Create Lasting Memories: Top 10 Places to Make a Memory

By Alita Singh

The best memories are those made during childhood. They are the smiles and pure youthful laughter of children when they discover something new or accomplish and amazing feat. St. Maarten/St. Martin is a place for memories that last a lifetime. Many children experience their first taste of adventure here, and return later with their children to introduce them to a whole world while they rediscover the challenge of climbing a fort, diving under the sea or dancing with butterflies.

The Boardwalk
Hugging Philipsburg, The Boardwalk is an excellent place to watch the sunset, burn off extra energy and grab a delicious favorite with a Caribbean twist. Built in 2003 to protect the town, The Boardwalk is now a place frequented by locals and visitors throughout the day. The little ones can run wild in a very safe place while you relax on Great Bay Beach with a cool drink or take up residence in a restaurant. Another plus of this bayside promenade is that it features an array of shops—and it’s only steps away from the heart of downtown.

Fort Amsterdam
Fort Amsterdam sits atop the peninsula jutting out of Great Bay. The history of this fort is interwoven with that of New York and Curaçao. It’s the famed spot on which legend says the last governor of New Netherland (New York), Peter Stuyvesant, lost his leg as he attempted to regain control of the island from the Spanish. The fort is accessible through Divi Little Bay Resort and has several trails with historical information. An incredible feature is the fort’s rounded bastion, a rarity, which was uncovered by budding archeologists. This group of high school students and their advisor, Dr. Jay Haviser, have turned the fort into a historical park for all ages.

St. Maarten Museum
Explore the island’s salty past at the St. Maarten Museum (599-542-4917). Hidden in a little colorful alley off Front Street, the museum is tiny but filled with all facets of the island’s past, as told through objects donated by local families and artifacts found around various sites. The buttons and other personal items of an unknown soldier excavated from Fort Amsterdam are displayed at the museum. Another must-see exhibit is one with artifacts from HMS Proselyte, a ship that sunk after hitting the reef just outside of Great Bay.

St. Maarten Park
Monkeys chatting and some lazing wild cats are awaiting your visit to St. Maarten Park (599-543-2030). Follow the winding paths to discover a new creature at every turn—from the exotics of the Amazon rain forest to everyday curiosities. The park is small, but its environment is unique. It’s only one of a handful in the world where macaws and parrots have laid and hatched eggs successfully. Wild bush dogs are another family that’s constantly expanding. The park is involved in a worldwide breeding program to save their endangered species and has had an excellent success rate. The special environment of the park is a must-visit for every happy family.

Butterfly Farm
It’s been said that butterflies are the glue that keeps our world together. At the Butterfly Farm en route to Le Galion Beach (590-590-87-31-21), these colorful creatures have a place to play. Early in the morning is the best time to see these winged wonders visit flowers and soak up the sun. Bright clothing is recommended because the butterflies are attracted to color. The farm takes visitors through all the stages of the butterflies’ lives, from larvae to fluttery butterfly.

Le Galion Beach
A short distance from the Butterfly Farm is the half-moon shallow bay of Le Galion, perfectly suited for little swimmers. The powdery white-sand beach gives way to cool seawater that’s only a few inches deep. The wee ones can play in the ocean blue, build sand castles or lounge among the sea grape trees with their parents. There is only one restaurant on this busy beach—so if you have special needs, take along goodies!

Look for Mermaids
The underwater kingdom of St. Maarten/St. Martin is breathtaking—whether seen through a snorkeler’s mask or diving gear. Several coral reefs dot the surrounding waters, with the most spectacular being the Proselyte Reef off of Great Bay. This dive site offers the beauty of a vibrant reef and a mystery of the man-o-war that sunk there in the 1700s because a sailor went to sleep at this post. A few sea turtles can also be spotted in the waters. These are true natives because sea turtles that hatched on the island’s beaches always come home when it’s their time to make a nest.

Mount Vernon Plantation
Discover the coffee bean, sugarcane and process for making rum (which used to be the number one food purchase of the navy) at 18th-century Mount Vernon Plantation (590-590-29-50-62). The plantation harkens back to the olden days but with a few modern upgrades to help you navigate through its wonders. The 2-acre property (on the road to Orient Bay) has a Coffee Museum and a Sugar and Rum Museum where you can discover aromatic coffee, the story of rum and the tradition of spices.

Emilio Wilson Park
Dotted with various fruit and flowering trees, Emilio Wilson Park in Cul-de-Sac is perfect for a family picnic. The park is part of one of the island’s oldest plantations and contains a high mound that was the foundation for the doctor’s house. Two small thatched huts—a dwelling house and an old school—are on the property.

Seaside Nature Park
Get more acquainted with nature by hiking through a field of wild cacti, trotting down a hillside on horseback or taking a swim in one of the hidden coves in Seaside Nature Park (599-544-5255) in Cay Bay. The park is the perfect place to rough it or become an adventurer for the day. For the more sporty types, get competitive with a kayak race, or take your horse for a swim after a short ride.

Loterie Farm: Get Lost in the Forest 

By Alita Singh

Nestled in the forest of Pic Paradis is a place of adventure awaiting discovery. Loterie Farm has many moods; they’re all friendly, and each one captures the spirit of children and the inner child of parents.

Originally a sugar plantation established in 1721, Loterie Farm on Rte. de Pic du Paradis now beckons adventurers to zip-line in the FlyZone between 200-year-old mahogany and mango trees anchored on the island’s highest peak. Younger ones should try Ti’ Tarzan. Made of ropes, cables and platforms, the course takes guests between trees at heights ranging from 20–80 feet off the ground. For thrill-seeking adults, FlyZone Xtreme tests agility and strength on a more difficult course.

If keeping your feet firmly planted on solid ground is more your style, opt for a hike to trace the source of a babbling brook, which was once a mighty river that roared down the mountain. You can also hike to the top of Pic Paradis through the subtropical rain forest. Once you reach the summit, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the world.

After all these adventures, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. A great option is the Hidden Forest Café, a tree house-like eatery that’s famous for dishes that mix local favorites with some amazing twists.
(Tel: 590-590-87-86-16. Open Tuesday to Sunday.)

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