Top Things to do in St. Thomas
What to do and see in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Like all of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has plenty of opportunities to lounge on the beach, splash in the sea, or amp it up with watersports. It also boasts a bountiful duty-free shopping scene – just be prepared to brave the cruise ship crowds. Charlotte Amalie swells with Danish colonial architecture and pirate legend. Shiver ye timbers at Blackbeard’s Castle, then work up an appetite by climbing the historic 99 Steps, constructed from the ballast bricks of 18th century Danish ships.
Restaurants in St. Thomas
1. Hassel Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
A haven for hikers, more than 135 acres of this island located in Charlotte Amalie harbor is part of the Virgin Islands National Park.
Reviewed By Reisiger1223 - Alexandria, United States
While official tours to the island are temporarily halted, you can get over to the island by making arrangements with a dive shop or through a kayak rental company. It is well worth the trouble if you enjoy history, as the island has plenty! From Danish batteries that became British forts that became American signaling stations, old German (Hamburg America Lines) coaling stations, old Royal Mail Steam Packet Company wharfs, to the best preserved marine railway in the Western Hemisphere, the history is everywhere. If kayaking, I recommend staying to the protected waters on the northern end of the island, as the waters around the southern portion are quite choppy. I also recommend going as early as possible to avoid harbor marine (to include seaplane) traffic.
2. Frenchtown Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
The Virgin Islands only 3 barrel nano brewery, located in the quaint fishing village of Frenchtown on St. Thomas, invites you to tour and sample their island hopped craft beers. Visiting hop heads are welcome to stop by for a tour and taste of the seasonal brews and go with their favorites in a refillable stainless steel growler perfect for the beach. Our beers are on draft around the island.
Reviewed By Ryanbeerlover - Avon, United States
Called and they were more than happy to allow us to pick a time that suited us to come to the brewery for a tasting. This attic-of-a-brewery is a true small pearl in a sea of over-saturated breweries. Kevin has a bright future in the world of brewing and his future expansion project will, no doubt, be a great success. We so much appreciated that he opened his doors to us and shared his passion and story telling about beer making and drinking in St Thomas and Belgium. We even took him up on his local restaurant recommendation and, not surprisingly, it was the best meal of our trip. Thanks again from your newest fans and friends from Colorado. Cheers!
3. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
We are open on Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00-4:00. We look forward to sharing Phantasea with our visitors and locals. The garden is full of beautiful blooming orchids, bromeliads, lilies, palms, and more. . Come and relax in the calming serenity of nature as lizards scurry about and butterflies and birds fly throughout the garden. Stop and rest in our Balinese gazebo or at our other seating areas. Visit our resident wildlife - parrots, tortoises, peacocks and chickens - and learn about the garden plants and inhabitants with our interpretive signs. Approx. 45 minutes - one hour average time to visit. Great for children and families. Cold water, tropical juices and snacks for sale. Blooming orchids and tillaandsias (air plants) also for sale. Cash and credit cards accepted. Easy to find, just follow the signs posted along the roadways , or use Google maps.(DO NOT use GPS!)
Reviewed By O1172QQamyt
This is a beautiful tropical garden with views overlooking the water. Make sure to use Google maps to find it! The current hours are weekends only (which we didn't know until we called on a Monday), but the owner was close by and actually let us come in for a private experience! The owner was so friendly and accommodating, sharing her love for gardening and knowledge of plants. You'll also get to spot some local birds, banaquits and hummingbirds. Such a beautiful place, I would definitely recommend visiting on your next trip to St. Thomas!
4. Plantation Crown and Hawk Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
St. Thomas newest island attraction, fun for the whole family! Explore this lush tropical garden in the rain forest set on 5 1/2 acre sugar plantation estate c. 1780's. Featuring the VI's first ever plant maze! Amazing sky deck views, waterfall, orchid garden, gift shop, beverage/ snack bar, sugar mill, peacocks/ wildlife and thousands of tropical plants and trails all waiting to be explored! Call for hours during the week.
Reviewed By MindyW216
The grounds are beautiful with breathtaking views all the way to the ocean and the sea. We really enjoyed the many tropical flowers and the birds as well as the many photo opportunities.
5. Water Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
The fourth largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this quiet 492-acre island, located in Charlotte Amalie harbor, beckons those who want to stroll its beaches, bike amid its green hills, and view birds, iguana, turtles and other wildlife that make this lovely paradise their home.
