St Croix
U.S. Virgin Islands

With its colonial buildings and open air restaurants, Christiansted is ideal for exploring on foot.

St. Croix Vacation and Tourism Information

The largest of the U.S. Virgins, St. Croix (pronounced "St. Croy") is the French version of the name Columbus chose for it, Santa Cruz ("Holy Cross").

St. Croix is separated into two distinct regions marked by the cities of Christiansted and Frederiksted. Both cities are characteristically Danish, adapting 18th-century European styles to the West Indies.

Strict building codes kept the towns from becoming shoddily-built tinderboxes. Unlike some of the more ramshackle British-ruled outposts, these cities were never leveled by fire, an all too common occurrence.

By law, a building's first floor had to be constructed of brick and stone, so a lot of yellow brick was shipped as ballast from Denmark for this purpose. Wood could be used only in the second floor, normally the living quarters. The first floor usually contained the shops and retail stores.

It was common to build long galleries across the front on the second floor and support them with stone arches, leaving the sidewalks well shaded.

Most of the hotels and shopping are located in Christiansted, rightly considered one of the Caribbean's prettier ports due to the lingering Danish influence.

Several blocks along the waterfront are part of a 27-acre Christiansted National Historic District, including six historic buildings operated by the U.S. National Park Service.

Christiansted is the departure point for the popular day trips to Buck Island, probably the Caribbean's most famous snorkel trail.

Frederiksted is located at the western tip of St. Croix, a 45-minute drive from Christiansted. Since its founding in 1751, it has been St. Croix's main deepwater harbor; all cruise ships dock here. Visitors are then transported by bus to Christiansted and other points of interest.

Old Caribbean Saying:
"You catch cows by their horns, men by their words."

St. Croix Weather

Current temerpature and 10-day forecast

St. Croix Arrival Briefing
What you need to know to get around easily

Major Attractions

Buck Island Reef National Monument
The first guided trail underwater

Exploring Christiansted Afoot
The bright yellow fort is the best known site

Exploring Frederiksted Afoot
Some buildings have ornate gingerbread decoration

Creque Dam Road
The dam is a good place for birding

Mahogany Road
Centuries old trees line the beginning of the road

The Plantation Great Houses
There were once 250 great estates like these

Point Udall
A famous geographic landmark

Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
An important turtle nesting beach

St. George Village Botanical Garden
Acres of plants and trees

West End Hikes & Walks

Many go through the so-called "rain forest"
Butler Bay Gut
Caledonia Gut
Creque Dam Road
Estate Mount Washington
Furnel Ridge
Ham's Bay Lighthouse
Scenic Road West

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