The Virgin Islands are "America's Caribbean Paradise" - far enough away to be exotic, yet close enough to be accessible.
These gorgeous islands are the easiest, most hassle-free tropical getaway for American families on the East Coast.
A recent survey found that only 30% of Americans actually own a passport. Even if you and your partner have a passport, what about the kids? Because these three tropical islands are collectively a U.S. territory, Americans need only a government issued photo ID to enter. What awaits, is a permanently temperate and undeniably gorgeous island paradise.
Whether you're after memorable cultural experiences, the best beaches, or a thrilling adventure, here's a look at 10 things you absolutely cannot miss on a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Cruzan Rum Distillery - St Croix
Follow us
Nothing says the Caribbean like a delicious rum cocktail on the beach - and nothing says the Virgin Islands like its world-famous rum, Cruzan. A visit to the Cruzan Rum Factory is an education both in the island's history and in the alluring art of high end liquor. Each tour departs from the visitor's pavilion and includes a visit to the factory's old windmill and lessons on the entire fermentation process. Of course, the tour is not complete until you've sampled some of the products!
Getting There: Catch a taxi from Frederiksted or check cruzanrum.com for more details.
Dive the Wall - St Croix
Sure, there's great diving all around these coral-rimmed islands, but the wall in St Croix may be the best. Running along St Croix's north shore, the wall drops over 13,000 feet and is one of the best developed reef systems in the tropical Atlantic, home to the most extensive reef on the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands shelf. Not only is the wall great for both novice and experienced divers alike, it can be reached by a short swim from shore. That means no dive boat and a cheaper dive. The wall is a great place to see (harmless) sharks, colorful clown fish, and the elusive seahorse. Best of all, it's sorely overlooked and never crowded. You're guaranteed to see swimming fish, not swimming humans.
Getting There: You can book dives from both Christiansted and Frederiksted or head directly to Cane Bay on the North Shore.
Christiansted - St Croix
