19 Things to Do & Places to Eat During Your Trip to St. Thomas

St. Thomas is the perfect honeymoon destination for those who want a bit of adventure and a bit of relaxation. Newlyweds will have no shortage of options when it comes to things to do. For all you foodies the island also has some incredible restaurants and bars.

Check out How to Honeymoon in St. Thomas for general information on planning a honeymoon to this gorgeous Caribbean getaway. It’s the perfect spot to honeymoon for those in the South or on the East Coast of the USA because of the many cheap flights available.

Things to Do in St. Thomas

Go on a Food Tour

Food is so much a part of a locations’ culture because it tells the story of people of the past. That’s why food tours are the perfect way to learn about the culture of a place plus find where the good restaurants are for the remainder of your stay.

A Charlotte Amalie Food Tour does an incredible job of mixing the types of food you try as well as interesting historical facts about the island and town of Charlotte Amalie. Try their Historic Downtown Walking Tour to get acquainted with the city and learn the historical background of the town.

Virgin Islands Ecotour

If you love the outdoors and adventurous activities then you shouldn’t miss a tour with Virgin Island Ecotours. The tour guides are passionate and knowledgeable about plants and wildlife in St. Thomas. The 5-hour Kayak, Hike, & Snorkel Tour will leave you with some amazing memories and you’re sure to be exhausted by the end of the day.

In this tour, you start out by kayaking through stingray alley and head to a spot where you’ll make a short hike out along the rocky coastline. Then you kayak to Cas Cay Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll have a packed lunch and take another short hike. You also get to snorkel by the mangrove trees where underwater life abounds. If this is too long of a tour for you, they have other shorter ones.

Beaches

St. Thomas is most well known for Magen’s Bay which has been on many “Top Ten” lists for beautiful beaches. While Magen’s Bay is gorgeous, there is an entrance fee and it becomes incredibly crowded.

Instead, check out Coki Beach which has a few bars, a restaurant, and incredible snorkeling opportunities – and much fewer people. You can lounge on a beach chair (at an extra fee) while waiters bring you Painkillers or Bushwhackers to drink.

Another beach with great amenities is Sapphire Beach very close to Coki. If you don’t need the amenities and want a beautiful secluded beach then go to Lindquist. You’ll have a relaxing beach day at any of these that you choose.

Blackbeard’s Castle

This castle on a hilltop overlooking Charlotte Amalie and the harbor offers beautiful views of not only the harbor, but also stately manor homes. They offer guided and self-guided tours of Skytsborg Tower, which is the name of Blackbeard’s Castle, as well as the homes.

Skytsborg Tower was originally built as a Danish military tower back in the days when pirates really did rule the Caribbean. Don’t miss the beautiful views and have a drink at the Pool Bar.

*They have been closed since Hurricane Irma in 2017 so please check their website for updates.

99 Steps

This historic landmark is a flower-lined staircase of technically 103 steps built again, by the Danish settlers. There were many stair-streets like this one built back then so they could make it around the hilly town of Charlotte Amalie. It’s right below Blackbeard’s Castle and the perfect spot to stop downtown for a photo opp.

Shopping

Although the men may not like me for mentioning this one, I can’t talk about St. Thomas without talking about the shopping opportunities. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is lined with shops selling beautiful designer handbags, jewelry, and other items that you can pick up duty-free (up to a certain amount).

If you’re looking for luxury buys, head to Yacht Haven Grande. Another one, Havensight Mall is right by the cruise port so it will get very crowded on days when the cruise ships arrive. The most interesting finds are along the side streets of downtown. There are also great shopping opportunities on St. John in Mongoose Junction.

Sunset Cruise

Picture it: the last rays of sunlight hitting the island as you watch from a Catamaran, drink in hand after hor d’oeuvres have been served. The wind slowly drifts through your hair as you drink in the last bit of sunlight for the day.

There is nothing like a sunset cruise. Seeing that orange glow disappear below the water and then the lights begin twinkling along the shore as homes begin to light up in the night. There are many tour companies that offer sunset cruises, but one of my favorites has been New Horizons & Breakaway. However, check with the concierge at your hotel and see if they have a coupon or better deal.

British Virgin Islands Day Trip

Along with the Ecotour, this is another that should not be missed if you love being outdoors and going on adventures. You start early in the morning (7am or so) for this full day sail but it is worth every minute of lost sleep. You begin by going to Virgin Gorda where you’ll take a short hike through The Baths National Park.

These rock formations are other-worldly. The hike leads you down to a beach where you can wade among the time-worn rocks and head to the bar for a cold drink. After a morning at The Baths you’ll either head to snorkel and eat at Pusser’s or go straight to White Bay on Jost Van Dyke depending on the tour you book.

