Off Beaten Path Attractions in St. John
Since St. John only boasts 20 square miles of land, there's not much to do that's off the beaten path -- just places that are less-frequented than others. So the best off-the-beaten-path things to do in St. John are found just down the road or around the corner from the more well-trod destinations.
Just at the edge of Cruz Bay, but almost completely unknown to tourists is the Ivan Jadan Museum, a monument to a once-famous Russian opera singer who fled the Soviet Union in 1941 and eventually made St. John his home (mainly to avoid Stalin's agents in North America). Though Ivan died in 1995, his wife of 40 years, Doris, lovingly maintains a tiny museum that is packed with unique artifacts that Jadan collected during his life and travels, photos detailing his life, and a collection of books about Russian music.
The Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum is another oft-overlooked little treasure. A former plantation great house that was restored in 1982, the building now houses a library and a dusty museum on the lower floor with a few exhibits on the island's past.
If you'd prefer an off-the-beaten-path outdoor destination, there are a few beaches that fit the bill. Jumbie Beach is tiny but nonetheless has lots to offer. Tucked down a steep path off the North Shore road, more locals that tourists frequent it for its privacy and excellent snorkeling.
More remote are Salt Pond Bay and Lameshur Bay, both of which are located on the south end of St. John, far from the madding crowds. Lameshur Bay is the more remote of the two, and can be reached only by a steep, winding, partially-paved road. Besides the lovely sandy beach and excellent snorkeling, there are hiking trails which go to Yawzi Point (once a leper community), Bordeaux Mountain, Europa Bay and even Reef Bay.
Just at the edge of Cruz Bay, but almost completely unknown to tourists is the Ivan Jadan Museum, a monument to a once-famous Russian opera singer who fled the Soviet Union in 1941 and eventually made St. John his home (mainly to avoid Stalin's agents in North America). Though Ivan died in 1995, his wife of 40 years, Doris, lovingly maintains a tiny museum that is packed with unique artifacts that Jadan collected during his life and travels, photos detailing his life, and a collection of books about Russian music.
The Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum is another oft-overlooked little treasure. A former plantation great house that was restored in 1982, the building now houses a library and a dusty museum on the lower floor with a few exhibits on the island's past.
If you'd prefer an off-the-beaten-path outdoor destination, there are a few beaches that fit the bill. Jumbie Beach is tiny but nonetheless has lots to offer. Tucked down a steep path off the North Shore road, more locals that tourists frequent it for its privacy and excellent snorkeling.
More remote are Salt Pond Bay and Lameshur Bay, both of which are located on the south end of St. John, far from the madding crowds. Lameshur Bay is the more remote of the two, and can be reached only by a steep, winding, partially-paved road. Besides the lovely sandy beach and excellent snorkeling, there are hiking trails which go to Yawzi Point (once a leper community), Bordeaux Mountain, Europa Bay and even Reef Bay.
Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum
PO Box 30 Enighed Estate
Graceful Greathouse Turned Library...
