St. Thomas--US Virgin Islands

Hi There,

Here are my suggestions of some of the things you should do if you visit St.
Thomas…..of course what and how many things you do will depend on how much
time you have.

If you like history…take a walking tour of downtown Charlotte Amalie…..it
will tire you out in the heat but it's worth it. Go to Fort Christian and
spend a couple of hours…free admission, some interesting exhibits..and great
views for picture taking on the roof of the fort. Go see the Governor's
residence if it is open that day. Stop by the Crystal Palace and see a
fabulous place that now is a wonderful B&B…say hello to Ronnie when you are
there. Visit the landmarks. Go to Drake's Seat and pretend you're Sir Francis
Drake watching the Spanish fleet sail by while your ships are hiding in Magens
Bay. If you want to see the Caribbean…both the sea and the culture....drive
around the island. I always rent a car because you can go where you want to
go, when you want to go there and visit all the non-tourist places that let you
discover the 'real' island….not just the few areas that one-day visitors
normally get to see. Head to Paradise Point and view the mountains, look out
at the other islands from the higher levels.

Go to Frenchtown and experience that culture……eat at one of the very good
restaurants down there. Head west on the island..past the airport and the UVI
campus and spend some time at Brewer's Bay. Pick up some sea shells while you
are there and grab a bite to eat and a cold beer from one of the roadside
vending trucks.

Go to visit the parts of the island that are off the tourist path. Stop at a
roadside produce stand and take a while to talk to the locals….ask about
their offerings and enjoy some great fresh fruit. Remember….whenever you run
into a local…just say "hello" and ask how they are…..they will start
talking to you right away…they will ask you "how do you like our island" and
they will mean it.

Take a day trip over to Tortola and see where they make Sunny Caribe spices or
shop in Pusser's….go to St. John and visit the beaches or the artist's
community…go to Water Island…..go to St. Croix and see the "other" Virgin
Island…..or go to any number of other BVI's that can be easily reached from
St. Thomas.

Other things to do or see……shop of course. St. Thomas has some really
"different" shops in addition to those you probably know about (jewelry, china
and the like). Make sure you go to Local Color, go to Mountain Top or Paradise
Point, go to Coral World, and go to Tillett Gardens. Stop at Red Hook and try
Rhiannon's right below and one building over from the Caribbean Steak House &
Saloon or check your email at the internet connection you can make a the
Grateful Deli. The Atlantis submarine is still there and it is interesting but
a bit pricey. Also be sure to look while you are driving. You will find
several really unusual things to stop and visit from local pottery studios to
very unusual houses and out of the way shops…..in season look for softball
games or other sporting events that the locals are having. And finally, be
sure to take in the beaches….St. Thomas has several and they are all
different. Magens, Coki, Frenchman's, Hull, Dorothea, Limetree, Bolongo,
Secret Harbour, Sapphire, and all the others

Schultz

My wife and I tried sea treking there and loved it. Look up sea trek and st.
thomas on the internet. Its at their local aquarium/waterpark.

"alexandria789" <dunn@bright.net> wrote in message
news:CyBcb.11518$Ly2.1813293@cletus.bright.net...
> We plan on renting a car for one day on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
What
> would be your advice on what not to miss?
> Restaurants, sightseeing, beaches and stores/shopping?
> I've looked at all the websites&read a few books, I'd just like some
> recommendations from people who have already been there, done that!
> Thank you.
>
>

I'm very thankful for these answers! How about restaurants. Which ones would
you all recommend? Especially in the Red Hook areas, we are staying at the
Renaissance.
THANK YOU!
alex

The main restaurant (steakhouse) at the Renaissance is very good, especially
Sunday Brunch, I forgot the name of it. Also, there is a restaurant across
the road fron Redhook. It's upstairs. I can't remember the name of it,
either. They serve that day's fresh catch. It's a casual sort of place,
with lots of locals.

Sandi

Alex asked:

How about restaurants. Which ones would
you all recommend? Especially in the Red Hook areas, we are staying at the
Renaissance.

As far as restaurants on St. Thomas go, you have a great variety to choose
from….from fast food places like in the states to pizza places to the
Caribbean's version of Fridays - The Greenhouse - to the Hard Rock Café - same
menu you will find in the states - to the very, very expensive. Which ones you
would like are up to what your preferences are.

For an inexpensive meal and a talk with "mom" try Dottie's at Compass Point.
Some other repeat, good choices are….Caribbean Steak House and Saloon in Red
Hook, Mims at the Watergate, & Blue Moon Café at Secret Harbour. Try Old
Stone Farmhouse on the north side near Mahogany Run for a really incredible
dinner in a wonderful, scenic location. The Banana Tree Grill at Bluebeards
Castle was very nice. Also thought that Herve's downtown was very nice for
lunch….although we would have preferred that he open the glass doors instead
of using the A/C….but the view again was excellent….he is in the same
location where Fiddle Leaf was located.

Try Romano's in Smith Bay for really good Italian food..every bit as good as
Virgilio's without quite the atmosphere, On one of our visits, our waitress
was a very nice young lady who turned out to be the daughter of Tony, the
owner…on vacation from college and looking forward to going back to the
states. Virgilio's in downtown CA is always good and a great visual experience
even if it is all enclosed. Gladys' Café or Cuzzins downtown also has great
lunches…..west indian food and cold beer….a great way to take a break from
the heat when you are shopping.

In Frenchtown you have Alexanders or Craig & Sally's. Both are indoor
restaurants and have good food, although IMHO C&S's is not as good as many of
the reviews it gets.

Unfortunately another of my favorite's Zorba's is no longer open…but has been
replaced with Marisol which is completely redecorated and with a different
menu, but also with great hosts (NOTE: Marisol has now closed also). Another
of my regular spots, Eunice's, is now Glenda's Caribbean spot and is as good as
Eunice's was in its best days.

As you can see, St. Thomas offers lots of great choices…….I've only named a
representative sample of what you can find on the island. Take your pick and
enjoy your meal.

Schultz