U.S. Virgin Islands Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

The U.S. Virgin Islands are situated in the Caribbean, just a three-hour flight from Miami. Located southwest of the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgins are made up of three main islands and surrounded by around fifty smaller cays and islets.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix was first named Santa Cruz by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
Taste the historical flavors of the island at the Cruzan Rum Distillery, where the spirit of St Croix has been lovingly bottled for over 200 years.
Estate Whim Museum was one of the most prosperous sugar plantations in the region, and today it remains a favorite stop for history lovers.
Frederiksted is the island’s main port town. Plagued by pirates, the Dutch built Fort Frederik here in the 1750s.
Admire the island’s colorful European influence in Christiansted. Once the capital of the Danish West Indies, this town is a postcard-worthy example of Danish architecture and style.
Just a 20-minute flight north of St Croix is St. Thomas, the second largest island in the territory.
St. Thomas is home to the U.S. Virgin Island’s capital, Charlotte Amalie, a bustling port town which is often dominated by huge luxury liners.
Commanding views of the port can be enjoyed from the top of the St Thomas Skyride, or Blackbeard’s Castle.
Once you’ve explored St. Thomas, take the short ferry ride to St. John. Step ashore at Cruz Bay, the largest of this island’s towns.
Visit the Annaberg Plantation, whose mills fell silent when slavery was abolished. Wander through the old slave quarters and crumbling windmill which overlooks Leinster Bay.
Explore more plantation ruins just off the shoreline at Cinnamon Bay, where Mother Nature reclaims the time-worn stone structures with each passing year.
Many European countries occupied the U.S Virgin Islands throughout their history until the United States purchased them from Denmark in 1917.
Over 100 years later, the islands remain a U.S. territory, popular with American vacationers as they require no passport and the primary currency is the U.S. dollar.