Guidebook for Christiansted
Parks & Nature
You can snorkel the amazing underwater trail, swim, walk on the beach, or hike a trail on the island to scenic views. This 174-acre island is 2 miles off St. Croix (it’s the island visible from our front terrace). Accessible by boat; Big Beards Adventures can get you there on their full-day or half-day sails and will provide snorkel gear and a BBQ lunch!
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Национальный монумент США Бак-Айленд-Риф
You can snorkel the amazing underwater trail, swim, walk on the beach, or hike a trail on the island to scenic views. This 174-acre island is 2 miles off St. Croix (it’s the island visible from our front terrace). Accessible by boat; Big Beards Adventures can get you there on their full-day or half-day sails and will provide snorkel gear and a BBQ lunch!
Open Sept 1 - March 31 on weekends and days cruise ships are in port. Closed remainder of year for sea turtle nesting. The website page http://www.gotostcroix.com/st-croix-beaches/sandy-point/ will give you full directions and details, and here is the cruise ship schedule: http://crew-center.com/st-croix-usvi-cruise-ship-schedule-2018. Most stunning, mesmerizing beach on the island, and the last scene of the award-winning movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed here!
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Санди-Пойнт
Open Sept 1 - March 31 on weekends and days cruise ships are in port. Closed remainder of year for sea turtle nesting. The website page http://www.gotostcroix.com/st-croix-beaches/sandy-point/ will give you full directions and details, and here is the cruise ship schedule: http://crew-center.com/st-croix-usvi-cruise-ship-schedule-2018. Most stunning, mesmerizing beach on the island, and the last scene of the award-winning movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed here!
Explore a former sugar cane plantation that is filled with every Caribbean plant, fruit, and flower imaginable. If you’re visiting in July, you must attend Mango Melee, the island’s annual mango festival held here; it’s always one of the highlights of our year! I always walk away with incredible treasures from the tremendously talented artisans. And I’m determined that, one day, I’ll finally enter the mango eating competition, but, for now, just cheering wildly for the competitors is enough!
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Saint George Village Botanical Gardens
127 George RdExplore a former sugar cane plantation that is filled with every Caribbean plant, fruit, and flower imaginable. If you’re visiting in July, you must attend Mango Melee, the island’s annual mango festival held here; it’s always one of the highlights of our year! I always walk away with incredible treasures from the tremendously talented artisans. And I’m determined that, one day, I’ll finally enter the mango eating competition, but, for now, just cheering wildly for the competitors is enough!
From their website: “No place in the Caribbean still demonstrates the architectural, economic, and political influence of Europe like Christiansted National Historic Site. Come wander through 18th century buildings in one the Caribbean's few urban parks. It is a unique experience that you will never forget.”
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Кристианстед
Hospital StreetFrom their website: “No place in the Caribbean still demonstrates the architectural, economic, and political influence of Europe like Christiansted National Historic Site. Come wander through 18th century buildings in one the Caribbean's few urban parks. It is a unique experience that you will never forget.”
If you want to go on the most breathtakingly gorgeous (and easy, low-impact!) hike of your life, just park your car in the spaces near the monument, and walk 20 minutes down the trail to Isaac’s Bay Beach. The views will KNOCK you OVER! Take a small bag with bottled water, snacks, beach towels, and snorkel gear, and spend the day at one of the most pristine, stunning beaches in the Caribbean! Sneakers or hiking sandals are great, but flip flops are fine, too!
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Isaacs Bay Beach
If you want to go on the most breathtakingly gorgeous (and easy, low-impact!) hike of your life, just park your car in the spaces near the monument, and walk 20 minutes down the trail to Isaac’s Bay Beach. The views will KNOCK you OVER! Take a small bag with bottled water, snacks, beach towels, and snorkel gear, and spend the day at one of the most pristine, stunning beaches in the Caribbean! Sneakers or hiking sandals are great, but flip flops are fine, too!
