The three main islands that make up the US Virgin Islands host the most mind-blowing towns and villages that pamper visitors with a broad spectrum of tourist amenities, including water sports facilities, along with exquisite natural scenery, mooring spots, idyllic sunsets, fantastic seascapes, and views of the coastline and the archipelago, luxury resorts that spoilt guests with all modern comforts and elite services, elegant marinas that are second to none, and fine sand beaches with inviting calm, azure waters.
But, besides the natural beauties the human eyes can see, the towns of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are superb destinations for their historical sites and colonial heritage that is highlighted through the local architecture and other aspects of the local lifestyle. Among the tens of towns across the US Virgin Islands, though, the four ones mentioned below well deserve a high spot on your must-visit list.
Charlotte Amalie – Drenched in History
The vibrant capital of the US Virgin Islands is home to an impressive dining and shopping scene and adorable colonial buildings fringing the scenic roads. The biggest town on St. Thomas island also enchants with a plethora of historical landmarks, including the 17th-century Fort Christian which was once the point of defence against pirate invasions and a government house (now serving as a must-visit museum) and Blackbeard’s Castle with the adorable Danish architecture. Besides all these, Charlotte Amalie is a busy transport hub with a deepwater harbour that receives a huge volume of cruise ships every week.
Feel free to take a stroll and admire the beautiful boutiques, the Norwegian-Danish-built bastion with the heart-stopping views of the harbour, the restaurants, and the scenic alleys, while you may also hop on a ferry or private yacht and head to Hassel Island nearby for a day full of paddling, kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing!
Christiansted – Hypnotising With its Unique Vibes
St. Croix island welcomes visitors to its historic capital, Christiansted, where they can time travel back to the era when Christainsted was under Danish rule, the heritage of which is evident across the city. Indeed, the largest town on the island that sits on the northeastern coast of St. Croix was established in the early-1700s and once served as the capital city of the Danish West Indies. As expected, its streets are lined with arresting buildings featuring unique Danish and African architecture that speak of the island’s past and how the slavery regime shaped the history of the entire Caribbean.
Some of the most popular landmarks in Christiansted are the Christiansted National Historic Site and Fort Christiansted, a perfectly-preserved, star-shaped fortification built in the 1700s by the Danish along the Christiansted Harbour that has been used as a courthouse and a prison – even a church! That aside, though, Christiansted is also an excellent scuba diving spot with several exciting dive sites that attract the attention of thousands of scuba diving enthusiasts annually.
Frederiksted – Idyllic and Animated
The largest US Virgin Islands island is also where you will find Frederiksted, a town nestled on the western end of Saint Croix that stands out not only for its buildings and amenities but also for its open-mindedness and animated LGBTIQ+ night scene options.
Home to a deep-sea port that greets many incoming cruise ships and ferries, it got its name from the Denmark king that purchased the entire Danish West Indies in the mid-1700s. To fortify his territory, he ordered the construction of Fort Frederik, which served as protection against pirate invasions.
Apart from the enchanting colonial heritage, though, Frederiksted also spoils visitors with various sugary shores where they can chill out and enjoy the sea, the sun, and the carefree island lifestyle.
While around this town, we strongly recommend a visit to the St. George Village Botanical Gardens, especially if you are particularly infatuated by the idea of walking through a land of around 16 acres that is filled with more than 1,500 different plant species! Other top attractions in Frederiksted are Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and Rainbow Beach. As for its nightly entertainment, expect a wide array of bars, including venues catering to the LGBTIQ+ visitors, who can have utmost fun, despite the fact that the Caribbean culture is yet a bit too reserved when it comes to homosexuality and same-sex relationships.
Red Hook – Quaint and Romantic
One of St. Thomas’ cutest cities Red Hook, is a small port town on the east side of the island that also goes by the name of East End. Just a leisure stroll along the picturesque streets will make you understand why it has been named Red Hook and why many people refer to it as the “town with the red-tiled roof homes”! During your wandering-around ventures, take a moment to look over the rolling coastline and soak up the panoramic views of the scenic Pillsbury Sound and the vistas that stretch all the way to St. John's island in the distance!
Surrounded by pristine natural landscapes, Red Hook also pleases a wide variety of tourists with several businesses, marinas, hotels, top-tier villa rentals, a busy port, and some of the best water sports facilities in all of the US Virgin Islands. From exceptional scuba diving endeavours out to the popular St. James Marine Reserve to a fishing experience via a sea fishing tour (the waters around Red Hook are believed to be home to the largest blue marlin species on earth!), you definitely have a lot to choose from.
Regarding its nightlife, things are quite varied and certainly fascinating, considering that Red Hook is a working port town. So, it is safe to assume that cover bands are just the minimum you should expect from your after-dark adventures, as an incredible abundance of options, including beach bars that host vibrant parties for locals and tourists alike are available for all. Speaking of beaches, do not omit a visit to Nazareth Beach which will please your soul with its calm and shallow waters (ideal for families with children), as well as Cabrita Point Beach which offers dreamy experiences if you are looking for more peaceful moments by the sea.
The three main islands that make up the US Virgin Islands host the most mind-blowing towns and villages that pamper visitors with a broad spectrum of tourist amenities, including water sports facilities, along with exquisite natural scenery, mooring spots, idyllic sunsets, fantastic seascapes, and views of the coastline and the archipelago, luxury resorts that spoilt guests with all modern comforts and elite services, elegant marinas that are second to none, and fine sand beaches with inviting calm, azure waters.
But, besides the natural beauties the human eyes can see, the towns of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are superb destinations for their historical sites and colonial heritage that is highlighted through the local architecture and other aspects of the local lifestyle. Among the tens of towns across the US Virgin Islands, though, the four ones mentioned below well deserve a high spot on your must-visit list.
Charlotte Amalie – Drenched in History
The vibrant capital of the US Virgin Islands is home to an impressive dining and shopping scene and adorable colonial buildings fringing the scenic roads. The biggest town on St. Thomas island also enchants with a plethora of historical landmarks, including the 17th-century Fort Christian which was once the point of defence against pirate invasions and a government house (now serving as a must-visit museum) and Blackbeard’s Castle with the adorable Danish architecture. Besides all these, Charlotte Amalie is a busy transport hub with a deepwater harbour that receives a huge volume of cruise ships every week.
Feel free to take a stroll and admire the beautiful boutiques, the Norwegian-Danish-built bastion with the heart-stopping views of the harbour, the restaurants, and the scenic alleys, while you may also hop on a ferry or private yacht and head to Hassel Island nearby for a day full of paddling, kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing!
Christiansted – Hypnotising With its Unique Vibes
St. Croix island welcomes visitors to its historic capital, Christiansted, where they can time travel back to the era when Christainsted was under Danish rule, the heritage of which is evident across the city. Indeed, the largest town on the island that sits on the northeastern coast of St. Croix was established in the early-1700s and once served as the capital city of the Danish West Indies. As expected, its streets are lined with arresting buildings featuring unique Danish and African architecture that speak of the island’s past and how the slavery regime shaped the history of the entire Caribbean.
Some of the most popular landmarks in Christiansted are the Christiansted National Historic Site and Fort Christiansted, a perfectly-preserved, star-shaped fortification built in the 1700s by the Danish along the Christiansted Harbour that has been used as a courthouse and a prison – even a church! That aside, though, Christiansted is also an excellent scuba diving spot with several exciting dive sites that attract the attention of thousands of scuba diving enthusiasts annually.
Frederiksted – Idyllic and Animated
The largest US Virgin Islands island is also where you will find Frederiksted, a town nestled on the western end of Saint Croix that stands out not only for its buildings and amenities but also for its open-mindedness and animated LGBTIQ+ night scene options.
Home to a deep-sea port that greets many incoming cruise ships and ferries, it got its name from the Denmark king that purchased the entire Danish West Indies in the mid-1700s. To fortify his territory, he ordered the construction of Fort Frederik, which served as protection against pirate invasions.
Apart from the enchanting colonial heritage, though, Frederiksted also spoils visitors with various sugary shores where they can chill out and enjoy the sea, the sun, and the carefree island lifestyle.
While around this town, we strongly recommend a visit to the St. George Village Botanical Gardens, especially if you are particularly infatuated by the idea of walking through a land of around 16 acres that is filled with more than 1,500 different plant species! Other top attractions in Frederiksted are Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and Rainbow Beach. As for its nightly entertainment, expect a wide array of bars, including venues catering to the LGBTIQ+ visitors, who can have utmost fun, despite the fact that the Caribbean culture is yet a bit too reserved when it comes to homosexuality and same-sex relationships.
Red Hook – Quaint and Romantic
One of St. Thomas’ cutest cities Red Hook, is a small port town on the east side of the island that also goes by the name of East End. Just a leisure stroll along the picturesque streets will make you understand why it has been named Red Hook and why many people refer to it as the “town with the red-tiled roof homes”! During your wandering-around ventures, take a moment to look over the rolling coastline and soak up the panoramic views of the scenic Pillsbury Sound and the vistas that stretch all the way to St. John's island in the distance!
Surrounded by pristine natural landscapes, Red Hook also pleases a wide variety of tourists with several businesses, marinas, hotels, top-tier villa rentals, a busy port, and some of the best water sports facilities in all of the US Virgin Islands. From exceptional scuba diving endeavours out to the popular St. James Marine Reserve to a fishing experience via a sea fishing tour (the waters around Red Hook are believed to be home to the largest blue marlin species on earth!), you definitely have a lot to choose from.
Regarding its nightlife, things are quite varied and certainly fascinating, considering that Red Hook is a working port town. So, it is safe to assume that cover bands are just the minimum you should expect from your after-dark adventures, as an incredible abundance of options, including beach bars that host vibrant parties for locals and tourists alike are available for all. Speaking of beaches, do not omit a visit to Nazareth Beach which will please your soul with its calm and shallow waters (ideal for families with children), as well as Cabrita Point Beach which offers dreamy experiences if you are looking for more peaceful moments by the sea.