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.

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.

Has to be one of the top beaches on the Island! Open from 10-4 on weekends. Couple of things to…read morenote, no bathrooms, no long pole umbrellas allowed only canopy tents, no shade areas and no concession areas. Small coolers, beach chairs are okay to bring.

While I was in St. Croix a couple months ago, this was on a lot of lists of 'Places to See' in St…read more Croix so I naturally had to go. This was probably the best beach that I went to on St. Croix. The beaches were clean and sandy. The water was great. It was also cool to see where the last scene of Shawshank Redemption was filmed. I would definitely go back to this beach.

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.

Gottlieb, also known as General Buddhoe, led a revolt of thousands of slaves, in 1848, who gathered…read morein Fredriksted to demand freedom. The Danish governor yielded to the demands and declared all slaved in the Danish Virgin Islands were now free. This is one of two statues of Gottlieb in the area. The other being in front of the customs house. It is the work of Ghanaian-American sculptor Bright Bimpong and depicts a bronze bust of Gottlieb on a marble pedestal with "BUDDHOE" running down it. It is a very detailed bust and you can see the pride on his face. It was made in 1998, on the 150th anniversary of the Islands' emancipation proclamation. It sits on a lighted circular cement pad. 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 like what it stands for to the island and its significance a lot. There is a free 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.

This is one of three statues, that are known as the "Freedom Statues". It is the work of…read moreGhanaian-American sculptor Bright Bimpong, which he created in 1998. It is the focal point of the park that bears his name D. Hamilton Jackson Park. Jackson was a labor activist and an advocate of free press. He was a key player in the Danish West Indies' (now known as St. Croix) labor rights movements in the early 1900s. He also started the first free press newspaper, and sought better conditions for the Black working class in the Islands. This is one of two busts of Jackson, the other being in front of Fort Christiansvaern. This is the better of the two in my opinion. It is much more detailed and in better shape. The bust depicts a very realistic bust of Jackson on a granite pedestal, with David Hamilton on a small bronze plaque across the top and "Jackson" running vertically down the center. The pedestal is on a red brick pad that has some of the bricks missing. I assume that it is damage from the 2017 Hurricane. The park that the statue is in has ample parking available, so parking to get out and take a closer look should not be an issue. It was very easy. This man was so important to the island that he has a park and two statues on different sides of the island in his honor. This is definitely worth a look. I probably would not make a special trip to see it though. As with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there about 5 minutes. With that being said you may want to make this a part of a larger itinerary on plan this stop on the way to some other destination.

Very pretty view & something to do your first time in St. Thomas. Combine this with blackbeards…read morecastle.

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.

**Point Udall -- Worth the Drive to the Eastern Edge of St. Croix**…read more There are places you visit because they're on the list, and then there are places that become part of how you remember a trip. Point Udall was the latter for me. During my first trip to St. Croix, I was on the island to play bagpipes for the wedding of two friends, but I brought my camera gear along knowing I wanted to spend whatever free time I had photographing the island. Point Udall quickly became one of the places I knew I wanted to experience with a camera in my hands. Located at the eastern end of St. Croix, Point Udall is recognized as the easternmost point of the United States by travel -- and standing there, it genuinely feels like you've reached the edge of something. The drive itself is part of the experience. As you make your way east, the island begins to change. The roads become quieter, development starts disappearing behind you, and the landscape opens into rolling hills, cactus, brush, and uninterrupted views of the Caribbean. By the time you reach the Millennium Monument at the top, there isn't much between you and the horizon. For a photographer, it is an incredible location. I actually made the trip out more than once because I wanted to photograph Point Udall under completely different conditions. At night, away from much of the island's light pollution, the sky becomes the subject. Standing near the eastern edge of St. Croix with the Caribbean almost completely dark around you, the number of stars visible overhead is remarkable. I spent part of one evening there working on astrophotography and capturing the Milky Way -- easily one of the photographic highlights of my trip. Then I came back for sunrise. That may be the best way to experience Point Udall. Arrive while it is still dark and give yourself enough time to simply watch the scene change. What begins as a dark silhouette of hills and ocean slowly gains definition as the first light appears over the horizon. Blues begin to separate from the darkness, the clouds pick up color, and eventually the Caribbean and surrounding hills are illuminated by the morning sun. There is something special about watching a new day begin from a place known for being the easternmost point in the United States. The Millennium Monument itself is impressive, but I would encourage visitors not to make the mistake of simply driving up, taking a quick picture in front of it, and leaving. Walk around. Look back toward the hills. Watch the water. Explore the different perspectives around the monument and along the overlook. If you have a camera, bring a wide-angle lens, but also take some time to put it down and actually take in where you are. There are no elaborate attractions here, and that is part of what makes Point Udall special. It is wind, ocean, stone, sky, and an enormous horizon. A few practical suggestions: bring water, wear decent shoes if you plan to explore beyond the immediate monument area, and expect plenty of sun with very little shade during the day. If you're coming for sunrise, arrive earlier than you think you need to. Photographers should also bring their widest lens and, if possible, a tripod. The location has tremendous potential for landscapes, sunrise, long exposures, and night-sky photography. Most importantly, don't rush it. St. Croix gave me plenty to photograph during my time on the island, from historic streets and architecture to beaches, landscapes, and people. But some of my favorite frames from the entire trip came from standing on this far eastern corner of the island, waiting for the light. Point Udall is absolutely worth the drive. And if I'm fortunate enough to return to St. Croix, I'll make that drive east again -- camera in hand.

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!!

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.