Saint John’s—Newfoundland

There is enough to do in and around Saint John’s that you may not have time to drive around to the other side of Conception Bay. You either need to have a lot of time or be selective in the sites you explore. Here are a few of the main points of interest:

Signal Hill National Historic Site

A long-fortified heights east of St. John's, Signal Hill, was the site of the final battle of the 7-Years War, where the French surrendered to British forces. This was also the location where the first transAtlantic radio transmission was received.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

Cape Spear is a headland on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula and the easternmost point in North America. It is also the site of the provinces oldest remaining lighthouse. If you are inclined to arrive early enough, you will be able to watch the continent’s first sunrise.

Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site

This was the home of Captain Bob Bartlett, who commanded more than 20 Arctic voyages. The site contains many historical artifacts from those expeditions.

Quidi Vidi

Despite the fact that it has been all but engulfed in urban sprawl, Quidi Vidi is still an active fishing village. It is also an extremely picturesque destination and completely worth the effort to see.

Around the City

The colorful low-rise buildings along Water and Duckworth Streets are a shopping area filled with tourist shops, boutiques and restaurants. “Jellybean Row” on Victoria Street is comprised of brightly-colored row houses that are a favorite topic for photographers. Finally, George Street is home to the city’s nightlife and hosts many of the annual festivals.

These represent just a small taste of what the area in and around Saint John’s has to offer.