You're probably right on the edge of Virgin Islands National Park if you're on St. John for your Virgin Islands vacation. The parkland covers two-thirds of the island, and most of Love City's top attractions, such as Annaberg Plantation and Trunk Bay Beach, are located there. This tropical paradise can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. There are more than 20 hiking trails for adventurous travelers and families to choose from.

Following the 2017 hurricanes, some areas of the park, such as the popular Cinnamon Bay Resort and campgrounds, are still being repaired and revitalized. However, visitors agreed that there is still plenty to do at the park, including enjoying the various beaches and hiking trails, as well as water activities like boating and snorkeling.

Virgin Islands National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, but the visitor center is only open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no charge to enter the park, but Trunk Bay Beach will set you back $5 per adult. Before you go, check the park's website to see how the park and its trails are doing.

• Location: 1300 Cruz Bay Creek
• Price & Hours: Free- 24/7
  
• Details: Natural Wonders, Free, Neighborhood/Area TYPE, 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND
• Visitor Center open 8am - 4:30pm
  

Trunk Bay is considered the beach mecca by some. You'll be hard pressed to find another Caribbean beach with sand as fine as this or water as clear as this. Trunk Bay, which is surrounded by the Virgin Islands National Park, retains its otherworldly tranquility despite the constant influx of tourists.

Make a point of trying out the underwater snorkeling path. It's 225 yards long and lined with coral and fish, as well as underwater plaques. Despite being a fun experience, some travelers have complained that the path itself is unimpressive and shows damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Others advise going to Trunk Bay's far end for the best snorkeling.

Future travelers were overwhelmingly encouraged to spend a day on Trunk Bay, if only to appreciate its beauty. Trunk Bay is open to the public for a $5 admission fee. Its facilities are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include a snack bar, restrooms, and showers.

• Location: N Shore Rd, St John
• Price & Hours: $5 for individual day pass-8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Details: Beaches TYPE, 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND

N. Beach Magens Bay is the most famous beach on St. Thomas (and possibly the entire Virgin Islands archipelago). So, here's our own poetic remark: This beach on the Virgin Islands' north coast has the potential to be the most photogenic and swimmable. However, years of positive reinforcement have resulted in a surge in popularity among tourists who are more than willing to pay the entrance fee to experience Magens' allure.

Previous visitors to the beach have only good things to say about it. They found very little to criticize, from the white sands to the pristine waters to the breathtaking views. St John's Rd

You can visit Magens any day of the week, but expect to pay around $5 per adult; children under the age of 12 are admitted for free. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for the most privacy, but before the evening gnats arrive to bite.

• Location:Rte. 35, at end of road on north side of island
  
• Price & Hours: $5 for adults; free for kids 12 and younger-24/7
  
• Details: Beaches TYPE, 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND

Danish colonists founded Annaberg Plantation in the late 1700s. Enslaved workers grew sugar cane on 1,300 acres and produced 100,000 tons of sugar per year. Molasses and rum were also produced on the premises. Today, visitors to Annaberg can learn more about the plantation's role in the African slave trade as well as how its goods were produced. Although the plantation and mill are in a state of disrepair, some areas have been restored. You'll be able to see the quarters of the enslaved people, their work sites, and the guardhouse that kept them from fleeing. Depending on the day, you might be able to see a basket weaving or bread baking demonstration.

The ruins were well-liked by visitors. Visitors were particularly fond of the knowledgeable employees, as well as the ruins and the spectacular views from the site. They also cautioned that people with mobility issues may have difficulty navigating some of the steps on the property.

The Virgin Islands National Park Service manages the Annaberg Historic District, which includes the plantation. It's in the Virgin Islands National Park's northern section. From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the park's visitor center is open. Access to the site is free, according to recent visitors, though ranger-led tours may cost money. Visit the national park's website for more information.

• Location: Leinster Bay Rd
  
• Price & Hours: Free-8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  
• Details: Museums, Free, Sightseeing TYPE,1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND

Sandy Point is a beach on St. Croix's southwestern tip that doubles as a leatherback sea turtle habitat and nearly 400-acre natural refuge. The setting may be familiar from the film "The Shawshank Redemption." The location in the film was said to be Mexico, but the final scene was actually shot on Sandy Point's beach. You can swim in the shallow waters or sunbathe on the buff-colored sand during the day. You might catch some turtles nesting their eggs in Sandy Point's 2-mile stretch if you're lucky.

The beach was praised by reviewers as being immaculate and well worth a visit. They warned that the trade-off is that there will be no restrooms or other amenities, as well as limited shade options. Also, keep in mind that there are only a few parking lots available, and the beach is located at the end of a long unpaved road.

From September to March, the refuge has very limited hours, only welcoming visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (April through August is when the turtles nest). Visit the official website of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for more information.

