Must See Attractions in St. John's, NL
Things to do in Newfoundland – Signal Hill, Cape Spear, The Rooms
Aug 25, 2009
Located 1,770 km from the nation’s capital, Ottawa, and 7,393 km from Victoria, British Columbia, St. John’s is closer to Greenland.
Small in numbers (just over 100,000 people call the city home) what St. John's lacks in population, it more than makes up in history and cultural attractions.
St. John’s blends big city convenience with small town charm and symbolizes a people that has faced heartache and good times with smiles and plenty of stories.
They city rebuilt itself after several fires burnt it to the ground. Today its stands proud as the capital of a province filled with a rich history, colourful buildings, crazy names (Quidi Vidi, nearby municipalities of Cupids and Conception Bay), dazzling nature and welcome faces despite the often bitter climate.
To get a brief overview of St. John’s, Newfoundland, visit these five must-see attractions.
Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada
Overlooking the white-tips of the crashing Atlantic Ocean below, Signal Hill may be responsible for the explosion in today’s communication world. The first wireless trans-Atlantic signals were received here from Guglielmo Marconi in 1901. Signal Hill also enjoyed a rich military history defending St. John's in battle from the 18th century to the Second World War.
Not only does this vantage point offer the best views of the city, on pleasant days, the surrounding trails make for some of the best hiking in the city. Bring a wind-breaker and a heavy dose of bravery, some of the trails can cause vertigo in the best of trail-blazers. Take time to explore the many hidden treasures such as the well-camouflaged cannons buried deep in the hills and the views of St. John’s Harbour. Return at night for an entirely different view of the city aglow with lights.
The visitor centre is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer. The Cabot Tower is closed Mid-January - March 31 yearly.
Cape Spear National Historic Site of Canada
The oldest standing lighthouse in Newfoundland at Cape Spear marks the most easterly point not only in the province but in the whole of North America. The now defunct lighthouse has been restored to its 1839 stature and still stands proudly where it was originally built. The visitor centre offers mounds of information on the lighthouse and the life of its keepers. Lucky visitors also have the chance to view some of the island’s amazing wildlife and maybe even an iceberg.
For the best views arrive early to watch the sun rise or at dusk to see it dip deep into the Atlantic. The coastal views surrounding Cape Spear, with their typical jagged edges that jut into the cold, harsh Atlantic waters below clear up any questions as to how Newfoundland got its nickname “The Rock”.
The lighthouse is open from May 15 to October 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Walking Tours of Duckworth Street, Water Street and George Street
Two of the oldest streets in North America carry on the merchant tradition they started over 500 years ago when traders arrived by sea to barter for goods. Today tourists still find articles they won’t find anywhere else such as crafts, traditional Newfoundland knitted goods as well as imported items from around the world. Some of the city’s best loved restaurants, from fish and chips to upscale affair are found on these streets lining the harbour front.
At the end of the day, take a well-deserved diversion onto George Street for some of the best nightlife in the city. Here there are more bars, clubs and taverns crammed onto every conceivable inch of the cobblestone street than anywhere else in North America. Stop into some of the traditional bars and if feeling adventurous, get “Screeched In” and become an honorary Newfoundlander – diploma and hangover guaranteed.
The Rooms is more than a Museum
More than just a showroom, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest cultural space houses the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. This modern exhibition area was built to reflect olden day "fishing rooms", a place where families united to process the day’s catch.
Today, this gathering place offers visitors a chance to not only discover Newfoundland’s recent past, but also the rich history of the peoples inhabiting this island long before European settlers came ashore. Offering some of the best views of the city from the opposite spectrum of Signal Hill, The Rooms is more than a museum housing artefacts, it’s an experience all on its own, worth at least a day to discover.
The Rooms are open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Located in the heart of Old St. John’s, the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the oldest Anglican Church in Canada, was founded in 1699 and restored to its original design following the Great Fire of 1892. Designated a National Historic Site in 1981, this remarkable building houses a history all its own, as well as a few ghosts from the past.
Day tours are available during the summer months. Afternoon tea is held in the Crypt Tea Room every weekday in July and August from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering visitors a chance to sample local homemade eats and an experience not soon forgotten.
St. John’s, Newfoundland offers enough attractions to make several visits worth the trip. Start with these five and soon discover other must-see attractions and things to do along the way.
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