St. Thomas may measure just 32 square miles, but the island offers a host of diversions for travelers looking to enjoy some time in the sun — especially those who love nature, culture and great beaches.
As the best-connected destination in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas offers the region’s largest number of flights to and from the mainland U.S., and it has no passport requirements (a great selling point of the USVI).
There are several great reasons to visit this sun-soaked island in the coming months, as I discovered during a recent visit. Here are some of the top things to do in 2024 in St. Thomas.
Annual Events
The time is right to start making plans for two annual festivals in St. Thomas. The best known is Carnival, which is next slated for April 26 to May 5, 2024. This destination’s take on the pre-Lenten celebration includes a variety of activities, from children’s and adult parades and pageants to a food fair, a carnival village and a waterfront J’Ouvert street dance — all with lots of live music and colorful costumes. Reserving hotels and flights as early as possible is recommended for this high-profile event.
Foodies, meanwhile, may want to mark their calendars for the King of the Wing festival, which will take place June 8, 2024. A total of 46 teams competed at the 2023 edition, and a similarly large turnout is expected for next year, as chefs and cooks vie to prove their worth with creative chicken wing recipes. Competitors also have a chance to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the National Buffalo Wing Festival, which will occur Aug. 31 to Sep. 1, 2024, in Buffalo, New York.
Adventure and Nature Activities
St. Thomas’s rugged hills, mountains and natural bays make for some spectacular scenery, and there are lots of ways to appreciate it.
Beach lovers, for example, should plan a trip to Brewers Bay Beach, which is one of the island’s most picturesque places for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking in calm, turquoise waters. Snorkelers may even get a chance to spot a sea turtle or two.
Animal lovers should also consider a visit to Coral World Ocean Park, a marine park that follows the principles of Ocean Literacy campaign, a national effort by scientists and educators to increase the public’s awareness about the importance of marine conservation. Coral World provides education through a variety of exhibits and activities, including sea lion and dolphin swims and a sea trek along the ocean floor.
Get a ticket for the St. Thomas Skyride, an aerial tram that soars above St. Thomas Harbor.
Credit: Randy/stock.adobe.comAltitude-craving vacationers, meanwhile, may enjoy the St. Thomas Skyride, an aerial tram that sends visitors to a viewing point some 700 feet above St. Thomas Harbor. The Skyride’s new Skywalk feature provides still more sky-high photo opportunities.
For a faster-paced experience in the air, it’s hard to beat the Tree Limin’ Extreme zipline park, which is located within the rainforest at St. Peter Mountain. The experience starts with a ride up the mountain in a six-wheel-drive Pinzgauer — a Swiss army vehicle — followed by a breathtaking zipline ride that offers inspiring views of Magen’s Bay and even the British Virgin Islands. Kids can zipline tandem or solo, making this an especially family-friendly experience for various ages.
Cultural and Historical Attractions
Visitors can learn about the fascinating history and culture of St. Thomas at a variety of attractions. One of the island’s most historical sites is also one of its simplest: the 99 Steps, a public, open-air staircase built by Danish colonizers in the 18th century to make it easier to traverse the island’s hilly terrain. Those who are able to climb the steps — which actually total 103 — can see Blackbeard’s Castle a dramatic hilltop structure built by the Danes in 1679 as a watchtower. Whether the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard actually used it is open to debate. (Note: As of press time, Blackbeard’s Castle was still closed to the public due to damage from Hurricane Irma.)
Also of historical significance is The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas Synagogue, listed as the oldest synagogue building under continuous operation under the U.S. flag, and the second-oldest in the Western Hemisphere. The building is home to Weibel Memorial Museum, where exhibits document the history of the island’s Jewish community, which dates to the 17th century.
Depending on the timing of their visit to St. Thomas, travelers may also be able to attend a performance or two at Reichhold Center for the Arts, an amphitheater located on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands. The facility hosts a variety of live performances and other events throughout the year, including concerts.
