From someone in their early 30s.....

Bars - Duffy's Love Shack (STT - Red Hook), Woodys (STJ), Greenhouse (I think that's what it's called in STT-Charlotte Amalia), Iggy's (STT - Bolongo Bay)

Cheapest Way to Get Around - Rent a car

Day trip to STJ - Grab a $3 (or so) ferry ride from Red Hook to St. John.

Places to eat - Sopchoppy's (Red Hook), Greenhouse (CA - same as above) Uncle Joes BBQ (STJ), Skinny Legs (STJ).

You might do a search on this board as there are many ideas/opinions on all of your questions. Also the link at the top for "beaches" has a great overview of snorkeling opp's.

Thank you, that was very helpful, I have been using this message board and several other internet sights to help plan.... I just want everything to be perfect. THanks again!

From someone in her late 30s who frequented STT in her mid-20s 🙂

Best bars:
Duffy's
http://www.duffysloveshack.com/prodopenstt.htm

Greenhouse
http://www.thegreenhouserestaurant.com/greenhousestt/index.html

Iggie's Beach Bar and Grill (Bolongo Bay)
http://www.bolongobay.com/Iggies.htm

Fungi's On the Beach (at Agave Terrace)

http://www.agaveterrace.com/fg1.html

Offshore Bar - Havensight

Best Priced places to Eat:

Burrito Bay - Red Hook (don't let the name fool you - more than Burritos)

Caribbean Saloon : http://www.caribbeansaloon.com/
(casual, trendy, deco feel - large screen TVs - bar - slot machines - good food)

Sib's on the Mountain (decent bar too - frequented by friendly locals and lots of stateside transplants) - eat out in the rear garden - feels like being in Eden with streams and lots of greenery, terraced dining, lots of ambiance - not many tourists know about this spot)

Hook, Line and Sinker - Frenchtown
Lively seafood pub in Frenchtown...on the water but indoors. Casual. Good food. Reasonable. Friendly people!

Molly Malones is kind of reasonable - a little high - but not as high as others - and the food is YUMMY. Good bar scene too. Outdoor dining. Casual and Lively. In Red Hook.

Cheapest Way to get around : Bus - but I don't recommend it unless you are really patient. I always rent cars - I like to zip here and there and see/do things. You have to shop the car rental rates. I have yet to find a standard rental car agent offering the best deals. Deals vary.

Day Trip to STJ- Like land said, ferry! It's a 15-20 minute trip from Red Hook with a good view. Can't beat it.

Snorkeling on STT : Sapphire Beach. Snorkel from the shallow reef area all the way around the point to the other side of the point and back. Then walk over to the left side of the beach and snorkel around the grounded catamaran.

Canoeing: I vote for kayaking the mangrove with http://www.viecotours.com/

Don't forget the Sunday afternoon beach party at Sapphire.

Have fun!

Bluwater, that was such a great help, very details, just what I need. One more question, if you or anyone else kind enough might be able to help with....

How should I spend my day in St. John, I want to stay the full day ( beaches, dinner, a few drinks, then head back), any ideas?

Thank you so much for your time and advice, its much appreciated

STJ Day:

People rave about a breakfast place in Cruz Bay. I forget the name. I think it is a second story place. Someone else might chime in with that.

Beach: I like Trunk, but it gets crowded. I also like Hawksnest and Gibney. Take your pick or try two if you get the urge to move after spending some time on one. Play it by ear.

After beaching all day, it might be nice to end up at Trunk so you can shower off before dinner - so maybe make Trunk the last beach (or the only beach).

Head back to Cruz Bay and browse the shops at Mongoose Junction - then stroll down to Wharfside to have a drink at Rumbalaya (or whatever it is called now since I heard the name was just changed).

Browse the shops at Wharfside (where Rumbalaya is).

Since I like spicy, exotic food I would eat dinner at Rhumb Lines. It is an outdoor place with no view since it is enclosed in courtyard....but they make it look very Polynesian/Thai with torches, rope swings at the bar instead of bar stools, etc. The food is delish....but if you are a basic steak and potatoes person or don't have an adventurous pallet, go somewhere else.

People also love Woody's. The food is good there - basic local fish dishes and bar food - but good bar food. Great drinks. Great STJ atmosphere (very casual, very friendly, kind of on the loud side when things get swinging (in a good way). Woody's is VERY small, so the scene tends to spill out onto the sidewalk and the street, which is part of the fun. Don't miss it. Make a point to have a drink at Woody's - people watch.

I've had great meals at Las Tapas..just up the street from Woody's. They have outdoor seating right on the sidewalk terrace area so you can dine, see and be seen all that happens on that main strip. The outdoor tables are hard to get (there is an inside dining room) - so maybe get your name on the list before your drink at Woody's??

Bar hop around before heading back to your ferry.

Make sure you know when the ferry stops running and don't lose track of time 🙂

The breakfast place is Chilly Billy's and it is in the Lumberyard.
It is on the second floor. I also like JJ's right across from the ferry dock.

Thanks Marie - I knew someone would know. Happy New Year!