Attention, shoppers, this is your paradise! St. Thomas’ waterfront town of Charlotte Amalie offers what is probably the best shopping in the Caribbean. You’ll find crafts, jewelry, duty-free liquor, and just about anything else that you can squeeze into your suitcase. The town can get congested when there are three or more cruise ships in port. The crowds, though, create a festive atmosphere and St. Thomas really isn’t a "get away from it all" destination anyway.

    St. Thomas has a number of attractions other than shopping. Many of them center around the island’s views. Popular sites for viewing the sights include Mountain Top, Drake’s Seat, the Estate St. Peter Greathouse Botanical Garden, and the Paradise Point Tramway. On a clear day, one can see islands, a top-down view of Charlotte Amalie, sailboats, and the deep-blue water of the Caribbean.

    St. Thomas has some nice beaches. One should avoid deserted stretches, however, because crime is a concern. The more populated and safer beaches will satisfy visitors. Magens Bay is the island’s most famous beach. It is a popular shore excursion for cruise ship passengers and a stop here is included on many island tours. Sapphire Beach faces the neighboring island of St. John. The beach is beautiful and the views are great. Coki Beach is both attractive and a good spot for snorkeling.

    Nightlife is good but less extensive than one might expect. Charlotte Amalie gets quiet when the cruise ships depart. The Hard Rock Café is sometimes listed as a hotspot for nightlife. It is a fun place with food, music, and some interesting rock ‘n roll artifacts on the wall. We’ve been there some evenings, though, when the place was far more empty than full. The Greenhouse seems to be the most consistently crowded spot along Charlotte Amalie's waterfront at night. Some of the larger resorts around the island also offer their own lounges, bars, and entertainment.

    Anyone staying on St. Thomas for more than a few days should include a trip to nearby St. John. St. John’s beaches are amazing and well worth the short trip by ferry. Ferries depart St. Thomas from both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook. The British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, etc.) are also accessible by ferry so Americans might want to pack their passports even though they won’t be required for St. Thomas.