• Location: 71 Route 63
  
• Price & Hours: Free-Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. September-March
  
• Details: Beaches, Free, Parks and Gardens TYPE,1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND

The Estate Whim Plantation Museum tells the story of the people who lived and worked on the Estate Whim plantation in the 18th century. It is the Virgin Islands' only sugar plantation museum. The sugar mill, a cookhouse, and the enslaved people's quarters are among the structures on the property. Exhibits provide insight into how enslaved workers cultivated and processed sugar, as well as the plantation's economics. Following the hurricanes of 2017, some areas of the complex, such as the great house and the much-lauded windmill, are currently closed for construction.

Despite the closed attractions, visitors thought the museum was worth visiting. Reviewers said they gained a better understanding of the Virgin Islands' rich and varied history.

The Estate Whim Plantation Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, as well as on days when cruise ships are in port. Adult admission is $10, while children aged 7 to 12 pay $5.

• Location:52 Estate Whim
  
• Price & Hours: $10 for adults; $5 for kids 7-12 - Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  
• Details: Museums, Historic Homes/Mansions, Sightseeing TYPE,1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND

Buck Island, about 1 1/2 miles off the coast of St. Croix, is the place to go if you want to go scuba diving or snorkeling. The National Park Service manages the island, which is surrounded by a barrier reef teeming with tropical fish and elkhorn coral. A subtropical dry forest can be found on land. A few trails wind their way through the island, ideal for a post-snorkel walk or hike. On one side of the island, there are picnic areas and restrooms, but you'll need to bring your own refreshments.

Those who have recently visited Buck Island remarked that it is a great place to snorkel, but the coral isn't worth the hype. The coral has lost its vibrancy as a result of environmental damage, according to several visitors. Nonetheless, they advised future visitors to include a stop on Buck Island in their plans, emphasizing the importance of seeing the island's forest.

Buck Island Reef Monument is open every day except between sunset and sunrise to protect the island's turtle population. There is no charge to visit the island, but you will need to charter a boat or go on a tour. On the official NPS website, you can find a list of recommended businesses. The trip to the reef should take between 40 and 90 minutes, depending on the weather and whether you sail or motor to the site, according to the National Park Service.

• Location:2100 Church Street #100
  
• Price & Hours: Free - Sunrise-sunset
  
• Details: Beaches, Natural Wonders, Free TYPE, 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND

This indoor-outdoor aquarium with small sharks, stingrays, and starfish is one of St. Thomas' most popular tourist attractions. Coral World, which is next to Coki Beach on St. Thomas' northeast coast, also has a walk-through aviary and an offshore underwater observatory where you can see marine life 15 feet below the water's surface.

Despite its popularity, previous visitors to the site had mixed feelings about it. Many people said it's a fun stop for families and praised the facility for its animal care. Others thought the park was lacking in some ways, pointing out that parts of the facility are still in need of repair following the hurricanes.

Coral World is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for visitors. General admission is $23.50 for adults and $13 for children, but special experiences, such as swimming with dolphins or sea lions, cost more than $100 per person. Visit Coral World's website for more information.

• Location: 6450 Coki Point Rd.
  
• Price & Hours: $23.50 for adults; $13 for kids 3-12 - 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
  
• Details: Zoos and Aquariums TYPE, 1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND

Tourists flock to the Cruzan Rum distillery in Frederiksted to sample the rum on its home island, and you should do the same. The distilling and bottling processes will be explained by tour guides at the rum headquarters. The tour is enjoyable and educational, but it is brief: it lasts about 30 minutes, according to most visitors. When the tour is finished, the guides will prepare two cocktails for you (which are included in your tour fee).

The Cruzan Rum Distillery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The tour costs $10, and the distillery only accepts credit or debit cards as payment. For more information, go to the company's website.

• Location: 3 & 3A Estate Diamond.
  
• Price & Hours: $10 per person for tours - Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  
• Details: Wineries/Breweries TYPE, 1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND

If you enjoy shopping, St. Thomas has the Caribbean's best shopping plaza. The cobblestones of Charlotte Amalie's Main Street (also known as Dronningens Gade in Danish) glisten with dazzling diamonds, fragrant perfume, designer duds, gleaming electronics, and potent liquor. It's all duty-free, as you've read online and heard from friends.

Stay away from the stores if you don't feel like shopping, especially in the late morning and early afternoon. With tourists fresh off the cruise ship and a slew of solicitors pleading with you to visit their shops, the narrow Main Street is an assault on the senses. Tourist taxis clog Charlotte Amalie's streets, attempting to deliver visitors as close to the beach as possible.

• Location: Main Street
  
• Price & Hours: Free - 24/7
  
• Details: Free, Neighborhood/Area, Shopping TYPE, 1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND