St. John’s is its own little wacky world, with one of the most unique cultures in North America. As the first English colony in Canada, St. John’s has a rich history that has seemed to stick around longer than any other place in the country. With its colorful houses, lively pubs, and friendly people, it only took us one day to see why people rave about Newfoundland.
It would be so easy to get lost in a daily routine of visiting the harbor, drinking at the pubs, and eating delicious seafood, but there’s so much more to explore in this charming city. In this one-day St. John’s itinerary, you’ll see more than just the typical tourist spots and get a true taste of St. John’s culture.
A Guide To St. John’s
Highlights of One Day in St. John’s
- Bring your appetite and try some local cuisine, such as cod tongues and moose burgers.
- If you want the best chance of seeing whales, visit in August.
TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO ST. JOHN’S
- Where to stay – My choice of stay in St. John’s is JAG Boutique Hotel, it is located well, clean and convenient. We use Booking.com for all of our stays. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you.
- Best tour to take – Take a boat tour to get up close with icebergs, whales, and other marine life.
- Must pack item: Pack layers as the weather can change quickly, especially near the coast. A good jacket is essential.
- Car rentals – Rent a car for the best exploration experience. There’s so much to see and do outside the city. Save the most money through car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are.
- Flights – International flights are never cheap, but with the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature you can find the best deals. Check how much it would be for you to get to Newfoundland.
- Insurance – Not always required but always recommended! Make sure you’re covered with the best travel insurance.
- Hottest deals – Never be without our frequently updated travel deals page.
St. John’s is located on the eastern coast of Canada, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s literally the closest you could get to Europe without leaving the continent, and you’ll see that influence in every aspect of the city.
The island of Newfoundland is known for its rugged landscapes, pristine nature, and friendly locals. St. John’s is the perfect combination of all those things and more, and it is the best introduction to the province. Most travelers opt for flying into St. John’s then rent a car to explore the rest of Newfoundland.
Alternatively, if you’re doing a road trip through the east coast of Canada, you might be looking at taking a ferry. If you are, make sure you know how to take the ferry to Newfoundland. But just keep in mind that the driving times between major cities are excruciatingly long. Don’t let the map deceive you.
The town is the oldest English settlement in North America, and shockingly it looks way more English than it does Canadian. The brighter-than-life colors of the houses on Jelly Bean Row, the quaint European-style streets and alleyways, and the classic architecture are just some of its quirks. You will quickly feel as if you’ve hopped across the pond.
1 Day St. John’s Itinerary
It sounds crazy to spend only one day in St. John’s, but if you have a tight schedule like we did and are flying into the city, you might only have one day to explore. So we’ve put together the best one-day St. John’s itinerary you’ve ever seen.
With an early morning, you’ll see quite a bit, enough to leave you wanting more. So, let’s get into this awesome itinerary to St. John’s.
4:30 AM – First sunrise
We know it’s early, and you’re probably jet lagged but trust us, watching the first sunrise is worth it.
With signs of morning on the way, grab your coffee and a few snacks and head out the door. You’ll drive to the most easterly point of North America – Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site. It’s the most eastern tip of Newfoundland and just a quick 15 minutes from downtown St. John’s.
The lighthouse has been a small landmark on the coast since 1836. With panoramic views of the Atlantic Coast, there is no better place to take in the sunrise. As the sky gradually turns from purple to pink and the sun starts to rise over the horizon, you’ll feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you may just catch a glimpse of a whale or two in the distance.
If you want to get your legs moving, there are a few trails around the fortress that you can explore before your morning really gets going.
9:00 AM – Starting the Irish Loop
The great thing about an early sunrise is there is still time to snag a quick nap in before you hit the road. Eat some breakfast at your hotel, freshen up, go in for coffee round 2, and then hop in your car to start The Irish Loop.
The Irish Loop is one of the most scenic drives in Newfoundland. It takes you along the East coast of the Avalon Peninsula, showcasing epic views of cliffs, fishing villages, and lighthouses. While St. John’s has its charm, the drastic landscapes and rugged beauty of tall trees, a smattering of lakes, rustic houses, and small towns along the Irish Loop are out of this world.
There are plenty of places you can and will stop along the way, but one of our favorite pitstops was early on at Celtic Rondezvous, a cottage rental property in the area of Tors Cove and Bauline East. Right on the coast, this property is the perfect place to stretch your legs and search for some puffins. In the summertime, this area is known as one of the best locations to get up close and personal with the cute little birds. But don’t stress too much if you don’t see any, you’ll for sure spot some on the next activity.
After taking in the views and maybe even a quick hike, we made a U-turn and headed to O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours.
