This is a tourist attraction located in the heart of Christiansted. It is very well maintained and…read morehas its own private parking lot, which closes at 4:30. The outdoor attractions however, are accessible 24/7. The site, known as the Gem of the Caribbean, was established in 1952 as the Virgin Islands National Historic site. It was intended to preserve the site history and associated buildings. The site got its new name in 1961. It was the first National Parks Service's properties in the Virgin Islands. The park spans 7 acres and has benches and picnic tables placed along its grounds. You will also find a gazebo and a statue of David Hamilton Jackson, known as Black Moses. The center piece of the site is Fort Christiansted, a bright yellow fort built in 1749 by the Danish. In all there are 5 historical buildings on the site that were constructed between 1740 and 1856 and made of yellow bricks made in Denmark and brought over as the ships' ballast. The buildings are as follows: the Scale House (1856), the Customs House (1841), the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse (1749), the Government House (1747) and the Church of Our Lord Sabbath Steeple Building (1753). The site grounds has tons of informational placards placed around that explains the significance and location of each key building. I believe the only one that you can currently go into is the Fort (You can walk through the Pump House though). Some say you have to pay a fee to visit here. However, I didn't. I just walked right in. It was no staff there and I had to do a self guided tour. But that was cool since they had informational placards all over the place to help guide me. The site has a lot of green space to run around on too. The site is divided into two are that are separated by Hospital Street. There is the large section with a lot of the green space, a gazebo, the Customs House, the Fort, benches and picnic tables. On the other side of the street is a much smaller area with informational signage, a little green space with some benches, the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse, and the Steeple Building. The Scale House is between the 2 sections at the Hospital Street's bend. This is a nice place to visit, especially for the history buffs. It highlights the Danish influence and eco mic structure on the island. It is located in the heart of St Croixs' tourist area. I would probably plan on spending 2 to 3 hours here if you are going to hit all the sites. The buildings and grounds and well preserved and maintained and are definitely worth a visit while on the island. Fun Fact: Alexander Hamilton's mother was imprisoned in the Fort for a few month's Tip: Do not park in the lot after hours. You will more than likely get ticketed, booted and/or towed.

We visited Christiansted National Historic Site, expecting to tour most of the buildings included…read moreat the park site, located at the end of King Street in Christiansted. What we found is that you really can only tour the fort and see the old scale in the scale house. That said, it was a really nice site, well maintained and informative. What I keep finding out on these St. Croix parks is that the info on the website is not correct for the most part. IN the case of this one, they changed the operating horus from 8am to 8:30 am. A little frustrating given the parking hell that is Christiansted. Even though the gate to the parking lot was opened at 8am for an employee, they would not let us in so we had to drive down the road and sit for 30 minutes, then make our way back to the parking lot at 8:30. We still had to wait until someone in our party reminded them to come down and unlock the gate. A little frustrating. Luckily, it was okay as there was a lot less to see at the site than I had expected. The fort is very nicely designed for visitors and information. You can wander all over with a self guided map that goes over the different areas of the fort and what happened in the different locations. There is also some history and interesting info on Alexander Hamilton and his family. Note there are a lot of stairs and uneven walking areas at the fort. It may be challenging for people who have difficulty walking, whether wheelchair bound, on crutches, etc. Overall, it's a really nice site and the staff seemed friendly. I definitely recommend folks visit if they are interested in National Parks, like I am. Also, info for the National Parks Passport Stamp Program: There are three cancellations stamps available: Christiansted National Historic Site, Buck Island, and Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve. Enjoy!

This is a cool place that has a scenic drive up to it. It is basically a huge sundial in the shape…read moreof two intersecting m's. It's a nice thing to check out and the views are beautiful. There is a trail down to one of the beaches (maybe Isaac bay) that is really not that bad. It starts out a little rocky but it does level off. The views along the walk are gorgeous as well. We did not see any turtles on the beach but it is in a nature preserve area. We did see a hermit crab cross the path in front of us. I would recommend it because it's something unique to see and for the views, plus it's free!!

It was cool to stand so close to the easternmost point in the US. The Millennium Monument is a…read morebeautiful piece of art, and was a fitting piece to celebrate the first place in the US that saw the Year 2000. Cell service is spotty that far east on the island. Although we did not do it, a great experience is to be at Point Udall at sunrise to be among the first in the U.S. to see the new day.

Ham's Bluff Lighthouse Trail is a fun and fairly easy hike. It's mostly uphill but manageable, and…read moreyou can complete it in about 20-25 minutes. Great option if you're looking for a quick hike with rewarding views at the top!"

Calling all adventurers, calling all adventurers. This Lighthouse is an historic one that dates…read moreback to 1915, when the Island was under the rule of the Danish Government. It has severely deteriorated over the years, but is still a sight to see. The lighthouse is rusted out, has pieces that have fallen off and is severely corroded. Getting back to the lighthouse is slightly challenging. There are some huge potholes, which only get more challenging when it rains because they fill up with water and it becomes impossible to measure their depth. The closer you get to the lighthouse, the worse the road gets. There is tons of parking at the trail head located at the perimeter gate of the old abandoned National Guard complex. It is marked by a bright blue pallet. One thing to keep in mind is that this parking is known for vehicle break-ins, so do not leave any valuables in your vehicle Now the trail is all accent, heading towards the lighthouse. And there are some very steep points. I took me about 15 minutes to get up to the lighthouse. I would suggest wearing a hat and bringing some water with you on the hike, even though it is not long. It is very, very, very steep. The view from the lighthouse is very nice. It does get a little breezy up there, which I welcomed with open arms. You can go inside of the lighthouse and take two ladders up to the top. That was awesome. If you do that though, be very careful. The inside, including the stairs and floor, have corroded through and are very weak. They were strong enough to support my 250 pound frame, but I will admit, I was very scared. There are a few trails past the lighthouse that you can take to keep the party going. But I had no idea where they led and was not feeling dangerous that morning. Of course the way back was easier, since it was all down hill. But not as easy as I thought. I could imagine the trail being very tricky after a rain, making it very slippery and difficult to navigate both ways. This attraction has a lot to offer. You get a decent hill workout, you get some history, you get a miraculous view of the island's coast. I spent about 30 minutes at the lighthouse and enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend checking this site out.

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.

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.

I am surprised that I am the first person to do a review of this tower. This is a clock tower…read morelocated at the end of the cruise ship pier, in the heart of downtown Frederiksted. The tower, along with the boardwalk was posthumously named after McBean, in 2003 by the Virgin Islands Senate. It was dedicated 6 years later in 2009. Mcbean was a local resident that lived to the age of 105. The tower has a clock face on all four of its sides, with the numbers being in Roman numerals. One of the sides has the name of the tower in big letters and a bronze information placard with a picture of McBean and information about the tower. The tower does not keep very accurate time. All of the sides of the clock display different times, none of which are correct. I still find the tower appealing and am drawn to it. It definitely demands you attention. There is a free lot within a reasonable walking distance from the tower and there is also free street parking available as well. It is probably not a long stop, but as I mentioned, still something to see. I spent about 5 to ten minutes there. The good news is that there is a ton of attractions in the immediate area to check out, in addition to the tower. This is one of the most photographed attractions on the island, outside of its water. I believe the tower was built in 2005 and outside of not holding accurate time, I think it is in good shape and looks great. I would recommend making a stop here part of a larger itinerary or stopping here if you were in the area on your way somewhere else. Definitely worth a looksee and a couple of pics though.

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.

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

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.

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.