St. Croix, USVI; Places of Interest and information

Frederiksted
Jump Up (also known as Harbor Night)- For a good time, try to go To "Jump Up" in Frederiksted which is held every other Wednesday. This is a "carnival-like" evening filled with steel bands, dancing, local arts and crafts, island food, and fun along the Frederiksted waterfront!

Fort Frederik - dates back to the 1700's and is Governor General Peter Von Scholten read the site where the proclamations abolishing slavery in 1848.
It holds a museum and art gallery and is open weekends from 8:30 am to 4 p.m. Admission free, but a $1 donation from adults is welcomed

The Market Place - an area of narrow streets and alleys which is one of the best places to appreciate the city's architecture. Many shops are located along this area.

Other interesting buildings include the Old Customs House and Victorian House.

Christiansted
The Wharf - a seven acre area that forms the Christiansted National Historic Site.

Fort Christiansvaern - the best-preserved fortress in the Virgin Islands. Built from yellow bricks brought from Denmark, the fortress has dungeons, galleys, cannons, and magnificent harbor views.

Apothecary Hall - the only museum of a historic Danish pharmacy in the Western Hemisphere. Open Monday through Saturday 10am to 4 p.m. - free

Hamilton House - Where Alexander Hamilton spent part of his boyhood

Lutheran Church - circa 1740

Steeple Building - originally built in 1734 as a church, but later used as a warehouse, bakery, and hospital.

Other historic buildings such as the Scale House, The Old Danish Customs House, and the West India & Guinea Company Warehouse - many are still in use.

Historic Walks/Tours

St. Croix Heritage Tours offers weekly walking tours or Christiansted and Frederiksted. Each walk lasts about 1-1/2 hours.

The Christiansted tour starts at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the gazebo on the grounds of Fort Christianvaern. The US$12 fee covers all admission charges and a cold drink, half price for children 10 and under.

The Frederiksted tour begins at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, and starts at the end of the cruise dock. The cost is US$8.

They also offer tours of Estate Mount Washington, the St. Croix LEAP woodcarving operation, and Estate Little Princess, which is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The groups range from 10-25 people, additional guides are hired on for groups larger than 25.

For more information, call 778-6997.

Also, the St. Croix Landmarks Society is currently developing (it made be done by the time of your visit) an island-wide trail that will connect existing heritage sites between Frederiksted and Pt. Udall. Call 772-0598

Island Tours
By ground:
Visit the historical sites, Attractions, beaches, and shopping with a knowledgeable guide. 3-6 hours of personalized tours by taxi, van bus, or safari bus. Tours normally cost about $30 for one or two passengers for 2 hours, and $40 for 3 hours
* Federations of St. Croix Taxi Association Inc (Taxi, Vans, Safaris)- (340)778-5587
* Paradise Tours (Bus) 800-772-0359, local (340) 772-0359, fax 772-4413
* St. Croix Safari Tours (Safari Van) - (340)773-6700, fax 73-3206
* Travelers Tours (Safari Van) - (340)778-1636, fax 778-7522

By Air:
Classic Biplanes Rides (690-RIDE) Offering a flight seeing ride over St. Croix. A 25-minute ride for 1 or two people. Two people would sit side by side in the cockpit of a 1993 Waco open cockpit biplane. - $150/couple or $125/single.

Plantations

The Whim Plantation Museum - a restored plantation that includes an 18th century neo-classical great house that is made of rock and coral bonded together with a mortar of sugar molasses and seashells, slave quarters, windmill, and factory. Guided tours and exhibits inform visitors about life on a sugar plantation during the 17th century. Occasionally they host "starving artists" sales for local painters and craftspeople. Museum is open Tuesday through Saturdays, 10a.m. - 4 p.m. May be open on Wednesdays - Call 772-0598 for more information. Admission $5 adults, $1 children.

Estate Little Princess - a 24-acre/9.6 hectare plantation belonging to The Nature Conservancy that overlooks Christiansted harbor. It contains 18th and 19th century great houses, water-well towers, sugar mills, and walking trails through native plants. Call 773-5575 or 7747633 for opening times.

Other Favorite Places of Interest

The Cruzan Rum Factory - you can take a tour of the rum-making process and go into a tasting bar where you can try this Caribbean liquor! Monday through Friday 9 to 11:30am and 1 to 4:15 p.m. Small admissions charge. Call for details 692-2280

St. Croix Leap/Rainforest - A unique woodworking shop in the rainforest north of Frederiksted is well worth the visit. Observe island mahogany and other locally grown wood being transferred into utilitarian and decorative items by skilled woodworkers and apprentices in this educational project.

World Famous Beer Drinking Pigs of Montpellier Domino Club- Well they would get too drunk and now they can only have non alcoholic beer but it is still fun to see them drink it! They have been featured on Inside Edition and mentioned in Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine, among others. Located in the middle of the rainforest on Mahogany Road (route 76). It's on the right if your are coming from the east (Christiansted) or the left if coming from the west (Frederiksted). From Villa Dawn it will be on the left. There is a $1 fee to see the 6 pigs, $3 to video them, and you buy their beer! You can eat there yourself (it offends the pigs if you eat pork there! Ha!) There is a full bar and local food for your enjoyment.

Lawaetz Family Museum - Adjacent to the rainforest, this old plantation dwelling and its gardens depicts Danish West Indian life of the early 20th century.
Guided tours 10am to 3pm Thursday through Saturday and the last Sunday of every month. Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment (772-0555). Admission $5.00, group rates available 772-1539.

St. Croix Aquarium - located in Caravelle Arcade in the heart of Christiansted. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am to 4 p.m. Admission $4.50 adults, $2.00 children. Includes a guided tour. Gift shop. 773-8995 for more details.

St. George Village Botanical Garden - a 17-acre park built over a pre-Columbian Indian settlement and the ruins of a 19th century sugar plantation displays a wealth of color, tropical flora. A rainforest walk and a cactus garden are among the attractions. Gift hop and nursery. Open Tuesdays - Saturday 9 am to 4 p.m., closed Federal holidays. Admission $5 adults, $1 children.

Point Udall - Experience the secluded eastern-most spot in the United States. The road was recently paved, but may not yet be open to vehicles. While in the area, look at the huge radio telescope across from Cramer Park. This is a 15 minute drive from Caribbean Dream.

Salt River and Columbus Landing - Visit the only documented landing site under the US flag of the fleet of Christopher Columbus on his voyage in 1493. The Salt River area, a National and Territorial Park, holds many historic and ecological treasures. In season, the St. Croix environmental Association conducts tours of this area, call 773-3663

Estate La Grange - a unique attraction and marketplace in the historic buildings of a former sugar and rum factory. Home of Santa Cruz Beer and Don Santa Cruz Wines, tastings for visitors. Also art and crafts displays, gift shops, a rum museum, and a Pirate show featuring the infamous Don Santa Cruz. Open on cruise ship days, Small admission charge. Call 772-3663.

Country Day School Gallery - has changing exhibits featuring the work of Virgin Islands artists.

Click on Villa Dawn or Caribbean Dream logo to go to our St. Croix home pages.