3 Best Sights in St. Kitts and Nevis

A somewhat restored house (once the property of Thomas Jefferson's great-great-great-grandfather Samuel) and surrounding replicas of chattel-house cottages are set in 8 acres of glorious tiered gardens, with exotic flowers, an old bell tower, and an enormous, gnarled 400-year-old saman tree (sometimes called a rain tree). Inside, at Caribelle Batik, you can watch artisans hand-printing fabrics by the 2,500-year-old Indonesian wax-and-dye process known as batik. You can also stroll to the 17th-century ruins (including sugar equipment, a still, and cistern) of Wingfield Manor, site of the first land grant in the British West Indies and home to a ziplining outfit. A bar serves luscious homemade rum cake and affords splendid panoramas of the rain forest. Look for signs indicating a turnoff for Romney Manor near Old Road.

This government-owned mansion, built around 1740, is known as Nevis's haunted house, or haunted ruins. In 1822 a Miss Julia Huggins was to marry a fellow named Maynard. However, come wedding day, the groom and his best man killed each other in a duel. The bride-to-be became a recluse, and the mansion was closed down. Locals claim they can feel the presence of "someone" whenever they go near the eerie old house with its shroud of weeds and wildflowers. Though memorable more for the story than the hike or ruins, it's always open, and it's free.

Parts of this French colonial greathouse set on more than 2 lush tropical acres date back to 1701, with an impeccably restored interior in period fashion. Each room is painted in different colors from pomegranate to lemon. Furnishings include a 16-seat mahogany dinner table set with china and silver; docents relate fascinating factoids (chaises were broadened to accommodate petticoats—or "can-can skirts," in local parlance). Cross the cobblestone courtyard to the original kitchen, replete with volcanic stone and brick oven, and bathing room (heated rocks warmed spring water in the tub). The fieldstone cellar now contains the gift shop, offering local pottery, art, and honey harvested on-site at the apiary. You can wander meticulously maintained gardens with interpretive signage, filled with chattering birds and monkeys. They hold occasional rum tastings, cooking classes, or other special events—often by the pool.