St. John's

3 Cheers Pub

Described as less touristy than other places in St. John's and as such a good place to meet locals.

Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The cornerstone for this Anglican cathedral was laid in 1843. The church was destroyed by the St. John's Great Fire of 1892, and was rebuilt between 1893 and 1905.

Avalon Mall

The largest shopping centre in Newfoundland, has 140 stores (including Winners/HomeSense, Sport Chek, H&M, Old Navy, a 12-screen Cineplex movie theatre (Scotiabank Theatre), and The Rec Room) and is on Kenmount Road.

Bagel Café

One of the best breakfasts available in St. John's, with breakfast served all day. They also have hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and salads on the menu.

Bannerman Park

This urban park has large grassy areas and a few small flower beds. Near a small bandstand, there is a life-size statue of a girl sitting on a park bench tying her ice skates. A building shaped like a railway station has a BeaverTails stand and a WC.

Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

This Roman Catholic church was designated a minor basilica by the Pope. It was built between 1841 and 1850, and has twin 43-metre-high towers.

Bowring Park

A beautiful 20-ha (50-acre) park with duck ponds, bridges, walking trails, tennis courts, playground equipment, an outdoor pool and many monuments.

Cape Spear National Historic Site

The most easterly point in North America, a 15 km drive from St. John's. Great lighthouse on an ocean-facing cliff, with walking trails. Beware! It's 45 m down the cliff face, so heed posted warnings. A man drowned here in 2015; a woman fell off the cliff to her death in 2018.

Christian's Pub

Describes itself as the first bar on George Street. It specializes in craft beers, cocktails, premium spirits and specialty coffees.

Colonial Building

The Colonial Building is a neoclassical building constructed of white limestone brought from Cork, Ireland. Opened in the 1850s, it was the seat of Newfoundland's legislature until 1959.

Commissariat House, Provincial Historic Site

The commissariat procured supplies for the local military in 19th century. The first commissariat had a house built to provide a residence as well as a staffed public office. The rooms on display are furnished with many antiques circa 1830. A narrated guided tour is provided.

Price also includes admission to Newman Wine Vaults

Dominion

Sells groceries. This chain is known as "Loblaws" elsewhere in Canada.

Daily noon-midnight

East Coast Trail

A cliff side trail along the coast north of Signal Hill. This trail system extends in segments to the north and south for dozens of kilometers.

Fort Amherst

A lighthouse and World War II military fortification across "The Narrows" on the opposite side of the harbour from Signal Hill. Offers unique views of the city and Cape Spear.

George Street

This narrow street lined with colourful buildings is the core of St. John's busy nightlife.

Government House

Government House contains the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and sits in a park with flower beds and blossoming trees. As well as visiting the gardens, the public may go within the main entrance of Government House to sign a guest book and pick up a free postcard. (The main entrance of the building is at the rear on its north side; bypass the side entrance on its west side.)

Free

Harbourside Park

The park hosts concerts, and features statues of a Newfoundland Dog and a Labrador Retriever.

Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Heritage Shops

Local souvenirs and literature. All proceeds from the Heritage Shops support the Historic Sites of Newfoundland and Labrador.

9AM-5PM·CAD

Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours

Enjoy St. John's from the water. See whales, seabirds and icebergs. Head to icebergfinder.com to see how many icebergs are around the island at a given moment.

One to four departures a day (9:30AM, 11:30AM, 2PM, 4:30PM) depending on time of the year·$120 adult, $100 student, $75 child (age 9-17), $65 child (age 2-8), free (under 2)

India Gate

Indian restaurant in business since 1991. With dishes on the menu one would expect such as tandoori chicken.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-1:30PM (buffet); daily 5PM-9PM

Kelly's Pub

Pub that also serves pub food such as fish and chips but also breakfast.

LSPU Hall

Resource Centre for the Arts

Performing arts theatre located in a brightly coloured wooden building.

Memorial University's Botanical Garden

Also a nature reserve, the botanical garden displays plants in many different environments; for example a greenhouse, and alpine house and a peat gardens. In additions to visitors, also wildlife such as hares, ducks and even moose have been spotted here, in addition to butterflies and songbirds.

Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM

Middle Cove Beach

Torbay, Logy Bay and Middle Bay are about 13 km north of the city, past the airport. The closest beach to St. John's. Noted for annual caplin roll in late June.

Newman Wine Vaults

Historic wine vaults, constructed in the late 18th century to age port wine, occupy one of St. John's oldest buildings. Port wine was imported from England, aged in the cellars, and often exported back to England because the sea voyage and St. John's cool temperature were good for the wine. The front of the building was modernized in the early 20th century; however, the interior is well preserved in its original state. A free sample of port is offered to adult visitors.

Open in the summer months·Price includes admission to Commissariat House

O'Reilly's Pub

As one might guess from the name, this too is an Irish pub. Live music everyday and Newfoundland and international pub food.

Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium

Petty Harbour, about 12 km south of town, is a picturesque fishing village and friendly, quiet retreat. From Blackhead Road (which leads from St. John's to Cape Spear), turn south onto Maddox Cove Road.

Jun-Oct

Railway Coastal Museum

The museum has various exhibits about rail and coastal shipping located in the original 1903 Riverhead Railway Station. The museum contains dioramas of passenger car interiors built into the dismantled passenger car bodies. Outside, south across the street from the museum, a locomotive and two carriages are on display in a small park. Behind the museum at its NE corner, the shop building of the Newfoundland Railway still stands without any tracks; although closed to the public, the shop front can be viewed from a public area.

10AM-5PM, closed Mon & Tue from Oct to mid-June

Salmonier Nature Park

A 3-km nature trail winds through a mixture of wood and wetlands. View animals in their (enclosed) natural habitats. The trail takes about an hour to walk. 65 km from St. John's.

Signal Hill

Majestically overlooking the city and designated as a National Historic Site. The hill was the last stand of the French army in North America during the Seven Years War. Cabot Tower, built in 1897, stand as the top today. The first wireless transatlantic message was received there in 1901.