What are the best places to visit in St. John’s?
St. John’s is the perfect home base for your East Coast Canadian vacation. With over 500 years of history and beauty, this city has a lot to offer. As you wander through the narrow, winding streets, you’ll pass colourful jellybean row houses stacked on the sides of steep hills and hidden alleyways. When you reach the harbour, take a moment to imagine a time when the waters were teeming with fishing boats.
If you want to experience the atmosphere of an old fishing outport, visit Quidi Vidi Village, a charming village within the city. Hike up to Signal Hill National Historic Site, where you’ll find the iconic Cabot Tower. This castle-like structure was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It’s also where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message in 1901.
From the top of Cabot Tower, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the skyline, including The Rooms, a museum with an extensive collection of artefacts, art, and ancient records.
As you explore the city, be sure to visit some of the oldest streets in the New World and check out the many shops, boutiques, pubs, and art galleries. Don’t forget to try the local cuisine at one of the city’s award-winning restaurants, featuring locally foraged, fished, and hunted fare.
In the evening, relax and enjoy live music or local theatre, or head to any of the pubs or bars for traditional tunes and a dance.
During the last week of July/first week of August, George Street comes alive for the annual George Street Festival, a five-day event featuring dynamic musical entertainment – this year July 27 – August 3, 2023 And don’t miss the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, happening July 7-9, 2023 in Bannerman Park.
Will we see you there?
Our city, St. John’s, is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the most easterly city in North America. We’re located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway. St. John’s International Airport (YYT) is just 3 hours’ flying time from Toronto, and 4½ from London, England.