Reviewed By cwD7581YP - Bear Creek, United States
We have been coming to St Thomas for years, but this was the first year visiting Water Island. It is a short ferry ride from Crown Point harbor (ferry fills up fast so get in line early)......the island itself is nice, with a free shuttle to the beach and convenient golf cart rentals right at the pier. The golf cart is worth it if you want explore the island - there are great spots for panoramic pics from the higher parts of the island, as well as an old unfinished fort at the very top. The beach is great, with chairs/umbrellas and 2 different spots to to purchase food/drink. We will definitely be adding this as one of our regular spots for future visits.
6. Skyline Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Affords a breathtaking view of the Charlotte Amalie coast.
Reviewed By Zephani_D - New York City, United States
Skyline drive was one of the highlights of our city tour. The views while driving up are amazing and the same for when you arrive at the lookout. It was part of a St Thomas driving tour that we did on our last day. We went in an open (safari style) taxi with Skeno Jean- Baptiste (+13406900148) who was the best taxi and tour driver we could have asked for. A lot of the Taxi drivers we came across were very impatient and in some cases rude so he was a breath of fresh air, always pleasant and went above and beyond for us every time we were able to use his service. Including taking us to Magen’s bay beach (which wasn’t part of our tour route and waiting for us while we took a walk on the beach) If you’re doing Skyline drive, you’ll wanna include drake’s seat and mountain top which are nearby. I highly recommend an open air vehicle for this so the views during the drive aren’t diminished.
7. Sapphire Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,970 reviews
A favorite of windsurfers, the beach has fine white sand and beautiful views of St. John and offshore cays, and offers excellent snorkeling at the reef to the east, near Pettyklip Point.
Reviewed By reedmangreg - Chicago, United States
With many great beaches to choose from I would say Sapphire and Megans were my favorite in our 7 nights on St Thomas - we stayed at the Sapphire Beach Resort for 4 nights and having this beauty right in front of us was a blessing :) We did try some other beaches but this one packs everything great in one like no other in St Thomas - you have a nice beach bar and a great coffee/breakfast place on the spot, plenty of shade, peaceful water and soft sand, good for sunsets (despite being on the side) and the chickens/iguanas roaming around - it's the real Caribbean deal :) TIP: it's a free beach and appears to be part of the condo/resort area but it welcomes visitors as well so don't be shy, otherwise you will miss out on something great!
8. Drake's Seat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 443 reviews
The vantage point where Sir Francis Drake was supposed to have looked for enemy ships of the Spanish fleet, this lookout includes a panoramic view of the Virgin Islands where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Caribbean Sea
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
Located just minutes from the Charlotte Amalie Lookout, this breathtaking scenic point provides panoramic views of Magens Bay and the islands. There are a limited number of parking spots available. The green weathered bench seat is across the street (be careful crossing the road). The local legend is that Sir Francis Drake used this vantage point to watch his fleet and be on the lookout for the enemy. It is a great story, but the truth is that Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild. Mr. Fairchild was a former wall street genius, philanthropist (he is the one that gifted the land at Magens Bay to the people) and longtime island resident. Back in the 1930s, travelling the hilly terrain of St. Thomas was by horse or foot. The location of Drake’s Seat was the perfect place to rest and gaze down at Megans Bay. And it still is today! You’ll get a more expansive panorama from Mountain Top, but I love this view too. The Charlotte Amalie Lookout, Drake’s Seat, Mountain Top and Megans Bay can all be visited in the same trip.
9. Brewer's Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Take the West End to Brewers Bay, a lovely white-sand beach popular with the locals.
Reviewed By michaeljohncummins - Brook Park, United States
I bought the wife a very nice mask and snorkel so she could try it. She did great once she got comfortable breathing. She held my hand and I pulled her along with me. We saw many turtles and I saw a big ray. She also did some searching for sea glass. If you want to find some this is the beach for it. Make sure you buy a beverage from the wonderful older lady in the grey food truck. She is a real sweetie.
10. Magens Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,780 reviews
Hailed as one of the world's most beautiful, this breathtaking bay along St. Thomas' rugged north coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling with all the conveniences of parking, lifeguards, equipment rental, freshwater showers, restaurants and bars.
Reviewed By Zephani_D - New York City, United States
I was really glad we got to go here. It’s a gorgeous beach and wasn’t too crowded (we went on a Monday). There are picnic park style benches and tables and restrooms on the beach (they don’t interfere with the beauty) and it’s a $5 entrance fee per person. My husband and I agreed that we’d have gone there instead of honeymoon beach if we had to pick just one. We heard about Magens Bay on our last day and were only able to go for a bit thanks to our awesome tour guide/driver Skeno Jean- Baptiste (+13406900148) who took us there at the end of our driving city tour even though it wasn’t part of the route, and waited for us while we took a stroll on the beach. I highly recommend him for all taxi and driving tour needs it you’re in St. Thomas. He was very pleasant and went above and beyond for us every time we were able to use his service.
