Vacay Espresso: 5 Days of Adventure in St Croix

Take in the history of downtown Frederiksted. Follow the plaques through the small-town plaza to learn more about the island's colorful past, including conquerors and pirates!

Explore the island on foot. There are several hiking spots with amazing views. We eased into the day with a 30 min hike to Ham's Bluff Lighthouse. The deserted lighthouse puts off a slightly haunted aura, but the views of the coastline from above are not to be missed. We then hiked the Carambola Trumbull Trail to the Annaly Tide Pools. It was a bit tight hiking through the forest, but the trail opens up to an incredible pebble beach. Here you can walk along the water and take a quick dip in the tide pools as the waves splash at your back.

After hiking, cool off at one of the many local beaches. It's not uncommon to just pull off to the side of the road to enjoy spots like Shoy or Pelican's Cove Beach. If you're lucky, you may get a visit from the wild peacocks that roam nearby.

Book a scuba excursion. Due to its location, St Croix is known for their wreck diving. There are 4–5 wrecks surrounding the island to be marveled from below while observing local fish and wildlife.

Set sail on a local catamaran. This was above and beyond our favorite part of the trip. Book a half or full-day tour. We opted for a full day and were served drinks and snacks by the friendly crew who navigated us through the best spots to snorkel and dive in the clear blue waters. We just brought sandwiches for lunch and they took care of the rest!

Try bio-lumen kayaking. St Croix is home to two of the Caribbean's rare bioluminescent bays. Many tour operators offer night kayak excursions on clear-bottom boats so you can take in nature's wonder of the glowing algae.

Explore Christiansted, the larger of the two major cities on the island. Meander the streets past beautifully restored historic buildings, local boutiques, great restaurants and the marina. Don't forget to pick up a piece of your own authentic island hook jewelry, which the US Virgin Islands are known for. The boardwalk has plenty of fun for families to enjoy as well.

Indulge in a Rum Tour or Tasting. While small, this island hosts large distilleries for both Cruzan and Captain Morgan as well as a few smaller, less corporate distilleries. Both Cruzan and Captain Morgan offer tours of their facilities and the practice of manufacturing local rum.

Savant (Christiansted): Some of the best cocktails and local dining on the island. Reservations are usually required.

Star Bar & Restaurant (Frederiksted): Casual beach and bar food. Perfectly positioned to catch the sunset on the west side of the island.

Ci Bo Ne (Frederiksted): Rich, local dishes with an infusion of Italian. This was one of our favorite meals of the trip in a very unassuming spot in downtown Frederiksted.

Polly's on the Pier (Frederiksted): Great breakfast option serving fresh bagel sandwiches, smoothies and the like. They have an awesome courtyard with alleyways connecting to local shops.

Galangal (Christiansted): Fine dining with French and Asian influences. Their pad thai made my tastebuds dance with spice.

Estera (Christiansted): Low-lit, intimate setting offering Italian dishes with a dash of Caribbean influence.

Jubilee by Yaadie (Christiansted): Traditional Caribbean cuisine in a comfortable setting.