Valerie’s guidebook
Local Culture & History
Take an art class or dance to live music at Tillett Gardens. This space is centered around arts, crafts, and community and has a restaurant, live music most nights, & local artisans at Mystic Valley gift shop.
10 locals recommend
Tillett Gardens
Take an art class or dance to live music at Tillett Gardens. This space is centered around arts, crafts, and community and has a restaurant, live music most nights, & local artisans at Mystic Valley gift shop.
Neighborhoods
Town on the East side of the island, only a 10-15 minute drive away. Boasts many bars and restaurants. Duffy's Love Shack is an iconic Tiki Bar in a parking lot, XO for cozy atmosphere and wine, Island Time Pub for pizza and marina views. Grab a coffee at Lattes in Paradise before catching a fishing charter out of American Yacht Harbor marina. This is also where the passenger ferry and car ferries leave for a day trip to St. John.
101 locals recommend
Red Hook
Town on the East side of the island, only a 10-15 minute drive away. Boasts many bars and restaurants. Duffy's Love Shack is an iconic Tiki Bar in a parking lot, XO for cozy atmosphere and wine, Island Time Pub for pizza and marina views. Grab a coffee at Lattes in Paradise before catching a fishing charter out of American Yacht Harbor marina. This is also where the passenger ferry and car ferries leave for a day trip to St. John.
Watch massive cruise ships glide through the harbor at Havensight. Many souvenir, alcohol, jewelry shops here. Smokin’ Rooster and Mutiny Bar + Kitchen are some of our favorite food stops. Take the tram up to Paradise Point for a steak dinner and gorgeous sunset views at Prime. Dog House Pub often hosts trivia & bingo nights.
33 locals recommend
Havensight
Watch massive cruise ships glide through the harbor at Havensight. Many souvenir, alcohol, jewelry shops here. Smokin’ Rooster and Mutiny Bar + Kitchen are some of our favorite food stops. Take the tram up to Paradise Point for a steak dinner and gorgeous sunset views at Prime. Dog House Pub often hosts trivia & bingo nights.
Check out the classic colonial architecture of historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, established in 1672. Visit the old fort and the famous 99 steps. Buildings were built from whatever could be found- even ship ballast & coral heads. Narrow walking paths take you to small cafes and restaurants, and plenty of shops as well. 'Tent City' is a cheap spot to find souvenirs for the whole family. We love Greengo's & Gladys' cafe for lunch, and the Taphus for a cold brew. Most places close around 4pm, not much of a nightlife scene in this town.
73 locals recommend
Charlotte Amalie
Check out the classic colonial architecture of historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, established in 1672. Visit the old fort and the famous 99 steps. Buildings were built from whatever could be found- even ship ballast & coral heads. Narrow walking paths take you to small cafes and restaurants, and plenty of shops as well. 'Tent City' is a cheap spot to find souvenirs for the whole family. We love Greengo's & Gladys' cafe for lunch, and the Taphus for a cold brew. Most places close around 4pm, not much of a nightlife scene in this town.
Small fishing town has multiple restaurants to choose from, we love French Quarter Bistro and the Twisted Cork café.
25 locals recommend
Frenchtown
Small fishing town has multiple restaurants to choose from, we love French Quarter Bistro and the Twisted Cork café.
Gawk at the mega yachts getting ready for their next charter and enjoy the murals by local artists throughout Yacht Haven Grande Marina. The Box Bar does great cocktails, for food we recommend Enkai Sushi and 13 Restaurant.
56 locals recommend
Yacht Haven Grande
Gawk at the mega yachts getting ready for their next charter and enjoy the murals by local artists throughout Yacht Haven Grande Marina. The Box Bar does great cocktails, for food we recommend Enkai Sushi and 13 Restaurant.
Shopping
Catch a great view & a banana daiquiri at this mega souvenir shop atop the highest peak of St. Thomas. Good spot if you want to get all your souvenirs in one go.
86 locals recommend
Mountain Top
Catch a great view & a banana daiquiri at this mega souvenir shop atop the highest peak of St. Thomas. Good spot if you want to get all your souvenirs in one go.
Food scene
When you ask “where can I find local food,” Brooks is the answer. Conch in butter sauce and red snapper are popular local fare. Close to Magens Bay so stop by dinner after your beach day.
34 locals recommend
Brooks Bar & Restaurant
6200 Magen's Bay RdWhen you ask “where can I find local food,” Brooks is the answer. Conch in butter sauce and red snapper are popular local fare. Close to Magens Bay so stop by dinner after your beach day.
Beaches
Local fave (and THE surf spot during a North Swell), there are a couple of beach bars -The Hideaway and Nomads- and on the way back from the beach, Fish Bar restaurant has fantastic fresh fish dishes.
Hull Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands
Local fave (and THE surf spot during a North Swell), there are a couple of beach bars -The Hideaway and Nomads- and on the way back from the beach, Fish Bar restaurant has fantastic fresh fish dishes.
The largest beach on St Thomas is in a large bay which makes it the perfect spot for paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling for sea turtles. Also has a hiking trail, bar & restaurant.
257 locals recommend
Magens Bay Beach
The largest beach on St Thomas is in a large bay which makes it the perfect spot for paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling for sea turtles. Also has a hiking trail, bar & restaurant.
We love hitting up this popular beach as early as possible to claim a good spot and enjoy the amazing blue water. Good snorkeling, lots of drink & food kiosks, Coki Beach Dive Club and Coral World Ocean Park are all here at Coki Point.
104 locals recommend
Coki Beach
We love hitting up this popular beach as early as possible to claim a good spot and enjoy the amazing blue water. Good snorkeling, lots of drink & food kiosks, Coki Beach Dive Club and Coral World Ocean Park are all here at Coki Point.