At White Bay you’ll be able to eat and have drinks at the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. Named so because there are no docks which means you have to swim in from the boat!

St. John Day Trip

St. John is another island within the USVI that’s just a short 30 minute ferry ride from Red Hook on St. Thomas. The island is made up of 80% National Park and has some beautiful hiking trails. The Reef Bay and Cinnamon Bay Trails are very popular, both leading to secluded beaches as your reward.

Trunk Bay is a popular gorgeous beach where they also have a snorkel trail that you can follow. In addition to shopping, Mongoose Bay has many art galleries and a few watersport companies where you can book fishing, kayaking, or other activities on the water.

Coral World Ocean Park

If you are an animal lover then you’ll love Coral World. This is like a miniature zoo with informative exhibits that the staff put on with the animals plus experiences like swimming with dolphins or sea lions, SNUBA, or a shark encounter.

If you just purchase the general admission ticket, the star of the show is their underwater observatory. This sits 100 feet off the shoreline and the bottom level rests on the seafloor. The windows in the tower allow you to see out and watch as the fish lazily swim by along the reef. You never know what you’ll see!

Deep-Sea Fishing

St. Thomas offers world-class fishing opportunities for prize fish like Blue Marlin, but you can also catch dinner for the night. Fighting to reel in a monster fish will be a memory you won’t forget. Make sure to book with a reputable company like Ocean Surfari or Double Header Charters.

If you choose to go in the evening then you’ll be coming in as the sun is going down and the views of the island are beautiful at golden hour from the water. It’s like a sunset cruise with an adrenaline rush.

Places to Eat in St. Thomas

Tap & Still – 3 locations between St. Thomas & St. John

A local recommended this as “the closest place to Chick-fil-a you can get on the island.” Their chicken sandwich is to die for as is their cheeseburger. It is more of a bar scene so if you’re looking for a quiet, more intimate setting it would be best to choose somewhere else.

Lattes in Paradise – 6100 Red Hook Quarters, St. Thomas

Places like this coined the term “hidden gem.” This cafe overlooking the harbor in Redhook makes incredible breakfast sandwiches and coffee. If you’re looking for a spot the locals go, this is it. Pick up a sandwich and have breakfast as you watch the boats roll in and out of the harbor.

Old Stone Farmhouse – Mahogany Run, St. Thomas

This is the spot for a romantic evening filled with incredible food from the appetizers to the desserts. The name is very literal since the restaurant is housed in a farmhouse from the 1750s made of stone.

The friendly service and incredible drinks rounds out this experience and makes it one of the best dining spots on the island.

Taco Chelles – 6191 Estate Frydenhoj, St. Thomas

An adorable spot to stop and grab some specialty tacos for lunch. Paired perfectly with a margarita, you’ll want to keep coming back for more. Don’t miss the deals for Taco Tuesday here!

Gladys’ Cafe – 5600 Royal Dane Mall, St. Thomas

Gladys’ Cafe is a staple for those wanting food that is traditional to St. Thomas. They serve conch fritters which are common throughout the Caribbean because of the abundance of conchs. Two other dishes they serve are callaloo (a leafy vegetable dish) and fungi (similar to polenta).

On a cute little side street off of downtown, this is the perfect spot for a romantic lunch.

Duffy’s – Red Hook Rd, St. Thomas

Come to Duffy’s because it’s a unique tiki bar in a parking lot (literally) and has a laid back atmosphere. They offer numerous interesting cocktail combinations and some come with souvenir cups. This is the perfect spot for drinks before dinner in Red Hook.

North Shore Deli – Mongoose Junction, Cruz Bay, St. John

These last two options are located in Mongoose Junction on St. John. North Shore Deli is the perfect spot to grab breakfast before heading out for your island adventure. If you have a way to pack food for the day they also offer picnic foods that you can take out for lunch.

St. John Brewers (The Tap Room) – Mongoose Junction, Cruz Bay, St. John

St. John Brewers not only offers incredible beers, but delicious bar food also. Think pizza, burgers, or sandwiches. The large and airy interior is the perfect spot to hang out after spending all day exploring the island.

Things to Do & Where to Eat in St. Thomas

For those that love the outdoors and have an adventurous spirit the activities on the island will not disappoint. If you would rather lounge on the beach all day and relax after all that wedding planning then St. Thomas also has plenty of beautiful secluded beaches. You won’t run out of things to do on the island and there are many fantastic places to eat after you’re done adventuring or relaxing.

For accommodations in St. Thomas, check out our articles on St. Thomas honeymoons and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts.