We can all agree that St. John’s is a beautiful city, especially if you know where to go. We’ve all been to the usual spots that everyone goes to; Downtown, Signal Hill, George Street, and the list goes on. What if I told you that you might have missed some places. Check out this list!
WATERWEST KITCHEN AND MEATS
Waterwest Kitchen and Meats is a great spot if you love that rustic aesthetic. It’s probably the only place on this list that has a butchery and a restaurant at the same place. The top floor houses the cafe and restaurant, while the deli and butchery are located on the bottom. The restaurant is also quite small in size, creating a warm welcoming vibe. Did I also mention how Insta worthy this place is Check out their Instagram page and judge for yourself!
The business is located at 720 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1E 1C2.
EASTBOUND INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY AND CONCERT PARK
Are you a fan of monster trucks, NASCAR, or just cars in general? If you are, then you’re in for a treat. Eastbound Park offers the best Monster truck and Rally races in the province. The stadium is also massive and you can grab some snacks while you watch the show.
Note. All events usually happen during the summer, so make sure to book your ticket.
FRONTLINE ACTION
The name says it all. If you want some action in your life, Frontline Action is packed with cool fun activities, especially if you’re with a big group of friends. They offer indoor and outdoor paintball, LasterTags and Airsoft activities.
No. 4 Restaurant & Bar
I’ve only got one word for this restaurant. It’s a “VIBE”. What I like about Number 4 is the overall layout of the restaurant. On the ground there is a bar and a nice sitting area; take the stairs and there is more sitting area layed out in a very intuitive way. The choice of colors, music and the service makes the whole experience worth it. Make sure to try their signature steak. Hands down the best steak in St. John’s NL. Their salads are also superior to most restaurant Ive been in St. John’s
PEDESTRIAN MALL
The city of St. John’s first opened the downtown pedestrian mall in July of 2020. There’s a lot of restaurants offering outdoor setting, food trucks, and an amazing harbor view. The whole experience is unique!
LUMSDEN BEACH
Who said Newfoundland doesn’t have sandy beaches. The overwhelming amount of rocky beaches might lore you to think that sandy beaches don’t exist here. One of the must-visit locations is Lumsden. The community is small but extremely friendly. Everyone here seems to own an ATV, so you’re in for a fun ride. There is also a beach house (What a time beach house) that is extremely affordable to rent. If you want to escape the busy city life, this might just be the place.
(Maybe I cheated on this one. It’s not exactly in St. John’s. It’s a few hours drive.)
QUIDI VIDI BREWERY
Everyone knows Quidi Vidi lake. Especially during Regatta Day. Quidi Vidi Brewery, however, is located just around the corner by the historic fishing village. It’s Newfoundland & Labrador’s largest craft brewery. Come in with your friends, sample some beer, and enjoy the amazing view.
TOPSAIL BEACH KING VIEW
Topsail Beach is one of the coolest places to hang out in the summer. It’s so vibrant, packed, and alive, as everyone enjoys the summer breeze. Before dancing to the music and seasoning that tasty barbeque, make sure to check out what I call the “TOPSAIL KING VIEW” or famously know as the Topsail Bluff Viewpoint. How do you get there you ask? Just follow the Topsail Beach Bluff Trail and you should end up on top of the world, literally.
EAST COAST TRAIL
The East Coast Trail is a coastal walking and hiking experience that takes you to the outermost reaches of North America. The trail unites genuine wilderness hiking with richly historic communities from Topsail Beach, to Cape St. Francis, to Cappahayden. There are over 336 kilometers of trail to explore.
THE MERCHANT TAVERN
The food is really good at this restaurant. Two-time Canada’s Best New Restaurant winner, Chef Jeremy Charles, is the man who makes it happen. Although the food is quite pricey, the amount of work and detail that goes into it makes it all meritorious.
Update: The Merchant Tavern temporarily closed down because of the Covid pandemic.
ABANDONED BUILDINGS
If you’re into abandoned buildings, there’s a whole Facebook community dedicated to reporting abandoned locations. Someone even laid out a map of where you can find them. Just make sure it’s legal to explore the location and be cautious if you are going alone. Checkout the facebook page here! If your looking for something more official, just make a quick google search. There are many websites that have information on abandoned towns and buildings.
