An island of contrasts, St. Croix combines a rural feel with excellent dining choices, great golf courses, and airport access. Beachfront resorts of all sizes, a handful of small hotels tucked away in the island’s two towns, numerous condominium complexes on the beach and up in the hills, old sugar plantation ruins, and an oil refinery all share its 58 sq miles (150 sq km) of rolling hills and undulating coastline. Its size makes it large enough for some interesting drives, but small enough to find the perfect patch of island sun. In short, St. Croix combines the best of the other USVI islands sitting 40 miles (64 km) to the north, with a pace not as slow as St. John’s but with less bustle than St. Thomas.
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Morning
Get up early to watch the sun rise at Point Udall, at the island’s easternmost tip. Sunrise varies by season, so check with your hotel’s front desk to find out what time to depart. After snapping a few photos of the sun peeking over the horizon, head west to the Buccaneer Hotel’s (seeThe Buccaneer Hotel, St. Croix) attractive dining room for its scrumptious breakfast served buffet style and the fabulous sea views.
The point of a St. Croix vacation is not to shop till you drop or tour till you’re bored, but rather to see the sights at a slow pace and spend some time in a chaise. So after breakfast, head back to your hotel for a few hours at the beach. Don’t forget the sunscreen. When the sun gets high in the sky, head off to Christiansted for lunch at Café Christine (seeCafé Christine), where you can sit in blissful shade at the alfresco porch tables.
Afternoon
Walk off your lunch with a stroll around Christiansted, stopping at its small shops and taking in the town’s historic ambience. A halt at Christiansted National Historic Site (seeChristiansted National Historic Site) will help you understand the island’s history.
Pause for a few moments at one of the benches strategically placed along the waterfront boardwalk to enjoy the sea view.
Wrap up your afternoon with a sunset sail from the Christiansted waterfront, or simply return to your hotel for a nap.
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This waterfront bistro serves superb Cajun and Caribbean food (seeBlue Moon, St. Croix).
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Open to the trade winds, this eatery is the place to go for Sunday brunch. After a burger, prime rib, or Caesar salad, enjoy a wedge of flourless chocolate cake dripping with fudge sauce.
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French-influenced fare and divine desserts. The best seating is on the porch.
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Take a trip back in time to the Lawaetz family estate (seeCarl & Marie Lawaetz Museum) in Little LaGrange, managed by the St. Croix Landmarks Society with Lawaetz family members often serving as tour guides. Carl Lawaetz, originally from Denmark, bought the property in 1896 after serving six years as its overseer. Marie arrived from Denmark in 1902 after Carl courted her long distance. Their gardens and furnishings, now antiques, remain to remind visitors of another era.
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History and commerce come together in this charming town. Historic Fort Christianvaern casts its shadow over Christiansted National Historic Site, but the past permeates the entire town (seeFort Christianvaernand;Christiansted National Historic Siteand also;Historic Christiansted). Stroll by pastel buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, then segue off to a delightful lunch at a fine or casual restaurant. Small shops with eclectic merchandise offer an afternoon’s diversion.
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A stop at the Cruzan Rum Distillery gives you a glimpse into the island’s rum-based history as well as the present. The distillery, now owned by a liquor conglomerate and using modern methods, still has enough old buildings to make it a worthwhile visit. Your tour through the rum-making process ends with a free rum tasting; you can also shop for rum (seeCruzan), rum cakes, and t-shirts at its store.
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Charter boats leave from Green Cay Marina and the Christiansted waterfront for day trips to this marine park. Includes snorkeling and a few hours anchored off a fine white sand beach.
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Fish for the big ones on a saltwater trip off St. Croix on a charter boat.
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St. Croix’s second town, Frederiksted (seeHistoric Frederiksted) is more like a sleepy village that seems to come alive only when a rare cruise ship pulls up to the pier. That makes its waterfront Strand Street and the few other streets ideal for strolling. The huge Fort Frederik is a good place to start. It has a few exhibits and the usual guns, but it is also home to the quirky Virgin Islands Police Museum. The park out front is a good spot for a break.
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Restaurant price categories
Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
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