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July 4th on St. John - some questions
July 4th on St. John - some questions
Hi everyone, long time no post! I am planning a trip to St. Thomas and St. John for my, um, gulp, 40th birthday (July 4th). Going with my whole family (husband, parents, sister, bro-in-law, and their 3 kids, ages 5, 7, and 11 months). I had initially wanted them to experience St. John, but after much consideration and knowing my family members (all newbies who need a resort experience 
), we decided to base ourselves in St. Thomas, probably at the Wyndham Sugar Bay (husband and I will spend a few days in St. John after everyone else leaves- Yeah! 
). I would like to go over to St. John on July 4th for my birthday dinner and fireworks - can anyone tell me:
(1) will the restaurants and shops be open in the evening?
(2) will the ferries be running their regular schedule from Red Hook (given the holiday and the fireworks over Cruz Bay)?
(3) Does St. Thomas have any 4th of July festivities?
Also, my brother in law is dying to go to the Soggy Dollar on Jost. Can anyone recommend a boat/charter company that goes to the BVI that would fit all of us (9 all together) and would be appropriate for children.
Thanks!!!
), we decided to base ourselves in St. Thomas, probably at the Wyndham Sugar Bay (husband and I will spend a few days in St. John after everyone else leaves- Yeah! ). I would like to go over to St. John on July 4th for my birthday dinner and fireworks - can anyone tell me:(1) will the restaurants and shops be open in the evening?
(2) will the ferries be running their regular schedule from Red Hook (given the holiday and the fireworks over Cruz Bay)?
(3) Does St. Thomas have any 4th of July festivities?
Also, my brother in law is dying to go to the Soggy Dollar on Jost. Can anyone recommend a boat/charter company that goes to the BVI that would fit all of us (9 all together) and would be appropriate for children.
Thanks!!!
Hi ATG!
I can see that none have answered you, so I will tell that in 2007 I was on STJ the 4th of July. The restaurants were open, but many of them were very crowded – especially those where you could see the parade. I don’t remember if the stores were open, but I think so. We took the ferry from Red Hook in the morning in regular time, and we were told that more ferries than normally were running that day, because many people from STT want to go to STJ to see the parade. The 4th of July there is only carnival on STJ not STT. With so many guests as you are telling, I’m not sure I would celebrate my birthday in Cruz Bay the 4th of July. We had a very funny day, but it was very hot and the music was very loud.
Linne
I can see that none have answered you, so I will tell that in 2007 I was on STJ the 4th of July. The restaurants were open, but many of them were very crowded – especially those where you could see the parade. I don’t remember if the stores were open, but I think so. We took the ferry from Red Hook in the morning in regular time, and we were told that more ferries than normally were running that day, because many people from STT want to go to STJ to see the parade. The 4th of July there is only carnival on STJ not STT. With so many guests as you are telling, I’m not sure I would celebrate my birthday in Cruz Bay the 4th of July. We had a very funny day, but it was very hot and the music was very loud.
Linne
I tend to always be off-island for 4th of July (that might tell you something), so I'm not an expert on this, but coming over in the evening should be quite possible, the draw-backs being crowds and really loud music. This is something you might enjoy, if you generally like those things. I don't think St. Thomas does anything at all. A compromise might be to go to a restaurant in the Red Hook area where you could see the fireworks--not that far over the water.
some restaurants are closed so staff can enjoy day. The ones on the beach were booked in evening with people eating and then watching fireworks. We eat at Hide Tide right by dock last July 4th had great meal then walked up the beach and waited 45 min for fireworks which were very good (small city level.
I was there 4th of July - '06. I seem to remember a decent amount of restaurants being open. The island gets a lot of traffic - it seemed - from the other islands for the 4th celebration. Check with some of the restaurant's to see if they'll be open - they may be crowded though. PS - we watched the fireworks from the cement wall that runs along Cruz Bay - Bay Street I believe - it goes back towards the Gallows. Anyway - we took a drink and got our seat pretty early but the view for the fireworks was fantastic! Maybe email or call some of them - The Lime Inn has a website - always delicious - or Morgan's Mango...couple of my favs. GL and have fun!
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piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
We were there 2007 during the 4th of July holiday...we had a great time and will be there this year during the same week. No issues with restaurants not being open...had no problems with parking. Our then daughter had a GREAT time as well...we rent a villa...so when we want down time we hang out there...I don't remember the crowds being horrible...I've never been there when there weren't crowds, though...we had a great time during that week...and can't wait to get back...
