During the day, St. Barts' capital city is abuzz. The harbor town is shaped like a horseshoe, and traditional sightseeing is limited to Fort Gustav (which dates back to the Swedish period) and the small but charming Wall House Museum. Lack of sites doesn't bother most visitors since many come here to mainly shop and dine. For a serious dose of retail therapy, stroll along Quai de la République. There you'll find everything from real-life Gaultier to knockoff Gucci to locally made goods can be found inside the hallowed stores of Gustavia.

At night, the island's "nightlife" takes over. Don't be surprised if you bump into vacationing celebrities – anyone from Puff Diddy to the Kardashian family to Jimmy Buffet are known to frequent the island. Longtime popular spots include Le Select (a laid-back bar good for burgers and beer) and Yacht Club (a slightly more formal hangout for cocktails and dancing).