Things to Do in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
For most things, St. Thomas operates the same way as North America:
Currency: US dollar
Language: English
Time Zone: Atlantic
Outlets: Same as North America
The Ritz Carlton Club at St. Thomas is also ideally located allowing you to take advantage of the island's proximity to the other Virgin Islands, St. Thomas
attractions, and the island's many various recreational activities.
Getting There
Driving:
- Driving is on left side and steering wheel is usually on left
- Roads are very steep
- St Thomas is very small and most places are all within about 20 min of each other
- Average speed limit is around 35 mph
- Be aware for stray animals in road
Taxis:
- It’s easy to get a taxi but make sure to bargain with the driver before your ride as they do not use meters
- The Club Concierge can also help you to get a taxi and can advise you as to the appropriate rate
6910 Great Bay, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802
St. Thomas Restaurants
The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their incredible seafood which makes for a number of exquisite restaurants in St. Thomas. There are a number of great restaurants near the resort but Charlotte Amalie is a nearby and is known for their fine dining. The resort also has some great on-site restaurants as well, including the upscale Alloro Restaurant, offering delicious Italian food and Sails, a casual restarant right on the water offering burgers, fresh seafood and more for relaxed dining.
If you’re looking to venture out of the resort for a meal, there are many great options nearby as well. Whether it’s seafood, Italian, steaks, or even waterfront dining, the Club Concierge can help you to find the perfect St Thomas restaurants to dine at during your stay!
Shopping in St Thomas
St. Thomas is known around the world for its exquisite shopping and rare novelties that it has to offer. Whether it be jewelry, rum, watches, art or crystal, people come from all over to peruse and purchase these items duty-free. St. Thomas shopping is one of the many reasons that this island remains one the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations.
Charlotte Amalie, the island’s capital and center, houses the majority of these specialty shops. Dronningens Gade, known as Main Street, is where you will find boutiques lining the street and surrounding off-shoots. This is also a great place to break up your shopping day with a nice lunch at a nearby café or a drink at one of the area various bars.
Several important things to keep in mind during your excursion:
~ The shops are usually only open for half a day on Sunday (till 1:00 pm), but if there are no ships in the port, they may not open at all on Sunday.
~ Shopping in St Thomas is particularly attractive because most of the shops are duty free, but note that the duty free exemption is $1,600 when traveling back to the U.S.
Local Attractions
While St. Thomas is known for its beautiful beaches and plethora of water activities, the island also has a lot to offer in the way of land activities. The island is rich with history and you could spend a whole day visiting the various historic sites the island has preserved.
One of the most popular of these historic landmarks that is fun for the whole family is Bluebeard’s Castle. After making it up the infamous 1,000 steps at the top of Bluebeard’s Hill, lies Bluebeard’s Castle which was reportedly built for his love Mercedita. There is more to the story and the history which you can find out by going on the one of several tours offered daily at the Castle’s museum.
Many people also enjoy the Skyride, located minutes from the cruise ship dock. This modern aerial cable car will take you up 700 feet to the top of Paradise Point. There you can visit the shops, restaurants and bars at the top or simply admire the unparalleled view of the island. This is also a popular activity at sunset, which can be followed by a romantic dinner at one of the point’s fine restaurants.
Magen’s Bay is another must-see St. Thomas attraction. Ranked by National Geographic as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, Magen’s Bay offers pristine turquoise waters and immaculate white sand beaches making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful bay a short trip away from the resort.
Red Hook was once little town which was connected to the bigger part of the island by dirt roads, but today has become a town with lots of great restaurants and bars, most of which cater to the boating community and also offer a variety of fresh fish fare. It can be fun to walk around this town for a while, but this is also the place to catch a ferry to St. John or the British Virgin Islands for a day of island hopping.
Be sure to check out the various St. Thomas attractions during your stay!
St Thomas Boat Trips
St. Thomas has been a premier boating destination for many years and the resort itself offers a full menu of options to discover and enjoy the water’s treasures in many different ways. Whether you’re looking for St. Thomas fishing, sailing along the ocean’s currents or exploring the notorious St. Thomas snorkeling, a stay at the Ritz St. Thomas condos offers you the opportunity to of these activities right at your fingertips!