We’ll just give you high-level info on all the BEST beaches in one place! ONLINE BEACH GUIDE: http://www.gotostcroix.com/guides/st-croix-beaches/
OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE BEACHES:
Turtle Beach on Buck Island (Big Beards Adventures can take you there!);
Coakley Bay (Big Beards Adventures can take you there!);
Isaac’s Bay (East End);
Mermaid Beach (East End);
Shoy’s Beach (East End);
Chenay Bay (East End);
Cane Bay (North Shore);
Carambola/Davis Bay (North Shore);
Rainbow Beach (West End); &
Frederiksted Public Beach (West End).
St. Croix
We’ll just give you high-level info on all the BEST beaches in one place! ONLINE BEACH GUIDE: http://www.gotostcroix.com/guides/st-croix-beaches/
OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE BEACHES:
Turtle Beach on Buck Island (Big Beards Adventures can take you there!);
Coakley Bay (Big Beards Adventures can take you there!);
Isaac’s Bay (East End);
Mermaid Beach (East End);
Shoy’s Beach (East End);
Chenay Bay (East End);
Cane Bay (North Shore);
Carambola/Davis Bay (North Shore);
Rainbow Beach (West End); &
Frederiksted Public Beach (West End).
Breathtaking views at this beautiful museum. Admission free. Guides available to walk you though the history of this famous site, the location of Christopher Columbus’s first landing on what is now American soil.
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Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
2100 Church StBreathtaking views at this beautiful museum. Admission free. Guides available to walk you though the history of this famous site, the location of Christopher Columbus’s first landing on what is now American soil.
Essentials
Only 15-20 minutes’ drive, it’s the closest grocery store to our condo and will have everything you need. Incredibly high-quality meat and seafood selection and amazing deli sandwiches made to order.
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Seaside Market & Deli
Mount Welcome RoadOnly 15-20 minutes’ drive, it’s the closest grocery store to our condo and will have everything you need. Incredibly high-quality meat and seafood selection and amazing deli sandwiches made to order.
An extra 10 minutes’ drive from our condo from the Seaside Market also listed here, this is a larger grocery store with a vast selection of typical grocery store items if you don’t find what you need at Seaside or if you prefer to pay lower prices than at Seaside, which is a smaller, more gourmet market.
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Plaza Extra East
An extra 10 minutes’ drive from our condo from the Seaside Market also listed here, this is a larger grocery store with a vast selection of typical grocery store items if you don’t find what you need at Seaside or if you prefer to pay lower prices than at Seaside, which is a smaller, more gourmet market.
For anything you need that you don’t find at the grocery stores, Kmart is St. Croix’s one “big box” store!
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Kmart
For anything you need that you don’t find at the grocery stores, Kmart is St. Croix’s one “big box” store!
Food Scene
Perfect romantic date place just a few minutes’ drive from our condo. You’re seated at a somewhat high elevation, overlooking Buck Island and watching sailboats drift by. The food here is absolutely addictive! I always go for their seafood, salads, and pastas. They’re known for their mouthwatering desserts and phenomenal pizzas and also offer an extensive menu of every type of food you might be craving. Monday nights are all-you-can-eat lobster and prime rib. The owners Pauli and Lorie will WOW you!
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Blue Water Terrace
20 Route 82Perfect romantic date place just a few minutes’ drive from our condo. You’re seated at a somewhat high elevation, overlooking Buck Island and watching sailboats drift by. The food here is absolutely addictive! I always go for their seafood, salads, and pastas. They’re known for their mouthwatering desserts and phenomenal pizzas and also offer an extensive menu of every type of food you might be craving. Monday nights are all-you-can-eat lobster and prime rib. The owners Pauli and Lorie will WOW you!
Outstanding beachside restaurant with breathtaking views. You can even choose a table ON the beach! Open for breakfast and lunch. Located at the famous Buccaneer Hotel.
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The Mermaid
Outstanding beachside restaurant with breathtaking views. You can even choose a table ON the beach! Open for breakfast and lunch. Located at the famous Buccaneer Hotel.
Casual little beach bar on the North Shore with breathtaking views and vibrantly colored decor! Great place to come to just have a few drinks while watching and listening to the waves rolling in just a few feet from your table.
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Off the Wall
Casual little beach bar on the North Shore with breathtaking views and vibrantly colored decor! Great place to come to just have a few drinks while watching and listening to the waves rolling in just a few feet from your table.
