It's iconic! It may not be a big deal for someone living here, but that view of the harbor when…read morewalking up or down is absolutely stunning. It's way better in person than in pictures. Our walking tour started from Blackbeard's Castle. Fortunately, it is much easier walking down than up. They've added more sturdy hand rails which makes it so much safer. It had been closed for a while due to ongoing structural repairs. The Danes constructed it some time in the 1700s. The steps were needed to get from the harbor to the higher parts of Government Hill. The bricks come from the ballast used to balance the weight of cargo in the hull of merchant ships. Many Caribbean structures and even some cities on the US coastal mainland were built with these yellow bricks. They did a good job restoring it while keeping its historical look. It's a cool local experience that shouldn't be missed. A highly recognized landmark in Charlotte Amalie.

Tour guide, Anna Monica Villa, lead us up and down Step Streets like little mountain goats. Her…read morefriendships with neighbors and businesses ensured special access to historic villas, renovated historic hotels and inside the Government House. We learned about St. Thomas history, culture, foliage, and architecture. We ended at a fantastic Italian Restaurant--Virgilios. It was a perfect way to spend our day in Charlotte Amalia! Thank you, Anna Monica.

So here's the story. This lighthouse is old. Like real old. It was build by the Spaniard's in 1863…read more It has clearly recognizable bro classical design at top. Look up - you'll see it. It has been closed for a long time cause it's structurally unsound. Why come here? There's no light on the top. It's an old crumbling structure. You can't go it. Why come? You can walk around it. And you can read about it. (I posted signage) learn the role it played protecting the island of Puerto Rico when Spain owned it. And afterwards. So, learn some history. And when you come here you will be on a C L I F F. Y O U W I L L. L O O K. OUT ON A F I E R C E B O D Y. OF W A T E R. And feel the water blowing on your face. Your sunglasses. Your camera. Take pictures. Of the lighthouse. Of yourself. Sit down on the ground. Get sand on your butt. Smell the air. Relax. And look at the incredible vista. And think what the Spanish must have experienced on this very plot of land back in the late 1880's. Oh, I won't tell you about the secret path to the beach cause it's a secret. If you find it, don't leave garbage. Don't toss cigarette butts. Don't leave water bottles. Don't play your damn radio. Take pictures. Swim nude. Walk. Collect rocks. Wood. And leave. And shake your head and say in whatever your language is "wow, now that's incredible"

What a wonderful time we had!…read more NOTE: To anyone with small children that do not mind - this is located on a cliff, a very steep cliff! With lots of rocks and water below. Keep that in mind if you are taking children there. Also - you cannot go off the trail. You will see signs stating that there are unexploded bombs left over from when the Navy was there. Stay on the trail and you'll be fine. It sounds scarier than it really is. My recommendation would be to go but leave small children and pets at home. Take your camera - you'll be sorry if you don't.

The "Three Queens of the Virgin Islands" statue is located on Government Hill at the foot of the…read morestairs leading down from Blackbeard's Castle. The bronze plaque shows the following incription: "In 1878 three former slave ladies on St. Croix led an insurrection against the Danish Government for improved working and living conditions. During this action, a major portion of Frederiksted was destroyed by fire. This revolt is known today as "FIREBURN" and the ladies are renowned as "Queen Mary, Queen Agnes and Queen Matilda" - The Three Queens of the Virgin Islands." It was cool to see it during Women's History Month. It was also interesting to hear that slavery was abolished in the Danish West Indies back on July 3, 1848, although they were still bound to plantations by yearly contracts. Is that really free? Flash forward to the Fireburn protest after 30 years of contracts. It was led by the Three Queens on Contract Day (October 1, 1878) in St. Croix due to poor working conditions, unfair treatment, and low wages. These ladies are memorialized in this sculpture by Richard Hallier. It depicts Queen Agnes lifting a lantern, Queen Mary holding a torch and a cane knife, and Queen Matilda raising the torch high and strong. A great symbol of strength & resilience! Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to contemplate the image of it. We did get a thorough summary of the significance of this rebellion against the Danes. It's all very meaningful, and a great tribute. I'm so glad that we were able to see it on this beautiful day in Charlotte Amalie.

