What's There to do on St. John?
St. John is well-known for its laid-back, slow pace. If you're seeking Vegas-style entertainment and never-ending nightlife, neon and glitz, this island is definitely not for you. Locals like to relax, hang out and listen to music with each other and visitors and are generally very friendly and welcoming. If "chilling out" is your idea of a great way to enjoy a vacation, then you'll love the many open-air "watering holes" and small bars and restaurants on the island. Live music, including reggae bands, is another popular pastime. The most colorful bars are found in Coral Bay and Cruz Bay, where it's not uncommon to find people gathered in front of small bars, sitting nearly in the road, just drinking, talking and generally having a great time.
Dining
For a more romantic night out, enjoy a nice dinner, dessert and a few drinks at a great restaurant. There are several to choose from and some excellent suggestions on the Links page.
Live Events
There are also many live performances, local events and festivals throughout the USVI year-round. For an up-to-date listing of upcoming events, visit here.
Shopping
Shopping areas are in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, the two biggest settlements on the island. As neither settlement is very large, it might be stretching it to call them towns...
Both feature quaint tropical buildings and beautiful stone Caribbean structures that house small stores.
In Cruz Bay, there are shops at Mongoose Junction, along King Street and at Wharfside Village, all in walking distance from the ferry dock. Easily found buys will include swim wear, bags, liquor, art work, handmade pottery, paintings, and jewelry. Get good deals on beautiful gold earrings and necklaces and pick up unique souvenirs, too. Great restaurants are mixed in among the shops, which makes it easy to go shopping, have a great meal and still get in quality beach time all in the same day.
The selection of shops is much smaller in Coral
bay, but the East End's principal settlement has a charm all its own, so
be sure to explore it, too.
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Hiking and Sports
Most people, however, don't come to St. John to shop, but to hike, explore and enjoy the fabulous sporting opportunities the island offers. Whether its guided hiking, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, charters, jet skis, horseback riding, tennis, snorkeling, diving, St. John has it all. See the Links page for a variety of sporting activities, restaurants, and other pastimes that are sure to keep you happy and busy while staying at Horizons Cottage and/or Captain's Cabin.
Vacationers who don't take to the sea or spend day after
day on the beach for recreation may instead choose to explore any of the 22 self-guided
nature trails managed by the National Park Service, all within very
close proximity to Horizons Cottage. In sharp contrast to its white sand
beaches, St. John's woodland trails wind through subtropical vegetation,
keeping determined hikers occupied for miles - and hours - at a time.
The three-mile Reef Bay Hike, offered by the National Park Service,
leads nature enthusiasts past ancient Arawak Indian rock carvings called
petroglyphs.
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