St. John, US Virgin Islands, travel guide: What to see & do
Top things to do & see in St. John
Virgin Islands National Park
Half of the island is known as the Virgin Islands National Park, with the park's beaches as the can't-miss attraction. Virgin Islands National Park covers two-thirds of the island, with 7,000 acres of hills, valleys and beaches and 20 miles of hiking paths to explore. The park is also home to pre-Columbian archaeological sites that contain petroglyphs and artifacts from the Taino people. The Visitor Center in Cruz Bay offers an exhibit that highlights St. John's natural and cultural resources along with examples of the diversity found in the island's coral reefs.
Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum
The library and museum is located near Cruz Bay in a restored plantation great house. Guests will be impressed by the photographs and newspapers that display the fascinating details of the island’s history. Work done by local artists such as paintings and drawings is also on display, hanging on the walls throughout the museum.
Sugar mill ruins
Once host to a lucrative sugar industry, the mills and plantations are now ruins, but still accessible to the visitor. Visit the Catherineberg Sugar Mill, Annaberg Sugar Plantation or Cinnamon Bay Sugar Mill ruins and explore the rich history of the island’s agriculture. The ruins also play host to many exhibitions throughout the year as well as concerts and arts and crafts fairs.
Beaches
- Trunk Bay is home to one of the most beautiful — and photographed — beaches in the world. It's the place beginning snorkelers love because of its sweet underwater trail to lets you scout out schools of angelfish and colorful triggerfish.
- Cinnamon Bay offers a long, sandy beachfront and beautiful cay right next to a national park campground and historic plantation of the same name. It serves as both a hub for water sports, with a center that rents snorkel gear and windsurfing equipment, as well as a campground with bare tent sites, prepared sites and cottages next to the beach.
- Other good choices include Hawksnest, Francis Bay, Maho Bay and Annaberg Bay. All come equipped with facilities, including bathhouses, snack bars, souvenir shops and water sports gear rental.
Nightlife
St. John is definitely a sleepy island, so don't expect a plethora of nightlife activities. When the sun goes down you can still enjoy a wonderful dinner on the patio of one of the fine restaurants, but as far as rocking clubs and loud bars, that just isn't St. John's style. Woody's Seafood Saloon just off the dock in Cruz Bay is a great option for happy hour as well as late drinks.
Best bets for dining
The relative quiet of St. John doesn't mean that eating out is an issue. More than 30 restaurants on the island cater to a variety of tastes and range from chic and expensive to cheap and funky.
- Skinny Legs Bar and Grill in Coral Bay is a solid bet for burgers and seafood dishes and is an excellent spot for a beer after a day in the water.
- Another good bet is The Tap Room, which is connected to St. John Brewers and features a food menu that pairs entrees with their own brews.
Best time to go
The weather in St. John is pleasant year-round, but hurricane season occurs between June and November, so the winter months are usually the best times to visit.
Fun fact
- In 1917, the United States bought St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix from Denmark for $25 million in gold.
When you arrive
Docking information
Cruise ships dock at the Charlotte Amalie Port in St. Thomas, where a ferry will then take you to the island of St. John.
Getting around
The Vitran bus service will take you between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay for only $1. Opt for the surrey taxis or open-air vehicles on nice days (which is usually all the time) for approximately $7.
Safety
Locals recommend leaving your windows down and taking everything with you, rather than locking it and risking a broken window.
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