Casual little beach bar on the West End with breathtaking views and vibrantly colored decor! Waves are rolling in just feet from your table. Often there is live music. HANDS DOWN BEST PLACE ON THE ISLAND TO ENJOY THE SUNSET! The fish tacos and shrimp tacos are absolutely incredible.
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Рейнбоу-Бич
Casual little beach bar on the West End with breathtaking views and vibrantly colored decor! Waves are rolling in just feet from your table. Often there is live music. HANDS DOWN BEST PLACE ON THE ISLAND TO ENJOY THE SUNSET! The fish tacos and shrimp tacos are absolutely incredible.
This is our favorite date place! We absolutely love this North Shore hotel’s lovely, more casual beachside bar and grill (we honestly have a weekly date here around sunset!), as well as their slightly more formal restaurant. Cannot beat the views, and their fish tacos are outstanding!!!
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Carambola Beach Resort
This is our favorite date place! We absolutely love this North Shore hotel’s lovely, more casual beachside bar and grill (we honestly have a weekly date here around sunset!), as well as their slightly more formal restaurant. Cannot beat the views, and their fish tacos are outstanding!!!
Just like the name implies, it’s a modest little joint - they do have tables/chairs - with the most mouthwatering rotisserie chicken and delectable Cruzan Johnny Cakes, which you MUST try! Johnny Cakes are local Caribbean sweet rolls meant to be eaten as part of your lunch/dinner, but I could honestly eat them all day long. My husband inhales this local cuisine; always one of his first stops when we hit the island. As he says (in his endearing Southern accent), “This food is so good it’ll make ya wanna go home and smack your mama!” (Whatever that means!)
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La Reine Chicken Shack
Just like the name implies, it’s a modest little joint - they do have tables/chairs - with the most mouthwatering rotisserie chicken and delectable Cruzan Johnny Cakes, which you MUST try! Johnny Cakes are local Caribbean sweet rolls meant to be eaten as part of your lunch/dinner, but I could honestly eat them all day long. My husband inhales this local cuisine; always one of his first stops when we hit the island. As he says (in his endearing Southern accent), “This food is so good it’ll make ya wanna go home and smack your mama!” (Whatever that means!)
Sightseeing
Easternmost point of land owned by the United States. Named for Stewart Udall, US Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy & Johnson. Go early to be the first person on American soil to witness the sunrise on any day of the year! And if you want to go on the most breathtakingly gorgeous (and easy, low-impact!) hike of your life, just park your car and walk 20 minutes down the trail to Isaac’s Bay Beach. The views will KNOCK you OVER! Take bottled water, snacks, beach towels, and snorkel gear, and spend the day at one of the most pristine, stunning beaches in the Caribbean. Sneakers or hiking sandals are great, but flip flops are fine, too!
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Point Udall
Route 82Easternmost point of land owned by the United States. Named for Stewart Udall, US Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy & Johnson. Go early to be the first person on American soil to witness the sunrise on any day of the year! And if you want to go on the most breathtakingly gorgeous (and easy, low-impact!) hike of your life, just park your car and walk 20 minutes down the trail to Isaac’s Bay Beach. The views will KNOCK you OVER! Take bottled water, snacks, beach towels, and snorkel gear, and spend the day at one of the most pristine, stunning beaches in the Caribbean. Sneakers or hiking sandals are great, but flip flops are fine, too!
Shopping
Great little place on the boardwalk in downtown Christiansted Harbor for souvenirs!
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Purple Papaya Souvenir and Gift Shop
81 Queen Cross StGreat little place on the boardwalk in downtown Christiansted Harbor for souvenirs!
A stunning shop on the island with exquisite handcrafted furniture, decor, and artwork.
Sweet Lime Furnishings
6F Constitution Hill RdA stunning shop on the island with exquisite handcrafted furniture, decor, and artwork.
From their website: “Take a handmade piece of the Caribbean home with you. Mitchell Larsen Studio in Christiansted, Virgin Islands, provides unique art glass pieces, including Christmas ornaments, that no one else has. Since 1992, we've been providing tourists and locals with pieces of high-quality, personalized art glass. You'll find everything from plates and platters to serving dishes and ornaments in all shapes and sizes. Why not order the background you like or select from hundreds of handcrafted objects to make your purchase truly "you?"
