St. John's

St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the oldest city in North America outside of the Caribbean and is on the Avalon Peninsula in the southeast corner of the island of Newfoundland. Highlights in this city facing the Atlantic are military history, colourful houses along hilly streets and many variants of fish and chips.

St. John's is the easternmost point on the Trans-Canada Highway, a network of roads leading more than 8,000 km westward to Victoria, British Columbia. In fact, the easternmost point in North America aside from Greenland, Cape Spear, is just 15 km from downtown. With a location 2,100 km (1,339 miles) northeast of Toronto, St. John's is closer to Dublin than to Vancouver on the west coast of Canada, and closer to the Azores than to Ottawa. It is 3½ hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, 1½ hours ahead of Eastern Time, and 4½ hours ahead of Pacific Time.

A taste of the Old World in the New, St. John's multicoloured terraces climb back from its snug natural harbour, sheltered from the Atlantic's worst excesses by steep-sided cliffs and a narrow entranceway. Many visitors use St. John's as a base to explore the wider Avalon Peninsula, where there are many picturesque fishing villages and stunning coastal hiking. Others come to depart on ocean excursions to spot whales, puffins and icebergs. The city is worth your time too, especially if you're a fan of charming old buildings, fiddle music in taverns, and fresh local seafood.

Downtown St. John's is the historic core and central business district, on the north side of St. John's Harbour. With 213,000 residents (2021), the metropolitan area is the second largest in Atlantic Canada, behind Halifax. This relatively small size gives St. John's a rather pleasant, small-town atmosphere, where the famous Newfoundland friendliness is firing on all cylinders. Nevertheless, the city's status as former national, and current provincial, capital means it doesn't lack in cultural amenities and interesting landmarks.

John Cabot is 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 August 5, 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 later the French – both of whom had briefly captured the town at one time or another.

Signal Hill saw history made in 1901, when Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal. Scientific orthodoxy at the time held that radio waves travelled only in a straight line, and so the curvature of the Earth would make such long-distance communication impossible. Marconi believed otherwise, and he turned out to be right: many radio waves do indeed head out into space, but others bounce off the Earth's ionosphere and get deflected back toward the ground. Thus, on December 12, when Marconi pressed his ears to his receiver at one end of a radio antenna, and attached the other end to a kite that he threw into the fierce ocean breeze, he heard the faint pip-pip-pip of a Morse code message transmitted from Cornwall, 3,500 km (2,200 mi) across the never-so-aptly-named Pond.

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.

St. John's has a humid continental climate. Its position on the coast means that the city receives high precipitation, smaller temperature variation, and higher seasonal lag. Tropical cyclones can also threaten the city in the late summer. Summer temperatures average around 21 °C (70 °F) for daytime highs and 13 °C (55 °F) for overnight lows. Extreme heat is rare; during heat waves, temperatures only climb to around 26 °C (79 °F) for highs and 17 °C (63 °F) for nighttime lows, on particularly hot days. Daylight hours range from 7:45AM-4:15PM in the winter months to 5:15AM-9PM in the summer months. Whatever season you visit, bring layers and come prepared for the unexpected.

Summer is the most popular season to visit, with the most reliable warm weather and the peak of the whale- and seabird-watching seasons occurring mid-June to mid-August. From late-June to early-September, a stretch of Downtown's Water Street is pedestrianized and comes to life with free events, buskers, food vendors and patio seating from the street's restaurants and bars. The first week of August sees the George Street Festival and the Royal St. John's Regatta. However, visitors interested in seeing icebergs should time their visits earlier, in April or May.

• Destination St. John's tourism website

• 47.5607-52.7111 City of St. John's Visitor Information Centre, 348 Water St, ☏ +1 709 576 8106. Visitor information centre.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.618611-52.75251 St. John's International Airport (YYT  ^IATA) (10 km (6.2 mi) from downtown St. John's), ☏ +1 709-758-8500, toll-free: +1 866-758-8581, fax: +1 709-758-8521. Flights arrive from major centres like Toronto (3 hours), Montreal (2½ hours), and Halifax (1 hr 45 min). International flights to St. John's from Europe (Dublin, London, Paris) warmer destinations in Florida (Orlando, Tampa) and the Caribbean (Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana), plus longer-range seasonal flights to Calgary and Edmonton.  (updated May 2026)

