Sights and landmarks in St. John's

Sights and landmarks in St. John's

1. See

   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.

2. See

   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.

3. See

   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.

4. See

   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.

5. See

   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.

6. See

   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.

7. See

   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

8. See

   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.

9. See

   George Street

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

10. See

    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

11. See

    Harbourside Park

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

12. See

    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

13. See

    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

14. See

    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

15. See

    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

16. See

    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.

17. See

    St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

    This Gothic Revival church, built in 1894, has an impressive spire.

18. See

    St. Thomas' Anglican Church

    This black wooden church opened in 1836, and is the oldest church in St. John's.

19. See

    Suncor Energy Fluvarium

    Scientific exhibits explaining water in relation to rivers, watersheds and ecosystems.

20. See

    Supreme Court

    The Court House, built in 1901, is a Victorian-era building built of local granite and sandstone. The building extends between Duckworth and Water streets, and has an interesting façade on each of the two streets.

21. See

    Terry Fox Mile 0 Site

    A small park containing a bronze sculpture of Terry Fox dipping his foot in the water at the site where in 1980 he began his Marathon of Hope to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

22. See

    The Battery

    Small village on the edge of the downtown where small houses are framed by the sheer cliffs. The village was once part of the British Defence for the St. John's Harbour. A trail leads from the end of the Battery around the cliffs and up to Signal Hill.

23. See

    The Johnson GeoCentre

    Science centre partially excavated into Signal Hill. The exhibitions are mainly about natural phenomena such as the world's oceans, the interior of the Earth and the solar system. It's part of the Memorial University but the exhibitions are geared towards children and youth.

24. See

    The Rooms

    The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery

    The major cultural centre at Fort Townsend for Newfoundland & Labrador. The building has become one of prominence (and controversy) rivalling that of the Basilica. The Rooms contain the Newfoundland Museum, Provincial Archives, and Art Gallery. From the upper floor you can get an unrivalled view of the area.

    Fall/Winter: Tue Thu Sat 10AM-5PM; Wed Fri 10AM-9PM; Sun Noon-5PM (closed Mon). Spring/Summer: Mon Tue Thu Sat 10AM-5PM; Wed Fri 10AM-9PM, Sun Noon-5PM·Adults $10, seniors (60+) and students $6.50, youth (age 6-16) $5, child (under 5) free. Free admission W 6-9PM

25. See

    Bell Island Community Museum

    A ferry runs from Portugal Cove west to Bell Island.

26. See

    Eastern Edge Art Gallery

    Contemporary art from Canada and the province.

    Tue-Sat noon-5PM, closed Sun Mon

27. See

    Gower Street United Church

    This red brick church was completed in 1896.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to St. John's (CC BY-SA 4.0).