Don’t let the gas station facade fool you. When it comes to authentic Caribbean food, Ziggy’s Island Market is where it’s at. Located in northeast St. Croix, this spot serves delicious Cruzan barbecue, curry and rice, and other dishes crafted by Chef Aaron. Don’t miss out on their Sunday brunch, where you can indulge on blueberry waffles, vegetable scrambles and chicken hash.

If the affordable prices don’t lure you to La Reine Chicken Shack, the aromas will. This centrally located island hotspot is known for its rotisserie roasted 1/2 chicken served with a Cruzan favorite – johnny cakes (savory cornmeal flatbreads). You can also order favorites like stewed goat, lobster salad and bull foot soup.

Just steps away from Cane Bay Beach, you can swim, soak up the sun and chow down without even changing out of your swimsuit at Off The Wall. This beachfront eatery is the place to go for pizza, burgers, hotdogs, and an alcoholic beverage–or two. And don’t skip their signature deli sandwiches, like the namesake Off The Wall featuring roast beef, banana peppers and horseradish.

A popular dining spot in Christiansted, Shupe’s on the Boardwalk is a burger joint with gorgeous bay views. Build your own burger or chicken sandwich, bite into spicy chicken wings, or try their hand-cut fries topped with truffle parmesan. Seeking something sweet? They also serve ice cream and puffy pies (flaky layers of buttery dough with fruit filling).

A private slice of island paradise awaits at Hotel on the Cay. Accessible only by ferry, this property is located on a five-acre cay and features 53 rooms, an outdoor pool and a private beach. Affordable and charming, this resort offers spectacular sunset views of Gallows Bay and your own little slice of Caribbean paradise. Plus, the ferry to Christiansted is free, so you can easily get to the surrounding attractions.

With endless opportunities for beachcombing, birdwatching, and basking in the sun, Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge is a protected strip of land on St. Croix and the nesting grounds for leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles. Take a swim in the warm waters, sunbathe on the shore or take part in a guide sea turtle hatching observation depending on the time of year. Note: the refuge is closed annually from mid-April through August.

If you love history, take a free tour of Fort Frederik. A 1760 Danish military installation, the fort is a historic landmark overlooking the port that helped protect the island from pirates and smugglers thanks to its cannon battery. Today, you can explore this National Historic Landmark’s restored buildings that now function as an interpretive museum.

Another historic area on St. Croix is the Christiansted National Historic Site. Spanning seven acres, visitors can explore historic buildings like Fort Christiansvaern, learn about the island’s sugar industry, and snap photos of the antique cannons.

Discover the wonders of St. Croix’s native fauna at St. George Village Botanical Gardens. Located in the ruins of a sugar plantation, this botanical wonderland in Frederiksted was curated from the native plants that reclaimed the area over the years. Admission is only $10, and you can book a guided tour to learn about the estate and the plants within the garden, such as the semi-arid cacti.