Canadian airlines operating to St John's:

• Air Canada, ☏ +1-514-393-3333, toll-free: +1-888-247-2262. Canada's largest airline with hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.  (updated May 2026)
• Flair Airlines, ☏ +1-403-709-0808. Canadian version of a "low-cost" airline with seasonal flights to Toronto. (updated May 2026)
• PAL Airlines, toll-free: +1-800-563-2800, reservations@palairlines.ca. One of the largest regional airlines operating in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and to Ottawa.  (updated May 2026)
• Porter Airlines, toll-free: +1-888-619-8622. Operates flights in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and some flights to the United States of America.  (updated May 2026)
• WestJet, toll-free: +1-877-952-0100. Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in Calgary and Toronto. It operates across Canada and services international destinations.  (updated May 2026)

Other airlines:

• Air Saint-Pierre, ☏ +508-41-00-00, toll-free: +1-877-277-7765. Operates flights from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, two small islands that are a territorial overseas collectivity of France, located just south of Newfoundland.  (updated Apr 2022)

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. A single fare costs $2.50.

Taxi to downtown costs about $25.

St John's is the easternmost point on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), 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.)

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- to 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.

• DRL-LR, ☏ +1 709-263-2171, drl@eastlink.ca. Operates a route daily between Port aux Basques and St. John's with numerous stops including in Stephenville, Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Grand Falls-Windsor, Lewisporte, Gander, and Clarenville. Travel time to St John's from Port aux Basques is 13.75 hours, from Corner Brook is 10.5 hours, Deer Lake is 9 hours, from Grand Falls-Windsor is 6.5 hours, from Gander is 4.75 hours, and from Clarenville is 2.5 hours. Port aux Basques is the location of the main ferry terminal to reach Nova Scotia. As of January 2022, costs $135 between Port-aux-Basques and St. John's.  (updated Apr 2022)
• Newhook's Transportation, ☏ +1 709-426-4876. Connects Argentia to St. John's. Argentia is the site a ferry terminal that operates trips to Nova Scotia, but the route only operates from June to September and it operates only a few days per week during that period. A one-way ride takes 1-2 hours. (updated Jul 2018)

Metrobus, ☏ +1 709-722-9400, informationservices@metrobus.com. 2.50. (updated Aug 2026)

St. John's public transit system Metrobus, serves nearly all of St. John's, with limited service to the neighbourhoods of Shea Heights, Kilbride and the Goulds, as well as the neighbouring city of Mount Pearl. Surrounding communities are not served by bus.

The fare is $2.50 per ride (adults and seniors, Aug 2026), children $2.00, and not per distance, making it a very cheap, affordable way of getting around town. If paying cash, pay the exact fare, because the driver will not give change. You can also buy a mCard from a Metrobus service point, this is a smart card that can be loaded with money and used to pay for your rides onboard, alternatively with a 10-ride or monthly pass. A ten-ride pass is $22.50 for adults, $18.00 for seniors and children. Most bus drivers are kind and courteous to passengers and are willing to give directions. You can't pay with credit or debit cards on buses.

Travellers can check routes and the current position of any bus on the Metrobus website or app. Buses are frequently late/early and are not considered a reliable transportation option by locals. Walking is often quicker for journeys under 4 km, especially for destinations that aren't on main roads. Bus stops typically do not have shelters or benches, and are not cleared during winter - if it has snowed recently, bus stops are often buried/hidden by snowbanks.

Bus trips typically involve walking for the beginning/end legs of the journey. Some buses are accessible for people with mobility issues, but sidewalks and stops are not accessible, especially during the winter. Metrobus operates GoBus Accessible Transit - a shared ride, door-to-door service as an alternative.

Quidi Vidi Lake, Quidi Vidi Harbour and Signal Hill are popular areas within walking distance of downtown. During the summer, a private Hop On Hop Off bus service connects downtown, Quidi Vidi, Cape Spear and Signal Hill.

St. John's is a driver-dominated 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. Traffic jams are frequently encountered during road maintenance season due to limited transportation corridors to outlying communities. 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. 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. If no rentals are available, U-Haul vehicles may be another option.

Book rental cars early for travel during the peak summer months. Rental cars are often totally unavailable during tourist season, so it's recommended to book rentals months in advance.

