If you’re a fan of adventuring off-the-beaten-path, look no further than St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. From colonial forts to beer-drinking pigs, the island is a place to expect the unexpected. Check out these must-visit attractions.
LessLocated in the heart of St. Croix’s rainforests, this cool jungle bar is home to beer-swilling hogs you must see to believe. No, seriously, these pigs have a taste for a cold brew (non-alcoholic), and guests can watch them crush the beer cans in their mouths. Once you’ve had your fill of these buzzed boars, enjoy a local craft beer at the bar, or grab a quick bite like a salmon burger or spicy wings on the patio.
Immerse yourself in the Danish history of St. Croix at the Christiansted National Historic Site. From the mid-1700s to the early 1900s, the Danes established a legacy that still persists today. Explore historic buildings like Fort Christiansvaern, learn about the island’s sugar industry, and snap photos of the antique cannons. Visit the Danish Customs House, once a sugar trading compound run by enslaved Crucians, and the Scale House, a facility that inspected and weighed imports and exports.
There’s nowhere in the United States that the sun touches before hitting Point Udall on St. Croix. It’s the easternmost point of the island and home to a massive sundial known as the Millennium Monument. Soak in the wraparound views of the ocean and hike to the top of nearby Goat Hill for sweeping views of the island’s vistas.
Experience the wonders of St. Croix’s native fauna at St. George Village Botanical Gardens. Rooted in the ruins of a 19th-century sugar plantation, this botanical wonderland in Frederiksted was curated from the native plants that reclaimed the area over the years. Book a guided tour, where you’ll learn about the estate and the plants within the garden such as the semi-arid cacti. There’s also a library where you can peruse materials about the site’s native plants and animals.
A 1760 Danish military installation, this 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. Stroll through the courtyards, snap a picture in the detention cells, peer out the musket windows and check out the various artifacts on display, such as whale bones and sailing instruments.
Nature and history meet at the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve. Home to some of the most extensive mangrove forests on the island, it’s also the site of some of the earliest archeological finds about the island’s indigenous people, such as rocks carved with petroglyphs. Visitors can explore the mangroves by paddleboard or kayak. There’s also an area for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Sion Farm Distillery is home to Mutiny Vodka. Here you can take a guided tour that begins in the newly refurbished bar and tasting room. As you learn about the history of vodka and its breadfruit origins, you can view the state-of-the-art copper still through a glass wall and watch the master distiller and team hard at work. Of course, sampling the vodka is a must. It boasts a unique flavor with melon, citrus and green banana notes.
Before the sun sets, make your way to the Hams Bluff Trail Head for an unforgettable golden hour hike. Grab a taxi from Christiansted for a 30-minute drive to the trailhead, then embark on a moderate hike to the Hams Bluff Lighthouse, located 360 feet above sea level. First commissioned in 1915, the lighthouse is now a historical relic of St.Croix’s past with a rewarding sunset view – a fitting end to an incredible weekend.