| St. Thomas has long been known as one of | | | | Caribbean tradition of newlyweds |
| the best shopping destinations in the | | | | symbolically jumping over a broom to |
| Caribbean. With numerous malls and | | | | start their life together. |
| markets catering to resort and cruise | | | | Art collectors will also want to visit |
| tourists, you can find almost anything | | | | the gallery and silkscreen studio |
| you want at a great price in the | | | | located at Tillet Gardens. For nearly 50 |
| island's bustling capital - Charlotte | | | | years, Tillet Gardens has served as the |
| Amalie. However, not all travelers are | | | | home of St. Thomas' vibrant art |
| aware of the wealth of incredible | | | | community. The gallery is full of |
| locally-produced products available in | | | | paintings and prints by the island's |
| St. Thomas. From folk arts and crafts to | | | | most talented residents with work |
| handmade food products and spices, there | | | | available for all budgets and interests. |
| are plenty of ways to shop for the best | | | | Housed in an old Danish farm, Tillet |
| products St. Thomas has to offer. | | | | Gardens is also a great place to spend |
| The best location to find Caribbean folk | | | | an afternoon as the site features a |
| art and local products is the Native | | | | great outdoor restaurant and occasional |
| Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Featuring | | | | performances by local musicians. |
| the work of nearly 100 different locals | | | | As you walk through the streets of the |
| throughout the year, the Native Arts and | | | | capital city, you will also see several |
| Crafts Cooperative is the largest | | | | additional art galleries selling the |
| shopping center devoted to local | | | | work of local painters and sculptors. |
| artisans in the Virgin Islands. | | | | Outside of Tillet Gardens, the best |
| Conveniently located next to the tourist | | | | selection of artwork created in the |
| information office in central Charlotte | | | | Virgin Islands can be found at Mango |
| Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to | | | | Tango. Like Tillet Gardens and the |
| sell their artwork and handmade products | | | | Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, the |
| directly to the public from the former | | | | work available at Mango Tango and other |
| United States colonial courthouse. | | | | galleries throughout Charlotte Amalie is |
| One of the most popular booths within | | | | reasonably priced, with unique pieces |
| the Cooperative belongs to Gwendolyn | | | | for all tastes and budgets. Also, keep |
| Harley, the artist behind a very popular | | | | an eye out for artisans selling their |
| series of hand-sewn dolls. Throughout | | | | work in the small, open-air markets of |
| the years, Harley has maintained an | | | | the city. Many talented individuals sell |
| adoption log and seen her | | | | directly to the public each day and all |
| historically-minded dolls travel | | | | love sharing their stories with |
| throughout the world in the hands of | | | | visitors. |
| tourists and collectors. | | | | St. Thomas is also one of the best |
| For those in search of unique food | | | | locations in the Caribbean to find |
| products, a stop by Cheryl Miller's | | | | exotic spices. Much like the fabled |
| booth will yield a number of | | | | Caribbean spice markets of the colonial |
| award-winning flavors. Besides the | | | | period, today's spice markets offer |
| popular jams and jellies handmade by | | | | visitors the chance to taste and |
| Miller, five of her sauces - known by | | | | purchase exotic flavors and gourmet |
| the label "Cheryl's Taste of Paradise" - | | | | products. The best assortment of |
| have taken home trophies from the | | | | Caribbean spices can be found at |
| National Fiery Foods Show in | | | | Caribbean Marketplace, a sprawling |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also | | | | emporium that specializes in bulk spices |
| find Miller's products within the store | | | | and gourmet condiments. Spices, teas and |
| she maintains in conjunction with her | | | | condiments can also be found at Down |
| kitchen at the Compass Point Marina. | | | | Island Traders - a popular store in |
| One of the Native Arts and Crafts | | | | Charlotte Amalie that also carries |
| Cooperative's strangest booths belongs | | | | locally-made jewelry and crafts. |
| to Justin Todman, known locally as The | | | | Like many other islands in the |
| Broom Man. Utilizing traditional | | | | Caribbean, St. Thomas has plenty of |
| Caribbean methods, The Broom Man weaves | | | | talented individuals creating |
| date palm fronds in intricate patterns | | | | distinctive products by hand. Wherever |
| and attaches all lengths of handles to | | | | you travel in St. Thomas, you will be |
| create brooms for every possible | | | | able to find a piece of the island to |
| purpose. Todman's brooms are also very | | | | take home with you. Most importantly, in |
| popular with couples getting married in | | | | most cases, you won't be able to find |
| St. Thomas, supporting African and | | | | these special treasures anywhere else. |