Mitchell Larsen Studio
2000 Company StreetFrom their website: “Take a handmade piece of the Caribbean home with you. Mitchell Larsen Studio in Christiansted, Virgin Islands, provides unique art glass pieces, including Christmas ornaments, that no one else has. Since 1992, we've been providing tourists and locals with pieces of high-quality, personalized art glass. You'll find everything from plates and platters to serving dishes and ornaments in all shapes and sizes. Why not order the background you like or select from hundreds of handcrafted objects to make your purchase truly "you?"
Don’t let the name of the store fool you! Believe it or not, this little hardware store carries a large, beautiful selection of coastal-themed housewares and decor items. One of my favorite places to shop for decor and functional items for our home in St. Croix. Do yourself a favor, and check it out!
Gallows Bay Marine
Don’t let the name of the store fool you! Believe it or not, this little hardware store carries a large, beautiful selection of coastal-themed housewares and decor items. One of my favorite places to shop for decor and functional items for our home in St. Croix. Do yourself a favor, and check it out!
Mangoes, star fruit, and passion fruit, OH MY! Amazing local produce and fish. Meet and talk with local farmers! Open Wednesdays and Saturdays. Be sure to go early, by 9am at the latest.
La Reine Farmers' Market
Route 75Mangoes, star fruit, and passion fruit, OH MY! Amazing local produce and fish. Meet and talk with local farmers! Open Wednesdays and Saturdays. Be sure to go early, by 9am at the latest.
Entertainment & Activities
Riding horses on the beach and in the rain forest on a guided tour. What could be more fun???
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Cruzan Cowgirls
Riding horses on the beach and in the rain forest on a guided tour. What could be more fun???
The tours here are super fun and especially great to do on rainy days when you can’t be outside much. It’s fascinating to tour the distillery and learn how the rum is made; plus, they let you sample a lot! And each person can buy up to 6 bottles - which cost less here than half the price of what you pay in the states for the same bottles - that they will securely wrap and box up for you that you can take to the airport as a FREE checked bag. It’s true!
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Cruzan Rum Distillery
The tours here are super fun and especially great to do on rainy days when you can’t be outside much. It’s fascinating to tour the distillery and learn how the rum is made; plus, they let you sample a lot! And each person can buy up to 6 bottles - which cost less here than half the price of what you pay in the states for the same bottles - that they will securely wrap and box up for you that you can take to the airport as a FREE checked bag. It’s true!
You MUST book a kayak tour in Salt River Bay’s BIOLUMINESCENT BAY one evening with Bush Tribe Eco Adventure Tours!!!
From their website (http://bushtribe.com/salt-river---bioluminescence.html): “An indescribable experience that will be with you for a lifetime. See the many different forms of bio-luminescent jellyfish, Dino-flagellates, and glow worms. The Bioluminescent kayak trip sets out before sundown giving us a chance to see a gorgeous sunset before we head to Mangrove Lagoon to see the glowing water . . . it is impossible to describe bio-luminescent water other than a bllue-ish aura that appears when you disturb the water . . . one of St Croix's most beautiful hidden gems.”
Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve
You MUST book a kayak tour in Salt River Bay’s BIOLUMINESCENT BAY one evening with Bush Tribe Eco Adventure Tours!!!
From their website (http://bushtribe.com/salt-river---bioluminescence.html): “An indescribable experience that will be with you for a lifetime. See the many different forms of bio-luminescent jellyfish, Dino-flagellates, and glow worms. The Bioluminescent kayak trip sets out before sundown giving us a chance to see a gorgeous sunset before we head to Mangrove Lagoon to see the glowing water . . . it is impossible to describe bio-luminescent water other than a bllue-ish aura that appears when you disturb the water . . . one of St Croix's most beautiful hidden gems.”
FISHIING!!! You can reel in magnificent fish for the experience of a lifetime! Mahi mahi, wahoo, mackerel, red snapper, and more!
OUR 2 FAVORITE CHARTER BOAT CAPTAINS:
1) Captain Tony Peel of Fishing St. Croix (https://www.fishingstcroix.com/) on the boat Forever & Always
2) Captain Carl Holley on the boat Turn and Burn (340-277-4042)
TIP: Go fishing early in your trip, so that you can can grill/eat what you catch during your stay!
