Charlotte Amalie
Since the days of pirate battles and rum trade Charlotte Amalie's natural deep-water harbor has served the world's ship masters, merchants, and traders and the town's storied history can still be seen written in the walls of this old Danish city by the sea. The hulking wooden vessels that once mapped the modern world have all been replaced by towering cruise ships, and the name of the game these days is big-ticket, duty-free shopping. Scores of colorful stores line Main Street, while still dozens more beckon to visitors from cool, shaded alleys. There is no question: Charlotte Amalie is a shopper's paradise, but beyond the gold and jewels, the fine fabrics and cutting edge electronics available in dizzying profusion, she is also a town steeped in art, culture and history. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Frenchtown
When the French from St. Barths and other down-island locations began settling on St. Thomas, some went to the Northside to work the land, while others founded a tiny burgh just West of the main town of Charlottte Amalie and settled into the lives of fishermen. To this day Frenchtown remains a viable small-scale fishing port, and perhaps for this reason still enjoys a reputation as the culinary capital of St. Thomas. In addition to several restaurants that run the gamut from family to fancy, visitors will also find an endearing French Heritage Museum, a small marina, and more. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Red Hook
Red Hook is home to the parking-lot bar Jimmy Buffet made famous, Duffy's, where you can get countless drinks in souvenir cups, food, and more. The bar is especially popular with 20-somethings at night. A large part of Red Hook centers around American Yacht Harbor, where the majority of the island's charter-boat, fishing boat and boat-rental companies operate. The area has a number of great clothing and gift shops – check out Keep Left and Captain Nautica – and tons of restaurants. The pizza and view of the harbor from Sopchoppy's Bar is beautiful at suset, Caribbean Saloon features several big screens for sports, and XO Bistro is one of the island's only wine bars. Most importantly, Red Hook is where you can catch ferries to St. John, Tortola and other British Virgin Islands, and it's where to catch the car ferries to St. John as well. The area also has a banks, a Subway Sandwich Shop, ice cream, mail services, a walk-in medical clinic and the grocery store Marina Market. Parking can be a bear, but taxis are always available. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Tutu
Though Tutu does not have the quaint shops of downtown or the variety of Havensight, the shopping area is a necessity for locals and for frugal vacationers. The larger of the two on-island Kmarts, an OfficeMax, Western Auto, Plaza Extra (a major island grocery store), dollar stores, banks a Post Office and more are all located in this center-island area. Cost-U-Less (similar to Sam's Club in the States), Home Depot, the island's movie theater and more are just up the road toward town. It's a good area to hit for less expensive bathing suits and clothes, sunscreen, postcards, food and personal care items. A number of fast-food and other restaurants line the area as well, including McDonald's and KFC. It may be best to avoid the area around Tutu between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. because of heavy traffic. Tutu is located toward the center of the island, about 10 minutes northeast of downtown if there's no traffick. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Drake Seat
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake sat atop this Northside ridge and watched trade ships traverse the area. By most honest accounts, that story may be more myth than fact, but the spectacular views from Drake Seat, directly above Magen's Bay, one of the world's most beautiful beaches, make for postcard-quality photos. There is some parking in a pull-out along the side of the road where you can stop for photos, or to just take in the beauty. Any taxi can take you there, or follow Mafolie Hill Road north from downtown to the intersection of Valdemar Hill drive, then go east a few hundred yards. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Mountain Top
Perched at 1,500 feet atop Peter Mountain on St. Thomas, Mountain Top has a spectacular view of Magen's Bay and down island as far as Virgin Gorda, on a clear day. The shops at Mountain Top are worth a look, too. They include jewelry and souvenirs, Caribbean spices and hot sauces. And don't leave without trying the famous Banana Daquiri. Mountain Top has served more than 6 million of these frozen, fruity drinks, using a recipe more than half-a-century old. Mountain Top, originally called Signal Hill, was home to a U.S. Army facility in the 1940s, and included barracks, a club, and several underground bunkers. Legend has it that the Banana Daquiri was first made in the NCO club in the 1940s. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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Crown Bay
An increasing number of cruise ships are docking at Crown Bay, a few miles east of downtown St. Thomas. The marina went through extensive renovations and expansions in the early 2000s, and alongside the boat-related businesses, there are several jewelry stores, a restaurant, Tickles Pub, a spa, a dive shop and much more. St. Thomas Beach Guide – St. Thomas Accommodations Guide – St. Thomas Community Events Calendar – St. Thomas Taxi Rates – V.I. Ferry Schedule

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