St. Thomas

To explore outside Charlotte Amalie, rent a car or hire a taxi. Your rental car should come with a good map and perhaps a GPS unit; if not, pick up the pocket-size Road Map St. Thomas–St. John at a tourist information center. Roads are marked with route numbers, but they're confusing and seem to switch numbers suddenly. Roads are also identified by signs bearing the St. Thomas–St. John Hotel and Tourism Association's mascot, Tommy the Starfish. More than 100 of these color-coded signs line the island's main routes. Orange signs trace the route from the airport to Red Hook; green signs identify the road from town to Magens Bay; Tommy's face on a yellow background points from Mafolie to Crown Bay through the north side; red signs lead from Smith Bay to Four Corners via Skyline Drive; and blue signs mark the route from the cruise-ship dock at Havensight to Red Hook. These color-coded routes are not marked on most visitor maps, however. Allow yourself a day to explore, especially if you want to stop to take pictures or to enjoy a light bite or refreshing swim. Most gas stations are on the island's more populated eastern side, so fill up before heading to the north side. And remember to drive on the left!

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  • 1. Virgin Islands Children's Museum

    Havensight

    Giant bubble makers, a rainbow-colored gear table, and a larger-than-life abacus are just a few of the interactive exhibits at this indoor, family-friendly, play-and-learn museum. Science was never so fun!

    Rte. 30, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-643–0366

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10, Closed Mon.
  • 2. 99 Steps

    This staircase "street," built by the Danes in the 1700s, leads to the residential area above Charlotte Amalie. Although historic Blackbeard's Castle, at the top, has been closed due to hurricane damage since 2017, the splendid views are worth the trek. If you count the stairs as you go up, you'll discover, as thousands have before you, that there are more than the name implies.

    Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 3. All Saints Episcopal Church

    Built in 1848 from stone quarried on the island, the church has thick, arched window frames lined with the yellow brick that came to the islands as ballast aboard ships. Merchants left the brick on the waterfront when they filled their boats with molasses, sugar, mahogany, and rum for the return voyage. The church was built in celebration of the end of slavery in the USVI.

    13 Commandant Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–0217
  • 4. Brewers Beach

    Watch jets land at the Cyril E. King Airport as you dip into the usually calm seas. Rocks at either end of the shoreline, patches of grass poking randomly through the sand, and shady tamarind trees 30 feet from the water give this beach a wild, natural feel. Civilization has arrived, in the form of one or two mobile food vans parked on the nearby road. Buy a fried-chicken leg and johnnycake or burgers and chips to munch on at the picnic tables. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

    Rte. 30, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 5. Educators Park

    A peaceful place amid the town's hustle and bustle, the park has memorials for three famous Virgin Islanders: educator Edith Williams, J. Antonio Jarvis (a founder of The Virgin Islands Daily News), and educator and author Rothschild Francis. The last gave many speeches here.

    Main St., Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
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  • 6. Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal

    Locally called Tortola Wharf, this is where you can catch the Native Son and other ferries to the BVI. The restaurant upstairs is a good place to watch the Charlotte Amalie harbor traffic and sip an iced tea. Next door is the Charles F. Blair Jr. Seaplane Terminal, where Seaborne Airlines offers service to St. Croix, the BVI, and Puerto Rico.

    Veterans Dr., Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–1629
  • 7. Emancipation Garden

    A bronze bust of a freed slave blowing a conch shell commemorates slavery's end in 1848—the garden was built to mark emancipation's 150th anniversary in 1998. The gazebo here is used for official ceremonies. One other monument shows a scaled-down model of the U.S. Liberty Bell, with a plaque remembering the Virginia-bound English settlers who stopped here in 1607, a month before they established Jamestown.

    Between Tolbod Gade and Fort Christian, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 8. Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Park

    The former Coconut Park was renamed in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. It's a great place to put your feet up and people-watch. Five granite pedestals represent the five branches of the military, bronze urns commemorate special events and can be lighted, and inscribed bronze plaques pay tribute to the territory's veterans who died defending the United States. There's also a children's playground.

    Intersection of Norre Gade and Rte. 35, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 9. Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church

    This historic church has a massive mahogany altar, and its pews—each with its own door—were once rented to families of the congregation. Lutheranism is the state religion of Denmark, and when the territory was without a minister, the governor—who had his own elevated pew—filled in.

