TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Tourist Attraction Ideas

My wife and I usually spend our days on the beach and our evenings in Grand Case. We also make a stop or two at the butterfly farm and a day trip to Phillipsburg. Our next trip is in February for 16 days and another couple will be visiting us for a week. We travel frequently and our time in St. Martin is usually just to relax. Our friends however do not travel frequently and we want to make sure that along with relaxing that they see some sites and have a good time. I'm looking for ideas as to what to do with them. We will be staying on the French side but will go anywhere. We are also in our mid 50's and active.

Thanks

check out Parrotville. Went last year with another couple....same age as you guys...60s....and had a BLAST!!! Stayed for three hours!!!

12 meter Boats. Race on the Star & Stripes. # 1 event for years................... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We too loved Parrotville. Such a great time and the tour guides are very knowledgable and fun to talk to during your visit.

Climb up to Fort Louis. The view is incredible.

I love sailing on the Passaat. Making your own scent at Tijon is a fun, unique experience. I also loved the zoo, with goats eating out of my hand. Ditto the parrot farm - truly an island gem.

Check out Seagrape Tours. They have a history tour an art tour birding tour and walking tour. We did the art tour last year and it was well worth the time, We were taken to the art studios of several St Maarten artists to include Rube Bute and Sir Roland Richardson, both artists were in their
studios/shops and chatted with us about their work.
Highly recommended

Most of my favorites have been mentioned, making perfume/cologne at Tijon, Parrotville, bridge opening at Happy Hour at St Maarten Yacht Club, Red Piano, Grand Case Tuesday Night Street Festival.

As others have mentioned, since you enjoy the butterfly farm, please check out Parrotteville, as it is quite interesting. Not sure anyone has mentioned Loterie Farm, but I think it's a lovely lunch with tapas, or for a really decadent experience (which I haven't personally done), spend a day by the pool there. If someone is REALLY active, check out the zip lines there. Be advised they are more like an obstacle course, however, more than a true zip line. The 25 meter yacht race is another really cool activity and your level of activity is totally determined by you. You can be everything from a grinder, which is VERY strenuous, or the bartender, which is what I did! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't think anyone mentioned Anse Marcel----a day on their beautiful beach with a great French lunch.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Agreed. Also agree with the Butterfly Farm.

Find your way walking to Happy Bay. Worth doing at least once. Walking Baie Longue is interesting. I also liked hanging out at Baie Rouge.

You might enjoy hiking at Seaside Nature Park. You might also enjoy walking up to see the view at Fort Amsterdam near Little Bay.

Think about doing the Zip lines at Lottarie Farm. See their web site and look for 'fly zone'. Then have a fantastic lunch at the Hidden Forest Cafe.

Looking back across our 20 years of coming to St. Martin (we're not THAT OLD are we??? Sadly, yes...sigh...) a few things stand out...

Dining in Grand Case of course is a highlight...several times each vacation... and trying many different restaurants..

Going to Club Orienf for a day, renting chairs and umbrellas for a day, and working up our courage to to try skinny dipping in that clear, warm water... We were hooked after one minute...and have never looked back!

Taking the Tiko Tiko Club Orient trip to Tintamare... And later the P&P around the island powerboat trip. Both clothing optional...

Jewlery shopping on Front Street in Phillipsburg.

Taking the 12 metre challange and crewing Stars and Stripes in a race against Canada II for three hours. (Yes, the REAL America's cup Champions!)

and... most importantly,... Learning to relax and enjoy a slow paced, wonderful, relaxing vacation in a tropical paradise with absolutely NO "if this is tuesday, this must be ..." rush - rush schedules!

In the past I've enjoyed the 12 Metre Regatta, (great great great time for a day) the Tango to Anguilla (I'd consider the ferry too) Aquamania water taxi to the Marigot Market....morning Breatheyoga at SBRM, diving with Aquamania, and another Aquamania trip, the Calypso dinner cruise. Last month, we added the Celine 2-an excellent time, and a climb to Ft. Louis. I've enjoyed the Red Piano, but things have changed a bit.. Church on Monday seemed more hard rock than before but it was still a good time. Jab Jabs is the new fun find! Loved that day.....

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Thank you for the wonderful suggestions. I look forward to sharing some of these experiences with our friends when they visit.

Ditto on Loterie Farm. Get a cabana by the pool for the day. Lunch, drinks and an amazing little green area unlike most of the island.

Get there early and do the hike up the mountain, then relax and enjoy the day.