Hiya!

Have been doing some research on which Caribbean (or other North American island) destination might be the best to consider. Major interests include museums (art, history, natural history), historic houses and other structures (forts, etc.), interesting cuisine (preferably something indigenous to the place), aquariums/zoos, and beaches (but not swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving). Fine with nature based destinations like ponds, arboretums, and parks, but can't do strenuous hiking involving hills or lots of steps. Not into bars or nightlife at all, and neither shopping nor boating nor mingling with the locals is a priority. Needs to be a place with decent and usable public transit (cannot drive anymore) and/or reliable and reasonably affordable tours for nature based destinations, as well as being safe during the day and early evening given a reasonable level of awareness.

Went to Grand Bahama Island (many years ago) and enjoyed it.

Best I can tell, the options coming reasonably close to filling all these needs might include Bermuda, Paradise Island/Nassau, US Virgin Islands, Barbados, Grenada, and maybe St. Lucia. But would like some feedback on these choices, or maybe other destinations. Not interested in Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or any mainland destinations in Latin America at this time.

Many thanks!

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Based on your message, I would say you'll want to totally skip St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Great beaches, but it's very mountainous and most everything has steps or a hike. No public transit that is reliable (the safari busses only want to go from the ferry to the main beaches - not reliable for getting to or from your accommodations - it's car dependent - not public transit). Roads can have steep, hairpin turns. Destinations are not walkable
St. Thomas is slightly easier to navigate, but still no reliable public transportation.
Never been to St. Croix. Much flatter, easier driving is what I hear, but not the best of the 3 islands for tourism.

You've already eliminated all the places I've enjoyed in the Caribbean (for some reason?). Dominican Republic (Sousua, Puerta Plata), Jamaica (Negril). For USVI I've been thru St Thomas to get to St John but that really doesn't fit what you are looking for either.

"decent and useable public transit" is a kinda big ask, as well as "safety".

Honestly sounds more like Hawaii to me.

You might be better off going on a Caribbean cruise. You can take the ship's excursions which would provide transportation to places you want to see.