Charlotte Amalie is the capital city of St Thomas which is part of the US Virgin Islands group.
The US Virgin Islands consists of four major islands being St Croix, St Thomas, St John and Water Island and about 50 smaller islets and cays.
St Thomas is the hub of commerce and trade in the group.
In this article, we summarize some extraordinary things to do in Charlotte Amalie to help you experience the custom and culture of the island.
1. Take A Skyride To Paradise Point
This is a unique attraction which carries passengers via aerial tram to Paradise Point where individuals can see as far as Puerto Rico and St Croix on a clear day.
Paradise Point offers amazing scenic views of St Thomas Harbor. Additionally, there is a souvenir shop and restaurant to experience the local cuisine of the island.
Feel free to visit the Paradise Point website to see details of the tram schedule as well as to reserve your tickets for this service.
2. Relax At Emancipation Garden
Constructed in 1998, this garden is located in the heart of Charlotte Amalie near the Main Post Office, 99 Steps and Fort Christian.
It is a great area to for rest and relaxation in the city as there is a gazebo and seating areas.
The garden was constructed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery which occurred on July 3rd, 1948.
There is a taxi stand and bus stop nearby so this is a great place to use as a final stop to relax after shopping.
3. Explore The Market Square
Located in the middle of the city on Main Street is the Market Square. This open air area is a place where local vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables and street foods.
Furthermore, it is a great location to find Caribbean shirts for men, t shirts and locally made craft items.
Vendors are usually keen to sell their items and hence there may be better opportunities for negotiation and bargaining.
The market square tends to be busiest on the weekends.
4. Go Duty Free Shopping
St Thomas is the best Caribbean island for duty free shopping and the capital city Charlotte Amalie is no exception.
There are numerous upscale and prestigious stores offering jewelery, leather items, perfumes, electronic items and more.
Luxury shops such as Louis Vuitton, Bebe and Diamonds International have a retail presence in Charlotte Amalie.
Besides Main Street in town, Haven Mall near the cruise port and also Yacht Haven Marina are venues to explore for duty free shopping.
5. Spend The Day At Lindberg Bay Beach
If you want to remain in the city but still enjoy a lovely beach, Lindberg Bay is a hidden gem to consider.
Lindberg Bay is a beautiful stretch of white sand with tranquil waters which makes it ideal for small children.
Furthermore, there is a small playground nearby which can keep the children occupied apart from staying in the water.
There are two hotels that share the shoreline of this beach along with several local businesses where visitors can rent water sporting gear.
The beach is near the airport and tends to have less crowds that the popular Magens Bay Beach.
6. Take A Day Trip To Hassel Island
Hassel Island is a 135 acre landmass which can be accessed from Charlotte Amalie by boat.
The island was formerly joined to the mainland but later separated by the Danish Government in 1860.
This attraction is ideal for individuals who want to dive deeper into the history of the island.
There are several historic ruins such as Fort Willoughby, Fort Frederik and Fort Shipley to explore.
7. Visit Historic Churches
Churches are some of the oldest buildings on the island and places of historic significance.
In Charlotte Amalie, two prominent locations to visit are the Hebrew Congregation of St Thomas and Frederick Lutheran Church.
The Hebrew Congregation of St Thomas is a synagogue with sand on the floor. This synagogue is the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere.
Along the same lines, the Frederick Lutheran Church is the oldest on the island and was completed in 1793. The exterior stairways are stunning and are a beautiful scene to behold.
Both religious sites are welcoming to tourists and are quiet and peaceful places.
8. Stroll Up 99 Steps
This is a great place for photo opportunities in the city as there are buildings as well as beautiful tropical flowers along this staircase.
In reality, there are 103 steps instead of 99 steps as its name implies. At the top of the staircase is Blackbeard’s Castle which was constructed in 1679.
Additionally, there are magnificent views of St Thomas harbor which makes this spot a picture perfect location.
9. Snorkel At Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
Explore the wonderful marine life by taking catamaran or motor boat to the island.
The beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. There are numerous sea turtles in this area and is beautiful treat to experience snorkeling with them.
10. Tour Fort Christian
A tour of this fort will give you a deep dive into the history of the island as it remains to date as the oldest structure in the US Virgin Islands.
Built between1672 to 1680, Fort Christian has a distinct red exterior with a Victorian clock at the front.
There is a fee for admission which helps with the maintenance and upkeep of the property.
Final Thoughts
We trust that you found the information in this article helpful while in the capital city of St Thomas.
Charlotte Amalie is a small city and if you plan in advance you can accomplish a lot of sightseeing in a short period of time.
Need More Information?
We trust that the above article was informative for your visit to Charlotte Amalie.
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