St. John's

John Cabot was believed to have sailed into the harbour on June 24, 1494 - the feast day of John the Baptist, for whom St. John's Harbour is named. The first year-round settlement was not long after 1630, although a seasonal fishery operated in the region long before then. Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the area as England's first overseas colony on 5 August 1583 under Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I. Fishermen from England's West Country controlled most of Newfoundland's east coast by 1620. Fortifications were installed from 1670 onward to defend the city, against the Dutch and then against the French—both of whom had briefly captured the town at one time or another.
When Newfoundland became a self-governing dominion within the British Empire in 1907 (a status similar to that of New Zealand), St. John's was its national capital. Confederation with the Dominion of Canada in 1949 demoted the city to provincial capital status; by then, Newfoundland had fought in two world wars.
With a location 2100 km (1339 miles) northeast of Toronto, St. John's is closer to Dublin than Vancouver. It is the most easternly urban settlement in North America and is 3½ hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. Vancouver on the west coast of Canada is 8 hours behind GMT.

By plane

• St. John's International Airport

  phone: +1 709 758-8500
  Flights arrive from major centres like Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, the Caribbean,London-Heathrow and Dublin from June to October by Westjet. The airport is served by Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and United Airlines. (Don't mix up the destination with Saint John.)

You can reach downtown by public bus No. 14 on weekdays only, buses leave roughly hourly from 6:45AM to 7:15PM to the campus of Memorial University, where connections to various downtown buses are available.

By car

St John's is the easternmost point on Trans-Canada Highway 1, the main road across Newfoundland. If you splash loudly into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you've gone past the city.
Traffic arriving from out-of-province normally crosses by ferry from North Sydney (Nova Scotia) to either Port-aux-Basques or Argentia, then follows TCH 1 east to town. (It's also possible to cross from Labrador via a ferry at Blanc-Sablon Québec, but the Trans-Labrador Highway to Quebec Route 389 in Labrador City-Fermont is no easy journey.)

By boat

The island portion of the province is accessible by several ferries leaving North Sydney, Nova Scotia. From there, you can take a 5 to 6 hour ferry ride to Port-aux-Basques, at the southwest corner of Newfoundland, and drive 905 km across the island to St. John’s, near its eastern tip.
From mid-June through September, you can take a 14-17 hour ferry ride from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Argentia, Newfoundland, which is 131 km from St. John’s. Ferry schedules and reservation information are available from Marine Atlantic. You should make a reservation well in advance, especially if you want a cabin on an overnight crossing. Marine Atlantic ferries offer a wide variety of on board accommodations and features, including deluxe cabins, dormitory sleepers, full meal and beverage service, live entertainment, movies, and children's activity programs.

By bus

• DRL Coachlines

  phone: +1 709 263-2171
  Connects Port-Aux-Basques to St. John's.

• New Hook Bus Lines

  phone: +1 709 426-4876
  Connects Argentia to St. John's.

By bus

St. John's public transit system, Metrobus, serves nearly all of St. John's, the neighbourhoods of Shea Heights, Kilbride and the Goulds, and the neighbouring city of Mount Pearl. The fare is $2.50 per ride (adults and seniors, Jan 2017), and not per distance, making it a very cheap, affordable way of getting around town. A ten-ride pass is $22.50 for adults, $18.00 for seniors. Most, if not all, of the bus drivers are kind and courteous and are willing to give directions. Travellers can check routes and even the current position of any bus on the Metrobus online .

By car

St. John's is a driver-friendly city, although the road layout is haphazard and a map or GPS is de rigueur for visitors. Except for the Downtown centre, parking is almost always abundant and traffic jams are non-existent. The downtown area contains many one-way streets so it is important to watch for signs.
St. John's International Airport has the following car rental agencies: Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Budget, and National. In the city you can also find Enterprise, Discount, and Rent-A-Wreck. Book rental cars early for travel during the peak summer months. Executive Car Service is also available for chauffeured car rentals and tours from several providers such as Black Car Service, Corporate Concierge and Jimmy's Sedan Service.

