Market Square
Market Square
3.5
About
Formerly a slave-trading market, this open-air fruit and vegetable market is a great place to stop and sample the fresh produce, especially the local specialty - genips.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
304 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
87
Average
114
Poor
31
Terrible
12
Every Step Every Nation
Santa Cruz, CA81 contributions
Jun 2020
I visited St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in June 2020 during the pandemic. It was the time the island has opened for international tourists. The best time to visit the Market Square is in the weekend, particularly Saturday. There were few local vendors then I visited due to limited tourists. Nevertheless, it is a great way to meet local people and local products. Fresh produce and souvenirs are available. It's location is very convenient in the middle of the town and it's close to the post office, Hotel 1829 and the rows of jewelry stores along the Main Street.
Written 29 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackie31fla
32 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Knock off purses galore! The people will haggle with you, so you should walk away feeling good about your purchase!
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tison69
Nashua, NH70 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
The vendors in the tents are super expensive. I saw this tank that said US VI the vendor wanted $20, I walked away. Then went to the alley and saw this store called Paradise Mix. I highly recommend Paradise Mix. I got the same tank top for 2 bucks at Paradise mix. Some vendors do was shirts plain shirts 3 for 10 but if you want the color shirts it's more money. Again if you go to paradise mix you can get the same things that these vendors are trying to sell for way way less. My husband was so mad he bought a mug for $10.00 then saw the same mug for $2.00 at paradise mix. These vendors in the tents target the cruise ships.......so becareful...... Go in the alley shops you get better deals. Again go to Paradise Mix.
Written 24 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karma B
Fort Myers, FL1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Family
This was the was of my favorite vacations. I have family there so I spent a month. The locals were beyond polite. It is dangerous at night however. We were chased by a gang of boys who seemed to be flirting while we were taking a short cut through a cemetery. Other than that we had a blast! The local mall is smaller than I’m used to but there were sales in every store if you don’t know how to bargain you better learn because things are EXPENSIVE! I remember going to McDonald and looked for a nonexistent dollar menu! I got a McChicken that’s usually $1 in the us for $7.
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve5863
Avon, OH12,812 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Virtually all of the reviews and pictures posted to this listing are for Vendor’s Plaza which is essentially a flea market of souvenirs for the tourist trade located on Waterfront Highway next to Fort Christian rather than the actual subject of this listing, historic Market Square located on the north side of Main Street at its intersection with Strand Gade.
Personally, I did not think vendor square was worth a visit with a world class shopping area located just two or three blocks away.
As far as Market Square goes, it was not a particularly interesting either, a simple, although recently restored, pavilion which is usually only used as a market on early Friday and Saturday mornings, and a couple of historical plaques. However, the site is important historically as the site of slave auctions prior to emancipation in 1848 and a sobering reminder that the Caribbean was settled and the sugar trade developed through the exploitation of African slaves.
If you are on a historic walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, you probably arrived here as you worked your way west along Main Street. Market Square is the official end of the walking tour, and the end of the tourist friendly shopping and historic area, and the beginning of the rough neighborhood known as Savan. While Savan is not considered a safe place for tourists, especially at night, we felt perfectly safe and comfortable continuing along busy Main Street another two blocks to the beautifully restored Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul during the day.
Personally, I did not think vendor square was worth a visit with a world class shopping area located just two or three blocks away.
As far as Market Square goes, it was not a particularly interesting either, a simple, although recently restored, pavilion which is usually only used as a market on early Friday and Saturday mornings, and a couple of historical plaques. However, the site is important historically as the site of slave auctions prior to emancipation in 1848 and a sobering reminder that the Caribbean was settled and the sugar trade developed through the exploitation of African slaves.
If you are on a historic walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, you probably arrived here as you worked your way west along Main Street. Market Square is the official end of the walking tour, and the end of the tourist friendly shopping and historic area, and the beginning of the rough neighborhood known as Savan. While Savan is not considered a safe place for tourists, especially at night, we felt perfectly safe and comfortable continuing along busy Main Street another two blocks to the beautifully restored Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul during the day.
Written 5 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin C
Collierville, TN76 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
This is a local market where you can find tshirts, wood carvings, larimar stones plus knock off purses and watches. If you want a Louis V, Michaeks Kors, etc. you will find it here. Keep in mind they are counterfeit but the locals will try and charge you at least a $100 or so. Be prepared to bargain and walk if you want one. Also they have counterfeit watches, nice ones like Tag Hauer. I was offered one for $150 and I walked. I would pay no more than $40-$50. Happy shopping
Written 25 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewYorkLime
New York235 contributions
Jul 2013
Sure this is your local island collaboration of everything from cheap jewelry to fake hand bags. BUT, there's also a lot to see here. There are some really cool and inexpensive novelties you can get (beats cruise ship prices!!!). You can haggle and eventually you'll find someone who'll meet your price. A nice place to get some cheap souvenirs--and fun too!
Written 23 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZEESHANA2
Bury, UK60 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
Referred to as the 'flea market' by the locals, the stalls are adorned with the kind of things only a tourist could appreciate...
It's not the best market I've been to, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. Why? Because of the market stall owners (let's face it, they're probably the most authentic things there!)
Got chatting to a lovely old lady, who told me about her life in St Thomas. I learnt more about that place in the 30min conversation with her, than I did on my walking tour earlier that day.
My advice is this: Put down that cheap piece of tat, save your money, and strike up a conversation with a local. Everybody is really friendly, and who knows, you might just learn something :)
It's not the best market I've been to, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. Why? Because of the market stall owners (let's face it, they're probably the most authentic things there!)
Got chatting to a lovely old lady, who told me about her life in St Thomas. I learnt more about that place in the 30min conversation with her, than I did on my walking tour earlier that day.
My advice is this: Put down that cheap piece of tat, save your money, and strike up a conversation with a local. Everybody is really friendly, and who knows, you might just learn something :)
Written 14 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel with Sean
Madison, WI536 contributions
Dec 2020
This appears to now be a hangout for the local unemployed to gather and smoke weed. We had to hurry past there as quick as possible as it looked like a very distasteful and potentially dangerous place.
Written 3 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drkphyre224
Indiana30 contributions
May 2017
I love this place, every time I come to "The Rock" I have to stop here to pick up souvenirs & snacks! The people are very cool & friendly!
Written 17 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin N
West Palm Beach, Florida
Does anyone know if you can still find Louis V and designer knockoffs here? I couldn’t find anyone talking about it recently!
Written 12 June 2019
I honestly don't know. Don't recall there ever being Louis V knock offs available there.
Written 13 June 2019
Is there a NY atv riding around here
Written 1 January 2018
Not sure about the local events but the Market is in constant activity and it is a great afternoon walk.
Written 8 January 2018
Hola! Me podrían decir el horario de este mercado? Muchas gracias!
Written 22 March 2015
Is there a nice beach near the ship port for a half day after shopping and site seeing in the morning ?
Written 29 January 2015
There is no beach close to the market. Having gone to the market and the beach, I highly recommend going to the beach and skipping the market. The market is full of tourist t shirts and trinkets. Seriously it is junk.
Magens Bay on the other hand is a place that you do not want to miss. It is rated one of the top ten beaches in the world. If I had 2 hrs to spend in St. Thomas an hour and a half of it would be at Magens bay.
It is a short 15 min cab ride for like $4.00 that includes beach fee.
Written 30 January 2015
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