traveldk.com

Unless they come by private boat, all visitors arrive via ferry at the public dock next to a stretch of beach where smaller boats are moored. Porters will carry your luggage to the transportation area. A take-out spot just steps away from the dock sells sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

Visible from Cruz Bay harbor, the red-roofed Battery was built in 1825 as a courthouse and prison for the island’s slaves. The cannons and jail cells remain. It now serves as the local government seat. You can explore the lovely grounds.

The local government’s tourism office sits tucked away in a small park next to the post office. This is the place to go for maps and brochures on places to stay and various activities available in St. John.

This tiny branch of the US Postal Service is the only place in St. John to mail postcards. While there’s a stamp-vending machine in the lobby, it doesn’t always work. The lines at the counter can be very long.

Stop by here for maps, brochures, and information on the latest park activities. The center also features exhibits about the park’s history, flora, and fauna (seeVirgin Islands National Park Visitor’s Center).

Built of stone with steps and pathways on several levels, this quaint shopping center has an eclectic set of shops and restaurants, as well as a parking lot and public facilities (seeShopping).

Named after a dedicated government employee, the library is housed in the 1757 Estate Enighed great house, restored in 1982. It has an interesting collection of locally written books.

Dating to 1720, this small church is home to one of the island’s oldest congregations. Its doors are open during the day – feel free to peep inside. For a glimpse of local life, attend Sunday services.

Sitting on Cruz Bay Beach, this is an attractive shopping center with flowers fringing its walkways. You’ll find a watersports center, several good restaurants, and many shops.

Benches shaded by old trees and attractive gardens beckon strollers to sit for a while in the small park across the street from the waterfront. A statue of a man blowing a conch at the park’s edge commemorates the July 3, 1848 emancipation from slavery (seeEmancipation, USVI).