St. Thomas trip with 7 year old
Mar 2nd, 2014, 04:38 PM
#1
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St. Thomas trip with 7 year old
Family is planning a 7 night stay in St. Thomas in October for my 40th birthday.
My 7-year-old daughter will be with us.
We are staying at the Marriott Frenchmen's Cove time share units in a 2 BR villa.
We'd like to visit a few other islands- maybe St. John and Tortolla?
We have never been to the Virgin Islands and would love any input about positive/negative experiences, especially with kids.
I know the Marriott resort has plenty of activities- like snorkeling and night kayaking, which we plan to take advantage of.
Looking for any other great ideas with kids.
Thanks in advance!
My 7-year-old daughter will be with us.
We are staying at the Marriott Frenchmen's Cove time share units in a 2 BR villa.
We'd like to visit a few other islands- maybe St. John and Tortolla?
We have never been to the Virgin Islands and would love any input about positive/negative experiences, especially with kids.
I know the Marriott resort has plenty of activities- like snorkeling and night kayaking, which we plan to take advantage of.
Looking for any other great ideas with kids.
Thanks in advance!
Mar 3rd, 2014, 10:12 AM
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your daughter is a perfect age for coralworldvi.com
the ferry from charlotte amalie to st. john is approx 45 mins or you could drive to red hook (takes about 30 mins from resort) then ferry to st. john in 20 mins.
here's the ferry schedule to tortola, etc link: http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/
if she likes to shop charlotte amalie has great duty free shops in town. on the east end of town there is an outdoor market with tons of booths with crafts, clothing, food, etc which is a lot of fun to walk around.
just across the street from havensight mall (you'll pass it on your way from airport to hotel) on your left, is a small tram. fun to ride and super view from the top of the bay. it's really pretty at sunset - the bay gets all sparkly.
this is new & i have not been but it looks fun: http://www.magicice.vi/
go over to magens bay beach early some morning (early to avoid cruise shippers). it's gorgeous and good swimming) or go around 3pm when they've all left to get back to ships on time.
there is a place called udder delite on the road into magens. they have ice cream cones & shakes. very yummy on a hot day. if you wish you can have a shake with booze in it - i think it's only kahlua but delish.
hope this helps
the ferry from charlotte amalie to st. john is approx 45 mins or you could drive to red hook (takes about 30 mins from resort) then ferry to st. john in 20 mins.
here's the ferry schedule to tortola, etc link: http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/
if she likes to shop charlotte amalie has great duty free shops in town. on the east end of town there is an outdoor market with tons of booths with crafts, clothing, food, etc which is a lot of fun to walk around.
just across the street from havensight mall (you'll pass it on your way from airport to hotel) on your left, is a small tram. fun to ride and super view from the top of the bay. it's really pretty at sunset - the bay gets all sparkly.
this is new & i have not been but it looks fun: http://www.magicice.vi/
go over to magens bay beach early some morning (early to avoid cruise shippers). it's gorgeous and good swimming) or go around 3pm when they've all left to get back to ships on time.
there is a place called udder delite on the road into magens. they have ice cream cones & shakes. very yummy on a hot day. if you wish you can have a shake with booze in it - i think it's only kahlua but delish.
hope this helps
Apr 23rd, 2014, 11:16 AM
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As Virginia said, your daughter is the perfect age for Coral World. You are also near their Butterfly Garden: http://www.butterflygardenvi.com/ They often have deals if you visit both of their locations on the same day.
The night kayaking at the Marriott is great. Also check out the water slide at the Cove (their timeshare property next door, there's a shuttle).
St. John is worth a day. Skip Trunk Bay as it tends to be the most crowded. There are several short hikes and a lot of ruins to explore. The Annegberg Ruins are impressive and easy to access. Look into bringing a car over if you rent, VI Now is very useful for ferry/rental/beach information: http://www.vinow.com/
We highly recommend doing a charter boat rental while you are visiting to see the other islands. We often have kids on the boat and they love it (sometimes they end up napping on the bean bag chairs!). Jost Van Dyke is definitely worth the trip. http://www.aquabluevi.com/
Enjoy your birthday trip!
The night kayaking at the Marriott is great. Also check out the water slide at the Cove (their timeshare property next door, there's a shuttle).
St. John is worth a day. Skip Trunk Bay as it tends to be the most crowded. There are several short hikes and a lot of ruins to explore. The Annegberg Ruins are impressive and easy to access. Look into bringing a car over if you rent, VI Now is very useful for ferry/rental/beach information: http://www.vinow.com/
We highly recommend doing a charter boat rental while you are visiting to see the other islands. We often have kids on the boat and they love it (sometimes they end up napping on the bean bag chairs!). Jost Van Dyke is definitely worth the trip. http://www.aquabluevi.com/
Enjoy your birthday trip!
May 19th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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Agree - don't miss coral world.
Also VI Ecotours is good kayaking (although I think 7 year old would have to pair up with an adult) - http://www.viecotours.com/
Milkshakes on the way home from Magen's Bay - https://www.facebook.com/FamousDelite (great for kids, while adults can get a shot of your favorite liquor in your milkshake - then go home and take a nap : )
St John is perfect for that age group, with many calm and beautiful beaches...good place for a 7 year old to try out snorkeling. I would try Trunk Bay on STJ because it has facilities, but this article mentions some of the other nice ones too: http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com...n-st-john.html
(I just noticed this is an old post...maybe you've already gone : ) - oh well
Also VI Ecotours is good kayaking (although I think 7 year old would have to pair up with an adult) - http://www.viecotours.com/
Milkshakes on the way home from Magen's Bay - https://www.facebook.com/FamousDelite (great for kids, while adults can get a shot of your favorite liquor in your milkshake - then go home and take a nap : )
St John is perfect for that age group, with many calm and beautiful beaches...good place for a 7 year old to try out snorkeling. I would try Trunk Bay on STJ because it has facilities, but this article mentions some of the other nice ones too: http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com...n-st-john.html
(I just noticed this is an old post...maybe you've already gone : ) - oh well
Jul 6th, 2014, 12:08 PM
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Thank you all for your replies!
We are not going until October 2014 so this is very helpful in planning.
I am going back and forth on whether to keep our reservation at Marriott Frenchman's Cove (the timeshare facility) or whether to change it to the adjacent property, Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Resort- due to it being less expensive with more amenities.
Also, I'm a little worried about the thread here about STT crime. We do not plan to be out and about late at night- I'm guessing day time trips into town are no worry?
We are not going until October 2014 so this is very helpful in planning.
I am going back and forth on whether to keep our reservation at Marriott Frenchman's Cove (the timeshare facility) or whether to change it to the adjacent property, Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Resort- due to it being less expensive with more amenities.
Also, I'm a little worried about the thread here about STT crime. We do not plan to be out and about late at night- I'm guessing day time trips into town are no worry?
Jul 10th, 2014, 03:31 PM
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bstorr: Remember that you will have a full kitchen and extra room at the Cove. You can save money by fixing breakfasts, etc. No, daytime trips are not a problem. You can take the Reefer ferry to the waterfront. If you don't want to drive to dinners out, there will be taxis awaiting your every need.;-)
Also, looking back at your initial post, you will need passports if you want to go to Tortola or other British Virgin Islands. Happy planning!
Also, looking back at your initial post, you will need passports if you want to go to Tortola or other British Virgin Islands. Happy planning!
