Geoff's Guide to St. John’s
Sightseeing
Signal Hill
230 Signal Hill RdCape Spear
A very quaint and cute little town about 20 min drive from your airbnb. They have a cute coffee shop called Watershed Cafe, and Chafes Landing has great seafood! The town was actually in the movies Aquaman!
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium
35 A Southside RdA very quaint and cute little town about 20 min drive from your airbnb. They have a cute coffee shop called Watershed Cafe, and Chafes Landing has great seafood! The town was actually in the movies Aquaman!
When you think of St. John’s, you think of the colorful houses! Leave from here, turn right, and you’re on Gower Street, so you can just walk west on Gower and explore all of the colors of Jellybean Row. Rain, sun, or snow, it’s a great place to see.
Gower Street
Gower StreetWhen you think of St. John’s, you think of the colorful houses! Leave from here, turn right, and you’re on Gower Street, so you can just walk west on Gower and explore all of the colors of Jellybean Row. Rain, sun, or snow, it’s a great place to see.
One of the prettiest neighborhoods in St. John’s, and you won’t feel like you’re in the city. They have the first craft brewery in the province there, Quidi Vidi Brewing Co, and you should try to get a table at Mallard Cottage, rated one of the top restaurants in Canada.
69 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Quidi Vidi
One of the prettiest neighborhoods in St. John’s, and you won’t feel like you’re in the city. They have the first craft brewery in the province there, Quidi Vidi Brewing Co, and you should try to get a table at Mallard Cottage, rated one of the top restaurants in Canada.
Dildo is a very good example of rural Newfoundland that offers a good craft brewery, local seafoods, and great sights. PLUS the town name seems to attract action for some reason! :) It is about 1 hour by car.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dildo
Dildo is a very good example of rural Newfoundland that offers a good craft brewery, local seafoods, and great sights. PLUS the town name seems to attract action for some reason! :) It is about 1 hour by car.
This is our provincial museum essentially, but the architecture is incredible and the views are unrivaled. Great place for a rainy day during your visit.
190 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Rooms
9 Bonaventure AveThis is our provincial museum essentially, but the architecture is incredible and the views are unrivaled. Great place for a rainy day during your visit.
This is another cool place to check out on a rainy day. You’ll get to see Signal Hill from underground, there’s a lot about the geology of this Rock we call home, and why we call it The Rock!
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Johnson Geo Centre
175 Signal Hill RdThis is another cool place to check out on a rainy day. You’ll get to see Signal Hill from underground, there’s a lot about the geology of this Rock we call home, and why we call it The Rock!
If you want a unique day trip from the city that doesn’t have a lot of driving you can check out Bell Island. It’s about 20min to the Ferry, and there are some neat coves and cliffs to see. Sometimes you’ll even see whales or dolphins on the ferry ride. There is a really REALLY cool spot over there called Grebe’s Nest (google it for directions)… you need to walk through a tunnel in the rocks to get to the beach, promise you’ll love this, take some food and have a picnic. You can also do a Mine Tour over there, which is really unique and an experience many miss on a visit to St. John’s because nobody tells them about.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bell Island
If you want a unique day trip from the city that doesn’t have a lot of driving you can check out Bell Island. It’s about 20min to the Ferry, and there are some neat coves and cliffs to see. Sometimes you’ll even see whales or dolphins on the ferry ride. There is a really REALLY cool spot over there called Grebe’s Nest (google it for directions)… you need to walk through a tunnel in the rocks to get to the beach, promise you’ll love this, take some food and have a picnic. You can also do a Mine Tour over there, which is really unique and an experience many miss on a visit to St. John’s because nobody tells them about.
See the city from the other side. It’s about 7km to get across to Fort Amherst, so you could walk, but it’s an easier drive. There is a lighthouse and some ruins of war relics over there that are sadly falling apart, but make for some really neat pictures. There is also a hiking trail over there that is one of my favorites for the views of the City. It’s the only place you can hike to and have a view of Signal Hill.
