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DiscoverUSVIMagazine.com
Getting to Know St. Thomas
Spectacular beaches, nearly every water sport under the sun, posh resorts and fine dining restaurants are just a few of the attractions that make St. Thomas among the most visited islands in the Caribbean. Add to this the warm island hospitality and a never-ending calendar of special events — from Carnival celebrations to world-class sailboat regattas and sportfishing tournaments — and there are even more compelling reasons to visit over and over again.There’s more to see on St. Thomas than sun, sand and sea. While you’re here, do set aside an hour or two for a historic tour of Charlotte Amalie. Then, arm yourself with a road map, a full tank of gas and sense of adventure for a trip around the entire island by land.
Start a historic walking tour of Charlotte Amalie at Emancipation Garden. Located across from Fort Christian, which was built in 1672 and is currently undergoing extensive renovations, the park is appropriately named in commemoration of Governor Peter von Scholten’s emancipation of the slaves on July 3, 1848. To the north of Norre Gade, or Main Street, is the recently renovated and rededicated Franklin Delano Roosevelt Virgin Islands Veterans’ Memorial Park, with statues commemorating the four branches of military amid grassy greens, shady trees and park benches. The Frederick Lutheran Church sits to the northwest of the veterans’ park. Built originally in the late 1700s, and rebuilt twice in the 1800s following fires and hurricanes, the massive mahogany altar is an impressive sight, as is the overall Gothic Revival architecture.
There are three other houses of worship worth seeing. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, located one block from Market Square, boasts murals painted in 1901 by two Belgian artists and beautiful stained-glass windows that were added in 1960. The St. Thomas Synagogue, tucked behind Back Street on Crystal Gade, is the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and enjoys continuous use with an active congregation today. Sand floors, an 11th-century menorah and four exterior pillars that symbolize Judaism’s four matriarchs are distinctive features. A block away, the St. Thomas Reformed Church looks like a Greek temple from the outside. A huge community undertaking, which included help from people around the world, rebuilt the church after Hurricane Marilyn in 1995.
Walk east to Government Hill, where you’ll find Government House, a neoclassic brick-and-wood, three-story former residence that serves as offices for the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Inside, a gold-lettered, native mahogany-framed plaque lists the names of all governors, those appointed and those elected as of 1970. Call ahead (340-774-0001) to arrange a tour with a deputy administrator. Two doors down, Seven Arches Museum brings back to life the charm of a Danish craftsman’s house. The arched “welcoming arms” staircase, old brick oven and antique mahogany furnishings put you in an 18th-century mood.
To the west on Government Hill, a step-street known as the 99 Steps leads past historic Hotel 1829 to the Haagensen House museum and Blackbeard’s Castle. This route is lined by bronze, life-size pirates.
Charlotte Amalie is a great jump-off point for a round-the-island driving tour. Head east first and stop at the Paradise Point Tramway. This Swiss-built gondola takes you to Paradise Point and a bird’s-eye view of Charlotte Amalie harbor.
Past Havensight, Route 30 narrows as it winds along St. Thomas’ southeast shore. Look for southerly vistas of the Caribbean Sea — on a clear day, you may even spot St. Croix some 40 miles away. Less than 30 years ago, this was a dirt road that meandered out to a few scattered houses. Today the island’s east end, especially the community of Red Hook, is growing fast and is home to most of the island’s boating and resort communities. Day sails, sportfishing charters, dive excursions and ferries to St. John and the British Virgin Islands depart from Red Hook.
Looping west, the Coral World Ocean Park and Coki Beach are sights definitely worth seeing. Coral World is a hands-on park where you can see and touch marine life like sea lions, starfish and even sharks. Coki Beach has a bit of a Coney Island feel with its many open-air vendors selling everything from fried fish and johnnycakes to beach chairs, “fish food” (dry dog food pellets) and the latest Rastafarian T-shirts. Snorkel and scuba diving trips depart right from the beach.
The north shore of the island receives much more rain than the Caribbean Sea side. Therefore, you’ll find the vegetation lusher as you drive west into the mountains.
From the crow’s nest overlook at Drake’s Seat, where English privateer Sir Francis Drake is said to have looked out for enemy ships, you can see Magens Bay Beach and Mahogany Run Golf Course to the north, the British Virgin Islands and Drake’s Passage to the east, and the smaller islands of Inner and Outer Brass off to the west. Check out the view from St. Peter Great House and Botanical Gardens. Originally part of a 150-acre sugar plantation, this attraction today offers a scene of some 15 faraway islands and cays and more than 20 varieties of orchids on an 800-foot nature trail lined by waterfalls, fish ponds and tropical fruit trees.
Back in Charlotte Amalie, reward yourself for braving the hairpin turns with a stop in Frenchtown. Home of immigrants from St. Barthélemy, Frenchtown has many picturesque bars and restaurants and enough good conversation to make you want to stay in the islands forever.
CORAL WORLD OCEAN PARK
Adjacent to Coki Beach
340-775-1555
www.coralworldvi.com
Voted top attraction in the V.I. Get up close and personal with the beauty and magic of Caribbean marine life in a stunning setting. View life on a coral reef from the unique Undersea Observatory. Pet a shark, hand feed a stingray or a rainbow lorikeet! Add-ons include three Sea Lion activities, Snuba Diving, Sea Trek Helmet Dive, Shark and Turtle Encounters, Nautilus Semi-Submarine, and Parasailing. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer schedule may vary.
SOUTHLAND GAMING OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
Over 60 locations, including Crown Bay Gaming Center, St. Thomas and The Parrot Club at Wharfside Village, St. John
340-777-SLOT
www.sgvi.com
WIN BIG JACKPOTS! The slots are the hottest bet in gaming, offering Vegas-style action day and night. Whether in a luxurious resort, a beachfront hot spot, favorite local restaurant or any of the over 60 locations on St. Thomas and St. John, it's sure to be exciting! Millions paid out. Blackjack, Keno, Poker, or whatever your game, the fun doesn't end when the sun goes down — it only gets hotter!
Aquarium and Eco Tour photos supplied by Coral World Ocean Park, St. Thomas.
Find a complete list of activities, island tours and day trips, tour operators, charter boats for dive, snorkeling, fishing and swimming, golf and water sports - right here in our Activities Directory.
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