St. John’s, the capital and largest city in Newfoundland, Canada, is a busy metropolis that has managed to retain its small-town charm. A historic port city, St. John’s is a popular tourist destination with plenty of things to do and see. Here are 100 activities that will keep you busy all year long!
Entertainment
- Explore the city from above by booking a Helicopter ride with Newfoundland Helicopters.
- Go whale watching with Iceberg Quest Tours or Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch. You won’t be disappointed.
- Experience the Virtual world by checking out the Hangout cafe, located in CBS. Or you could just have their coffee instead.
- If you love climbing, you need to check out Wallnuts Climbing Centre. They have a well-equipped indoor climbing facility that operates throughout the year. In addition, they also offer youth programs and indoor classes.
- Go ziplining at North Atlantic Ziplines.
- Rent a convertible and explore the city in style.
- Attend a live comedy show at Elixir lounge, every Tuesday at 8 PM. To check when and where other Comedy shows will happen, follow this Facebook group to stay updated.
- Feeling competitive? Head on over to Frontline Action and experience anything from Paintball, Gellyball, Airsoft, iCombat, Nerf, Bouncy Castles, and Laser Tag.
- Channel the warrior within and throw an axe at Jack Axes.
- It’s time to let the world know how beautiful your voice is. Visit Karaoke Kops Entertainment Lounge on George Street.
- Do you have a lot of work that requires total focus? Maybe Starbucks and Tim Hortons are too noisy for you. Check out Genesis Coworking and get work done. The facility offers fast internet and all the amenities you’d need to be productive.
- Feed and pet cattle at Lesters Farm, located on Brookfield Road.
- Visit Eastbound International Speedway and Concert Park to see cars racing. They have different events each year such as Nascar and Monster trucks. (Check the schedule before you go.)
- Experience the thrill of discovering clues and solving puzzles in an escape room. Visit Escape Quest on Duckworth Street.
- Learn how to ride a horse at Equine Meadows Horseback.
- Learn how to make chocolate by joining a chocolatier class with the Newfoundland Chocolate Company.
- Taste wine at Newman Wine Vaults accompanied by a tour, shedding light on its history.
- Have some fun and visit Get Air Trampoline Park.
- Watch a Hockey game at the Merry Browns Sports Centre.
- Book a walking tour with St. John’s Walking Tours.
- Go bowling with some friends.
- Indulge in some retail therapy at Johnny Ruth on Water Street.
- Take a ferry to bell island.
- See an iceberg up and close.
- Get screeched at a restaurant/pub and become an honorary Newfoundlander by kissing a fish and taking a shot of rum.
- Go shopping at Avalon Mall, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest mall.
Experience the nightlife
Get your groove on and explore the George Street night scene. The street is known for having the most bars, pubs and restaurants than any other city in North America; relative to its size of course.
George Street also houses nightclubs that play everything from Afrobeats and Hip Hop to Electronic dance.
Note: St. John’s is one of the safest cities in North America, especially when you compare it to Toronto, New York and other prominent cities. However, as a rule of thumb, always be cautious of your surroundings, use common sense and drink responsibly.
The ultimate St. John’s food guide
The city is home to a wide range of restaurants, from casual cafes and pubs to fine dining establishments. The local cuisine features seafood, including lobster, cod and salmon. Other popular menu items include steak, chicken and pork dishes as well as vegetarian options like pasta salads and stir-fries.
Best restaurants in St. Johns NL
St. John’s is home to many exquisite restaurants. All it takes is a walk through downtown to discover new unique places to eat; and that’s the best way to fully expirience the food scene. Nevertheless, here are some of the best resturants to check out.
- The Merchant Tavern
- No. 4 Restaurant & Bar
- Raymonds Restaurant
- Terre Restaurant & Café
- LIV Restaurant
- Mallard Cottage
Best food trucks in St. John’s
- Johnny & Mae’s
- Krave
- Quidi Vidi Fish and Chips
- Indian Express
- Saucy Mouth Food Truck
Breweries to visit in St. John’s
- Quidi Vidi Brewery
- Bannerman Brewing Co.
- YellowBelly Brewery
Best sports bars in St. John’s
- The Bigs Ultimate Sports Grill
- Kelsey’s
- Boston Pizza
St. John’s also houses traditional pubs and restaurants that serve authentic Newfoundland cuisine. To see a list of all restaurants in Newfoundland, click this link.
Sports and outdoor activities
- Book a Sea Kayaking tour with Ocean Quest Adventures.