Fort Amherst
See the city from the other side. It’s about 7km to get across to Fort Amherst, so you could walk, but it’s an easier drive. There is a lighthouse and some ruins of war relics over there that are sadly falling apart, but make for some really neat pictures. There is also a hiking trail over there that is one of my favorites for the views of the City. It’s the only place you can hike to and have a view of Signal Hill.
Hiking
You HAVE to hike the Northhead trail. It’s the best way to see Signal Hill — don’t drive up, hike up. Two ways to do it, you can hike up the trail and back the road, or vice/versa. If you want to hike UP, you could easily get lost navigating the Gut, but follow this directions and you should be ok: head to the bottom of our street, turn left on Duckworth, stay right at the fork, you’ll pass Battery Cafe (get a coffee!!) and walk Battery Road until you get to Outer Battery Road which is a steal hill and a rock cut on your left. Keep walking until you run out of road and house. You’re going to walk across somebody’s front patio (YEP!) which is actually part of Parks Canada. From here it’s easy to figure out the rest. Be prepared for lots of stairs!
TIP: Do this hike at sunrise on a nice morning, you’ll never be the same again.
North Head Trail
North Head TrailYou HAVE to hike the Northhead trail. It’s the best way to see Signal Hill — don’t drive up, hike up. Two ways to do it, you can hike up the trail and back the road, or vice/versa. If you want to hike UP, you could easily get lost navigating the Gut, but follow this directions and you should be ok: head to the bottom of our street, turn left on Duckworth, stay right at the fork, you’ll pass Battery Cafe (get a coffee!!) and walk Battery Road until you get to Outer Battery Road which is a steal hill and a rock cut on your left. Keep walking until you run out of road and house. You’re going to walk across somebody’s front patio (YEP!) which is actually part of Parks Canada. From here it’s easy to figure out the rest. Be prepared for lots of stairs!
TIP: Do this hike at sunrise on a nice morning, you’ll never be the same again.
We love this easy hike all seasons. This connects from the road to the East Coast Trail at Freshwater Bay. There is a pull off and parking area on Blackhead Road on the way to Cape Spear.
Freshwater Bay
We love this easy hike all seasons. This connects from the road to the East Coast Trail at Freshwater Bay. There is a pull off and parking area on Blackhead Road on the way to Cape Spear.
Food scene
I’m a huge fan of this restaurant! They offer handmade pasta and delicious sourdough pizzas. They are located about 1 min walk from our Airbnb. At the bottom of the street, turn right and cross the road, they are located in the Doubletree by Hilton.
The Little Sparo
2 Hill O' ChipsI’m a huge fan of this restaurant! They offer handmade pasta and delicious sourdough pizzas. They are located about 1 min walk from our Airbnb. At the bottom of the street, turn right and cross the road, they are located in the Doubletree by Hilton.
This is a MUST visit if you’re looking for a nicer place to eat with some local fusion and flare. Entrees are usually between 25-50$ so it’s not a cheap place to eat but it won’t break the bank. You should book ahead as they are quite popular by locals and visitors.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Merchant Tavern
291 Water StThis is a MUST visit if you’re looking for a nicer place to eat with some local fusion and flare. Entrees are usually between 25-50$ so it’s not a cheap place to eat but it won’t break the bank. You should book ahead as they are quite popular by locals and visitors.
Their brunch is incredible! This will always be tricky to get into, so if you’d like to check them out during you stay you should book a table as soon as possible. Brunch or dinner; we’ll worth it. They have been featured in Air Canada En Route magazine as one of the top restaurants in Canada.
96 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mallard Cottage
8 Barrows RdTheir brunch is incredible! This will always be tricky to get into, so if you’d like to check them out during you stay you should book a table as soon as possible. Brunch or dinner; we’ll worth it. They have been featured in Air Canada En Route magazine as one of the top restaurants in Canada.
In my opinion these folks have the BEST fish and chips in St. John’s. It’s a traditional Irish pub, very causal and very cozy. Also, if you ever caught CBC’s Republic of Doyle, this was the bar that was part of that show. (Well, a replica of it on a sound stage) if you don’t go for food, stop by for a pint!