I've always wondered of what that the 3 queens were ( I've seen the sign by 99 steps and government…read morehill) and didn't know that it was a statute monument that is on the way to Blackbeard's Castle. If you are hiking from 99 steps and government hill this is quite a steep trek. I work out almost every day and this hike always makes me work up a good sweat. You might need to stop to catch your breath for the few moments so you might as well take a look at the monument before heading up to Blackbeard's Castle, it is in a very pretty setting that has grown back after the hurricanes. The reason of why it's called is 3 queens is because of the three women that lead a rebellion during the Danish colonial times due to the mistreatment of plantation workers after slavery was abolished. The women in the statues are holding machetes and torches because they burned down 50 plantations on St. Croix. Overall it's a nice tribute erected by the government and gives travelers a little insight into St. Thomas history. #St.Thomas #USVI

Hopefully you didn't tire your legs out hiking before coming here. Yokahu Observation Tower has the…read morebest views from atop where you can see the rainforest with a 360 view which are breathtaking. Definitely a must stop during your El Yunque trip.

We were here on a rainy day, when we got to the tower, rain stopped, but it's so foggy. So we…read moredecided not to climb up as all u can see from up there is probably fog. It's a pity. Hope we got another chance to come back here.

This is our third time visiting, but the first time we come that my daughter is old enough to enjoy…read moreand remember. Everything was as it's always been, with the difference that this time around the roof of the lighthouse was inaccessible. Unfortunately, it is still closed for repairs from damages caused bu Maria. That's where the four stars come in. This is not something they warn you about at the time of the reservation. The grounds are well taken care of and our guide was friendly and knowledgeable of the area. This is a great place to visit and one of the few in the island were the resources are protected. Even with the top deck closed, the view itself it's worth the visit. They also do night tours of the bio-bay. Paths and tour are kid friendly.

Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan, or Fajardo Lighthouse, is located in north-eastern Puerto Rico,…read more just north of the port of Fajardo. The lighthouse is within the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, and is managed by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. The lighthouse was constructed by the Spanish in 1880, and officially lit on May 2, 1882. This location is on Cape San Juan, which was "the reference point of those who regularly navigate these islands" as described in 1782 by Fray Iñigo Abbad y Lasierra, writer of the first formal history of Puerto Rico. The original lantern had a range of up to 18 miles, and displayed a fixed white light which flashed red every three minutes. It was changed after the United States invaded Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish refused an offer of $160 million to purchase the territory. The building is of neo-classic architectural style and looks like a small castle. Inside the main entrance a corridor leads to a stairway ascending into the lighthouse tower, with an elaborate cast-iron stairway. They don't let you up to the lantern though, which is what I really wanted to see. The lighthouse is part of the tours run by the Conservation Trust, including the evening tour of the bio bay. (See separate review of Reserva Naturel Las Cabezas De San Juan). You go inside the building to see nature displays and watch a movie about the lighthouse and the bio bay. Then you go up to the deck and admire the view from the highest point of Cape San Juan. Day tours of the nature reserve and lighthouse are scheduled at 9:30am, 10:30am and 1:30pm. Our evening tour started around 7:00 pm. The nature reserve is open to the public during the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but you need a reservation. Call the Conservation Trust at 787-722-5882 and 787-860-2560 on the weekends. Watch for the entrance gate with the guard building on the north end of a beach on the left side - its real easy to drive right by. In 1981 the lighthouse was listed in the U.S. National Register for Historic Places.

It was one of our tour stops before heading to Blackbeard's Castle. Our group of 16 were all seated…read morecomfortably in Alvin's "Love Chariot" (an open-air safari bus/taxi). He gave us a great tour as we headed up the hill from the Havensight terminal. It was a fun & breezy ride! We stopped at the overlook which is technically a small rest stop, at a bend in the road, with a few parking spaces. The green seat that's named after Sir Francis Drake is across the street. It was built by Arthur Fairchild in 1933 for weary travelers walking up the hill. I was hoping to find a link between Arthur (the wealthy philanthropist) and David Fairchild (the famous Botanist), but there's no such connection. Apparently, the view at the overlook in the parking area is much better than the seat. This is where we stopped to see that beautiful view of Magens Bay, the shoreline, and some of the islands & cays that are the VI. It's such a great panoramic look from the north side of the island. I give it 5 stars because it's free to the public, and there's no one trying to sell you something here. It allows you to enjoy that beautiful view without interruptions. Is it worth a stop? It all depends on how you're getting there. There are just too many vehicles stopping at the bend and trying to make their own parking spots in tight spaces. IMO, just leave those worries to an expert who knows this place well.

