17 Best Things To Do In St. John's, Canada

1. Visit Signal Hill

Visit Signal Hill, the most important landmark in St. John’s, Canada. In 1947, John Cabot, an Italian explorer commissioned by England, led his ship into the Narrows. Later, British and French soldiers fought on this island for control of North America, and the British won. The small tower atop the hill named Cabot Tower was built in 1898 in his honor and to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is on this same hill that Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic message. Aside from the magnificent view of the city below, Signal Hill has a center where you can learn about the island’s history and see some memorabilia of bygone days.

Signal Hill

Address: 230 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s, NL A1A 1B3, Canada

Website: Signal Hill

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

2. Check out The Rooms art gallery

Learn about the interesting history and culture of St. John’s at The Rooms gallery. This building houses the archives, art gallery, and museum. If you want to see documents pertaining to the history of St. John’s and Labrador, check the archives. For outstanding artworks, visit the gallery. You will find artifacts and memorabilia in the museum. Climb to the third floor to enjoy a fantastic view of the city below.

The Rooms

Address: 9 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9, Canada

Website: The Rooms Gallery

Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 5pm; Tue, Thu, Sat: 10am - 5pm; Wed: 10am - 9pm; Fri: 10am - 10pm (closed on Mon)

3. Plan a picnic at Bannerman Park

Plan a picnic at Bannerman Park, the biggest among several public parks in St. John’s. With green grass, shady trees, open space, and several amenities, having a picnic will be fun for your family. During the summer season, the swimming pool and splash pad are popular areas to check out. There are ball fields, walking trails, a playground, and a cafeteria. Follow the ice skating trail at The Loop and meet some people having fun on the ice.

Bannerman Park

Address: Military Rd, St. John’s, NL A1C 5M2, Canada

Website: Bannerman Park

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

4. Sample craft beer at Port Rexton Brewery

Sample the best craft beer in town by visiting Port Rexton Brewery, a three-hour drive away from St. John’s. However, this trip will be worth it as you will be able to sample several kinds of craft beer. You will be able to taste different flavors and types that are still in the experimentation stages as well as those that are being refined before they are released to the market. The brewery stands in a scenic location. Several hiking trails can also be found around the brewery.

Port Rexton Brewery

Address: 6 Ship Cove Rd, Port Rexton, NL A0C 2H0, Canada

Website: Port Rexton Brewery

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 12pm - 6pm; Thu - Sat: 12pm - 10pm

5. Learn axe-throwing at Jack Axes

If you are a fan of darts, why not try throwing an ax during your visit to St. John’s, Canada? Axes were the weapons used by the Vikings when they went to war. Today, this has become a popular sport in bars. Enjoy the perfect combination of beer and ax throwing at Jack Axes, a bar where you can learn or practice ax throwing. You can buy all kinds and sizes of axes from them, too.

Jack Axes

Address: 152 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1A9, Canada

Website: Jack Axes

Opening hours: Sun: 2pm - 10pm; Mon: 4pm - 7pm; Tue - Thu: 4pm - 11pm; Fri: 4pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 12am

6. Take the aerial route with North Atlantic Ziplines

One of the things that you must try if you are in St. John’s is taking the aerial route with North Atlantic Ziplines. Feel the adrenaline rush as you zip over the tops of trees, the rugged coastline, the fishing vessels on the sea, and the picturesque Petty Harbor. The hike to the platforms is quite tiring. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort. You can opt for a shorter and lower line or a longer and higher one. With the help of an experienced guide, zipping can be a super exciting experience.

North Atlantic Ziplines

Address: 32 Main Rd, Petty Harbour, NL A0A 3H0, Canada

Website: North Atlantic Ziplines

Opening hours: 11am - 2pm, 3pm - 5pm, 6pm - 9pm (daily)

7. Take St. John's Haunted Hike

As the oldest city in North America, a lot of things have happened in this place. Deaths on the battlefield, murders, suicides, and accidents which, according to local legends, have left restless spirits haunting some of the old houses, cemeteries, and even streets. See what lurks in the shadows and feel an unexpected chill that you can’t explain. If you have a brave heart, join St. John’s Haunted Hike on a tour of the streets and prepare yourself for a hair-raising and spine-tingling experience.

St. John's Haunted Hike

Address: Church Hill, St. John’s, NL A1C 3Z9, Canada

Website: St. John’s Haunted Hike

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 9:30am - 10:45pm (closed on Fri & Sat)

8. Enjoy a few drinks at Erin's Pub

Are you a newcomer at St. John’s? If you are longing for something cool to quench your thirst, check Erin’s Pub, an Irish pub and one of the most popular drinking places in the city. You can enjoy your drink while listening to traditional Irish songs rendered by local musicians. With great drinks, lovely music, a friendly atmosphere, and efficient staff, visitors generally prefer to relax at Erin’s Pub.

Erin's Pub

Address: 186 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 5V4, Canada

Website: Erin’s Pub

Opening hours: 12pm - 3am (daily)

9. Camp at Middle Cove Beach

The magnificent landscapes and seascapes make Middle Cove Beach an ideal place to get away from the noise of the city. You can take a five-minute drive from the city to get to this mini paradise. Just watching the pristine water, listening to the lapping of the waves, and enjoying the cool breeze is enough to make you feel at peace. Bring some firewood and something that you can roast over an open fire, and spend the night here with your family. Children will love playing on the pebbled beach and wading in the water.

