St. George Village Botanical Garden

This lush, 17-acre botanical garden resides within the ruins of a 19th-century sugar plantation. The Premises also overlap an 1800-year-old Amerindian settlement. Over 1,000 varieties of plants are represented in the garden's innovative design, which recreates every ecosystem in St. Croix in miniature, from desert-like cactuses to rain forest vegetation. Tamarind and mahogany trees provide shade while you follow the self-guided tour, and educational displays describe the cultural and historical value of the plants as a source of food, medicine, fiber, color dye, and building material. The gift shop is a great place to buy flora-themed gifts and souvenirs for yourself or friends. (Note: the museum is open on weekends when a cruise ship is in port.)