Things to See in St. Thomas: Charlotte Amalie
Vacationing to the U.S. Virgin Islands offers more to visitors than just a white sand beach. In addition the breathtaking land, the three islands have their own unique blend of culture and activities. You may even find yourself looking for things to see in St. Thomas that will teach you more about the rich island history—like taking the St. Thomas Historical Walking Tour through the famous Charlotte Amalie.
What is Charlotte Amalie?
After being founded by Danish settlers in 1681, Charlotte Amalie was named a place of historic interest by the National Registry of Historic Places. Once an old trading post in colonial times, it is now one of the most popular duty free ports in the Caribbean. As a result of this, you can experience an evolution of island history and culture within just a few blocks of the city. Through the walking tour, you will not only have the opportunity to explore 17th century Danish fortifications and get a glimpse of colonial life, but you will also have the chance to walk the cobble stone alleyways too.
Why take the St. Thomas Historical Walking Tour?
While it’s possible to explore downtown St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie on your own, we strongly recommend the Historical Walking Tour because it offers insight and history of the port from an indigenous perspective. Guided by local historians, the St. Thomas Historical Walking Tour is a special chance to learn more about the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the tour, guides can also point out things to see in St. Thomas and spots to view Charlotte Amalie that tourists may not know about.
What are other historical sites to see in St. Thomas?
During your stay, you might as well experience all of the historical sites while on the island. Aside from Charlotte Amalie, here are two of the most popular things to see in St. Thomas:
- Store Taarne Gade: Charlotte Amalie is known for its unique step streets, which cut nearly all the hills coming up from
the harbor. The original name of the steps is “Store Taarne Gade”, which means Greater Tower Street. In fact, the 99 Steps happen to be the most famous with its picturesque features of flowers cascading over each side and bricks that were brought from Denmark in their sailing ships. - St. Thomas Historical Trust Museum: Another one of the top things to see in St. Thomas is the St. Thomas Historical Trust Museum, which has rooms set up in antique fashion to get a glimpse of life back in the 17th century. The mission of the historical trust is to preserve the historical identity, structure, sites and cultural heritage of St. Thomas through education, advocacy and promotion.
Now that we’ve shared some of the best historical sights on the island, book your stay at a St. Thomas Hotel or Resort today.