St. Thomas Overview

Duty-free shopping, sunning and stepping out take the front seat here, where cars are tagged American Paradise. By far the most popular of the US Virgins, St. Thomas is a three by thirteen-mile treasure visited by one million tourists annually.

Districts

St. Thomas is the busiest of the three United States Virgin Islands. With 28 square miles of lush green hills and sandy beaches, St. Thomas and the nearby island of St. John see nearly 1.7 million visitors a year, far more than their sister island of St. Croix.

The island’s main town, Charlotte Amalie, bustles like any small city with vacationers shopping and residents heading off to work. Despite the surface buzz, it is easy to find quiet pockets away from Charlotte Amalie and other busy areas. The island, a Danish colony until the Unites States bought it in 1917, is home to just over 51,000 people. Many residents work in the tourism industry, at businesses dependent on the tourism industry, or for the local government.

The island’s historic attractions should not be ignored. Its colorful history dates back at least several thousand years. The early Indians had disappeared by the time Denmark settled St. Thomas in 1666, but the Danes left their mark in many ways. In Charlotte Amalie, the island’s main town and the seat of government, the narrow streets and alleyways are lined with centuries-old brick and stone buildings. Once warehouses filled with molasses, sugar and other goods awaiting export to Europe and shops with family quarters above, those buildings now house offices and shops.

Entertainment

When it comes to entertainment, the offerings are as eclectic as the people who live in St. Thomas. What is fresh and new this season may have left the island by next, but others quickly take their place. The winter season always sees more to do than the summer. For the latest on entertainment events, pick up a copy of St. Thomas This Week, available free at shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions around the island, or check the Thursday edition of the Virgin Islands Daily News. The weekend section gives a good rundown of who is playing where and when.

Shop till you drop is the motto for many visitors to St. Thomas. While shopping in all the United States Virgin Islands is duty free, it pays to check prices before you leave home to make sure you cannot buy items cheaper from your local discount store. Merchants tout deals on jewelry, liquor, electronic equipment, camera, linens, and more. United States residents may bring in USD 1,200 worth of goods. All items made in the territory, including art, are exempt from the total.

While Charlotte Amalie is the main shopping area, several shopping areas with tourist-oriented shops are now spread out all across the island. Havensight Mall has dozens of shops, some branches of Charlotte Amalie stores. Most hotels also have a few shops perfect for picking up resort wear and souvenirs.


Content Provided by WCities