By foot

The Downtown core can be easily explored by foot. Take a stroll up Water Street, stop for a drink or take in some live music at a wide range of drinking establishments, a wide range of restaurants, and distinctive shopping.
George Street, just above Water at the west end of the downtown core, near City Hall and the Convention Centre, is a concentration of nightclubs, taverns, restaurants that is typically busy any night of the week, with bar patrons spilling onto many patios and onto the street. Adjacent streets such as Duckworth Street also have interesting shopping and restaurants, and there are a number of (liquor-licensed) billiards halls.

By bicycle

Be warned, St. John's rivals San Francisco with its notorious sloping hills. Unless you're in the mood to challenge gravity, renting a bicycle is probably not the best idea.

By taxi

St. John's issues over 300 taxi licences, and many of the cab drivers are quite knowledgeable and eager to help visitors find out about local attractions. If you want to see something but aren't sure what or where, ask a cabbie for a tour of the city or Cape Spear, the easternmost point in Canada.

• Signal HillMajestically 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.

• The BatterySmall 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.

• Bowring Park

  phone: +1 709 364-1531
  address: 305 Waterford Bridge Rd
  A beautiful 20-ha (50-acre) park with duck ponds, bridges, walking trails, tennis courts, playground equipment, an outdoor pool and many monuments.

• Memorial University's Botanical Garden

  phone: +1 709 864-8590
  address: 306 Mt Scio Rd

• Fort Amherst

  address: Fort Amherst Rd
  A lighthouse and World War II military fortification. Located across "The Narrows" on the opposite side of the harbour from Signal Hill. Offers unique views of the city and Cape Spear.

• The Rooms

  phone: +1 709 757-8090
  address: 9 Bonaventure Ave
  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. For the cheap, there is free admission on W 7-9PM.

• Colonial Building

  address: Military Rd & Bannerman Rd
  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.

• Commissariat House, Provincial Historic Site

  phone: +1 709 729-6730
  address: 11 Kings Bridge Rd
  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.

• Supreme Court

  phone: +1 709 729-1137
  address: 309 Duckworth St
  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.

• Government House

  phone: +1 709 729-2669
  address: Military Road
  Government House contains the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is situated within 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.)

• Railway Coastal Museum

  phone: +1 709 724-5929
  address: 495 Water St
  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.

• Eastern Edge Art Gallery

  phone: +1 709 739-1882
  address: 72 Harbour Dr
  Contemporary art from Canada and the province.

• Suncor Energy Fluvarium

  phone: +1 709 754-3474
  address: 5 Nagles Pl
  Scientific exhibits explaining water in relation to rivers, watersheds and ecosystems.

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

• Newman Wine Vaults

  phone: +1 709 729-2627
  address: 436 Water St
  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 Saint 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.

• Terry Fox Mile 0 Site

  address: 1 Water St
  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.

• The Johnson GeoCentre

  phone: +1 709 737-7880
  address: 175 Signal Hill Rd

• Historic St. John's Harbour

Churches

• St. Thomas' Anglican Church

  phone: +1 709 576-6632
  address: 8 Military Rd
  This black wooden church opened in 1836, and is the oldest church in St. John's.

• Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

  phone: +1 709 726-5677
  address: 16 Church Hill
  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.

• Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

  phone: +1 709 754-2170
  address: 200 Military Rd
  This Roman Catholic church designated a minor basilica by the Pope). It was built between 1841 and 1850, and has twin 43-metre-high towers.

• St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

  phone: +1 709 726-5385
  address: 76 Queens Rd
  This Gothic Revival church, built in 1894, has an impressive spire.

• Gower Street United Church

  phone: +1 709 753-7286
  address: 99 Queens Rd
  This red brick church was completed in 1896.

• Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours

  phone: +1 709 722-1888
  address: Pier 6, 135 Harbour Dr
  Enjoy St. John's from the water. See whales, seabirds and icebergs.

• The Quidi Vidi Brewing Company

  phone: +1 709 738-4040
  address: 35 Barrows Rd
  Tour the brewery and sample specialty beers.