The Downtown core can be easily explored by foot if you have full mobility. 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. For several weeks during the summer, a section of Water Street is made pedestrian-only, bringing life to the normally car-filled streets.

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.

Caution: during the winter, most sidewalks are not cleared, so pedestrians must walk on the streets and climb over icy snowbanks. These dangers make walkers a relatively rare sight - typically only the poor and stubborn walk in St. John's. Stops signs are routinely ignored by drivers, and drivers often run red lights, especially when turning right. Traffic laws are generally not enforced by the police. Pedestrians must be extremely cautious to protect themselves - don't expect your legal right of way to be respected.

There are a handful of steep hills in St. John's, although they can often be avoided by taking more gradually sloped routes. Be warned: although the hills are frequently cited as a reason for the lack of cyclists, the reckless drivers and poor infrastructure are the most significant barriers to active transportation. Few cycling lanes are available, and most are placed in dangerous door zones beside parking areas. Cycle lanes are only designated by a faded stripe of paint - there are no separate protected cycling lanes. Cyclists are officially banned from the network of gravel paths, the Grand Concourse, which is mostly treated as a recreational activity for drivers rather than a legitimate transportation option. This ban on cycling is frequently ignored by cyclists who are terrified of the dangers imposed by car-centric culture. There are very limited bicycle rental options in the city.

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. Note that if you are flying in to the airport, taxis may not be available, so you may be stranded at the airport. Taxi drivers are often reckless drivers, so pedestrians and cyclists should be wary, and should not expect them to stop at stop signs or red lights.

• Avalon Taxi, ☏ +1 709-722-6070. (updated Aug 2022)
• City Wide Taxi, ☏ +1 709-722-7777. (updated Aug 2022)
• Jiffy Cabs, ☏ +1 709-722-2222. (updated Aug 2022)
• Newfound Cabs, ☏ +1 709-744-4444. (updated Aug 2022)
• Red and Yellow Cabs, ☏ +1 709-726-6666. (updated Aug 2022)

As North America's easternmost outpost on the Atlantic, the harbour has played an important part in the history of St. John's, and the city has grown around it. The harbour can be viewed from multiple points around it, for instance from Signal Hill or the eastern shore.

