The U.S. Virgin Islands may be famous for their charm, and their shopping, but the island of St. John is famous for its peace and quiet.   With more than 40 beaches on a tiny nine-mile island, it’s easy to see why St. John is the place where even Virgin Islanders come to get away from it all.

If you choose St. John vacation rentals, there are many wonderful ways to spend your vacation, including spending a day in Cruz Bay.  Nestled around Cruz Bay Harbor on the west coast of St. John, the lovely little town is the only real town on the island, with a population of fewer than 3,000 people.

If you want to spend a day in town shopping, Cruz Bay has many unique boutiques.  Right near the harbor, there is a collection of shops and restaurants called Mongoose Junction, selling everything from linens to hand-blown glass. One really fascinating shop is called Best of Both Worlds, and it sells artwork created by local artists and designers.  There is also another group of shops gathered around a courtyard near the dock, called Wharfside Village.  One of the nicest shops there is Dreams and Dragonflies, which sells pretty locally made jewelry.

If you start to get a little hungry on your day in town, head to Woody’s Seafood Saloon for some fresh seafood, right next to the town’s harbor. In Mongoose Junction, Paradiso has also has a nautical theme, with creative twists on salads and fresh fish.  For a great restaurant with a beautiful view, head to Asolare, on the top of the hill overlooking Cruz Bay.  It’s about a five minute cab ride from the harbor, and serves an incredible menu of French-Asian cuisine.

Of course the joys of a St. John villa rental often include time to yourself, to truly relax in privacy, away from crowded resorts and hotels.  However, when you unwind at St. John vacation rentals, you’re still going to want to plan to spend a day in Cruz Bay, exploring all the charming shops and restaurants this little Virgin Island has to offer.