• LSPU Hall

  phone: +1 709 753-4531
  address: 3 Victoria St
  Performing arts theatre located in a brightly coloured wooden building.

• Arts and Culture Centre St. John's

  phone: +1 709 729-3900
  address: 95 Allandale Rd
  Performing arts theatre.

• Harbourside Park

  address: Water St at Queens Cove
  The park hosts concerts, and features statues of a Newfoundland dog and a Labrador Retriever.

• The Grand Concourse

  phone: +1 709 737-1077
  address: 439 Allandale Rd
  The Grand Concourse Authority oversees an extensive collection of walking trails in the city.

• Bannerman Park

  address: Military Rd opposite Carew St
  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.

• St. John's Haunted Hike

  address: Church Hill
  Tour historic St. John's while being regaled with stories of the spooky & strange.

• East Coast TrailA cliff side trail along the coast north of Signal Hill. This trail system extends in segments to the north and south for dozens of kilometers.

The only university in Newfoundland and Labrador is Memorial University, located on the northwest side of the city.

St. John's has two modern shopping centres. The Avalon Mall, the largest shopping centre in Newfoundland, has 140 stores and is on Kenmount Road. The Village Shopping Centre is in the West End on Topsail Road. St. John's also has several big box centres; Stavanger Drive in the east end; Kelsey Drive (off Kenmount Road); and Pearlgate located in the suburb of Mount Pearl.
Downtown St. John's boasts a wide array of shops and boutiques, most notably Water Street. Everything from unique souvenirs to designer clothing.
Unlike most provinces in Canada, cold beer can be purchased in convenience stores.

Groceries

• Sobey's

  phone: +1 709 726-2242
  address: 8 Merrymeeting Road
  Sells groceries.

• Dominion

  phone: +1 709 579-0133
  address: 260 Blackmarsh Road
  Sells groceries. This chain is known as "Loblaws" elsewhere in Canada.

Clothing

• Byron's Clothing For Men

  phone: +1 709 753-5555
  address: 188 Water St

• Twisted Sisters Boutik

  phone: +1 709 722-6004
  address: 179 Water St
  Locally made clothing and accessories by Canadian designers.

• Couture Studio

  phone: +1 709 739-8868
  address: 174 Water St
  Designer Asian clothing.

Souvenirs

• The Travel Bug

  phone: +1 709 738-8284
  address: 197 Water St
  Travel accessories.

• Hempware

  phone: +1 709 738-4367
  address: 98 Duckworth St
  Newfoundland's only hemp product specialty store.

• The Downhome Shoppe

  phone: +1 709 722-2970
  address: 303 Water St
  Local souvenirs and literature.

Breakfast

• Bagel Café

  phone: +1 709 739-4470
  address: 246 Duckworth St
  One of the best breakfasts available in St. John's.

Budget

Newfoundlanders will tell you that you can't leave St. John's without having fish and chips at either Ches's or the Big R (known to locals as "the Big Arse"). Local favourite dishes include "chips, dressing and gravy" (french fries and stuffing covered in thick gravy), "fish-and-brewis" (a sort of hard bread), and "cod cheeks" (the cheeks of cod fish, really).

• Ches's Fish and Chips4 locations: 9 Freshwater Rd, 655 Topsail Rd, 8 Highland Dr, 29-33 Commonwealth Ave.

• The Big R2 locations: 69 Harvey Rd (Downtown, 8AM-8PM), and 201 Blackmarsh Rd (8AM-midnight)

• International Flavours

  phone: +1 709 738-4636
  address: 4 Quidi Vidi Road
  Pakistani cuisine.

• Leo's Fish and Chips

  phone: +1 709 726-2658
  address: 27 Freshwater Rd

• Magic Wok Eatery

  phone: +1 709 753-6907
  address: 408 Water St
  good traditional or Canadian-style Chinese food

• The Rocket

  phone: +1 709-738-2011
  address: 272 Water St
  Coffee, baked goods, soups, sandwiches.

• Bamboo Garden

  phone: +1 709 726-7802
  address: 252 Duckworth St
  Excellent service, great dim-sum style dumplings, noodle soups and crazy cheap!