• 47.570071-52.6817311 Signal Hill. Majestically 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5707-52.69442 The Battery. Small 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.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5634-52.68063 Fort Amherst, Fort Amherst Rd. A lighthouse and World War II military fortification across "The Narrows" on the opposite side of the harbour from Signal Hill. Offers unique views of the city and Cape Spear.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5229-52.75634 Bowring Park, 305 Waterford Bridge Rd, ☏ +1 709-364-1531, bpf@bowringpark.com. A beautiful 20-ha (50-acre) park with duck ponds, bridges, walking trails, tennis courts, playground equipment, an outdoor pool and many monuments.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5713-52.75895 Memorial University's Botanical Garden, 306 Mt Scio Rd (on the campus of Memorial University), ☏ +1 709-864-8590. Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM. Also a nature reserve, the botanical garden displays plants in many different environments; for example a greenhouse, and alpine house and a peat gardens. In additions to visitors, also wildlife such as hares, ducks and even moose have been spotted here, in addition to butterflies and songbirds.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5673-52.70296 Harbourside Park, Water St at Queens Cove (opposite the National War Memorial). The park hosts concerts, and features statues of a Newfoundland Dog and a Labrador Retriever.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5706-52.70767 Bannerman Park, 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5703-52.69738 Terry Fox Mile 0 Site, 1 Water St (behind the St. John's Port Authority building). 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.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5661-52.71159 The Rooms (The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery), 9 Bonaventure Ave, ☏ +1 709-757-8090, information@therooms.ca. Fall/Winter: Tue Thu Sat 10AM-5PM; Wed Fri 10AM-9PM; Sun Noon-5PM (closed Mon). Spring/Summer: Mon Tue Thu Sat 10AM-5PM; Wed Fri 10AM-9PM, Sun Noon-5PM. 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. Adults $10, seniors (60+) and students $6.50, youth (age 6-16) $5, child (under 5) free. Free admission W 6-9PM.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5646-52.705810 Eastern Edge Art Gallery, 72 Harbour Dr, ☏ +1 709-739-1882. Tue-Sat noon-5PM, closed Sun Mon. Contemporary art from Canada and the province.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5545-52.713511 Railway Coastal Museum, 495 Water St (south of downtown), ☏ +1 709-724-5929. 10AM-5PM, closed Mon & Tue from Oct to mid-June. 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5799-52.732612 Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagles Pl, ☏ +1 709-754-3474. Scientific exhibits explaining water in relation to rivers, watersheds and ecosystems.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.572948-52.6900513 The Johnson GeoCentre, 175 Signal Hill Rd, ☏ +1 709-737-7880, toll-free: +1-866-868-7625, info@geocentre.ca. Science centre partially excavated into Signal Hill. The exhibitions are mainly about natural phenomena such as the world's oceans, the interior of the Earth and the solar system. It's part of the Memorial University but the exhibitions are geared towards children and youth.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5709-52.706814 Colonial Building, 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5725-52.702515 Commissariat House, Provincial Historic Site, 11 Kings Bridge Rd, ☏ +1 709-729-6730. 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. Price also includes admission to Newman Wine Vaults.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5645-52.707516 Supreme Court, 309 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-729-1137. 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5721-52.705117 Government House, 50 Military Rd (between Bannerman Rd & Kings Bridge Rd), ☏ +1 709-729-2669, governmenthouse@gov.nl.ca. Government House contains the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and sits in 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.) Free.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.557-52.712618 Newman Wine Vaults, 436 Water St, ☏ +1 709-729-2627. Open in the summer months. 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 St. 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. Price includes admission to Commissariat House.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5619-52.710619 George Street (between Adelaide St & Water St). This narrow street lined with colourful buildings is the core of St. John's busy nightlife.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5718-52.702520 St. Thomas' Anglican Church, 8 Military Rd, ☏ +1 709-576-6632. This black wooden church opened in 1836, and is the oldest church in St. John's.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5654-52.708321 Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 16 Church Hill, ☏ +1 709-726-5677. 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5676-52.710622 Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 200 Military Rd, ☏ +1 709-754-2170, basilica@rcsj.org. This Roman Catholic church was designated a minor basilica by the Pope. It was built between 1841 and 1850, and has twin 43-metre-high towers.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5655-52.710923 St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 76 Queens Rd, ☏ +1 709-726-5385. This Gothic Revival church, built in 1894, has an impressive spire.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5652-52.709324 Gower Street United Church, 99 Queens Rd, ☏ +1 709-753-7286, office@gowerunited.com. This red brick church was completed in 1896.  (updated Aug 2026)

• The Grand Concourse, 439 Allandale Rd, ☏ +1 709-737-1077, info@grandconcourse.ca. The Grand Concourse Authority oversees an extensive collection of walking trails in the city. (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5652-52.70841 St. John's Haunted Hike, Church Hill (tour begins and ends at the Anglican Cathedral). Sun-Thu at 9:30PM in summer. Tour historic St. John's while being regaled with stories of the spooky & strange.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.58301-52.677172 East Coast Trail. A 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.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.560315-52.7095893 Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours, Pier 6, 135 Harbour Dr, ☏ +1 709-722-1888, book@icebergquest.com. One to four departures a day (9:30AM, 11:30AM, 2PM, 4:30PM) depending on time of the year. Enjoy St. John's from the water. See whales, seabirds and icebergs. Head to icebergfinder.com to see how many icebergs are around the island at a given moment. $120 adult, $100 student, $75 child (age 9-17), $65 child (age 2-8), free (under 2).  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5662-52.70664 LSPU Hall (Resource Centre for the Arts), 3 Victoria St, ☏ +1 709-753-4531, generalmanager@lspuhall.ca. Performing arts theatre located in a brightly coloured wooden building.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5757-52.72975 Arts and Culture Centre St. John's, 95 Allandale Rd, ☏ +1 709-729-3900. Performing arts theatre.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.572286-52.7110026 Winterholme Wellness Center & Spa, 79 Rennies Mill Rd, ☏ +1 709-739-7979, toll-free: +1-800-599-7829, info@winterholme.com. A former bed and breakfast, transformed into a wellness center. Different spa treatments and health services.  

The only university in Newfoundland and Labrador is Memorial University, located on the northwest side of the city. There is also College of the North Atlantic, which is the province's community college.

