Top Things to do in Philipsburg
10 Things to do in Philipsburg That You Shouldn't Miss
Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, a Caribbean island divided into Dutch and French (Saint Martin) sides. Bargain seekers flock to the duty-free and sales-tax-free stores of Philipsburg's mile-long commercial district. Visitors also enjoy the city's art galleries, historic forts, casinos and zoo, as well as Great Bay Beach and its boardwalk. Offshore, on the 12 Metre Challenge, guests can work as part of the crew on one of five boats used in the 1987 America's Cup competition.
Restaurants in Philipsburg
1. Little Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 694 reviews
Reviewed By 301ericw - Knoxville, United States
Great beach with amazing snorkeling. If you’re there on a cruise it’s only $5 per person each way. You can rent two chairs and an umbrella for $15. Snorkeling is best off two the left along the rocks and steep rock wall. Great variety of fish. Beach is fabulous with a sandy bottom in most places. Variety of stuff to rent for fun
2. Great Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,197 reviews
Reviewed By chiefdcates - Cary, United States
We enjoyed chairs and an umbrella on our day at Great Bay Beach. Kids and parents enjoyed the calm waters, there were many activities you could do. Mom slipped off for a little shopping. Picked up Subway for an affordable lunch. Neat to watch the water taxis, jet skis and cruise ships in the area.
3. Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,035 reviews
The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, nestled amongst Front Street's duty free jewelry stores, is possibly the most surprising enterprise in the Caribbean. Who would expect to find Darth Vader, Pinhead from HELLRAISER and Riddley Scott's ALIEN in St Maarten? But this unprecedented showcase has that and a whole lot more. There are displays that span six decades of movie making, relics from THE TERMINATOR, MEN IN BLACK and even THE MALTISE FALCAN. There's also an incredible collection of lifecasts, the actual faces of Hollywood stars, From Bogart & Brando, though Sean Connery & Jack Nicholson to Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolle. The collection is extended to include famous historical figures too… the actual faces of Abraham Lincoln, (cast 3 months before his assassination), Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, (cast in. 1778 and 1783 respectively by french sculptor Jean Antoine Houden), and death masks of both Oliver Cromwell, (1658) and Vladimir Lenin (1924). The Exhibit is the brainchild of Hollywood creature effects wizard Nick Maley, known as "that Yoda Guy" for his contribution to the creation of Yoda for the STAR WARS sagas. If you don't know who Nick is, just google his name. He made over 50 movies, including SUPERMAN, HIGHLANDER, KRULL & LIFEFORCE, worked with Hollywood legends like Sean Connery, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Harrison Ford, (you will see them all in the exhibit), was featured in CINEMAX and HBO specials, won a place in THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS and was nominated for an EMMY. Nick shares his professional perspective on the making of famous movies via DVD and, if you are lucky enough to find him there, he will dedicate purchases from the Yoda Guy Shop and do photos with customers. The Shop sells signed movie memorabilia, posters, antique STAR WARS comics, behind the scene photos and storyboards… unique autographed slices of STAR WARS history that become a legacy to pass on through the family. There's also Nick's celebrated Caribbean artwork, (exhibited in galleries in 18 countries and toured the world with UNESCO. Nick and his wife Gloria have created the Yoda Guy Movie Museum Foundation, a not for profit group to oversee the Exhibit's development. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to support the museum and visit a STAR WARS celebrity. It is recommended on all major cruise lines as a MUST SEE for art and movie fans.
Reviewed By Companion788132 - Edmonton, Canada
The YodaGuy museum has a lot of Star Wars artifacts as well as memorabilia from many, many other movies such as Superman, Men in Black. There is something for everyone to see. Nick Maley, the artistic creator in many movies, including Star Wars, is often In the museum working on adding new items all the time, as well as his own creative island drawings. Come see the Star Wars storyboards, scripts, stormtrooper, the Emporer, and more! Take a quick tour of the museum looking at facial casts of Johnny Depp, Marlon Brandon and Michael Jackson and many many more. The shop has something for everyone and Nick is happy to sign them for you. Proceeds go to his charity. This was a highlight for us and is a must see in Philipsburg. Advance tickets are not required.
4. Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,733 reviews
Shopping, Dinning, Cultural, Romantic Walk
Reviewed By Hafer1002 - Sellersville, United States
Was really nice walk up and down the beach areas. Had some good shops and local cuisine. We highly recommend visiting the area when in St Martin.
5. Saint Martin of Tours Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By SunshineW3239 - Boston, United States
Walking up and down the boardwalk on our first evening in Phiipsburg, this quaint island church caught my eye. On Saturday evening, I attended Mass there with my dad and my niece before we set off on our Star Clipper cruise. The parish was so friendly and welcoming. At the end of the liturgy, the priest made announcements calling attention to a couple celebrating an anniversary and other special occasions of his parishioners. He also welcomed new visitors to the church. The interior of the historic church is peaceful and welcoming as well. I am glad I was able to share Mass with the residents of St. Maarten.
6. St. Maarten Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
This small museum, in a converted 1800s house, covers the culture and history of the island.
Reviewed By gabywanderlusts - Toronto, Canada
We visited the St. Maarten Museum during a day that our cruise was in port. It’s a small museum but it is jam packed with objects and information about the island’s history. When I was a teenager I volunteered at my local historical society and the St. Maarten Museum reminded me of those days. There we’re a lot of items donated by notable families and the exhibits have a very DIY feel, but everything is done with such care because the information shared is coming from the people themselves. We left a generous donation and I would encourage all visitors to the island to do the same. As someone who has worked in culture I could see that the staff desperately wanted to do more to preserve and display the stories and items in their collection, but as is the case with culture there’s just never enough interest or funding. I just want to thank the museum for amassing the collection and creating their exhibits despite the financial limitations. I hope this review encourages visitors to stop by, and contribute to the museum so that they can continue promoting their island’s history and culture.
7. Frontstreet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,742 reviews
This crowded street is a popular tourist center for duty-free shopping.
Reviewed By Bill13669 - Ogdensburg, United States
Front Street is the main shopping area in Philipsburg, parallels the beach and boardwalk. There are many shops with a focus on alluring the passengers from the cruise ships that come in the nearby port into their shops. They have hawkers at the doors trying to entice you in, which I am sure is the way they do business, but I find very annoying. We stayed on the Island and when the shop keepers learned of this, appeared to treat us better and in some cases gave better prices. Overall, a once stop if staying on the Island, but an area focused on the ships passengers, of which some days there are 6 ships in port and what I would term a tourist trap.
8. Fort Amsterdam
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By JOANL841
Great place to see out into the sea. Big bay and little bay meet at this point. Great sunrise and sunset location. Right off the Divi little bay resort
9. Philipsburg Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By Maggoo3193 - Brockville, Canada
The heritage and culture preserved here is great to see. The old is mixed in with the new which makes for an interesting walk.
10. Old Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 317 reviews
Reviewed By margaretf212 - Langley City, Canada
Old Street is a wonderful place to wander. We were so happy to see that is has been son nicely restored since the damage from the hurricane. The builidngs are all freshly pained in lively colours and all the damage has been repaired. We were so happy to see that the old yellow car was all repaired and looks good as new! It was so smashed in the hurricane the lasst time we saw it. Well worth walking down this street and visiting the shops and/or dining venues.
