Guidebook STX
City/town information
Downtown Christiansted: Take a walk down the boardwalk: there are several restaurants/bars, shopping, etc. Shupes is a great all around bar/restaurant. Toast has amazing brunch. Breakers Roar TIki Bar and Hamiltons are great spots for specialty drinks. Common Cents, Levels, and Nirvana are fun bars for nightlife. Take the small boat over to Hotel on the Cay for another beautiful beach day. Plenty of shopping as well- Ginger thomas/southern saint, Asha, purple papaya for tourist knickknacks.
50 locals recommend
Christiansted
Downtown Christiansted: Take a walk down the boardwalk: there are several restaurants/bars, shopping, etc. Shupes is a great all around bar/restaurant. Toast has amazing brunch. Breakers Roar TIki Bar and Hamiltons are great spots for specialty drinks. Common Cents, Levels, and Nirvana are fun bars for nightlife. Take the small boat over to Hotel on the Cay for another beautiful beach day. Plenty of shopping as well- Ginger thomas/southern saint, Asha, purple papaya for tourist knickknacks.
"West is best" is the local saying. Good snorkeling and diving right at the pier. Get a Special banana drink at the Los Angeles Bar. Tap Deck is a great restaurant with balcony especially at sunset. RuffNites bar is a great local bar dedicated to helping Ruffstart dog rescue and is dog friendly. Sandcastle is another great beach view restaurant. 69 and flyers are other restaurant options. While on the west end don't forget to spend a day at the Fred. The Pier is a great place to walk in (or jump off of!) and snorkel. Lots of sea life on the pillars and usually turtles, occasional barracuda, ray, and if you are lucky a seahorse!
36 locals recommend
Frederiksted
"West is best" is the local saying. Good snorkeling and diving right at the pier. Get a Special banana drink at the Los Angeles Bar. Tap Deck is a great restaurant with balcony especially at sunset. RuffNites bar is a great local bar dedicated to helping Ruffstart dog rescue and is dog friendly. Sandcastle is another great beach view restaurant. 69 and flyers are other restaurant options. While on the west end don't forget to spend a day at the Fred. The Pier is a great place to walk in (or jump off of!) and snorkel. Lots of sea life on the pillars and usually turtles, occasional barracuda, ray, and if you are lucky a seahorse!
beach
Rainbow Beach
Beach with bar/food and watersports rentals, volleyball sand court
Most gorgeous stretch of beach (personally we like the furthest out exit). Only open Nov-May due to turtle nesting season
28 locals recommend
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
Most gorgeous stretch of beach (personally we like the furthest out exit). Only open Nov-May due to turtle nesting season
South Side beach, usually pretty empty. *Does have a high amount of sorgasm (seaweed) during rainy season
Hay Penny Beach
South Side beach, usually pretty empty. *Does have a high amount of sorgasm (seaweed) during rainy season
Hotel on the Cay
Quick boat ride over to a beautiful and crystal clear beach
Isaacs Bay Beach
easy snorkeling right off the beach
Shoys beach: A natural wood thicket tunnel leads you to a wonderful beach! (Turn into Buccaneer hotel, you will see a guard gate on your left by the golf course. Give the guard your name and drive down approx 5 mins to a parking lot (on your right). Entrance is right across from parking lot
11 locals recommend
Buccaneer Beach
Shoys beach: A natural wood thicket tunnel leads you to a wonderful beach! (Turn into Buccaneer hotel, you will see a guard gate on your left by the golf course. Give the guard your name and drive down approx 5 mins to a parking lot (on your right). Entrance is right across from parking lot
Davis Beach
Beautiful beach with snorkeling. located off of carambola hotel * little to no shade
Cane Bay Beach
Great snorkeling/diving right off the beach "the wall"
Hiking
Relatively easy hike down to Issacs Bay, most days you have this stretch of beach to yourself
9 locals recommend
Jack and Issac Bay Preserve Trailhead
Relatively easy hike down to Issacs Bay, most days you have this stretch of beach to yourself
Moderate/difficult hike (because most is uphill/rocky not alot of breeze) but the view at the top is beautiful!! recommend to go early morning before it gets too hot
Goat Hills
Moderate/difficult hike (because most is uphill/rocky not alot of breeze) but the view at the top is beautiful!! recommend to go early morning before it gets too hot
Sightseeing
Point Udall
Route 82Most eastern point of the US. Beautiful to watch the sunrise here!!
Easy hike to an old abandoned lighthouse. Climb the rickety stairs if you dare for some incredible views
15 locals recommend
Hams Bluff Lighthouse
Easy hike to an old abandoned lighthouse. Climb the rickety stairs if you dare for some incredible views
Great place to relax with friends for food. MUST try a mamma wanna shot- local favorite. Also ask to feed the pigs (don't worry its non-alcoholic beer)
38 locals recommend
Mt. Pellier Domino Club
49 Mahogany RoadGreat place to relax with friends for food. MUST try a mamma wanna shot- local favorite. Also ask to feed the pigs (don't worry its non-alcoholic beer)
Lyric Sails
has great snorkeling or sunset cruises. great captain and crew!
You cannot come to STX and not get over to Buck Island. Crystal clear water and unspoilt beaches. We usually use the company BigBeards.
78 locals recommend
Buck Island
You cannot come to STX and not get over to Buck Island. Crystal clear water and unspoilt beaches. We usually use the company BigBeards.
Sea Thru Kayaks VI
One of the few places to see bioluminescent plankton
Old carved out bath , natural "swimming pool" from supposed old monastery. Cool place to hike around/lava like/crater ground
7 locals recommend
Monks Bath Beach
Old carved out bath , natural "swimming pool" from supposed old monastery. Cool place to hike around/lava like/crater ground
Food scene
La Reine Chicken Shack
STX local staple! Try the johnnycakes for sure
Doesn't look like much from the outside but some of the best sandwiches on island. * There are 2 locations on island so be careful if ordering ahead
Quality Subs
Doesn't look like much from the outside but some of the best sandwiches on island. * There are 2 locations on island so be careful if ordering ahead
Blues' Backyard BBQ & Grill
Route 75Fun place for drinks, food, and live music
Common Cents Pub
Fun bar with stiff drinks. Enjoy Karoke in the back courtyard
The nightly and changing dinner specials are always good, gorgeous courtyard seating
57 locals recommend
Savant
4C Hospital StThe nightly and changing dinner specials are always good, gorgeous courtyard seating
Blue Water Terrace
20 Route 82east end restaurant
west end bar/restaurant with nice patio overlooking the pier and main street
9 locals recommend
Tap Deck Bar & Billiards
west end bar/restaurant with nice patio overlooking the pier and main street
The Bistro, Coffee and Eatery
5030 anchor WayBest salads and coffee on island
Grocery Stores
Plaza Extra East
Largest supermarket on east end
Cost-U-Less
Closest place to a "cost-co" like/bulk shopping
Seaside Market & Deli
Mount Welcome RoadCan find more specialty, vegan, higher end groceries here
Now known as the marketplace...largest supermarket on west end
16 locals recommend
Plaza Extra West Superstore
Now known as the marketplace...largest supermarket on west end
Brunch
Order the Rum cake French toast to share in addition to the other great brunch options
33 locals recommend
Toast Diner
81 Queen Cross StOrder the Rum cake French toast to share in addition to the other great brunch options
great brunch on some sundays (check social media to make sure they are going to be there) but tends to sell out so get there early
29 locals recommend
Ziggy's Island Market, LLC
great brunch on some sundays (check social media to make sure they are going to be there) but tends to sell out so get there early