Downtown St. John's boasts a wide array of shops and boutiques, most notably Water Street. Everything from unique souvenirs to designer clothing.

St. John's has two modern shopping centres:

• 47.5613-52.75391 Avalon Mall, 48 Kenmount Rd. The largest shopping centre in Newfoundland, has 140 stores (including Winners/HomeSense, Sport Chek, H&M, Old Navy, a 12-screen Cineplex movie theatre (Scotiabank Theatre), and The Rec Room) and is on Kenmount Road.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5351-52.75052 Village Shopping Centre, 430 Topsail Rd. The Village Shopping Centre is in the West End on Topsail Road. There are around 50 businesses here including a couple of places to eat and drink, a gym and a pool hall.  (updated Aug 2026)

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. Also near Pearlgate is The Shoppes at Galway, which is the home of St. John's Costco store.

• 47.5674-52.71673 Sobey's, 8 Merrymeeting Road, ☏ +1 709-726-2242. Mon-Sat 8AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-6PM. Sells groceries. Eight locations around and near St. John's.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5461-52.74424 Dominion, 260 Blackmarsh Road, ☏ +1 709-579-0133. Daily noon-midnight. Sells groceries. This chain is known as "Loblaws" elsewhere in Canada.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.564793-52.7067855 Byron's Clothing For Men, 188 Water St, ☏ +1 709-753-5555. Tailor-made business and casual men's clothing.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.564849-52.7063896 Twisted Sisters Boutik, 179 Water St, ☏ +1 709-722-6004, info@twistedsisterboutik.com. Locally made clothing and accessories by Canadian designers.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56392-52.7070847 The Travel Bug and The Bee's Knees, 197-199 Water St, ☏ +1 709-738-8284. Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM. The Travel Bug sells travel accessories, the adjacent store The Bee's Knees operated by the same owners sells locally made items from kitchen utensils to shampoo, described as sustainable and low-waste.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.570026-52.7015448 Hempware, 98 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-738-4367. Newfoundland's only hemp product specialty store.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.561695-52.7099629 The Downhome Shoppe, 303 Water St, ☏ +1 709-722-2970. Local souvenirs and literature. Another location at the Avalon Mall.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.56872-52.702910 Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage Shops), 158 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-739-7994, dms@historicsites.ca. 9AM-5PM. Local souvenirs and literature. All proceeds from the Heritage Shops support the Historic Sites of Newfoundland and Labrador. CAD.  (updated Aug 2026)

St. John's is the hometown of Canadian fried chicken chain Mary Brown's Chicken. The first location opened in 1969 in St. John's at the Avalon Mall, where there is still a branch. Many of their locations are available in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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).

• 47.566803-52.705211 Bagel Café, 246 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-739-4470. One of the best breakfasts available in St. John's, with breakfast served all day. They also have hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and salads on the menu.  (updated Aug 2026)

• Ches's Fish and Chips. 4 locations: 9 Freshwater Rd, 655 Topsail Rd, 8 Highland Dr, 29-33 Commonwealth Ave. (updated Aug 2026)
• The Big R. 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"). 2 locations: 69 Harvey Rd (Downtown, 8AM-8PM), and 201 Blackmarsh Rd (8AM-midnight) (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5637-52.71652 Leo's Fish and Chips, 27 Freshwater Rd, ☏ +1 709-726-2658. Fish and chips.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5586-52.71213 Magic Wok Eatery, 408 Water St, ☏ +1 709-753-6907, info@magicwok.ca. Tue-Thu noon-11PM, Fri noon-midnight, Sat 4PM-midnight, Sun 4PM-11PM. Good traditional or Canadian-style Chinese food.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5625-52.7094 The Rocket (Rocket Bakery and Fresh Food), 272 Water St, ☏ +1 709-738-2011. 7:30AM–8PM. Coffee, baked goods, soups, sandwiches.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5627-52.70975 The Sprout, 364 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-579-5485, thesproutnfld@gmail.com. Tue-Fri noon-9PM, Sat 11:30AM-10PM, Sun Mon closed. Vegetarian cuisine: sandwiches, tacos, curries, salads. Vast majority of menu items are vegan or can be made vegan; many gluten-free options too. Serves a special brunch menu Sa 11:30AM-3:30PM.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.562121-52.7100796 The Celtic Hearth, 288 Water St. 24h. Traditional Irish pub and restaurant.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.565596-52.7070867 India Gate, 286 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-753-6006. Mon-Fri 11:30AM-1:30PM (buffet); daily 5PM-9PM. Indian restaurant in business since 1991. With dishes on the menu one would expect such as tandoori chicken.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.561521-52.7100018 The Gypsy Tea Room, 317 Water St, ☏ +1 709-739-4766. Restaurant and cocktail bar. International cuisine.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56411-52.708019 Magnum & Stein's, 329 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-576-6500, magnumandsteins@gmail.com. An upscale restaurant serving seasonal local food.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.565367-52.70685210 Basho, 283 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-576-4600. A Japanese fusion restaurant with chic minimalist décor.  (updated Aug 2026)

