise Point is also home to one of the most premeire restaurants on the island, Prime. You're gonna want to make a reservation if you're going there. They've got tomahawk steaks!
4. Mountain Top
Mountain Top is a bit of a tourist trap but it's a tourist trap with an AWESOME view. In the old days it was a pretty happening spot. These days you can find some inexpensive souveniers to bring back for your friends. You can still get their World Famouse Banana Daiquiris though! I think it's still worth checking out.
5. Historic Downtown Charlotte Amalie
Downtown is where all the shopping is, but it's also where most of the history is too. I'm gonna cheat and give you this link that lists most of the historic locations you'd want to visit. Up until 1917, this was actually part of the Danish Virgin Islands and you can really see it in the architecture and even the street names that we still use to this day. You can see a lot just walking from end to end (I'd start at Fort Christian if I were you). There used to be a walking tour available but it may not have survived COVID. A map will do just as well. You can find them in the lobbies of most hotels and ports. There's also so great hidden gems in the form of restaurants downtown. I'd suggest one of our oldest, if you like Italian: Virgilio's. One very popular spot is The Greenhouse right in the middle of the Watefront. I don't really hang out downtown very often so there are places even I'm not familiar with. Oh, definitely check out Market Square if you're there during the daytime. There's lots of local crafts and locally grown fruits and vegetables for sale.
6. Havensight
If you came for the Tramway, you can stay for the rest of the area. Havensight is home to one of two cruise ship docks on the island and for a while it was the only one. The Havensight Mall is open for shopping (so long as there's a ship in port...some stores open regardless). The Havensight area is great for bar hopping and restaurants. There's a lot to explore and I'd be hard pressed to cite examples of places you'd like to visit. Looking for videogames and maybe some bowling? Check out Chicken 'n Bowling. Want to drink so island made beers? Tap and Still or Leatherback Brewing is what you're looking for. Want some sushi? Enkai, Beni Iguana's and China King got you covered. Maybe just wanna bar hop? Check out Doghouse Pub, Smooking Rooster, Rum Hut and The Box Bar. Oh and special shout out to Twistt340 for Caribbean food with a....well, twist.
7. Frenchtown
Frenchtown has a small but lively entertainment district mostly consisting of bars and restaurants. I hate to just rattle them off because I know I might miss a few but you've got places like Hook, Line and Sinker, Sea La Vie, Bella Blu, The Pie Whole (brick oven pizza!), French Quarter Bistro, Twisted Cork and Oceana. If you get a chance to be there during the daytime you can stroll through the French Heritage Museum. Frenchtown is also home to Frenchtown Brewing Company. They're open a few times a week for beer tasting and growler fill-ups (you might want to call ahead to find out what time). You can also enjoy their brews at a number of places around the island.
8. Red Hook/East End
Red Hook is party central. No one here will dispute that. In a fairly small area you've got a ton of bars and restaurants and even a bit of shopping. Of course every Friday night there's karaoke with yours truly at Caribbean Saloon. There's stuff going on everywhere though. Places you'll want to check out include Duffy's Love Shack, Bernie's, Hook'd, the very unique Agave/Raw/Pesce combo, Sunny Days Ice Cream Shop, The Easterly, One Pub, Island Time Pub and Senor Pizza. If you're feeling spicy, Red Hook is also home to the island's only Gentleman's Club, Tootsy's. Red Hook is also where you can catch a ferry to visit nearby St. John. This leads me to....
9. St. John
If you thought Red Hook was crazy, Cruz Bay is an ecosystem all its own. I can't say a lot about St. John these days as I rarely visit but there's a lot going on. Some places I can name offhand though include The Beach Bar, Morgan's Mango, Woody's Seafood Saloon, High Tide Bar & Grill, The Tap Room (also home to St. John Brewers locally made beer), Quiet Mon Pub and The Lime Inn. This is just Cruz Bay though. St. John is mostly National Park so you'll definitely want to check that out. That includes Trunk Bay and its famous underwater snorkel trail.Check out the Petroglyphs too.
10. Lindquist Beach
Think Magens Bay Beach, but like the not so famous sister of it. Lindquist is sort of a hidden gem (even though it's run by an authority much like Magens...well actually the same authority). On a busy cruise ship day when you know Magens is going to slammed, this is an awesome second choice. It doesn't have all the amenities of Magens but it's just as good or better.
Honorable Mentions:
- Crown Bay Marina/Crown Bay Center
Those are two different places side by side. Lemme break it down. Crown Bay Marina mostly serves as a dock for yachts and pleasure crafts. It's notable in that one of the island's oldest restaurants is right by the water, Tickle's Dockside Pub. They're pretty famous for their Open Mic Night. If you're there during daylight hours you might be interested in a coffee or gelato from Scoops and Brew. Here is where you can also take a ferry ride to Water Island (see second Honorable Mention).
Now the Crown Bay Center is our newest cruise ship dock and features amenities that seek to compete with the Havensight Dock. It started out pretty sleepy but in recent years activity has picked up here. It's very lively when a cruise ship is docked but there are things going on there during the nighttime as well.
- Water Island
Water Island is a short ferry ride from the Crown Bay Marina. We refer to Water Island as "The 4th Virgin" seeing as it's sparsely populated. The main attraction is Honeymoon Beach. There are other beaches as well. The island has 2 restaurants: Dinghy's Beach Bar and Heidi's Honeymoon Grill. If your in the mood for some light hiking, there are plantation and military ruins on the island.
Well, what do you think of my list? Hopefully I pointed out all the interesting stuff to check out. Just one final note: This list isn't ranked. I just listed things as they popped into my mind. So don't go thinking one's better or less than the others. Leave me feedback on what you think of my list. Until next time!
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