Updated in November 2026, this Fort Christian guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Fort Christian is a 17th-century Danish fort and museum on the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie, on St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is designing new permanent exhibits for the museum.
Quick facts about Fort Christian
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm. Closed at weekends and on government holidays. |
| Ticket prices | Adults $10 per person. Children $5. |
| Address | Fort Christian, Charlotte Amalie waterfront, St Thomas, VI 00802 (opposite Emancipation Garden) |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Car park next to the fort, $2 an hour up to $10 a day. |
| Typical time needed | About 30 to 60 minutes |
Fort Christian opening hours
Fort Christian is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4pm, and it is closed at weekends and on government holidays.
| Days | Opening hours (all year) |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 8:30am to 4pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
The year-round hours are the same in every season, and the fort is closed on government holidays. Call 340-714-3678 to confirm hours before you visit, because visitor listings give slightly different times.
Fort Christian ticket prices
Admission to Fort Christian costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $10 per person |
| Child | $5 per person |
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in November 2026.
Tickets are bought at the fort, and there is no advance booking.
How to get to Fort Christian
Fort Christian is on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, directly opposite Emancipation Garden, in the centre of downtown.
- On foot: The fort is a short walk from the Charlotte Amalie ferry terminal and the downtown shopping streets.
- From the cruise ports: The fort is about ten minutes by taxi from Havensight and Crown Bay, or a walk of about 30 minutes along the waterfront.
- By taxi: Taxis can drop visitors at the front steps of the fort.
- By car: Drive to the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. Traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left.
Parking at Fort Christian
Parking at Fort Christian is in the car park next to the fort, which charges $2 an hour up to a maximum of $10 a day.
The car park is also the nearest public parking for downtown Charlotte Amalie and for the walk up the 99 Steps to Blackbeard’s Castle.
How long to spend at Fort Christian
Most visitors need about 30 to 60 minutes at Fort Christian to see the courtyard, the rooms, the museum and the rampart views.
The fort is compact, and many visitors combine it with other sights in Charlotte Amalie, such as the shops of Main Street, a short walk away. Allow extra time if you also walk to Emancipation Garden or the 99 Steps.
Accessibility at Fort Christian
Accessibility at Fort Christian is limited by the age of the building, which has stone floors, steps and ramparts.
Call 340-714-3678 to ask about access before you visit.
What to see at Fort Christian
The fort building was built by the Danes between 1672 and 1680 and named after King Christian V. It is the oldest structure in the US Virgin Islands, and it was painted red in 1874.
The courtyard and rooms include old cells and a courthouse. The fort has been a church, a governor’s residence, a police station and a prison, which closed in 1983.
The St Thomas Museum shows artefacts and art from the Danish period, including weapons and religious items.
The ramparts give views over Charlotte Amalie harbour. The fort once stood on a narrow peninsula in the harbour, and landfill has since moved the water back from it, so it is now separated from the harbour by the waterfront road.
The fort is a National Historic Landmark. It was designated in 1977, and the museum was established there in 1971. The building reopened to the public in 2017 after about a decade of renovation.
The exhibits are being redesigned. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources held public meetings in June 2026 on new permanent displays for the museum.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Timing | The fort is open on weekdays only, so plan a visit between Monday and Friday and avoid government holidays. |
| Crowds | There is no timed entry or booking system, so visitors can arrive without booking. |
| Layout | The fort is directly opposite Emancipation Garden, and the car park is next to it. |
| Entry process | Pay admission at the fort, at $10 for adults and $5 for children. |
| On-site logistics | Wear flat shoes with grip because the floors, steps and ramparts are uneven. |
Frequently asked questions about Fort Christian
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fort Christian suitable for children? | Yes. Children pay $5, and the fort has a courtyard, old cells and ramparts to explore. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Fort Christian? | No. Tickets are bought at the fort. |
| Is Fort Christian open on Sundays? | No. The fort is open Monday to Friday only and is closed at weekends and on government holidays. |
| How much does it cost to park at Fort Christian? | The car park next to the fort charges $2 an hour, up to $10 a day. |
| Is there a museum at Fort Christian? | Yes. The fort houses the St Thomas Museum, which shows artefacts and art from the Danish period. |
Things to do near Fort Christian
- Blackbeard’s Castle: A 1679 Danish watchtower on the hill above downtown, reached by the 99 Steps or by taxi.
- 99 Steps: A historic stair-street that links downtown Charlotte Amalie to the hill.
- Emancipation Garden: A public square on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, opposite the fort.
- St Thomas Historical Trust Museum: A museum in downtown Charlotte Amalie on Raadets Gade.
- Seven Arches Museum: A historic house museum on Government Hill, near the 99 Steps.
Alternative attractions to Fort Christian
Other Danish-era forts and historic sites in the US Virgin Islands include these. Hassel Island is on St Thomas, and the others need a ferry or flight.
- Fort Frederik, Frederiksted: A Danish fort on the west coast of St Croix.
- Christiansted National Historic Site, St Croix: A Danish colonial fort and waterfront buildings in the town of Christiansted.
- Hassel Island, St Thomas: An island in Charlotte Amalie harbour, most of which is part of Virgin Islands National Park, with the ruins of historic fortifications.
- Annaberg Plantation, St John: The ruins of a sugar plantation in Virgin Islands National Park.
- Salt River Bay National Historical Park, St Croix: A national park site with the Columbus Landing Site and archaeological sites.
More US Virgin Islands travel
- Plan your visit to Coral World Ocean Park on St Thomas.
- See the colonial Danish buildings of Christiansted National Historic Site on St Croix.
- Virgin Islands National Park visitor guide: Fees, opening hours, what to see and how to get to St John.
- Cinnamon Bay beach guide: What to expect at St John’s longest beach.
- Getting from St Thomas to St John: The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry vs the Charlotte Amelia to Cruz Bay ferry.
