Places to See in the US Virgin Islands

For such a tiny territory there are a number of places to see and enjoy in the US Virgin Islands. Your first stop out here has to be the capital Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. One of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Charlotte Amalie is known for its excellent tax and duty free shopping as well as for its historic old buildings.

The shopping district here is located west of Emancipation Garden along Main Street. You can also find plenty of good restaurants here too, which offer some excellent seafood and other local fare. Blackbeard’s Castle and Government House are also two historical landmarks in town worth checking out. If you have the time, visit the St. Thomas Synagogue, which is the second oldest temple in the western hemisphere. The synagogues museum is truly incredible depicting over 300 years of Jewish history in the Caribbean and West Indies.

Also on the island of St. Thomas is Coral World, a marine park located at Coki Point. In the park you will find an undersea observatory that gives you some amazing views of the marine life out here. This 80,000 gallon reef tank showcases the beautiful marine in the Caribbean with turtle pools, shark pools and a stingray pool to enjoy. A mangrove lagoon and short nature trails are also found inside the park.

On the island of St. John, the Virgin Islands National park is also worth visiting. Home to more than 30 species of tropical birds, this park is also the habitat of iguanas, geckoes and hawksbill turtles that come here to nest. Over 9,500 acres, the Virgin Islands National Park has some excellent walking and hiking trails to enjoy. There are 22 well maintained hiking trails here that lead you through wet forests, plantations and old archeological sites onto some beautiful hidden beaches with plenty of swimming opportunities on hand.

On St. Croix, the Buck Island Reef National Monument is a must see. A tiny island of just 176 acres, Buck Island is a marine sanctuary, with some great snorkeling and good shallow diving. And while the beaches here are protected, you can still have a picnic with facilities and cooking grills available. The underwater sea gardens are marvelous to explore with a plethora of marine life on hand to discover.