If you are wondering what there is to do around Newfoundland, then keep on reading to find out my favorite 15 things to do in St. John’s, Newfoundland! My husband and I just spent 5 days there and we had an amazing time! Newfoundland really is one big rock with beautiful rugged cliffs. One place I highly recommend you visit is St. John’s. It is the capital of Newfoundland and is full of colorful houses and the most lively restaurants/pubs.
1. ladies lookout trail
This trail was a favorite! We started out on Burma Road (Quidi Vidi side) and turned onto the Ladies’ Lookout Trail.
There are so many great trails around this area. Below is a picture of all the trails nearby. We didn’t have time to complete them all and the weather was not in our favor, unfortunately!
2. signal hill
Signal hill is such an incredible place that overlooks St. John’s. It is also a great place to learn about St. John’s history.
It is also one of Newfoundland’s historic sites. You will see many canons here because it was St. John’s harbor defense from the 17th century to the Second World War.
3. the rooms
Come here to learn all about the province’s culture, heritage, and history! This place is huge and you will come out knowing quite a bit about Newfoundland’s history. There is also a cafe to grab something to eat or drink!
4. The rec room
Of course, we were limited with what to do because of the rain. October is a very rainy season btw. The Rec Room is a fun place to hang out and play all kinds of games. From bowling to arcade games, they had it all. We enjoyed grabbing a drink and taking it with us as we played! You can also grab some food there.
5. Check out Harbours
Being a fisherman’s wife means checking out every harbor we see lol. I love seeing the smile on his face. Petty Harbor was one that was incredibly beautiful. It’s special seeing their way of life in the small towns of Newfoundland and I feel like this is a great way to learn about the people that live here.
6. terry fox monument
I really think Terry Fox is the greatest athlete, so of course, I had to visit Mile 0 where he started his running journey. He is such an inspiration and it was amazing to see this monument to honor him. If you would like to learn more about Terry Fox or give money to help raise funds for cancer research, you can check out The Terry Fox Foundation.
7. Terry Fox Mural at Outer Cove
While driving through Outer Cove, we pulled over to check out the area. We learned that this was the place where Terry Fox filled a jug of water from the Atlantic Ocean before beginning his journey across Canada! We drove down to the bridge to check out the mural and it was absolutely beautiful!!
8. cape st. Francis
Unfortunately, we came on a very windy and cold day and didn’t have the courage to do the hike here. We got out for a few minutes to take some pictures and decided we weren’t dressed warm enough. So, if you’re here on a nicer day, definitely try out the hike. From the little that we did see, it was beautiful.
9. dildo
Ahhh, the famous small town, Dildo with its famous Hollywood Dildo sign. It is one of a kind. The mayor is actually a famous nighttime talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel! While there, check out the Dildo Dory Grill and the Dildo Brewing Company and Museum.
10. george street
George Street is a small street that is known for its MANY bars and pubs. We had so much fun going from one pub to the other. The bars really come to life at night and during the weekend. You will get live music and great drinks. Now, if you want the full Newfoundland experience and become an honorary Newfoundlander, then you should get screeched in! During the summertime or even weekends, it can get pretty busy with tourists, so you should make a reservation to get screeched in. We went to Christian’s Pub and it was such a fun experience.
11. jellybean row houses
St. John’s is known for its colorful houses. Know that it is not just one street! I got quite confused looking for “Jellybean Row” because so many streets were colorful. I figured out that the best street to start is Gower Street and then walk around that area and the streets nearby!
12. cape spear
If you come to St. John’s, I highly recommend you check out Cape Spear! This is the most easterly point in North America!
13. Middle Cove Beach
This is a great beach to hang out. Of course, it would be nicer in the summertime!
14. Cobbler’s Path
Both Lucas and I agree that this was our favorite hike we did during our stay at St. John’s. This hike was extraordinary. First off, on the road to it, you will see some beautiful houses! The hike starts out in the woods, which is great because it can get quite windy out near the cliffs. Once you reach the end, you see this beautiful view and some amazing rugged cliffs. It is like you are transported to Ireland.
15. quidi vidi village
Quidi Vidi Village is a cute and small picturesque fishing harbour. I somehow forgot to take a picture!! There is also the Quidi Vidi Brewery which is very popular in St. John’s.
where to eat in st. john’s, newfoundland
-Mallard Cottage (Quidi Vidi Village)
I really wanted to go here after hearing all about the amazing food here. We drove here twice, yet somehow decided to eat somewhere else. If we ever go back, this will be the first place we eat!
-Bagel Cafe
The place is small, but the plates are huge and filled with food! We loved our breakfast here. Although, Lucas’ plate was a bit too much and we probably could have split it and my pancakes were huge! I could only eat one… so, keep that in mind when ordering food here.
-The Merchant Tavern
We’ve also heard great things about this place, so we wanted to try it out. Unfortunately, we showed up on a Saturday night with no reservations and could not get in. Don’t be like us and make a reservation, especially if it’s the weekend lol.
-The Salt House
This was my favourite restaurant! I got the Cajun Chicken & Maple Bacon Carbonara and oh my goodness it was AMAZING. I know it doesn’t look too appealing but trust me, it is so good. Lucas got the Pan Seared NL Cod and it was so so delicious.
where to stay in st. john’s newfoundland
We absolutely loved our stay at Alt Hotel. It was very modern and the rooms were high tech. I highly suggest booking a harbour view room! We enjoyed waking up every morning to our electric blinds rolling up and revealing the amazing view and watching the boats come in and out of St. John’s.
We also loved our stay at Jag Boutique Hotel. My husband and I were planning on going out to George Street all weekend, so we wanted a close place where we could easily walk there and back.
Hope you enjoyed reading my top 15 things to do in St. John’s, Newfoundland! It truly is such a beautiful city with so much history and I hope you get to visit someday. If you read this to help plan for your trip to Newfoundland, then I hope you have a wonderful time and take in all that Newfoundland has to offer!!
Are you traveling to other provinces in Canada? Check out my Lunenburg and Cape Breton blog post if you are heading to Nova Scotia!