Getting to know st. john’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
The city of St. John’s is located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. It is the largest city in Canada’s most populous province with a population of over 500,000 people.
St John’s is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in North America. The first European settlement on Newfoundland was established by British colonists who arrived on St John’s Island in 1583. The first permanent European settlement was established at Canso, Nova Scotia in 1605 by Sir Humphrey Gilbert and became known as “Newfoundland”.
You can learn more about the city by exploring its attractions, visiting its museums, and going for walks around its historic downtown core.
Exploring St. John’s Attractions
St. John’s is a beautiful city and has a lot to offer tourists. There are many attractions near the downtown area, some of which are the best in the world, like the Redonda Lighthouse and the Botanical Gardens.
This list contains the top 9 attractions near St. John’s that you should visit if you are visiting this city.
1. MUN Botanical Garden
The MUN Botanical Garden is the best attraction in St. Johns. It is an outdoor garden that includes plants from all over the world, with over 9,000 different plants and trees on display! It is the perfect place to study, relax, and enjoy the outdoors!
2. Bannerman Park
Bannerman Park is a beautiful park in St. John’s, NL. You can find it at the corner of Cox Street and Bannerman Road. There are several attractions in the park such as an open-air ice rink, tennis courts, playgrounds for kids, and more. There are lots of fields and walking trails for people to enjoy as well. You can also find a public skate park with one-of-a-kind street furniture.
3. Terry Fox Memorial Park
Terry Fox Memorial Park is in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It is the site of Terry Fox’s statue, which stands over his place where he completed his Marathon of Hope run on April 12th, 1981. The park is also home to a memorial fountain and the Terry Fox Laboratory.
4. North Head Trail
The North Head Trail is located in the heart of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. This scenic and challenging trail is perfect for those looking for a workout. This trail also offers great views of the city, including the airport and downtown skyline.
5. Bowring Park
St John’s is known for its many attractions, but one of the most popular is Bowring Park. It is a large, beautiful park that offers a variety of activities including picnics and walking trails. In addition to the park’s attractions, it also has an incredibly rich history dating back to 1856.In 1856, the City of St John’s purchased land for Bowring Park. The park was designed to provide recreation for the people of St John’s and a public garden where one could walk, picnic, or relax. The park had a variety of different attractions including a bandstand, swings, and wooden benches when it first opened. It is still largely in its original state today. It contains many pieces from historical times such as Victorian-era flower beds, original gravestones, and work by local artists such as George Harris.
6. Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of the most famous attractions in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It has a magnificent Tudor Gothic style and was built in 1578. The cathedral is currently the seat of the Diocese of Newfoundland, which makes it an important religious site for all Anglicans on the island.
7. Quidi Vidi Brewery
Quidi Vidi is a craft brewery located on the scenic Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It was founded in 2008 by cousins, Matt and Mike Connors. It has been described as “a haven for beer lovers” with a wide variety of beers that are included in events such as the weekly Friday beer releases.
8. Johnson Geo Centre
When you’re visiting St. Johns, you don’t want to miss out on the best attractions in the area. Stop in at the Johnson Geo Centre, where you’ll find an impressive collection of minerals. At the center, you can see displays of rocks, gems, and fossils as well as get information about a wide variety of topics including geology, meteorites, and solar eclipses.
9. Cape Spear Lighthouse
One of Newfoundland’s most iconic locations, the Cape Spear Lighthouse stands proud on a hilltop overlooking the sea. It is part of a brilliant and diverse natural landscape. The unique rock formations at the foot of the lighthouse are home to an array of flora and fauna. Visit the Cape Spear Lighthouse for a breathtaking experience.
5 Best Restaurants In St. john’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is a city with a rich history and culture. The best restaurants in St. John’s are a favorite among tourists and locals alike.
St. John’s has been the capital of Newfoundland for over 400 years, but it was not always this way. Originally, it was called “St. Johns River Valley”, which became St. John’s in 1855 when it became the capital city of British North America after Confederation with Canada in 1867
These are 5 best restaurants In St Johns that you should try out on your next visit to this city:
1) Mallard Cottage
For many years, Mallard Cottage has been a popular destination for tourists in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It is a family-owned restaurant that offers traditional English food and is known for its warm service.
