Top things to see and do in St John's

Just a short drive from St John's lies Quidi Vidi Village, a charming and scenic fishing village that's easy to explore by foot. Newfoundlanders cherish their local beer. And most of that beloved brew comes from the province’s largest microbrewery, the Quidi Vidi Brewery. 

Immerse yourself in culture at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space. It's a place where it all comes together - history, heritage and artistic expression. The Rooms is the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. The Rooms is a portal to the many stories the province has to tell.

Explore the history of the world-famous Newman's port wine inside the cool, quiet, mysterious walls of one of St John's oldest buildings. Experience an amazing story of pirates, port and profit, and a 300-year connection between wine produced in sunny Portugal, aged in Newfoundland, and sipped by England's aristocracy for generations.

The oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Cape Spear lighthouse has been restored to its 1839 appearance and shows how a lightkeeper and his family might have lived in the mid-19th century. Here you'll find a great visitors centre, and the site is surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife such as whales, seabirds and icebergs in season. 

As its name implies and centuries before the advent of ship-to-shore radio, signalmen would be perched on Signal Hill surveying the ocean for ships headed toward the port of St John's - it is the birthplace of modern communications. As a National Historical Site of Canada you can take a guided tour, or enjoy a performance of the 19th-century military drills by the Signal Hill Tattoo in the summer, or take in the great panoramic views anytime of the year.

Discover the best pubs and clubs on iconic George Street, the most bar-populated street per capita in all of North America. It's the centre of the entertainment district and its unique reputation has spread far and wide. If you are there in the summer months you may catch one of the festivals that flow into famous George Street.

The stunning East Coast Trail is located along the scenic shores of the Avalon Peninsula. It is a 540 km coastal hiking experience that takes you to the outermost reaches. The trail provides hikers with a special blend of wilderness adventure, outstanding natural beauty, wildlife, history and cultural contact.

St John's offers many shopping options from downtown specialty boutiques, to shopping malls and large retail centres. Try the Avalon Mall and Village Mall. Keep in mind tax hasn't been added to the sticker price so you will pay an additional 15% on most items at the checkout.