Christiansted National Historic Site, Christiansted (must see)

The Christiansted National Historic Site, located on the waterfront of Saint Croix, preserves a vivid picture of life in a bustling Caribbean port during the 18th and 19th centuries. Once the capital of the Danish West Indies, Christiansted flourished as a center of trade, with ships bringing sugar, rum, and molasses across the Atlantic. Today, its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored colonial buildings, and graceful arcades invite visitors to step back into a time when merchants, planters, and officials shaped the island’s fortunes.

At the heart of the site stands the bright yellow Fort Christiansvaern, built in the 1740s to defend the harbor against pirates and rival colonial powers. Surrounding the fort are several other historic structures, including the Scale House, where goods were weighed and taxed, the Customs House, and the Steeple Building, once a Lutheran church. Together, these buildings form one of the best-preserved examples of Danish colonial architecture in the Caribbean and tell the story of the island’s complex past under European rule.

Christiansted also holds a special connection to Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers. Hamilton spent part of his youth in Christiansted after being born on the nearby island of Nevis. He worked as a clerk for a local trading company, gaining firsthand experience in commerce and maritime trade—skills that later influenced his vision for the U.S. financial system. Visitors can walk the same streets Hamilton once did, visiting the sites that shaped his early life before he left for New York.

Today, the Christiansted National Historic Site is managed by the U.S. National Park Service and welcomes visitors to explore its buildings, exhibitions, and waterfront views. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the colonial history of the Virgin Islands while celebrating the early influences on one of the most remarkable figures in American history.