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Duke Of Duckworth
325 Duckworth StIn my opinion these folks have the BEST fish and chips in St. John’s. It’s a traditional Irish pub, very causal and very cozy. Also, if you ever caught CBC’s Republic of Doyle, this was the bar that was part of that show. (Well, a replica of it on a sound stage) if you don’t go for food, stop by for a pint!
Have a craving for some good tequila and tacos?? This is one of our favorite places in at John’s. They have an excellent selection of quality tequilas and make terrific margaritas. On Tuesdays, tacos are $5! You can book them on Open Table.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cojones Tacos & Tequila
195 Water StHave a craving for some good tequila and tacos?? This is one of our favorite places in at John’s. They have an excellent selection of quality tequilas and make terrific margaritas. On Tuesdays, tacos are $5! You can book them on Open Table.
A great vibe, and incredible food, not just oysters, although this is the best place for oysters. It’s a loud place with a lot of energy so if you’re looking for a quiet dinner out this may not be right for you but if you’re ok with a louder atmosphere you should try to get a table. They are quite small so walk-ins don’t usually have much luck. I suggest sitting at the bar and watching the oyster shucking.
65 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Adelaide Oyster House
334 Water StA great vibe, and incredible food, not just oysters, although this is the best place for oysters. It’s a loud place with a lot of energy so if you’re looking for a quiet dinner out this may not be right for you but if you’re ok with a louder atmosphere you should try to get a table. They are quite small so walk-ins don’t usually have much luck. I suggest sitting at the bar and watching the oyster shucking.
Reasonably priced and stylish. This is a good place if you’re wanting seafood but but sure what, they have a great variety of fresh catch.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
St. John's Fish Exchange Kitchen & Wet Bar
351 Water StReasonably priced and stylish. This is a good place if you’re wanting seafood but but sure what, they have a great variety of fresh catch.
By far, they best steak you’re going to find in St. John’s — but you’ll pay for it. Entrees are usually 25-45$. Really nice place for a nicer night out.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Magnum & Steins
329 Duckworth StBy far, they best steak you’re going to find in St. John’s — but you’ll pay for it. Entrees are usually 25-45$. Really nice place for a nicer night out.
Shopping
There is really only one main mall in the city. The Avalon Mall gives you the largest variety of shopping and has a pretty good selection, but mostly of the same types of stores as in most other Canadian cities. The other mall is called The Village, but far less of a destination mall.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Avalon Mall Regional Shopping Centre
48 Kenmount RdThere is really only one main mall in the city. The Avalon Mall gives you the largest variety of shopping and has a pretty good selection, but mostly of the same types of stores as in most other Canadian cities. The other mall is called The Village, but far less of a destination mall.
Consejos para la ciudad
No te pierdas
Public Transit
St. John’s doesn’t have a great public transit system compared to other cities, but you can use the MetroBus to access most of the city. For taxis, you can call City Wide 709-722-7777, NewFound Cabs 709-744-4444, and Jiffy is 709-722-2222
Qué debes empacar
What to bring to Newfoundland
It’s common to have 4 seasons in one day. So its hard to pack light coming here any time of the year! Bring rain clothes, something warm to wear, even if you’re coming in July! Don’t forget comfortable footware because most of what you’ll want to see is best seen on foot!
Frases útiles
How we speak
You’ll find that Newfoundlanders (don’t call locals “newfies” as many get offended when people from away use this term) have a very unique dialect. You could do a 2 year course on the language and still have no idea. Just go with it and enjoy it, trying to figure it out is part of the experience, for you and for the locals!! :)
No te pierdas
Screech In
This is essentially a ceremony in which people not from here (often called “come from aways, or CFAs) become honorary Newfoundlanders. I don’t want to tell you too much about it as it will ruin the fun, but I promise you it could be the highlight of your visit. Christians Pub is known as having one of the best: https://www.facebook.com/christianspub