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. There are a lot of Irish pubs here, maybe not a surprise as St. John's is the point in North America that is closest to Ireland.

Unlike most provinces in Canada, cold beer can be purchased in convenience stores. Liquor and wine are only available at NLC locations. Cannabis products can be purchased from several retail locations by adults (max 30 grams), including pre-rolls and beverages.

• 47.564182-52.7077991 Duke of Duckworth, 325 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-739-6344. Cosy English style pub with excellent food and good beer.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5658-52.70612 The Ship Pub & Kitchen, 265 Duckworth St. Pub also serving food. There's something going on every night; live music, open mic events or trivia nights.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5648-52.70663 Erin's Pub, 186 Water St. Small Irish pub with live music.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.5622-52.709694 Yellowbelly Brewery & Public House, 288 Water St. Brewpub and restaurant on five floors.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56163-52.710735 O'Reilly's Pub, 13 George St. As one might guess from the name, this too is an Irish pub. Live music everyday and Newfoundland and international pub food.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56133-52.710936 Christian's Pub, 23 George St. Describes itself as the first bar on George Street. It specializes in craft beers, cocktails, premium spirits and specialty coffees.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56121-52.711037 Kelly's Pub, 10 George St. Pub that also serves pub food such as fish and chips but also breakfast.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56178-52.711258 3 Cheers Pub, 1 New Gower St. Described as less touristy than other places in St. John's and as such a good place to meet locals.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56053-52.711819 Broderick's on George, 36 George St. Irish pub and restaurant with live music.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.56024-52.7124210 The Newfoundland Embassy, 79-81 New Gower St. Traditional pub with almost 30 beers on tap, homestyle food and live music.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.55536-52.7138911 Station Lounge, 7 Hutchings St. Pub and concert/event venue.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.581431-52.67638512 The Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, 35 Barrows Rd, ☏ +1 709-738-4040, sam@quidividibrewery.ca. Tour the brewery and sample specialty beers. The 30-min hike along the shore from Signal Hill is gorgeous.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.570841-52.7025781 City Hostel (HI-St. John's), 8 Gower St and 246 Duckworth St (check in at Gower St), ☏ +1 709-754-4789, fax: +1 709-754-1570, cityhostel@gmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Dorms and private rooms available. Free WiFi and internet terminals.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.546202-52.7228272 Leaside Manor Suites & Apartments, 39 Topsail Rd, ☏ +1 709-722-0387, toll-free: +1-877-807-7245, reservations@leasidemanor.com. 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.555633-52.7683693 The Ramada Inn, 102 Kenmount Rd (Trans Canada Hwy, Exit 45), ☏ +1 709-722-9330, fax: +1 709-722-9231. Renovated suburban hotel. Near shopping and industrial/business parks.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.571161-52.7025954 The Roses Heritage Inn, 9 Military Rd, ☏ +1 709-726-3336, toll-free: +1-877-767-3722, info@therosesnl.com. In a building from 1905, and every room is individually designed.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.567825-52.7086595 Abba Inn, 36 Queen's Rd, ☏ +1 709-754-0058, toll-free: +1-800-563-3959, info@abbainn.com. Large rooms, free Wi-Fi.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.561424-52.7102346 Blue on Water, 319 Water St, ☏ +1 709-754-2583. Hotel with 11 rooms. Has a restaurant and bar.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.569196-52.7020397 Courtyard Marriott, 131 Duckworth St, ☏ +1 709-722-6636. Rooms have the amenities one could expect from a mid-range hotel. There's a restaurant and fitness center and there's also a nice view of the harbour.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.612696-52.7520758 Holiday Inn Express, 5 Navigator Ave (near the Confederation Building Complex and close to the airport), ☏ +1 709-738-0123. Mid-range hotel with breakfast included in the rates.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.571209-52.7042749 Rendell Shea Manor, 82 Cochrane St, ☏ +1 709-738-7432, toll-free: +1-877-738-7432, rendellshea@nl.rogers.com. Six rooms in an old house that survived the Great Fire of 1892. Free Wi-Fi, ensuite bathrooms, tv. Breakfast included in the rates.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.571246-52.70337410 Elizabeth Manor, 21 Military Rd, ☏ +1 709-753-7733, toll-free: +1-888-263-3786, elizabethmanor@nl.rogers.com. Bed and breakfast.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 47.559017-52.71394111 Delta Hotels St. John's Conference Centre, 120 New Gower St, ☏ +1 709-739-6404. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. New Gower at Barter's Hill. Near George Street, Mile One Stadium and the St. John's Convention Centre. For Tim Hortons fans: There is a footbridge behind hotel reception leading to a small Tim Hortons outlet open on weekdays only.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.569673-52.70895512 Ryan Mansion, 21 Rennie's Mill Rd, ☏ +1 709-753-7926. A 5-star Bed and Breakfast in a Heritage home in downtown St. John's. Marble en suite baths feature heated floors and therapeutic tubs for two. Suites have 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.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.571273-52.70032913 Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland, 115 Cavendish Sq (near the business district), ☏ +1 709-726-4980. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers 301 rooms with free wired and wireless internet use. Newly renovated lobby and lounge. Many rooms feature views of the harbour and downtown.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 47.5669752.7074314 10 Victoria Street, 10 Victoria St, ☏ +1 905-399-3247 (Toronto), concierge@10victoriastreet.com. Check-in: 3pm, check-out: 11am. 10 Victoria street is a luxury short term vacation rental located downtown St. John’s. Sleeps 8 people, 4 beds, 3 bathrooms. Ocean view, Harbour view, steps from fine dining, shopping, historic sites and attractions. High end bedding, soaps and experience.It also happens to have the best hot tub view on the island overlooking the inner harbour and across to Cabot Tower on Signal Hill.  (updated Aug 2026)

