Duhhh... I didn't even stick to my own topic!
Is any day less crowded than others or does it pretty much depend on how many cruise ships are in?

crickett : )
*57 days to go*

Crickett,
We always have at least one breakfast at Gladys's (sp?) in one of the alleys in CA when we'er on STT. The food is always good and the prices are resonable. Maybe one of the STT residents can give specific directions / location. They also have their own hot sause that you can buy if you enjoy that type of spice. It's also very good. Finished my bottle in about a month.

Bassman

Check the cruise schedule and work around that. While the bulk of crowds go to Havensight the more ships docked, the greater chance the overflow spreads out across CA.

If there are 1-2 ships in, then go for it! Anything over that, plan on crowds.

I've experienced both and prefer ther quieter times.

Like Bassman, I also ate at Gladys Cafe but for lunch. I reccomend the jerk pork chops with their own "yellow" hot sauce (mustard based). Yum! Great service and singing (yes, singing).

We had breakfast at a place I think was called Time For A Break. It was yummy as well!

We've also hit Coconuts before. Great drinks, great bar atmosphere and good food. I think the owners are from the New England area. They are kinda tucked away behind Imperial Jewelers. And since they are so tucked away, it's usually quiet for lunch and you can get away from the crowds.

Most of the souvenier shops have the same stuff. And there are enough jewelry shops to last you a lifetime. Don't miss the local artists and craftsman shops in the little alleys.

A little walk dow the street brings you to the outdoor flea market. Also local crafts, trinkets, clothes etc. Awesome for souvenier shopping.

Those suggestions are just what I'm looking for... just want to spend a day there. I've been to STJ 3 times and the only time I've been to STT is at the airport and the taxi ride to Red Hook.
Is the flea market open everyday??

crickett : )

I'm not sure if the market is open everyday.

Anyone know?

I believe they are open only when ships are in port. When the ships are about to leave, so do the vendors

I have been to CA many times and find that the more ships that are in -- the more flea market vendors. Depending on what you are looking for -- there may be some deals to be had. We always eat at the Green House. Just pub kind of food -- but the view of CA is beautiful. You can watch the sea planes, etc. Definitely 1-2 cruise ships. More than than -- is a huge crowd.

My family (me, wife, 2 teenaged daughters) stayed at St John for a week this summer, and took the ferry to CA one day. It was a wasted day for us, and we're usually shoppers. We found 90% of the shopping to be expensive jewelery, and 10% to be trinkets. For some reason, it was just a bad day, hot, humid, we were so glad to get back to St. John and the peace. There were plenty of vendors, just nothing we were interested in-after the first few shops, the other thousand seemed just the same. Hope you have a better experience. It was nice to see STT, just not a great shopping trip.

The Main Street shops are mostly jewelry and souvenirs, though there's an art gallery upstairs on the left side in the first block of Main Street (obviously I've forgotten the name!) but the "alleys" offer more variety. Starting at the "flea market" and going west:

1. First of all, the "flea market" is called Vendors' Plaza. There's costume jewelry (puka shells, sharks teeth, etc), sterling silver jewelry, sarongs, t-shirts, bags, etc. One vendor has a table with mahogany wood products. Lots of knockoff designer purses. Larimar and conch shell jewelry, too.

2. Riise's alley has a nice ladies casual clothing store, Fresh Produce, though there may be one of those in the States. Also other stores.

2. Hibiscus Alley - hmmm, nothing comes to mind here, but I think Ammolie by the Sea and Touched by the Sun are here or nearby. Touched by the Sun has cute flip flop locally made soaps that make nice gifts.

3. Trompeter Gade - check out Sunfeather, a bath shop with tropical soaps and Caribbean rum fudge.

5. Royal Dane Mall - several art galleries here, and jewelry designers. Gem Casa has natural stone jewelry, and Gladys' Restaurant is located here.

6. Palm Passage has some nice clothing stores (Cache is one, though that's stateside store), and Pangborn for home accessories.

But really, CA is a historical district, so you should see some of the museums while you're in town. Try to take the Blackbeard's Walking Tour (not free), and see the Seven Arches Mseum on govt Hill. I'd do those first before it gets too hot, then do lunch, then the shopping. There may other historical walking tours.

Hope this helps.

And along the waterfront- Caribbean Surf Co, Local Color, Tradewinds...

Richard- St Thomas is KNOWN for jewelry! But there are other nice things. Yes, there are the look-alike shops- gold chains on one side, liquor on the other, tableclothes or 3/$10 t-shirts in the back and tacky tourist trinkets in the middle, but I guess if someone wasn't buying, they'd be out of business. 😉

More good info... thanks ms411... I think it'll be worth going over. As I said, I've never been except for the taxi ride through to the ferry! We'll find some stuff to do or head back to STJ early!

crickett : )

Crickett

Remember...never pay list price. Everything is negotiable.

Oh wow Chris... thanks for that tip... I wasn't aware.

crickett : )

In downtown CA the price of "everything" is not negotiable. At the Vendor's Plaza perhaps, and the more expensive jewelry certainly is, but the soaps, chocolates, restaurants etc. that have been discussed in this thread and other recent threads are not.

Hello,

Vendor's Plaza is open with vendors Mon-Sat from around 9-5... they are usually packing up around 5 and there setting up earlier than 9 as they aren't permanent stalls but rather tents and tables so they must set up and take down daily. They are there in fewer numbers on Sundays usually for half day... similar to the actual stores. There are fewer vendors on non-ship days. Also across from Vendors Plaza is the Local Crafts Co-operative, check it out for locally made items.

Visit the historical Charlotte Amalie sites section on this site. Here's the link https://www.vinow.com/stthomas/attractions_stt/attractions_town.php, its laid out in a self guided walking tour format.

Enjoy.

--Islander

Thanks Islander... that info helps greatly!

crickett : )