Description: The waterfront in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, is a fantastic combo of beautiful scenery and incredible shopping deals. There are two markets on the waterfront: The main shops and the open market. The main shops are modern and beautifully decorated expansive stores located on cobblestone streets and stretch about ten blocks by four blocks. The stores range from ultra high priced jewelry to overpriced gift shops, from sketchy electronic shops to well laid out and inexpensive liquor stores. This is where you to get that hard to find watch or rare china dinnerware. The liquor stores cater to your every need and offer a good deal. Do not buy cigars thinking they are Cuban because they're not!
The open market is my favorite place to buy stuff on St Thomas, but then again I am cheap and stingy and love to haggle. Rip off watches and jewelry, local products that include clothes, hats, wallets and wood carvings, are just some of the many things you will find at this open aired flea market. A lot of tables offer the same or similar products, so if you don't get 15 to 20% off what they ask, go to the next guy. If you buy a rip off watch (u name it they got it - rolex, movado, tommy hilfiger, etc.) make sure it fits and works after you shake it. Its a crapshoot but some will last as long as the real thing, but these cost $15 to $25! Downtown ofers some of the best food on the island, but avoid restaurants directly surrounding the shops, as these typically over charge because of their visibility. I recommend Marisol on the hill just behind the shops for a nice casual/romantic dinner.
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