The restaurant was opened in 1610 and operated as a bakery, tea room, and tavern before it became the restaurant it is today. The building was constructed in 1781 by a ship captain called Captain Robert Wallis. Mallard Cottage hosted many notable celebrities such as Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt at the height of their careers, who ate here while they were visiting St. John’s during World War II.
The cottage contains a large number of original artifacts including antique furniture, paintings on the walls, oil paintings on canvas walls, and antiques throughout the property that have been brought back from the original owner’s travels. The property includes a barn, greenhouse, and large garden with a variety of fruit and vegetables, herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes, and flowers for decoration.
Locate at: 8 Barrows Rd, St. John’s, NL A1A 1G8
2) Saltwater
The saltwater restaurant is a family-owned seafood restaurant on Water Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. The menu includes fresh fish, scallops, mussels, shrimp, calamari steak, and more. They offer a wide range of appetizers including lobster rolls and mussels in garlic butter sauce. Their craft beer selection is also impressive with many local brews such as Dead Frog Crossing and Convict Hill Brewing Company.
Locate at: 320 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1C1
3) The Little Sparo
For those who are looking for an authentic, fresh dining experience in St. John’s, The Little Sparo restaurant is one of the best places to be. It has been serving delicious traditional Newfoundland food for over two decades and is recognized as one of the city’s best restaurants. Lobster rolls, mussels, and fries with a side of coleslaw. Served with a cold local brew, the food at this restaurant is authentic and flavorful. It offers chicken pies, soup, and more. The restaurant is known for its homemade ice cream as well as its famous “Cape Cod Pie.”
Locate at: 2 Hill O’ Chips, St. John’s, NL A1C 6B1
4) Oliver’s
Oliver’s is one of the best restaurants in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Canada that offers a wide range of delicious dishes from around the world. It is also a tourist attraction because of its lovely ambiance and helpful service. Oliver’s is one of the most popular restaurants in St. John’s.
Locate at: 160 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1A9
5) Bad Bones Ramen
Bad Bones Ramen is a highly recommended restaurant in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It serves authentic, top-quality ramen and other Japanese dishes to the locals as well as tourist attractions in the city. The eatery is located on Bonavista Drive on the outskirts of St. John’s and consists of a dining area and a small, shaded garden. It has a nostalgic feel to it and has been around for 30 years. The owners are from Japan and are still living in their homeland, but are reasonably fluent in English so they can make all their customers feel more comfortable when ordering.
Locate at: 178 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1A9
Tips for First Timers Visiting St. John’s What to Do during your Visit
The first time you visit St. John’s, you might be overwhelmed by the number of things to do. This infographic will help you get started with some ideas on what to do during your visit.
St. John’s is a popular place for tourists and travelers to visit, but it can also be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Here are some tips for things to do while you’re here!
- Keep in mind that the city is small and there are not many things to see or do, so make sure you explore the city thoroughly before setting out on your next adventure!
- Make sure you’re up-to-date with our blog and list of events happening on the island!
- Consider using these planning guides to help you better decide where to visit
- When leaving town, consider taking a ferry (see below!) back to St. John’s or another nearby city.
- We encourage all visitors to join our local Friendly Visitors group and meet like-minded people from around the world who share your interest in exploring Newfoundlanders and their culture
Welcome to St. John’s: Celebrating on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a time when people gather to celebrate the end of the year and welcome a new one. In St John’s, Newfoundlanders and their guests come together to enjoy New Year’s Eve festivities.
St John’s is a city that has something for everyone, so whether you’re looking for an intimate experience with your loved ones or want to party like it’s 1999, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
Whether you are planning on celebrating New Year’s Eve in St John’s or just visiting the city for the day, we’ve got some tips on where to go and what to do.
Read also: The Best Places to Visit in Newfoundland and Labrador