| Beautiful beaches and lavish accommodations aside, | | | | location for lunch, featuring a number of friendly cafes. |
| St. Thomas is widely regarded as the Caribbean's | | | | Shops in the Havensight district are generally open |
| premier shopping destination. With over one million | | | | from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week when cruise ships |
| cruise ship passengers and overnight Caribbean resort | | | | are in port. Yet, during high season some cruise ships |
| guests visiting St. Thomas each year, the island's ports | | | | stay in port later into the evening. On such days, the |
| have long been bustling centers of commerce and | | | | shops in the Havensight will remain open until 7pm. |
| trade. Much of the finest duty-free shopping is | | | | Also in Charlotte Amalie, across from Emancipation |
| concentrated near the waterfront of the island's | | | | Park and Fort Christian, is the Vendors' Plaza, an |
| historic capital, Charlotte Amalie. At discounts of | | | | assortment of small booths, tables and tents displaying |
| 40-60% off American mainland prices on goods such | | | | a vast assortment of souvenirs. Here, in addition to the |
| as jewelry, fine china, crystal, electronics, perfume, | | | | luxury goods found in other shopping districts, you will |
| clothing and liquor, the bargains are seemingly endless. | | | | also find many locally produced products and unique |
| Adding to the allure is the fact that U.S. citizens are | | | | regional food items. Vendors' Plaza is generally open |
| allowed a duty-free shopping allowance of $1,600, | | | | Monday through Saturday from about 7:30am, when |
| twice the amount of any other island in the Caribbean | | | | the vendors start setting up, until 5:00pm. On Sundays, |
| and three times that of European nations. | | | | fewer vendors set up, though the Vendors' Plaza is still |
| Visitors to St. Thomas should begin their shopping tour | | | | worth a visit when one or more cruise ships are in |
| in Charlotte Amalie's downtown and waterfront areas. | | | | port. |
| The historic Dutch provincial warehouses along Main, | | | | Directly across the street from the Vendors' Plaza is |
| Back and Waterfront Streets, beautifully restored to | | | | The Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Run by local |
| host a plethora of unique shops, allow visitors to shop | | | | artists, the Cooperative features a plethora of |
| and sightsee simultaneously. In the alleys surrounding | | | | Caribbean artwork not available in any mall or shopping |
| the Main Street area (Royal Dane Mall, Palm Passage, | | | | center. |
| Riise Alley and many others), shoppers will find smaller | | | | For the more adventurous tourist, smaller shopping |
| boutiques specializing in unique local products and | | | | areas catering principally to residents are located |
| Caribbean oddities. Inviting restaurants and entertaining | | | | throughout the island. Such shopping centers as |
| bars are located amongst these stores, ideal for lunch | | | | American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, Lockhart |
| or an island cocktail. Most shops in this exclusive | | | | Gardens, Tutu Park Mall and Nisky Center offer |
| shopping district are open Monday through Saturday; | | | | visitors distinctive cultural opportunities in addition to |
| including holidays from 9am to 5pm. Shops in the | | | | essentials like grocery stores, pharmacies and clothing |
| downtown and waterfront areas are typically closed | | | | stores. Tillett Gardens is a charming local haven for |
| on Sundays, unless a cruise ship is in port. The shops | | | | pottery, silk-screened fabrics, candles, paintings and |
| at larger St. Thomas hotels usually remain open on | | | | handcrafted jewelry. The Mountain Top and Paradise |
| Sundays, however. The Havensight district is another | | | | Point centers are also interesting options because |
| concentrated collection of shops catering to St. | | | | shopping is accompanied by captivating, hilltop views. In |
| Thomas' visitors. Located near the primary cruise ship | | | | Frenchtown, travelers can find some of the best |
| dock, this shopping area is comprised of The | | | | cuisine the Caribbean has to offer. |
| Havensight Shopping Center, The Buccaneer Mall and | | | | As the heart of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas |
| The Port of Sale. Featuring over 60 distinctive stores | | | | continues to astonish travelers with its refined |
| within the waterfront warehouses, the Havensight | | | | pleasures. Combining a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere |
| district is another great option for cruise ship | | | | with the vibrancy of city streets, St. Thomas may just |
| passengers with limited time and overnight tourists | | | | be the best of both worlds. |
| alike. Like the shops on and around Main Street, | | | | This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes |
| tourists will find great prices on jewelry, clothing, | | | | select pieces about travel in St. Thomas and other |
| perfume, liquor, electronics, music, sunglasses and | | | | Caribbean resort areas for Marriott Resorts. |
| assorted souvenirs. Also, Havensight is another great | | | | |