Middle Cove Beach

Address: Middle Cove Park, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, NL A1K 5A7, Canada

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Explore Quidi Vidi

Explore Quidi Vidi, a small but lovely community a short distance from St. John’s. Here you will find a fortification with guns that were used to protect the city from enemies in the 18th century. A regatta museum preserves the history of rowing. A visit to the brewery can lead to a free tasting of several types and flavors. If you feel pangs of hunger, there are several restaurants in the area.

11. Hike the famous East Coast Trail

Hike the famous East Coast Trail and experience nature at its best. The trail, which covers a distance of 300 kilometers (186.11 miles), passes through the coastal area towards the east of Newfoundland. There are 26 paths to choose from, each with varying difficulties. Panoramic views of the wilderness, the sea, and the rural communities make great opportunities for pictures. If you happen to be in St. John’s, grab the chance to join a world-famous hike from the trailhead in the area.

East Coast Trail

Address: Cape Broyle, NL A0A 1P0, Canada

Website: East Coast Trail

12. Explore Johnson Geo Center

If you are visiting St. John’s with your kids, give them this once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore Johnson Geo Center, where they can learn more about Earth Science. Exhibits about the solar system, the plants under the ocean, the sinking of the Titanic, explorations for oil and gas, space exploration, and natural resources are displayed in the gallery. There are interactive activities for children under 7 years old. As an advocate of renewable energy, they are powered by geothermal energy. Bring home some souvenirs from the gift shop, or have a steaming cup of coffee at the cafe.

Johnson Geo Center

Address: 175 Signal Hill Rd, St. John’s, NL A1A 1B2, Canada

Website: Johnson Geo Center

Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)

13. Take the kids to Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium

Take your kids to Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, where they can learn about marine plants and animals and how to protect them. This mini aquarium is 15 minutes away by car from St. John’s. As a catch-and-release facility, the animals that are caught and exhibited are all returned to the sea. Release parties are held to say goodbye to the creatures who are sent home to their natural habitat. Kids are not only allowed to view the animals but also to touch them. Aside from the exhibits, there are educational and interactive activities as well.

Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium

Address: 35 A Southside Rd, Petty Harbour, NL A0A 3H0, Canada

Website: Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed Mon - Fri)

14. Bounce at Get Air

Have fun with the whole family at Get Air Trampoline Park in St. John’s. Bring your toddler and let him enjoy the foam pit. Let the small ones run, tumble, jump, or fly - no harm will come to them because they will be caught by the thick, soft foam in the room. Your kids can pretend to be ninjas, play dodgeball, or climb the fidget ladder as much as they want. Adults can play slamball without worrying about landing hard. Inside this park, you can move as much as you want and any way you want with little fear.

Get Air

Address: 63 Thorburn Rd, St. John’s, NL A1B 3M2, Canada

Website: Get Air

Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 10am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 8pm

15. Play Jenga at Mochanopoly Board Game Cafe

Play Jenga while enjoying a steaming cup of coffee and some snacks at Mochanopoly Board Game Cafe. The place is one of a kind in St. John’s and is now gaining popularity. While most bars that offer recreational activities such as billiards or darts serve alcohol, this establishment serves coffee and various snacks. Customers can play Jenga, a game that involves building a tower. The player must remove a block from the existing tower without causing it to collapse and use the same block to make the structure taller. Aside from Jenga, there are more than a hundred other board games that visitors can play.

Mochanopoly Board Game Cafe

Address: 204 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1A9, Canada

Website: Mochanopoly Board Game Cafe

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri: 10am - 1am; Sat: 12pm - 1am; Sun: 12pm - 10pm

16. Test your fear of heights at Axtion

Conquer your fear of heights in a fun way. Visit Axtion Climb where you will be able to climb walls and other obstacles. Aside from wall climbing, there are other adventures suitable for all ages. Drop by with your family for a day of fun. There are thrilling rides for teenagers and adults, and cartoon characters made of foam for the toddlers. Enjoy the bumper boats, bouncy castles, and doomsday slides. Experience free falling by jumping from a platform and falling on an airbag. Celebrate your child’s birthday at the park for an unforgettable party with friends and loved ones.

Axtion Climb

Address: 55 Hebron Way, St. John’s, NL A1A 0P9, Canada

Website: Axtion Climb

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10am - 5pm; Thu - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 7pm

17. Buy local produce at Lester's Farm Market

Buy local produce at Lester’s Farm Market, a family-owned and operated market in St. John’s. Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables are displayed on the shelves right away. You can also buy fresh meat, freshly baked bread, ice cream, and other treats. For people who love to grow things, gardening supplies are also available. Customers can even buy gift certificates for special occasions.

Lester's Farm Market

Address: 173 Brookfield Rd, St. John’s, NL A1E 3G8, Canada

Website: Lester’s Farm Market

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Discover St. John's, the oldest city in North America

Visitors of St. John’s are amazed by the scenic beauty of this city, as well as the rich culture and history. As the oldest city in North America, it once served as a battlefield for French and British soldiers. It is also one of the few cities where paranormal things are said to have happened. Because of the numerous tourist attractions, visitors will find that the many things to do here are highly educational, exciting, and fun.