ST. CROIX POI

Some Photos of Island PoI's you can find in our St. Croix Photo Gallery direct on the map of St. Croix Island. (Click here to see)

In Christiansted

Christiansted

One of two main towns in St. Croix it was capital of the Danish West Indies from 1755 to 1871. There is a Historic "Walking Tour Guide" at the Division of Tourism.

Fort Christiansvaern
(M-F 8- 5pm; Sat and Sun 9-5pm - $2 admission fee)

This fort was built in 1774 by the Danish government to protect the town harbor from pirates and to deter slave uprisings. The best preserved of the Danish forts in the West Indies it has marvelously restored battlements and dungeons.

Old Scale House

Built between 1855-1856 on the Christiansted waterfront the scale house was an important part of the sugar trade scene. Imported goods were inspected and sugar weighed here. Then the goods were taxed at the customs house before being sent to other countries.

Old Danish Customs House

This 1734 customs house (taxes paid here) was the third stop for merchants; goods were sent here after inspection and weighing (scale house). This customs house is on the lawn of Fort Christiansvaern and is a beautiful reflection of European style.

Government House

Dating back to 1747 this spectacular building is a testament to the Danish architecture of the time. The large staircase and ballroom are as magnificent as the day they were built and the building has been furnished with reproductions of the original Danish furniture. Government House is still used today for many government social and cultural events.

Steeple Building/Museum

Built in the early 1750s as St. Croix's first Lutheran Church the steeple building is home to a small museum that tells of the island's cultural and architectural history throughout the centuries, as well as an Art Gallery (Old Customs House) which features exhibits year round. Explore Native Indian artifacts, sugar plantation displays, and African's chronologic history in the islands.

Apothecary Museum
(M-Sat 10 - 4pm - free admission)

This is the only Danish pharmacy museum in the Western Hemisphere that exists in its original building. This 19th century pharmacy operated from 1828 to 1970 and opened to the public in 1996 after being restored by the St. Croix Landmarks Society.

In Frederiksted

Fort Frederik
(M-F 8:30 - 4pm, Sat 1-4pm; donations appreciated)

Built in the 1750s to ward off pirates this beautifully restored fort is a wonderful place to learn more about the Virgin's Island's history. The first salute from foreign soil to the new U.S. nation was fired here and it was the site of the Danish Government's emancipation of the slaves on July 3, 1848. The fort includes a courtyard, stables, an old soldiers canteen and garrison, museum and art gallery.

Emancipation Park

This beautiful town park honors the 1848 emancipation of the slaves, as well the slave revolt leader General Buddhoe and the emancipating Danish Governor Peter von Scholten. With statues of historic Virgin Islanders, numerous Mahogany trees, flowers, paths, benches, and a cozy gazebo this park is a great place to enjoy a relaxing picnic or stroll.

The Old Danish School

The name says it all. Designed in the 1830s by Hingleberg, a well-known Danish architect, you will find this charming school in the middle of Prince Street.

Outdoor Market

Any day at the outdoor produce market is a wonderful day to take in the local atmosphere and the sweet smell mangos and papayas. Just one block across on the corner of Market Street is this historical place; it has been here since the earliest days of Frederiksted in 1751. Along with the delicious fruits and vegetables the locals have many other delicious treats for your enjoyment.

Around the Island

Lawaetz Family Museum
(T, Th, Sat 10-4pm - admission fee for ages 6 and up; tours available in Danish & French)

Dating back more than 100 years this estate house has always belonged to the Lawaetz family. This 19th century estate house offers a unique view of Danish plantation and farm life during the late 1890s and early 1900s. Today the greathouse is open to the public and guides do a wonderful job detailing its history, as well as the general history of St. Croix's past.

Heritage Trail

Traversing the entire island this trail points out more than 200 sites of interest such as historical buildings, churches, plant life, and more. The St. Croix Landmarks Society provides a Heritage Trail map at no charge.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

Build with coral stone in 1842 it is at the corner of Prince and Market Streets and is one of several beautiful and historic churches on the island. The Gothic St. John's Anglican Church and the huge Moravian Church (the oldest of their sect under the American flag) are also worth a look.

Estate St. George Botanical Garden
(small admission fee)

These 16-acres of lush woods and rich land are also home to ruins of a 19th-century sugarcane village and rum factory with workers' quarters, manager's house, bake oven, stone dam, a blacksmith's shop and watermill foundation.

Buck Island Reef

As part of the 850-acre U.S. National Park this spectacular reef is the only underwater national monument in the U.S. and is world-renowned. Teaming with a variety of marine life Turtle Bay Trail and East End Trail are the two main underwater trails. This is a very popular attraction with boat tours operating off Christiansted dock.

Cramer Park

This park has a gorgeous beach with picnic areas and features DJs and music on weekends. If you are looking to relax Cramer Park is quite peaceful during the week.

Cruzan Rum Distillery (check for tour times)

Take a tour through this fully operational rum distillery! This walking plant tour takes you through every process from distilling and storage to the bottling and labeling.

Point Udall
(Eastern End of the Island)

You've arrived at the most eastern point of the United States, Point Udall. Named for former Secretary of the Interior, Stuart Udall, a monument designed by Bill Rich (four large, cement, right triangles stood on their edges to from a circle) graces the site. The area itself is relatively barren, but the ocean view is beautiful.

Estate Mount Washington

Discovered buried in the forest in 1984 this former sugar estate and its gardens have been beautifully restored. Visits may tour all the grounds and buildings with the exception of the great house interior.

'Eye to the Sky'
(guides on site)

This 260-ton dish (82 feet across) is less than a mile from Point Udall and will be used to explore the unknown universe. Working with nine other identical antennas across the U.S. they make up a single radio telescope, which shares data over the internet.

The 'Rain Forest'

This 15-acres of beautiful rainforest is on private property that has been kindly opened to visitors. The sweet smell of island's fruit trees fill this dense rainforest, which is home to lovely mahogany trees, yellow cedar, Tibet trees, kapok trees, turpentine trees, fruit trees, ferns, and mountain doves.

St. Croix Leap

The Rain Forest is also home to many talented woodcarvers. At St. Croix Leap you can peruse or purchase their mahogany sculptures, chairs, and tables here. They will ship them to your chosen destination.

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Reserve

Christopher Columbus's arrived at Salt River on November 14, 1493 and named the island Santa Cruz (St. Croix is the French translation). This was his second Caribbean voyage and he arrived with 17 ships and 1500 men. Columbus quickly moved on after being met with a hostile greeting by the warring Carib tribe. Today this National and Territorial Park with dense forest, lagoons, and waterways encompasses the largest mangrove forest in the U.S.V.I.. Tours and kayak sightseeing is available.

Whim Greathouse/Plantation Museum
(M-Sat 10-4pm - $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children 6-12)

A spectacular restoration of one of St. Croix's finest greathouses from the late 1700s it has of a main house, windmill, watch house, bathhouse, cookhouse, servant's quarters, apothecary, and gift shop on this 12-acre site. The museum tours offer insight into daily life of a sugar plantation and their historical importance on St. Croix's economy.