St. John’s is the capital city of the province of Newfoundland and is not to be confused with the city of Saint John in New Brunswick. Yes, it can get confusing. St. John’s is also Canada’s oldest city dating back to 1497. Just wandering through the streets of the city can be a lesson in over five centuries of history with its many heritage sites, monuments and historical buildings. St. John’s has been called ‘the City of Legends’ which refers to the many stories and folklore that have been passed down through the generations for over 500 years. Be prepared though, the locals are more than eager to share a story or two with friendly visitors. The people of Newfoundland have a very distinct accent compared to the rest of Canada. Good luck to those of you being told a story by one with a thick accent and a couple of pints! Another quick note on the locals; be wary of using the term ‘Newfie.’ Some people find it derogatory and offensive, especially outside of the tourist areas. Overall though, locals in St. John’s are among the friendliest and most hospitable people you will ever meet. Downtown St. John’s enjoys a lively nightlife scene, especially along the infamous George St. It is said that George St. has more bars and pubs per square foot than any other street in North America. One of the favourite local watering holes is Trapper John’s, famous for their ‘Screech Ins.’ Screech is a local rum that will make your head spin. A ‘Screech In’ is a sort of welcome ritual where visitors are made to kiss a cod on the lips, sing silly lyrics and down a shot of Screech. If you can do that, you have become a sort of honourary Newfoundlander. Sundance Saloon and O’Reilly’s Pub are a couple of other great pubs to check out.

St. John’s is perhaps best known for its rugged beauty. Hiking, sea kayaking, whale watching and birding are among St. John’s most enticing outdoor adventures. East Coast Trail which travels through ghost towns, eco reserves and along steep ocean side cliffs, Grand Concourse with its boardwalk trail, lakes and excellent birding and Newfoundland T’Railway; part of the Trans-Canada Trail which connects urban areas with untamed wilderness are three of the best trails in and around St. John and should not be missed. Of course whale watching is extremely popular here, especially in the summer months. Humpback, killer, sperm and pothead whales are just some of the species to call these waters home. Wildland Tours offers excellent boat excursions for whale watching as well as bird watching and a chance to witness huge icebergs up close. Many companies like Wildernesss Newfoundland Adventures combine activities for an all round adventure. This company offers trips including sea kayaking through Iceberg Alley, waterfalls and caves and alongside whales as well as hiking excursions and wildlife viewing.

St. John’s has visitor attractions on land too. To explore St. John’s fascinating history there are a few places you should visit. Signal Hill National Historic Site was used as early as 1704 as a signal station to inform of approaching ships. The last battle of the 7 Years War was fought here in 1762 and the first transatlantic wireless signal was received here in 1901. Cape Spear National Historic Site is home to Newfoundland’s oldest surviving lighthouse built between 1835 and 1836. The Newfoundland Museum focuses on the provinces natural history as well as the history of the aboriginal peoples. Two other really cool places you have to visit in St. John’s are the Fluvarium; the only one of its kind in North America which allows visitors to observe the natural underwater life of a river, and the Johnson Geo Centre, a geological centre built mostly underground with solid rock walls. St. John’s is sure to provide an experience that will have you coming back for more. St. John’s is Canada’s foggiest, windiest, wettest and snowiest city. But at least it’s not the coldest and compared to the rest of the country, St. John’s enjoys a rather mild winter. Overall, summers are mild with average highs around 20˚C while the winter months experience an average high temperature of -1˚C, warm by Canadian standards.