Places to Visit - Things to See and Do

Frederiksted

Fort Frederik - dates back to the 1700's and is Governor General Peter Von Scholten read the site where the proclamations abolishing slavery in 1848.
It holds a museum and art gallery and is open weekends from 8:30 am to 4 p.m. Admission free, but a $1 donation from adults is welcomed

The Market Place - an area of narrow streets and alleys which is one of the best places to appreciate the city's architecture. Many shops are located along this area.

Other interesting buildings include the Old Customs House and Victorian House.

Christiansted
Jump Up (also known as Harbor Night)- For a good time, try to go To "Jump Up" in Christiansted which is held about four times a year. This is a "carnival-like" evening filled with steel bands, dancing, local arts and crafts, island food, and fun in and along the streets and waterfront of this historic town! Click here for more info.

The Wharf - a seven acre area that forms the Christiansted National Historic Site. Click here for more info.

Fort Christiansvaern - the best-preserved fortress in the Virgin Islands. Built from yellow bricks brought from Denmark, the fortress has dungeons, galleys, cannons, and magnificent harbor views. Click here for more information.

Apothecary Hall - the only museum of a historic Danish pharmacy in the Western Hemisphere. Open Monday through Saturday 10am to 4 p.m. - free

Hamilton House - Where Alexander Hamilton spent part of his boyhood

Lutheran Church - circa 1740

Steeple Building - originally built in 1734 as a church, but later used as a warehouse, bakery, and hospital. It now houses a museum. Click here for a photo.

Other historic buildings such as the Scale House, The Old Danish Customs House, and the West India & Guinea Company Warehouse - many are still in use.

National Parks - Monuments - Wildlife Refuge

There are several National parks, a National Monument and wildlife refuges on St. Croix. Click here for more information.



Historic Walks/Tours

St. Croix Heritage Tours offers weekly walking tours or Christiansted and Frederiksted. Each walk lasts about 1-1/2 hours. 340-778-6997.

The Christiansted tour starts at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the gazebo on the grounds of Fort Christianvaern. The US$12 fee covers all admission charges and a cold drink, half price for children 10 and under.

The Frederiksted tour begins at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, and starts at the end of the cruise dock. The cost is US$8.

They also offer tours of Estate Mount Washington, the St. Croix LEAP woodcarving operation, and Estate Little Princess, which is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The groups range from 10-25 people, additional guides are hired on for groups larger than 25.

For more information, call 778-6997.

St Croix Heritage Trail - This 72-mile driving tour connects our Caribbean island's historic sites and attractions and includes many significant natural areas.  Historic marker road signs with the trail's brown and white sugar mill symbol guide visitors along the route which runs between Frederiksted and Christiansted, primarily along Centerline Road, extending north to Hamm's Bay in the west and Point Udall in the East. http://www.stcroixheritagetrail.com

Caribbean Adventure Tours - Toll-Free 1-800-532-3483 · St. Croix 340-778-1522


Island Tours
By ground:
Visit the historical sites, Attractions, beaches, and shopping with a knowledgeable guide. 3-6 hours of personalized tours by taxi, van bus, or safari bus. Tours normally cost about $30 for one or two passengers for 2 hours, and $40 for 3 hours
* Federations of St. Croix Taxi Association Inc (Taxi, Vans, Safaris)- (340)778-5587
* Paradise Tours (Bus) 800-772-0359, local (340) 772-0359, fax 772-4413
* St. Croix Safari Tours (Safari Van) - 1-800-524-2026 or 340-773-6700
* Travelers Tours (Safari Van) - (340)778-1636, fax 778-7522

Plantations

The Whim Plantation Museum - a restored plantation that includes an 18th century neo-classical great house that is made of rock and coral bonded together with a mortar of sugar molasses and seashells, slave quarters, windmill, and factory. Guided tours and exhibits inform visitors about life on a sugar plantation during the 17th century. Occasionally they host "starving artists" sales for local painters and craftspeople. Museum is open Tuesday through Saturdays, 10a.m. - 4 p.m. May be open on Wednesdays - Call 772-0598 for more information. Admission $5 adults, $1 children.  Click here for photos.

Estate Little Princess - a 24-acre/9.6 hectare plantation belonging to The Nature Conservancy that overlooks Christiansted harbor. It contains 18th and 19th century great houses, water-well towers, sugar mills, and walking trails through native plants.
1 (340) 773-5575  easterncaribbean@tnc.org


Other Favorite Places of Interest

The Cruzan Rum Factory - you can take a tour of the rum-making process and go into a tasting bar where you can try this Caribbean liquor! Monday through Friday 9 to 11:30am and 1 to 4:15 p.m. Small admissions charge. Call for details 692-2280 www.cruzanrum.com/

St. Croix Leap/Rainforest - A unique woodworking shop in the rainforest north of Frederiksted is well worth the visit. Observe island mahogany and other locally grown wood being transferred into utilitarian and decorative items by skilled woodworkers and apprentices in this educational project.

World Famous Beer Drinking Pigs of Montpellier Domino Club- Well they would get too drunk and now they can only have non alcoholic beer but it is still fun to see them drink it! They have been featured on Inside Edition and mentioned in Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine, among others. Located in the middle of the rainforest on Mahogany Road (route 76). It's on the right if your are coming from the east (Christiansted) or the left if coming from the west (Frederiksted). From Villa Dawn it will be on the left. There is a $1 fee to see the 6 pigs, $3 to video them, and you buy their beer! You can eat there yourself (it offends the pigs if you eat pork there! Ha!) There is a full bar and local food for your enjoyment.

Lawaetz Family Museum - Adjacent to the rainforest, this old plantation dwelling and its gardens depicts Danish West Indian life of the early 20th century.
Guided tours 10am to 3pm Thursday through Saturday and the last Sunday of every month. Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment (772-0555). Admission $5.00, group rates available 772-1539.

St. Croix Aquarium - is currently closed, see their website for details on their re-opening. www.stcroixaquarium.org

St. George Village Botanical Garden - a 17-acre park built over a pre-Columbian Indian settlement and the ruins of a 19th century sugar plantation displays a wealth of color, tropical flora. A rainforest walk and a cactus garden are among the attractions. Gift hop and nursery. Open Tuesdays - Saturday 9 am to 4 p.m., closed Federal holidays. Admission $5 adults, $1 children. www.sgvbg.org

Point Udall - Experience the secluded eastern-most spot in the United States. The road was recently paved. While in the area, look at the huge radio telescope across from Cramer Park.  Click here for more info.

Salt River and Columbus Landing - Visit the only documented landing site under the US flag of the fleet of Christopher Columbus on his voyage in 1493. The Salt River area, a National and Territorial Park, holds many historic and ecological treasures. In season, the St. Croix environmental Association conducts tours of this area, call 773-3663 http://www.nps.gov/sari/

Estate La Grange - a unique attraction and marketplace in the historic buildings of a former sugar and rum factory. Home of Santa Cruz Beer and Don Santa Cruz Wines, tastings for visitors. Also art and crafts displays, gift shops, a rum museum, and a Pirate show featuring the infamous Don Santa Cruz. Open on cruise ship days, Small admission charge. Call 772-3663.

Country Day School Gallery - has changing exhibits featuring the work of Virgin Islands artists.