Visitors should have clothing for highly variable weather in Saint John's. For example, the high for July 5, 2017 was 9 °C (48 °F) but was more than 20 °C (68 °F) on the next day.

Operators Bell and Rogers have coverage in and around St. John's. Hotels often have free Wi-Fi.

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.

• 47.521257-52.62231425 Cape Spear National Historic Site, Blackhead Rd, Cape Spear, ☏ +1 709-772-2191, cape.spear@pc.gc.ca. The most easterly point in North America, a 15 km (9.3 mi) drive from St. John's. 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.  
• 47.463646-52.70758826 Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, 35 A Southside Rd, Petty Harbour, ☏ +1 709-330-3474, kileybestminiaqua@gmail.com. Jun-Oct. Petty Harbour, about 12 km (7.5 mi) 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.  
• 47.264624-53.2850767 Salmonier Nature Park, on Salmonier Line (Route 90), 12 km S of Trans-Canada Highway 1 in Holyrood (about 60 km (37 mi) west of the city), ☏ +1 709-229-7888, salmoniernaturepark@gov.nl.ca. 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.  
• 47.646327-52.94967327 Bell Island Community Museum, 13 Compressor Hill, Bell Island (a little under 30 km (19 mi) west of town on Route 40), ☏ +1 709-488-2880. A ferry runs from Portugal Cove west to Bell Island.  
• 47.650703-52.696298 Middle Cove Beach. Torbay, Logy Bay and Middle Bay are about 13 km (8.1 mi) north of the city, past the airport. The closest beach to St. John's. Noted for annual caplin roll in late June.  

• Bonavista and its famous lighthouse are 310 km (190 mi) 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- to 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 small bay 32 km (20 mi) east on route 10 which is home to various boat tour companies offering whale, puffin, and iceberg watching.

Gander ← Mount Pearl ←	W  E	→ END
Conception Bay South ← Mount Pearl ←	W  E	→ END