It was actually suggested by a local guy after a couple of drinks the kind of island advice you'd…read morebe foolish not to take. "You gotta go see Drake's Seat," he said. So we grabbed a cab, and honestly, the ride up the hills of Saint Thomas might have been the best part. Our cab driver looked like he'd been doing this since pirates were still parking ships in the harbor dark hair, big glasses, this mischievous grin, and a thick island accent. The guy had jokes for days. At one point he glanced in the mirror and said, "You know why island taxis don't need GPS? Because if we get lost, we just call it a scenic tour and charge extra!" Then he laughed so hard he almost missed the turn. By the end of the ride he'd basically turned the whole thing into a narrated comedy tour, and later that night we even ran into him again and shared a couple drinks like old friends. And then you get to the top and wow. The view from Drake's Seat is pure Caribbean theater. From that little overlook you're staring down at Magens Bay, a perfect turquoise crescent framed by lush green hills, with islands scattered across the horizon like jewels dropped in the sea. Legend says the infamous English privateer Sir Francis Drake once used this very vantage point to watch for Spanish treasure ships sailing through the Caribbean, and whether that's myth or not, you can see why someone would keep lookout here. The overlook itself was created in 1933 as a scenic rest stop, and today it's still one of the most famous viewpoints on the island. It's the kind of place where you step out of the cab, the breeze hits your face, the water sparkles below... and you suddenly understand why people fall in love with the Virgin Islands in the first place.

The iconic statue is a symbol of freedom in the US Virgin Islands. It is located in front of the…read moreCustoms House and sits in what is called the Freedom Fountain. The fountain is dry though and does not have any water. The sculpture is one of two statues of Gottlieb in the area. The other being in front of the bandstand. It is the work of Ghanaian-American sculptor Bright Bimpong and depicts Gottlieb, also called General Buddhoe, blowing a conch shell. Legend has it that Gottlieb blow a conch shell setting off a slave revolt of thousands of slaves that ultimately resulted in the Danish governor freeing them. It was dedicated in 1998, on the 150th anniversary of the Islands' emancipation proclamation. The sculpture has seen better days and has that green staining the you see a lot in older statues. The statue was one of a trio, known as "Freedom Statues," that were commissioned by Walter G. Brunner of St. Croix, an art collector and political consultant to former governor Roy L. Schneider," said Lonnie Willis, president of the St. John Historical Society. I really like what it stands for to the island and its significance a lot. There is a free parking lot, across the street, within a reasonable walking distance from the statue and there is also free street parking available as well. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area such as the Fort or the Clock Tower, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Tepid antiques and artifacts Old and not updated…read more Underwhelming historical experience Really just an empty old building Invective to my intelligence Spartan recreations Trap The first governors quarters were awesome and the view was great!

One of the highlights of our St Thomas adventure! My wife and I were lucky enough to be guided by…read moreLevi at Fort Christian, who provided a wealth of information about the island's history, the fort and its past usage, and the reconstruction efforts following the recent hurricanes. We learned a lot, and felt we were better able to understand the history of those who passed through these walls. If you are a history-obsessed kinda person (or simply prefer not to be ignorant on how we all got here) then you should definitely come for a guided tour. Get in a bit early so you can catch the tour with Levi - it wouldn't have been the same without him to provide even more details!

This is the other I heart PR sign on the island. Great photo…read moreopportunity! There was a line to take a picture both times we passed it. It's a popular spot!

This Sign is located at the San Juan Airport. Last thing you see as your heading into the airport…read moreto head home it's gets very nostalgic. Literally crying like I should have got one more Bacalaitos. Smh but lol all at the same time. My Puerto Rico I don't want to leave you.