Downtown shopping and beautiful (and famous!) beaches aren't the only places to stop on St. Thomas. Don't miss the nightlife in Red Hook, the restaurants in Frenchtown, the conveniences of Tutu and so much more! Here's a quick guide to St. Thomas' most popular neighborhoods and hotspots.

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 The hulking wooden vessels that once mapped the modern world have all been replaced by towering cruise ships, and the name of the game these days is big-ticket, duty-free shopping.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.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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
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. (See a list here). The area has a number of great clothing and gift shops – check out Keep Left and Captain Nautica – and tons of several restaurants. Red Hook is home to the parking-lot bar Jimmy Buffet made famous, Duffy's, where you can get countless drinks in souvenir cups, eat, dance the night away. Across the street there's everything from casual fine dining to pizza, and the view are beautiful at suset. Caribbean Saloon features several big screens for sports, and XO Bistro (back on the Duffy's side) 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 banks, a Subway Sandwich Shop, ice cream, mail services, a walk-in medical clinic and the large grocery store Marina Market. Parking can be a bear, but taxis are always available.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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 the islands residents and for frugal vacationers in much the same way that strip malls are necessary in towns the world over. The larger of the two on-island Kmarts, an OfficeMax, Western Auto, Plaza Extra (a major island grocery store), dollar stores, banks, a concentration of automobile dealerships, 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, Mango Tango Art Galler, the island's movie theater, several nice restaurants 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 traffic.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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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Sir Francis 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.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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, on a clear day, down island as far as Virgin Gorda. 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.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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
When the mega-yachts are lined up along Waterfront during season, there are always a few of their brethren parked quietly inside bustling little Crown Bay Marina. Crown Bay has also long served as the Islands' main commercial port and as an extra docking facility for particularly heavy cruise ship days. As of 2006, a brand new cruise ship terminal with retail stores, restaurants and a visitor's center nears completion in the area. Crown Bay Marina is a full-service and rather nicely appointed marina for yachts of all sizes. There is Gourmet Gallery – a complete grocery store – a variety of marine-related services, several jewelry stores, a restaurant, Tickles Pub, a spa, a dive shop and much more.
Go to: St. Thomas Attractions – 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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