Going to St. Thomas...Any Hints or Tips?

[TwinMom7]

DH and I are going to St. Thomas in 5 weeks!!! He earned the trip through his company - top sales reps and top clients will be going. Except for the first night and the last night, we have the rest of the 5 days for ourselves. We have scheduled one day for a tour of St. John and another day we're doing a day sail/snorkel with two other couples.

We'll be staying at the Frenchman's Reef, and we do want to spend a day relaxing at our resort - pool/beach, and I also want to spend a few hours shopping in Charlotte Amalie.

So, can anyone recommend anything else that shouldn't be missed? What about a couple of nice restaurants/bars for our free evenings?

I've read travel guides until I'm blue in the face, but I respect the opinions on these boards over ANY travel guides.

 

[debster812]

You could PM FigmentVI (she lives on St. Croix) and would probably have some great info for you.

She may even find this thread as well.

 

[figmentvi]

Hi TwinMom7:

I live in St. Croix and your plan that you have so far sounds great. You will definitely love St. John, it's the prettiest of the Virgin Islands. You will also love Frenchman's Reef. Great hotel and was recently remodeled.

You may also want to consider a day trip to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. There is ferry service from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook on the east end of St. Thomas. You will need proof of U.S. citizenship (i.e. passport or birth certificate). Great shopping there too.

The Greenhouse in St. Thomas is a fun bar (right on the waterfront). You should also go to Duffy's Love Shack in Red Hook (wild place !!).

For restaurants, try Cafe Amici (good Italian food) and the Blue Moon Cafe (good seafood). I'll try and think of some others and PM you.

Just let me know if you have any other questions.

Linda

 

[Dodie]

You should ask this same question on the Disney Cruise Line board! There are a lot of past cruisers there who have made a stop at St. Thomas/done some excursions and exploring and would have some suggestions!

 

[Robinrs]

I've been to St. Thomas and St. Croix and just LOVED them. I only drove pass the Frenchman's Reef and it looked awesome. We stayed at a friend's condo in St. Thomas and a motel in St. Croix.

I love the shopping in St. Thomas but prefer to stay in St. Croix or St. John for relaxation and the beach. St. Thomas is awesome but busy! I went while I lived in NY and wanted to see as FEW people as possible! The people and the atmosphere is wonderful (look at Linda!) and you will enjoy it!

 

[TwinMom7]

Thanks Linda!!!

I'll add your information to my itinerary!!!

You're the BEST!

 

[Jen S]

Hi TwinMom7,

I'll delurk for this one. My husband and I got married at the Frenchman's Reef this past April, and stayed for a week. We love the resort. I would recommend dinner at Tavern on the Beach at the Morningstar end of the resort. It was one of the absolute best meals we've ever had. If you or your husband drink, make sure you try a bushwacker. If you go to St John, the snorkeling at Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay is awesome. We had a great time renting a jeep and driving around St John. The beach at Frenchman's Reef is really nice too. Have a great time! I wish I was going back.

Jennifer

 

[figmentvi]

Awwww gee Robin, you're so sweet

I forgot about the "Tavern" that Jen recommended. It is really good.

 

[TwinMom7]

OK Jen...Tavern on the Beach has been added to my list...and I'll drink a Bushwacker and think of you.

 

[Towncrier]

Magen's Bay Beach for a nice swim, then Udder Delights for a yummy milkshake (with an optional shot of rum).

On our last trip to St. Thomas, we did the Paradise Point Tramway. I wish that we would have spent our time doing something else. The view was impressive, but I don't think that it was worth the time and money. I think that we should have gone to Mountain Top for a banana daiquiri instead.

Have a great time in the USVI.

 

[debster812]

Well,

If you ferry over to Tortola, you must go by the Pusser's Company Store. Very nice potent rum. They make a drink called a painkiller.

Figment, I had no idea you could ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola, we've been toying with the idea of heading back to the BVI (we honeymooned there) but the flights to Beef Island are out of this world. We could fly to St.Thomas, ferry over to Tortola. Hmmmmm, Twinmom, you've created a bit of a monster here!

 

[TwinMom7]

Whew.......all I know is that I'm going to eat, drink, swim, snorkel and shop until the cows come home!!!

Thanks for all the great advice!!!

 

[shortbun]

Be sure to take at least a valid driver's
license and govt issued photo i.d. with
you. Often people are asked for a passport
to go to the B.V.I.s (Tortola etc.) although
sometimes it's not asked for-best to have
one if possible. Take plenty of deet based
insect repellent and use it. U R going in the
rainy season and no-seeums are rampant
on parts of the island. Early morning beach
walks and evening beach time are when they
bite the most-you can't see them so just
lather up. Some of them are deet immune so
the locals use olive oil-the noseeums try to
bite them and drown in the oil. If you get
really bit up-the pharmacist on St. John makes
something called "Carribean Lifestyles" that
numbs the itch and takes the swelling down.
Personal experience. St. John is my
favorite beach destination vacation and I love
St. Thomas too.