Mid-range

• The Sprout

  phone: +1 709 579-5485
  address: 364 Duckworth St
  Vegetarian cuisine.

• Pi

  phone: +1 709 726-2000
  address: 10 King's Rd
  Gourmet pizza and pasta.

• Fog City

  phone: +1 709 726-4949
  address: 48 Kenmount Rd

• The Celtic Hearth

  address: 288 Water St
  Traditional Irish pub and restaurant.

• India Gate

  phone: +1 709 753-6006
  address: 286 Duckworth St
  The best Indian food in St. John's.

• Zapata's

  phone: +1 709 576-6399
  address: 10 Bates Hill
  Mexican food.

Splurge

• Raymond's

  phone: +1 709 579-5800
  address: 95 Water St

• The Gypsy Tea Room

  phone: +1 709 739-4766
  address: 317 Water St
  Restaurant and cocktail bar.

• Oppidan

  phone: +1 709 726-4980
  address: 115 Cavendish Sq

• Magnum & Stein's

  phone: +1 709 576-6500
  address: 329 Duckworth St
  An upscale restaurant serving seasonal local food.

• Basho

  phone: +1 709 576-4600
  address: 283 Duckworth St
  A Japanese fusion restaurant with chic minimalist décor.

George Street, in the heart of downtown, is a prime location for nightlife. Water Street, said to be the oldest street in North America, also contains several pubs, usually of a more relaxing atmosphere.

• Duke of Duckworth

  phone: +1 709 739-6344
  address: 325 Duckworth St
  Cosy English style pub with excellent food and good beer.

Budget

• City Hostel

  phone: +1 709 754-4789
  address: 8 Gower St and 246 Duckworth St
  Dorms and private rooms available. Free WiFi and internet terminals.

• Downtown Hostel

  phone: +1 709 754-7658, +1 709 746-7161 (cell)
  address: 25 Young St

Mid-range

• Hare's Ears Cottage

  phone: +1 709 351-6660
  address: 38 Outer Battery Rd
  Restored coastal cottage located in the Battery neighbourhood at Signal Hill.

• Hometel on Signal Hill

  phone: +1 709 739-7799
  address: 10 St. Joseph's Ln
  Unique, luxury accommodation located at the base of Signal Hill. Steps to downtown, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Accommodations in 10 brownstone units each featuring 3 or 4 guest rooms. Rent a guest room or rent a whole house. Includes breakfast, local and long distance calling, parking and internet.

• Leaside Manor Suites & Apartments

  phone: +1 709 722-0387
  address: 39 Topsail Rd
  A Heritage Inn offering double Jacuzzi suites with fireplaces, and executive apartments. Leaside Manor's décor, location, and excellent staff make it a great place to relax and celebrate special occasions.

• The Ramada Inn

  address: 102 Kenmount Rd
  Renovated suburban hotel. Near shopping and industrial/business parks

• Winterholme Heritage Inn

  address: 79 Rennies Mill Rd

• Hillview Terrace Suites

  address: 3 Wadland Cres
  An apartment complex featuring 1, 2, and 3 bedroom furnished suites available for daily/weekly rental. All have kitchen, phone, TV, microwave, and stove. Laundry on site. Housekeeping available.

• The Roses Heritage Inn

  address: 9 Military Rd

• McCoubrey Manor Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 709 722-7577
  address: 6-8 Ordnance St
  1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments available.

• Abba Inn

  phone: +1 709 754-0058
  address: 36 Queen's Rd

• Blue on Water

  phone: +1 709 754-2583
  address: 319 Water St

• Courtyard Marriott

  phone: +1 709 722-6636
  address: 131 Duckworth St
  Has a nice view of the harbour.

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 709 738-0123
  address: 5 Navigator Ave

• Quality Hotel

  phone: +1 709 754-7788
  address: 2 Hill O' Chips

• Rendell Shea Manor

  phone: +1 709 738-7432
  address: 82 Cochrane St

• Elizabeth Manor

  phone: +1 709 753-7733
  address: 21 Military Rd

Splurge

• Delta Hotel

  address: 120 New Gower St
  New Gower at Barter's Hill. Near George Street, Mile One Stadium and the St. John's Convention Center. For Tim Hortons fans: There is a footbridge behind hotel reception leading to a small Tim Hortons outlet open on weekdays only.

