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Charlotte Amalie Shopping District
Charlotte Amalie Shopping District
St. Thomas
Downtown St. Thomas
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Good-for-Kids Rating
BabiesToddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Charlotte Amalie Shopping District Description
Downtown St. Thomas is doable with snoozing infants, and it's a wonderment for shop-aholic kids. It bustles with taxis and tourists, but historic alleyways, sidewalk cafes, and elegant stores offer welcome respite. Let the kids haggle in the colorful open-air market. From boutiques to the venerable granddaddy A.H. Riise (with its Rolex watches, historic art, and so much more), shopping in Charlotte Amalie is largely about designer names and exclusive jewelry, all nestled in Old-World charm and ancient stone architecture.
Shopping Mall
Kid Tips
School-Age Kids: Prepare the kids for the local color and don't hesitate to walk on by as the barkers try hard to personalize their pitch and get you into their stores.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Clever trinkets and colorful sarongs, dresses, shirts, and T-shirts abound at inexpensive prices. For traditional souvenirs, go to Emancipation Garden at the east end of town.
Planning Notes
- Sidewalks are narrow. They can be a challenge with strollers.
- Break it up. Cross the main street and take a stroll on the waterfront apron. The harbor is gorgeous and will fortify you for some more shopping.
- Enjoy the discounts. Jewelry and other accessories are reportedly sold at a 30-40 percent discount in the Virgin Islands. And there's no sales tax.
- Look right. When crossing roads, remember we drive on the opposite side here.
- Yachts and ice cream. Yacht Haven Grande, just a short taxi ride away, hosts dazzling mega yachts, additional upscale shopping, and most important, Ben and Jerry's.
Just the Facts
Hours: Stores close between 5 and 6 p.m. Many stores are open only on days when cruise ships are in port, but during the season that's virtually every day.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours
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