Historic St. Thomas & Blackbeard's Castle

OVERVIEW

Gain an appreciation for Charlotte Amalie’s diversity of attractions beginning with a scenic drive along the circuitous Skyline Drive that ascends through the hills behind the capital. The higher you travel, the more spectacular the views until you reach Drake’s Seat, often considered the island’s ultimate lookout point. From this lofty perch, you will enjoy sweeping views in every direction, much like English explorer and privateer Sir Francis Drake supposedly did in the late 1500s. Blackbeard’s Castle offers another key vantage point as the tower perches atop Government Hill. According to legend, the pirate Blackbeard used the tower as a lookout. It has become a National Historic Landmark within the Kongens Quarter, home to many of Charlotte Amalie’s oldest Dutch colonial buildings. Other highlights in the quarter well worth exploring include the 19th-century Villa Notman manor house and the 18th-century Crown House, which once served as the governor’s residence.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive into the hills behind Charlotte Amalie on scenic Skyline Drive.
• Take in the sweeping views from the Drake’s Seat lookout point.
• Tour Blackbeard’s Castle, a hilltop tower that the Dutch built in the 17th century.
• Explore the historical Kongen Quarter on your own and shop for duty-free goods.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.