Green Cay Marina
FISHIING!!! You can reel in magnificent fish for the experience of a lifetime! Mahi mahi, wahoo, mackerel, red snapper, and more!
OUR 2 FAVORITE CHARTER BOAT CAPTAINS:
1) Captain Tony Peel of Fishing St. Croix (https://www.fishingstcroix.com/) on the boat Forever & Always
2) Captain Carl Holley on the boat Turn and Burn (340-277-4042)
TIP: Go fishing early in your trip, so that you can can grill/eat what you catch during your stay!
Visit www.ridge2reef.org to schedule a tour. From their website: “Visit the premier agritourism site in the Eastern Caribbean at Ridge to Reef Farm, St. Croix! Our primary site in the "rain forest" on the northwest corner of the island is rugged, beautiful, and equipped for visitors who want to taste the wild caribbean in a stunning natural setting. We have created tours, farm stays, and special events for you to enjoy the farm while experiencing farm life and learning the people, plants, animals, and nature that we cherish and caretake every day.“
Ridge to Reef Farm
Visit www.ridge2reef.org to schedule a tour. From their website: “Visit the premier agritourism site in the Eastern Caribbean at Ridge to Reef Farm, St. Croix! Our primary site in the "rain forest" on the northwest corner of the island is rugged, beautiful, and equipped for visitors who want to taste the wild caribbean in a stunning natural setting. We have created tours, farm stays, and special events for you to enjoy the farm while experiencing farm life and learning the people, plants, animals, and nature that we cherish and caretake every day.“
From their website: “Post Hurricane Maria, the Cane Bay Dive Shop is operating full time out of the Frederiksted location . . . The best scuba diving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is along “The Wall” that runs about 7 miles parallel to the North Shore of St. Croix. Cane Bay Dive Shop has a prime location on this northern shore. We offer our divers more than 20 different dive sites to explore within one mile in either direction, as well as the "must-do" Frederiksted Pier the Wrecks at Butler Bay and other west end dives.”
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Cane Bay Dive Shop
2 Strand StFrom their website: “Post Hurricane Maria, the Cane Bay Dive Shop is operating full time out of the Frederiksted location . . . The best scuba diving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is along “The Wall” that runs about 7 miles parallel to the North Shore of St. Croix. Cane Bay Dive Shop has a prime location on this northern shore. We offer our divers more than 20 different dive sites to explore within one mile in either direction, as well as the "must-do" Frederiksted Pier the Wrecks at Butler Bay and other west end dives.”
Drinks & Nightlife
Casual little open air beach bar with fantastic food and live music. Just a few minutes away from our condo. Thursday is always “Open Mic Night” with music by local musicians!
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Castaways of St. Croix
Casual little open air beach bar with fantastic food and live music. Just a few minutes away from our condo. Thursday is always “Open Mic Night” with music by local musicians!
Sounds crazy, but their Disco Bingo on Thursday nights is incredible! Deejay plays classic tunes between rounds of bingo (dance if you want to!). The pot is often HUGE (I’m talking like $1000-2000 huge!) for the final round, and somebody will win, so it might as well be you! Winners are sometimes able to pay for their whole vacation! Limited seating, and it’s so popular on the island that you need to call the restaurant to reserve your spot a week in advance. $5 per bingo card; you can use it for all rounds; buy as many cards as you want. Good luck!!!
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The New Deep End Bar & Grill
Sounds crazy, but their Disco Bingo on Thursday nights is incredible! Deejay plays classic tunes between rounds of bingo (dance if you want to!). The pot is often HUGE (I’m talking like $1000-2000 huge!) for the final round, and somebody will win, so it might as well be you! Winners are sometimes able to pay for their whole vacation! Limited seating, and it’s so popular on the island that you need to call the restaurant to reserve your spot a week in advance. $5 per bingo card; you can use it for all rounds; buy as many cards as you want. Good luck!!!
US Virgin Island microbrewery and restaurant located on the downtown harbor boardwalk
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Brew STX
Strand LaneUS Virgin Island microbrewery and restaurant located on the downtown harbor boardwalk