FAIRCHILD PARK
Fairchild Park offers an almost 360-degree view of St. Thomas, with the harbor on one side and Magens Bay on another. Philanthropist Arthur Fairchild, former president of the New York Stock Exchange, donated the beautiful 56-acre property to the people (not the government) of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Near Mountain Top overlooking Magens Bay
After your self-guided tour — whether you spend two hours exploring or all day — you can head back to enjoy your accommodations, ranging from five-star resorts on the beach to lavish villas, historical inns, secluded bed-and-breakfasts, small hotels and family-run guesthouses. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find history, culture and athletic activities mixed into your sun, sand and sea holiday. Enjoy!
Fort Christian gets a facelift
Fort Christian, well over 300 years old and the grand dame of historic structures in downtown Charlotte Amalie, was shut down last year for a multimillion-dollar renovation. The goal? To bring the building back to its circa-1672 persona as a fully functional fort.
Should it be red or white? The structure was originally gray-white, the natural shade of its lime-mortar construction. Local archaeologists would like to see it that way again. It has been a deep brick-red hue since 1874, when the Danes decided to paint all their municipal buildings an inexpensive and durable iron-oxide red. Tour books and postcards have long featured the fortification as brownish-crimson, so some tourism officials are wary of change.
White or red, ordinary paint just won’t do for this historic landmark. Moist salt air, strong winds and auto traffic put an unceasing strain on the old girl, so a high-tech, silica-based, breathable coating developed for European castles will be applied. This will prevent the exterior from peeling for several centuries.
Mysteries reside within the fort’s guts. Archaeologists were surprised to find the skeletons of a woman, a man and a teen during their excavations. Who are they? How’d they get there? Those stories, along with others of intrigue, will be featured in a series of new exhibits illustrating the life story of this magnificent matron
For the Whole Family
From waterspouts to kooky cockatiels, tots, teens and 'tweens have plenty
to entertain them.
By David Swanson
Splish and splash. Little ones can run through fountains and waterspouts at the Lindbergh Bay Park and Water Playground, then frolic some more on a dry jungle gym. Adults $2, 17 and under $1. At Lindbergh Bay beach across from the Cyril E. King Airport
Talk with the animals. The small Solberg Farm Petting Zoo is home to a wide variety of birds, rabbits and turtles, plus Shetland ponies, a cavy and two wallabies. Call ahead to let the owners know when you want to bring the family over for a visit. Adults and kids $4. 78 Solberg, above
Charlotte Amalie. 340-774-6641
Paddle away. With Virgin Islands Ecotours, children can hunt for pirate treasure in hidden caves during a guided kayak tour through a mangrove sanctuary while the folks enjoy learning about native flora and fauna. Adults $65, children $35. 340-779-2155
Feed the fish. Watch huge silver tarpon stir up the water as they snap up their breakfast at the dock of Treasure Isle Cruises at 10 a.m. daily. Free. 6616 Estate Nadir 30-31; go east on Route 32 toward Red Hook, 340-775-9500