- Dive deep in the ocean with Ocean Quest Adventures.
- Paddleboard at Topsail beach.
Winter activities
- Go ice skating outdoors at the Loop, an ice skating trail located in Bannerman park (depending on the season)
- Ski and snowboard at White Hills Resort
- Go Sledding at Bowring Park
- And many more…
Bike trails
St. John’s is known for its rugged beauty, oceanfront views and vibrant history. But there’s another side to the capital city that often goes overlooked: its bike trails. Here are some of the best bike trails.
- Waterford River Walk
- Pippy Park Loop
- Virginia River Trail
- White Hills Inner Loop
- Freshwater Bay
- Sugerloaf Path
Best relaxation spots in St. John’s
People from all over Canada come to St. John’s as a way to escape the busy lifestyle, in exchange for a relaxed one. Not only is the city beautiful, but it’s also therapeutic.
Best Yoga Studios in St. John’s
Visit any of these Yoga studios to build focus, strength and balance.
- Modo Yoga St. John’s, located on Duckworth St.
- Embody Yoga & Wellness, located on Forbes St.
- Bodhi Hot Yoga, located on Kenmount rd.
Relaxing activities
- Get a massage at Massage Addict, located on Topsail rd.
- Take an evening walk along the docks by the waterfront.
- Take a stroll through Quidi Vidi Village, home to many artists and galleries.
- Walk along Water Street, one of Canada’s oldest streets and one of the most Insta-worthy.
- Get a gym membership at Inshape Fitness. It’s one of the best Gyms in St. John’s. Opened 24 hours a day, private, never at full capacity and affordable.
- Have a barbeque by the beach, while watching the sunset.
- Take a morning walk on Topsail beach.
- Feed ducks in Bowring Park.
- Book a fishing tour with Quidi Vidi Charters.
Parks in St. John’s
The city has many beautiful parks to explore.
- Rotary Park
- Bannerman Park
- Bowring Park
- Victoria Park
Other parks
- Cowan Park
- Denis Lawlor (McNiven) Park
- Drake Crescent Park
- Bill Rahal Park
- Brophy Place Park
- Brother Egan Park
- Caribou Complex
- Century Park
- Chafe’s Lane Park
- Cherry Hill Park
- Kelly’s Brook Park
- Kitty Gaul Park
- Larch Park
- Southlands Playground
- Tupper Laurier Park
- Goulds Complex
- Gerry Veitch Park
- Kenmount Terrace Community Park
- Kenny’s Pond Park
- Kilbride Lions Park
- Lions’ Park
- Martin’s Meadow Park
- Newhook Place Playground
- Radford Street Park
- Seaborn Street Playground
- Shea Heights Park
- Spruce Meadow Park
- Southlands Community Park
- Vinnicome Street Park
- Viscount Street Park
- Wishingwell Park
- Churchill Park
- Conway Glen Park
- Bidgood Park
Donated by the Bidgood family, the park contains 38 acres of conservation land for you to explore. It also has walking trails, an off-leash dog park, and an outdoor classroom.
Culture & history
Visit Cape Spear
Canada’s easternmost point, located at the tip of Cape Spear Peninsula. It’s an important part of Canadian history and was home to several military installations and includes the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province, built-in 1836 by Nicolas Croke and William Parker.
Visit Fort Amherst
Visit Fort Amherst and learn about its rich history that dates back to British colonial times. Today, visitors can take guided tours through this historic site and learn about its fascinating past while also enjoying breathtaking views of St John’s Harbour!
The Rooms
The Rooms Art Gallery showcases exhibitions from local artists as well as travelling exhibitions from across Canada. The gallery features work from the past to the present day, and is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary art in Atlantic Canada.
Signal Hill
Signal Hill National Historic Site is one of the most recognizable landmarks throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. From its peak you can see over 180 kilometres out into the Atlantic Ocean and back towards St John’s Harbour; it’s an amazing view that has been attracting visitors for centuries!
Johnson geo center
Located on Signal Hill, which is a well-known site of many historical military events throughout Newfoundland’s history. The Johnson Geo Centre features an outdoor exhibit area, indoor gallery and information centre, as well as a gift shop. The centre operates under the umbrella of Memorial University’s School of Resource Sciences and focuses on educating visitors about the cultural and historical significance of geology in Newfoundland.
Railway Coastal Museum
Learn about Newfoundland’s railway history and its impact on the province.
To keep track of upcoming events in St. John’s, click this link!