• Ryan Mansion

  phone: +1 709 753-7926
  address: 21 Rennie's Mill Rd
  An exceptional 5-star Bed and Breakfast located in a Heritage home in downtown St. John's. Marble en suite baths feature heated floors and therapeutic tubs for two. Extravagant suites are arranged over 6 rooms and offer the ultimate in guest accommodation including en suite baths featuring personal steam/shower rooms and century old tubs carved from granite! A collection of local, national, and international artworks, sculpture and artefacts are exhibited throughout the mansion, and a cosy library offers a selection of books & games.

• Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland

  phone: +1 709 726-4980
  address: 115 Cavendish Sq
  Offers 301 rooms with free wired and wireless internet use. Newly renovated lobby and lounge. Many rooms feature views of the harbour and downtown.

Visitors should have clothing for highly variable weather in Saint John's. For example, the high for July 5, 2017 was but was more than on the next day.

While St. John's is generally regarded as a safe city, increases in the crime rate have been reported. Panhandling is very common in downtown, however simply replying "no" or ignoring those individuals usually does the trick, while a few more may be more persistent. Very rarely will these people become violent, and are usually not a problem.
As in any other city of comparable size, use caution when travelling after dark. Common areas to avoid after dark include Buckmaster Circle, Old and New Penneywell Road, areas immediately around Hamlyn Road, Livingstone Street, Water Street west (Springdale Street west to the beginning of Waterford Bridge Road including Victoria Park) and Shea Heights. Most of these places are not areas which tourists would normally be in, and shouldn't be a huge problem.
Caution should be used when on George Street, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. With excessive drinking and drug use, there is a high tendency for people to turn violent. However, it's unlikely that you'll fall victim to assault if you keep out of trouble. Take caution at 24-hour restaurants and convenience stores across town, especially in the downtown area. Patrons from George Street often stagger into such restaurants after last call and can be violent, sometimes attacking unsuspecting individuals. As well, a rise in armed robberies in the metropolitan area have left 24-hour convenience an easy target for criminals.
However, with crime rates much lower than the national average, little is to fear about walking around St. John's at most times of day or night. With some basic caution, there is no reason why your visit to the city can't be a safe one.

Cape Spear

The most easterly point in North America, a drive from St. John's.

• Cape Spear National Historic Site

  phone: +1 709 772-2191
  address: Blackhead Rd, Cape Spear
  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.

Petty Harbour

Petty Harbour, about 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.

• Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium

  phone: +1 709 330-3474
  address: 35 A Southside Rd, Petty Harbour

Holyrood

About west of the city on the Trans-Canada Highway.

• Salmonier Nature Park

  phone: +1 709 229-7888
  address: on Salmonier Line (Route 90), 12 km S of Trans-Canada Highway 1
  A 3-km nature trail winds through a mixture of wood and wetlands. View animals in their (enclosed) natural habitats. The trail takes about an hour to walk. 65 km from St. John's.

Portugal Cove

A little under west of town on Route 40. A ferry runs from Portugal Cove west to Bell Island.

• Bell Island Community Museum

  phone: +1 709 488-2880
  address: 13 Compressor Hill, Bell Island

Torbay

Torbay, Logy Bay and Middle Bay are about north of the city, past the airport.

• Middle Cove BeachThe closest beach to St. John's. Noted for annual caplin roll in late June.

• Bonavista and its famous lighthouse are further north
• Dildo - quiet little fishing town is less than an hour's drive away - go whale watching or check out the archaeological remains of early Indian settlement
• Irish Loop - 7-8 hour scenic drive following the southern 'cape' shore (route 10) back to the Trans-Canada Highway. Bay Bulls, one of the closest points to town, is a a small bay east on route 10 which is home to various boat tour companies offering whale, puffin, and iceberg watching.