St. Croix Attractions

Cruzan Rum Equals the Taste of Success for St. Croix Making use of its rich natural resources has brought much tourism and attention to a quaint Caribbean island with a world famous rum distillery. [ Read St. Croix Attraction Guide » ]

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	ATTRACTIONS & SIGHTSEEING

Outdoor and Indoor Explorations... Good For the Body and the Mind

St. Croix is an island that's bathed with natural beauty, Old World charm, and New World opportunities. Whether via foot, tour bus, horseback, seaplane, or kayak...this is an island that literally beckons you to explore. So when you've done enough swimming in the surf, swinging in your hotel's poolside hammock, or stocking up on your limit of duty-free purchases, it's time to venture forth to see what other island treasures await your discovery.

No need to head indoors just yet though. Take part in one of the Caribbean Adventure Tours three-hour-long kayak excursions of the Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological Preserve. Safe and entertaining for all ages, here you can learn about the natural ecology of the area that includes several endangered species such as the hawksbill turtle and the roseate tern, as well as get a history lesson about this remarkable land. Who knew that learning could be so pleasing to the eyes? There's even a moonlight tour for those who just can't seem to get enough of St. Croix during the daylight hours.

Need to stretch your legs a little after the kayak trip? Head skywards by hiking up Mount Eagle, the tallest spot on the island that's perhaps better known as the "Beast" --- a part of the annual St. Croix Half Iron Triathlon that entrants must scale via bike. If you'd rather be surrounded by the ocean, you can flutter kick your way along the undersea trails of the Buck Island Reef National Monument that's located a short boat ride off the coast of St. Croix.

Not feeling quite that energetic? Meander at your own pace among the sixteen acres of the St. George Village Botanical Gardens; the frangipani-fragranced air that lingers over the island will become mixed with the scent of orchids, bougainvillea, and hibiscus. Any of these excursions will leave you with unforgettable views and a deeper appreciation of why so many people are drawn to this Crucian paradise.

Whether you're exploring the natural beauty of St. Croix or learning about its historical past, you'll quickly see why so many people are attracted to this little piece of Heaven on Earth.

You don't have to be a beach bum or a nature lover though to be attracted to St. Croix. Christened in 1493 by Christopher Columbus as Santa Cruz, which means "Holy Cross" in both Spanish and Portuguese, history buffs are also drawn to the shores of St. Croix. Spanish, English, and Dutch influences are still visible, as are the remnants of when the island was actually owned by the French West Indian Company, the Danish West India and Guinea Company, and when it also served as a private estate for the religious group known as the Knights of Malta.

The capital city of St. Croix has more than 25 acres of United States National Park Service-maintained land that's dedicated to the Christiansted National Historic Site. Explore the area on your own or be a part of a guided tour. Poke around in the well-preserved dungeons of the 18th century constructed Fort Christiansvaern or enjoy the displays at the Steeple Museum, a Danish West India and Guinea Company constructed building from the 1750's that has served a wide array of functions including a church and a bakery, or the 19th century Apothecary Hall, a Danish pharmacy that once employed the future U. S. statesmen, Alexander Hamilton. You can't help but notice the Danish influence as you walk along the cobblestone walkways that connect many of the historically significant yellow buildings.

Frederiksted, the second largest town on the island, is also home to numerous historical points of interest that you can tour alone or as part of a guided group. Perhaps the most popular stop is Fort Frederik, a National Historic Landmark that also dates back to the 1750's. This pirate-fighting fortress, that is now both a museum and art gallery, has the unique distinction of being the site where the newly formed United States was sent its first foreign gun salute. Emancipation Park is another destination of choice that not only provides a place to sit and enjoy the fresh air, but that also expands the mind with the historical figures and placards that are scattered about the grounds of this wonderfully landscaped focal point.

Also scattered about the island are numerous other "don't miss sites" including the Whim Plantation Museum, the Nature Conservancy-owned Estate Little Princess, and perhaps the best site to mix a history lesson along with pleasure... the Cruzan Rum Factory. If you don't want to miss a thing, plan on sampling the more than 200 points of interest along the 72-mile long Heritage Trail that explores every crevice of the island; drive yourself or be a passenger in one of the numerous Safari bus tours that travels the route. By the time that you're done with such a tour, you'll have gained a new appreciation for this historically significant and sensory-stimulating jewel of an island.