Which island?

If you mean STJ, the two best activities you can do are absolutely free: snorkel and hike. (Well, you would need to rent snorkel gear, but it's cheap)

Either island works!

We are all staying in st thomas(secret harbour) because its less expensive....so activities there would be great!

However, I would also like to include some activities for st john as well- I guess I should include a range or activities going from inexpensive- to boat trips!

When are you coming? There are more options during season than in the summer.

FREE activities:

Fri night cultural dance lessons in town at Emancipation Gardens at 8 p.m.

Sunday afternoon jazz jam at Beach Bar on St John

Hiking Lind Point Trail in St John

Attending church service. Some churches have steel bands.

Historic walking tours of downtown. Get map/details from this site.

Touring art galleries in town

There's also a jazz session near Secret Harbor on Sunday evenings, but I haven't been. I think it's free.

The Ritz usually has entertainment - check their schedule

And of course, beaches and snorkeling!

FEE Activities:

Blackbeard's historical tour to see restored homes of the wealthy

2-hour tall sail from Charlotte Amalie harbor ($40?)

1/2 day sails

Full day sails/power boat excursions

Mini-golf and bumper boats at the Wyndham Sugar Bay

Wed night Calypso show and buffet at Bolongo

Watersports like parasailing, jet skis, etc at Coki Beach or Sapphire

Mountain biking at Water Island

Island tours

Nature trails at the Greathouse or Paradise Point (Paradise Point is also the tram)

Enrichment courses at Maho

That should about do it!

ms411.....It was interesting to see that some church services have steel drum bands. Could you give us more information on that? I think that would be a great thing to do.

Also, don't forget taking the ferry over (night time is especially nice) and just stroll the streets of st john for some shopping.

I thought Friday nights are when Secret Harbour has live entertainment...I may be wrong.

"There's also a jazz session near Secret Harbor on Sunday evenings, but I haven't been. I think it's free"

I believe this is referring to Latitude 18, not Secret Harbour.

East Ender, you're right - it is Latitude 18. Thanks for the correction.

I've been to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in town, and they had a steel band "choir." We sat in the balcony, and it was just heavenly.

The Wesley Methodist Church in Anna's Retreat near Tillett's also has a steel band "choir." I haven't seen them, but it was posted on their marquee a few weeks ago. They were to perform at a 3:00 service or something.

I've heard there are others, but I don't have details. I'll ask around, though, and post when I have more specifics.

If you've ever been to NYC, and seen how the gospel services in Harlem are marketed to tourists, and see the tourists standing in block-long lines to get in, you realize how special services can be in other cultures, and it's something that should be shared. The jazz vespers in NY are also popular - I see some church in St Croix also does it.

Connie, I was told that Memorial Moravian Church (behind the Territorial Court), has an active steel band, and the Anglican Church in town, too.

I LOVE shopping in St John! Such an interesting variety of stores, and sometimes you can get GREAT deals. But, I seldom see people asking about shopping, so I didn't think anybody else besides me was interested. Glad you brought it up.

ms411...there's some adorable stores in st john...right in town. There's not alot by state standards, but some really neat stores with things you just can't resist.

You're so right about the St John stores, Connie. What goodies have you found? I used to get the coolest ceiling fan pulls from Pink Papaya (not easily found in the States), which my friend loved as a housewarming trinket. Captain's Corner/Sparky's has a nice selection of seashells and Christmas ornaments. Please, share your secret finds!

For church try Word of Faith - I have been told that the music is GREAT! Also on Friday and Saturday nights Tavern on the Waterfront has live jazz. You can go and just enjoy a drink while listening to jazz.

I love the idea of touring art galleries. We did this and stopped by the Gallery St. Thomas on Main and ended up leaving with something cool to hang on our wall at home. 🙂

here's their site:
http://www.gallerystthomas.com/

I'd think you all wouldn't need a lot of activities as the beach and ocean just call you in. I could spend hours just looking out to the water.

I'd also suggest visiting the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins on St. John. That was so amazing! We went over to St. John to snorkel at Leinster Bay/Watermelon Cay, and hiked the ruins first. All I can say is WOW!!