    7 Norre Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-776–1315
  • 10. French Heritage Museum

    The museum houses fishing nets, accordions, tambourines, mahogany furniture, photographs, and other artifacts illustrating the lives of the island's French descendants during the 18th through 20th centuries. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

    Rue de St. Anne and rue de St. Barthélemy, Frenchtown, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-714–2583

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, donations accepted
  • 11. Frenchtown

    Popular for its bars and restaurants, Frenchtown is also the home of descendants of immigrants from St. Barthélemy (St. Barth). You can watch them pull up their brightly painted boats and display their equally colorful catch of the day along the waterfront. If you chat with them, you can hear speech patterns slightly different from those of other St. Thomians. Get a feel for the residential district of Frenchtown by walking west to some of the town's winding streets, where tiny wooden houses have been passed down from generation to generation.

    Frenchtown, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 12. Government House

    Built in 1867, this neoclassical, white, brick-and-wood structure houses the offices of the governor of the Virgin Islands. Outside, the bright red Danish-style guard house is a perfect place for a photo. The view of the harbor is picture-postcard pretty from the First Lady's garden directly across the street. The inside of the building is currently closed to visitors.

    21–22 Kongens Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–0001
  • 13. Grand Galleria

    This imposing building stands at the head of Main Street. Once the island's premier hotel, it has been converted into offices, shops, and a deli.

    43-46 Norre Gade, at intersection of Tolbod Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–7282

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Weekdays 8–5, Sat. 9–noon
  • 14. Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas

    The synagogue's Hebrew name, Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasidim, translates as the Congregation of Blessing, Peace, and Loving Deeds. The small building's white pillars contrast with rough stone walls, as does the rich mahogany of the pews and altar. The sand on the floor symbolizes the exodus from Egypt. Since the synagogue first opened its doors in 1833, it has held a weekly service, making it the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag and the second-oldest (after the one on Curaçao) in the western hemisphere. Guided tours can be arranged. Brochures detailing the key structures and history are also available. Next door the Weibel Museum showcases Jewish history on St. Thomas.

    15 Crystal Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–4312
  • 15. Hull Bay

    Watch surfers ride the waves here from December to March, when huge swells roll in from north Atlantic storms. The rest of the year, tranquility prevails at this picturesque neighborhood beach. Enjoy hot pizza, barbecue ribs, and a game of darts at the Hull Bay Hideaway Bar & Restaurant, home of the annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament held each July. Amenities: food and drink; parking; water sports. Best for: swimming; snorkeling; partiers.

    Rte. 37, at end of road on north side, Estate Hull Bay, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 16. Legislature Building

    Its light yellow colonial-style exterior is the face of the vociferous political wrangling of the Virgin Islands Senate. Constructed originally by the Danish as a police barracks, the building was later used to billet U.S. Marines, and much later it housed a public school. You're welcome to sit in on sessions in the upstairs chambers.

    Waterfront Hwy. (aka Rte. 30), Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–0880
  • 17. Lindquist Beach

    The newest of the Virgin Islands' public beaches has a serene sense of wilderness that isn't found on the more crowded beaches. A lifeguard is on duty between 8 am and 5 pm. Picnic tables are available. Try snorkeling over the offshore reef. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude.

    Rte. 38, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $4 per person; $2 per vehicle to park
  • 18. Lindquist Beach

    This public beach has a serene sense of wilderness that isn't found on the more crowded beaches. A lifeguard is on duty between 8 am and 5 pm and picnic tables and restrooms are available. Try snorkeling over the offshore reef. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming; snorkeling.

    Rte. 38, Estate Smith Bay, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-777–6300

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $5, 8-5 Lifeguard on duty
  • 19. Market Square

    Locals gather daily—especially by 4 am on Saturday mornings—at what was once a slave market in the 18th-century, to sell local fruits such as mangoes and papayas, root vegetables, and bunches of fresh herbs. Sidewalk vendors offer brightly colored fabrics, tie-dyed clothing, and handicrafts at good prices. A smaller number of vendors set up shop here all week long.

    Main St., at Strand Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-774–5182

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Mon.–Fri. 9–5, Sat. 5–5
  • 20. Memorial Moravian Church

    Built in 1884, this church was named to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Moravian Church in the Virgin Islands.

    17 Norre Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands
    340-776–0066

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