6 Unique Destinations to Visit in St. John’s Newfoundland

Welcome to St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Home to North America’s first sunrise, Iceberg Lager, the first transatlantic wireless message, and countless other attractions. Be sure to stop in St. John’s to explore all this colorful city has to offer.

6 unique destinations to seek out include Quidi Vidi, The Battery, North Head Trail, Signal Hill, Jellybean Row, and Cobbler’s Path! You can easily spend many days here exploring. Here are the 6 things you can’t miss while exploring.

Visiting St. John’s, Newfoundland, is one of the many destinations in our awesome Newfoundland itinerary.

1. Quidi Vidi Village, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Quidi Vidi is a very charming fishing village near the heart of St. John’s, Newfoundland. With colorful homes and historic fishing stages, this is a place you can’t miss. Start by parking along Cadet Road, which is just a short walk away from the village.

When you arrive, check out the area attractions, including Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios, the Quidi Vidi Outdoor Food Market, and of course, Quidi Vidi Brewery. Here you can get an ice-cold Iceberg Lager! Finally, take a short hike on the Sugarloaf path for a birds-eye view of Quidi Vidi.

2. The Battery

The Battery is a small historic neighborhood in St. John’s, Newfoundland, home to many colorful houses perched on steep rock cliffs. This location has been a site of weapons emplacements over the years, which helped to contribute to the defense of St. John’s.

Finally, watch the ships come and go, take a walk, or hike on the North Head Trail, which starts in The Battery. To get here, just walk to the end of Outer Battery Road. More details below.

3. North Head Trail

Next, take a scenic hike on the North Head Trail for spectacular views of St. John’s, The Battery, and St. John’s Harbor. The trail begins at the end of Outer Battery Road and traverses the steep cliffs overlooking the area.

This is a somewhat moderate hike with good elevation gain leading up to Signal Hill. The views along this trail are worth the effort! This trail is about 1 mile from The Battery to Signal Hill.

4. Signal Hill

Congratulations, you completed part of the North Head Trail and reached Signal Hill. Or maybe you drove? You have the option to drive to Signal Hill, but the scenery along the North Head Trail is definitely better!

Signal Hill is home to Cabot Tower and was used again as a weapons emplacement in years past. Learn about the history of war and how the hill was used for communications up until the 1960s. Speaking of communications, did you know that the first transatlantic wireless transmission was received here in 1901?

5. Jellybean Row

St. John’s might be the most colorful city around! Downtown St. John’s is home to many row houses with various bright, vibrant colors resembling jelly beans. It’s said that the houses were painted bright colors to help incoming ships navigate in the dense fog of St. John’s Harbour.

Whether or not this is true, it adds to the charm of St. John’s. To find the best areas, take a walk. The colorful homes are everywhere, but the best spots are located on Victoria Street, Kings Road, and Prospect Street. That being said, walk anywhere downtown, and you’ll see them.

6. Cobbler’s Path

Finally, take a hike on Cobbler’s Path. To start this hike, park at the corner of Cobbler Cres and Ivy’s Way, 15 minutes north of St. John’s. As part of the East Coast Trail, the entire trail is up to 16 miles long, depending on where you start.

We only did part of this hike as it was getting late. Start from the parking area above and traverse the cliffside trails perched over the deep blue ocean. Spectacular views all around! Hike to the abandoned Red Cliff Radar Station and note that you can turn around at any point.

Where to Stay

There are tons of fun and unique places to stay in St. John’s, Newfoundland. While staying here, you can choose from hotels, homes, and historic locations across the city. Here are some of the top options below:

• Murray Premises Hotel – best seller and top-rated! Located on the harbourfront, this old-style hotel with exposed beams and brick walls is perfect for walking downtown St. John’s. Book right here on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Alt Hotel St. John’s – panoramic views of the St. John’s harbour and a lobby cafe. Located steps from downtown and the Signal Hill hiking trails. Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com
• JAG Boutique Hotel – 60s and 70s rock memorabilia themed. Historic and scenic Water Street is just a short walk away with plenty of shops, dining, and bars. Check out the prices and compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Elizabeth Manor Guest House – breakfast included! Located right downtown in the historic East End. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.

Final Reflections

Visiting St. John’s, Newfoundland, was a favorite part of our trip. The charm of the homes, the idyllic Quidi Vidi Village, and the hiking options just minutes away made us contemplate moving here. No, really!

We had the pleasure of staying in one of the historic homes in The Battery, and we had amazing views of St. John’s Harbour. Watching ships come and go while winding down for the evening was a highlight for us each day. There are plenty of attractions in St. John’s, but we hope this helps you with some ideas during your visit.