If you are a sailing enthusiast or a even a first-timer, there are tons of different options to compliment a day of sailing in the Caribbean. The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas has its own 53-foot catamaran called the Lady Lyndsey. This boat offers everything from St. Thomas sunset cruises to pirate treasure hunts. Private cruises on the Lady Lyndsey can also be arranged for up to 49 guests or you can hop on board for one of the boat’s hiking and snorkeling excursions. If you are looking to get in some island-hopping during your stay, the catamaran also offers half-day, full-day and dinner sails to St. John. Whatever your heart desires, you can find it with the Lady Lyndsey, which also offers either cocktails and hors d’oeuvres or intricate buffets on every cruise the boat takes.
Another draw to the Virgin Islands is the ease in which visitors can go from island to island (island hopping as it is commonly referred to). Adjacent to St. Thomas, are the British Virgin Islands and neighboring St. John. What better way to visit these beautiful destinations than by water travel and the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas can help you to find the right boat trip to suit your trip. There are daily shuttle boat departures that visit these islands or you can relax on a luxury power yacht or a power boat charter if it is more your style.
Also not to be forgotten are the many scuba, snorkeling and fishing excursions that are available on the island. The Ritz Carlton concierge can help you to plan the ultimate boat trip to guide you in experiencing any of these options.
The resort also offers plenty of non-motorized equipment use as part of the resort fee. The resort fee allows you to take advantage of paddle boats, kayaks, hobie cats, windsurfers and snorkel equipment. Sailing lessons are also offered at the resort by Olympic Windsurfer Paul Stoeken.
Nightlife in St Thomas
St. Thomas nightlife is known amongst all of the Virgin Islands as being the most exciting and abundant. Dancing, karaoke, or just plain bar hopping are common on the island, outside of the resort, offering many opportunities to have tons of fun in St. Thomas. Between all of the bars on the island, you are sure to find whatever degree of American or Caribbean music you are in the mood for. On the island of St. Thomas, night life can be found in several areas that offer varied and exciting options for any type of night on the town.
Havensight is one of many areas visitors love to go to enjoy a large choice of fine cuisine and late night fun. It is here that you will find live music, sports bars, pool tables and American music.
Charlotte Amalie is the area along the waterfront and is where the famous St. Thomas shopping is mostly located. You will find St. Thomas restaurants and bars that are within walking distance to each other here but make not to venture outside of this popular nightlife area in downtown Charlotte Amalie after dark.
Frenchtown is another popular St. Thomas nightlife choice where you will find plenty restaurants and bars to explore. This area is located just outside of Charlotte Amalie and is quaint area that is worth checking out. Frenchtown is especially ideal if you are looking for good food. There is not as many bars in this area but you will find a few small ones here too.
Finally, Red Hook is the place to go if you are looking for a full evening of fun. This is where you will find the island-style party vibe that captures the whole block. This area offers lots of variety and many options in the way of St. Thomas nightlife. If bar-hopping is your style, this is a stop you don’t want to miss!
For families or the younger crowd, the island also has movie theaters, bowling lanes nearby as well as outdoor activities at nearby resorts such as beach volleyball and live Caribbean music at night.
St Thomas Tours and Excursions
St. Thomas tours are a great way to discover all of the beauty that can be found in the Virgin Islands. Whether you are looking to explore any of the nearby islands, uncover the island’s flawless beaches, or search for what the lies under the ocean’s surface. St. Thomas tours are the way to do it.
There are many different tours that are offered through the resort as well as outside of it. Many companies offer sailing, fishing and powerboat tours that can take you to the secret spots around the island surroundings, as well as tours on other Virgin Islands.
There are also companies that offer eco-tours by kayak and snorkeling in the St. Thomas Mangrove Wildlife Sanctuary and the island’s Marine Preserve.
St. Thomas is known for the it’s untouched beauty and there are plenty of St. Thomas tours that can show these special spots with expert knowledge.