St. Thomas Islandu.s. virgin island

Buffered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, St. Thomas is 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. Charlotte Amalie—the highest populated area with 18,000 residents—is a port of call for cruise ships; retailers selling duty-free perfume, jewelry, clothing and other items are in abundance. Yet as the capital city there are also historic monuments, modern hotels and restaurants galore. Northside, the third-most populated region on St. Thomas, is home to Magens Bay and Crown Mountain, and just a short taxi ride from Charlotte Amalie. Approximately 2,000 people live in West End, which is immune from tourist attractions and hosts secluded beaches. Conversely, East End’s many condos, hotels, breathtaking beaches and restaurants—with Red Hook as the hub—entice many travelers. Anna’s Retreat, nestled in St.Thomas’ Tutu Valley, is the second largest town in the U.S. Virgin Islands: shopping centers and other services cater to residents, but there is also Tillett Gardens. The day trip worthy Water Island is a 490-acre residential island (and another U.S. Virgin Island) home to around 200 people who travel back and forth between St. Thomas via ferry. For a bit of Creole culture, head about a half mile southwest of Charlotte Amalie to Frenchtown, a fishing village that’s home to the French Heritage Museum.