A Whirlwind Tour of St. Croix
Touring the island is quite an adventure, since it's 82 square
miles.
Rental cars are available. You can also rent a taxi/tour car and have the
guide show you the island. The cost varies; it depends on the number of
hours. Your guide will know where to take you, what to see, and where to
have lunch (which is extra) outside of town.
Through your hotel you can arrange for a twilight sail or a cocktail
cruise or a Buck Island cookout and much more. Sightseeing tours
can also be arranged through your hotel. Ask for literature to find the
range of programs offered. All photos provided
by Carol Lee.
Sites to Look For:
- Estate St. George Botanical Garden
35k

Consisting of lush woods and rich land, the Garden covers 16 acres
and contains ruins of a 19th-century sugarcane village and rum factory
including workers' homes, manager's house, a bake oven, stone dam, a
blacksmith's shop and foundations of a watermill. A small admission fee is
charged.
- Buck Island Reef
Here is the only United States National Monument (we call it a "National
Park") that is underwater. The Park itself covers over 850 acres including
the island proper, with a sandy beach, picnic tables and barbecue pits.
The reef has two major underwater trails -- Turtle Bay Trail and East End
Trail. Numerous boats operate off the dock in Christiansted; your hotel
has specifics.
- Cramer Park
36k
A very nice place to relax the day away during the weekdays. The Park has a
beautiful beach and picnic area. On weekends the park is transformed
into a outdoor bar atmosphere with DJ's and music.
- Cruzan Rum Distillery
34k
Out on West Airport Road you can visit the distillery and see them making
Virgin Islands rum. The tour includes a walk through the plant by long,
flat sections of kegs, up ramps past the distilling, through fumes as
intoxicating as the rum itself, to bottling and labeling. Check at your
hotel for visiting hours.
- Eastern End of the Island
You've gone as far as you can go in the United States on the easternmost
point of St. Croix, Point Udall. The spot is barren, but beautiful. Bring
your camera.
- "Eye to the Sky"
Less than a mile from Point Udall, the National Science Foundation has
funded the installation of a giant $5-million-dollar antenna -- 82 feet in
diameter. This 260-ton dish will be used to explore the unknown universe.
Visit the site, where guides will explain that the antenna is identical to
nine others around the U.S. Together, the ten make up a single radio
telescope, sharing their data over the internet.
- Rain Forest
73k
As you head towards Frederiksted, you'll come upon Creque Dam Road and the
15 acres of the Rain Forest. The dam itself is 150 feet high. You will
also go along Mahogany Road, which is lined with beautiful mahogany trees,
yellow cedar, and Tibet trees (also called "mother's tongue" because of
the pods that rustle in the wind). The air is filled with the scent of
many of our island fruits, and also the call of mountain doves. The Forest
is private property; the owners have graciously consented to let visitors
tour.
- St. Croix Leap
22k
Also in the Rain Forest, you will find a group of talented woodcarvers.
You can order wood sculptures and chairs and tables all made from local
mahogany and have them shipped to your home.
- Salt River
35k
Here's where Columbus first arrived in the Virgin Islands in November 1493
on his second voyage to the New World, with 17 ships and 1500 men. He
called this island Santa Cruz.
- Whim Greathouse
40k
A restoration of one of the finest greathouses from the late 1700s.
There's the main house, windmill, watch house and bathhouse, cookhouse and
apothecary; also a museum and gift shop. This is one of St. Croix's
showplaces. Small admission fee.
In Christiansted
Christiansted has been called the picture-book harbor of the Caribbean; a
natural reef just offshore assures a haven for yachts and smaller pleasure
craft.
A Historical Tour of Christiansted
Ask for the "Walking Tour Guide" at the Division of Tourism. Be sure to
bring your camera, for places to visit include:
- Fort Christiansvaern
25k
Built in 1774 to protect the town's harbor, the handsomely restored Fort
has battlements to photograph and dungeons to visit. Small admission fee.
- Government House
44k
Impressive and imposing, a beautiful example of Danish architecture, this
structure dates back to 1747. You can go inside, and walk up the majestic
staircase to the magnificently appointed Ballroom.
- Outdoor Market
If you're putting together a picnic, here's the place to visit. The people
of the island bring their fruits and vegetables to sell here. You can get
mangos, papayas and many other delicious things.
- Steeple Building
54k
Here is where you'll find a small museum of Arawak and Carib artifacts,
and a display on the workings of a sugar plantation. There also is an
interesting chronology of the african people's history in the Virgin
Islands; and the history of the diverse architectural styles throughout the
centuries.
- The Old Customs House
is being used as an Art Gallery for art exhibits all year round.
- Churches
30k
You'll also want to visit some of the lovely old churches in
town, including the Gothic St. John's Anglican Church
and the huge Moravian Church
(the oldest of their sect under the American flag).
In Frederiksted
Here's where many cruiseships dock, approaching the palm-fringed town from
the open sea. Frederiksted is known for its continuous shoreline.
What to see
- Fort Frederik
43k
The first foreign salute to the U.S. flag was given at Fort Frederik in
1776. At the Fort on July 3, 1848, Governor General Peter Von Scholten
emancipated the slaves in the Danish West Indies. The Fort has been
restored in brick red and white, to the way it looked in 1840; the Fort
actually dates back to the 18th century. The restoration includes the
courtyard, the stables, the old soldiers canteen where tobacco and beer
were purchased, and the old garrison, is an art exhibit area. Open daily
Monday through Friday.
- In the middle of Prince Street, you'll find the Old Danish School.
It was designed by the well-known Danish architect Hingleberg in the
1830s.
- At the corner of Prince and Market Streets is St. Patrick's Roman
Catholic Church, built of coral stone in 1842. Other churches include
Lutheran, the Moravian and St. Paul's Episcopal Church
-- all historical buildings.
- Just one block across on the corner of Market Street is history that
still lives today. It is the Market that has been here since the
earliest days of Frederiksted in 1751.
All photos on this page are ©Carol Lee
1996
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