Description:
If you're a day-tripper from St. Thomas and want to get a feel for St. John without expending too much energy, hop in a car or taxi and check out these essential eateries, beaches, and historical landmarks. You can either rent a car after you get off the ferry from Red Hook, or negotiate a rate with one of the many taxis who will be lined up to greet you at the ferry terminal.
View Iternary mapDay Note:
When you arrive in Cruz Bay, take a little while to grab some breakfast bagels and espresso at the Baked in the Sun bakery before cruising around town, soaking up the vibe and doing some window-shopping. Most shops are clustered around Mongoose Junction, which is only a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Then drive or ride over to Trunk Bay beach and spend a couple of hours basking in the sun, swimming or snorkeling on the excellent reef. This beach...read more
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Cruz Bay
Contact:
- +1 340 776 6201
Location:
- Waterfront to North Shore Road and Jacob's Ladder
- (on the west coast of St John)
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Map
Description:
Cruz Bay is St. John's main town. With its front to Cruz Bay Harbor and its back to the hills that begin at the town's fringes, the town is compact and easy to navigate on foot. While it sprawls a bit to the southeast along Route 104, most of the shopping, restaurants and services are located just a short walk from the ferry dock. It is a great place to spend a few hours poking around. Credit card usage varies by business.
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Trunk Bay beach
Contact:
- +1 340 776 6201
Location:
- Route 20
- North Shore Road
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Map
Description:
Virgin Islands National Park's Trunk Bay is lovely. Palm trees shade the nether reaches of this sandy strand, providing cover for the hordes of cruise ship passengers who visit here on tour. Go early or late if you want to enjoy the beach's beauty. The underwater snorkeling trail is a bit overrated and is aimed at beginners, but if this is your only chance to snorkel, it is worth getting wet. The beach sports cool showers, flush toilets, a snack bar, small gift shop and snorkel gear rental operation ($5).
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Miss Lucy's
Contact:
- 340/693-5244
Location:
- Salt Pond Road
- Salt Pond Rd., near Estate Concordia, Coral Bay
- Friis Bay,St. John
Description:
For the broadest array of island cuisine, nobody does it better than Miss Lucy. Her food is the way it used to taste in the Caribbean long before anyone ever heard of upscale resorts. Before becoming the island's most famous female chef, Miss Lucy was a big hit with tourists as St. John's first female taxi driver. Her paella is scrumptious: a kettle brimming with hot Italian sausage, deep-fried chicken, shrimp, and mussels over perfectly cooked saffron rice. Traditional conch fritters appear with a picante sauce, and you can gobble them down with Miss Lucy's callaloo soup. She has a magic touch with this soup. Her fish is pulled from Caribbean waters, and does she ever know how to cook it! When a local fisherman catches a wahoo, he is often likely to bring it here for Miss Lucy to cook. Main dishes come with fungi, a cornmeal-and-okra side dish. At one of her "full moon parties," she'll cook a roast suckling pig. For dessert, try her banana pancakes. Sunday Jazz brunch is also memorable. Sit either indoors, or out on the seaside patio. Located near Friis Bay on Salt Pond Road.
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Annaberg Plantation
Contact:
- +1 340 776 6201(Visitor Information)
- visit website
Location:
- Off Route 20 (North Shore Road)
- Near Leinster Bay
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Map
Description:
Annaberg Plantation is a must-see spot for people who want to understand St. John's past. Now under the Virgin Islands National Park umbrella, the plantation dates to 1721. The hillsides above were once planted with the sugar cane processed in the plantation's stone windmill and sugar factory. The remains of a slave village can be spotted near the entrance. Spectacular views of the sea and other islands are included with your admission charge. The park often has staff on hand to provide information. No credit cards accepted.
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Asolare
Contact:
- +1 340 779 4747
- visit website
Location:
- North Shore Road
- Cruz Bay
- St. John,St. John00830
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Map
Description:
This is the most beautiful and elegant restaurant on St. John, with the hippest and best-looking staff. Asolare is in the Estate Lindholm Bed & Breakfast and sits on top of a hill overlooking Cruz Bay and some of the British Virgin Islands. Asolare translates to "the leisurely passing of time without purpose" in Greek, and that's what many diners prefer to do here. The chef roams the world for inspiration and cooks with flavor and flair, using some of the best and freshest ingredients available on the island. To begin, you might try the grilled Asian barbecued shrimp or the squid and shrimp medley. For a main course, you will be tempted by the ginger lamb or the peppercorn-dusted filet of beef. Two truly excellent dishes are the chicken Kiev and the sashimi tuna with plum-passion fruit sake vinaigrette. For dessert, try the fresh berry dishes or the chocolate pyramid cake.
- Destination(s): St. John
- Type: Best of...
- 1 DAY
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