11:30 AM – O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours
A mid-day boat tour in Bay Bulls is exactly what you need to continue your day on the Irish Loop. O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours is one of the most popular and highly rated whale-watching companies in Newfoundland. And after our experience with them, we can see why.
You’ll be greeted by men who look like they just stepped out of a Paddington Bear book with their sou’westers. Their colorful Newfoundland accents are charming, and their knowledge of the area is impressive.
The tour starts off with a scenic boat ride through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will give you some history of the area and point out various bird species that call this place home. Puffins will be playing in the water, seagulls will be soaring overhead, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a bald eagle.
The trip will take you past million-year-old cliffs, caves, and waterfalls, and depending on the time of year you might even see whales.
- Whale season is from May to October.
What we truly loved about O’Brien’s was how enthusiastic the guide was. He knew so much about the area and was so proud of where he lived. He was also very respectful of the wildlife in their natural habitat. Layer on rhythmic stomping and Newfoundlander jigging, and this was an awesome tour.
After touring around the bay for a few hours, it’s time to grab some lunch. You can either head to our next stop, Petty Harbour, or grab some fresh fish from Sailors Gallery Restaurant. You can get traditional Newfoundland dishes like cod tongues, fish and chips, or seafood chowder.
2:30 PM – A pretty Petty Harbour
After lunch, drive the 25 minutes to Petty Harbour, a small fishing village that has been around since the early 1600s. It’s nestled between rugged cliffs and has a picturesque harbor filled with colorful fishing boats. We were blown away at how beautiful the little community of Petty Harbour was.
We suggest taking a walk around the harbor to explore the quaint shops, check out the lobster traps, and chat with the friendly locals. They will be more than happy to give you a little insight into Petty Harbour.
Before you leave, stop into Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, where you can see and learn about some of the creatures that live in the waters around Newfoundland. They have an open aquarium for you to hold certain creatures if you’re brave enough and a catch-and-release program to teach the importance of conservation.
3:40 PM – Quidi Vidi
Quidi Vidi is a must-visit destination in St. John’s. It’s a super unique spot nestled between cliffs and the ocean. We were seriously blown away walking around here, as it’s a bit of a mix between old and new.
The once-historic fishing village has gracefully transformed into a modern hot spot while still keeping its quaint charm. You’ll discover the wooden homes over the water have been revamped into microbreweries, restaurants, and art galleries.
We recommend trying one of the craft beers from Quidi Vidi Brewery or grabbing a bite to eat at Mallard Cottage. The restaurant is quirky and cozy, with delicious food and hometown vibes.
Compared to Petty Harbour, Quidi Vidi is certainly more iconic but in our personal opinion, the lane of rainbow boats at Petty Harbour made it that much more photogenic.
The small-village vibe and charm of Quidi Vidi will make you want to linger longer, but as you know we only have one day in St. John’s, and we have more places on our list of things to do in St. John’s.
5:00 PM – High winds and jelly beans
After a day on the road, it’s time to head back to the city and visit some more iconic spots in St. John’s. First up, Signal Hill!
The drive up to Signal Hill is steep and narrow, but once you get to the top, the view will take your breath away, literally and figuratively. The wind on Signal Hill is no joke, but at the top, you’ll get some sick 360-degree views that span Cape Spear out into the water and the colored layers of St. John’s streets.
In the middle of it all, you’ll see Cabot Tower, which has played a significant role in history as it was the first transatlantic wireless communication. Make sure to FaceTime your mom while you’re here, it’s only right.
But our favorite part of Signal Hill? The Jellybean Row Houses! These iconic and colorful homes make for the perfect photo op, and you’ll definitely want to snap a few pictures here.
Wind your way down Signal Hill to get an up close and personal view of the colorful homes and local life in St. John’s. Blocks and blocks of these colorfully painted homes will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.
I could have spent hours photographing the labyrinth of houses on the steeply graded hills reminiscent of San Francisco.
What I loved even more beyond the candy-colored houses were their pint-sized drawings on the mailboxes that everyone seemed to have.
6:45 PM – Becoming an honorary Newfoundlander
Welcome to your last stop on this epic adventure. We know you’re exhausted but you’ve had an awesome day, we know it! And you can’t leave Newfoundland without being screeched in.
If you don’t know what this means, well, don’t worry—neither did we. But the locals at O’Reilly’s Pub will be more than happy to explain it to you.
Screeching in essentially involves taking a shot of screech (a local rum that feels more like a punch to the face) and kissing a cod (yes, an actual fish) all while reciting a short phrase in Newfoundland dialect.
It may sound ridiculous, but it’s highly entertaining and only mildly embarrassing.
To cap off the night, sample a variety of local dishes including moose meatballs, cod tongues (not actual tongues), fish cakes, and classic Newfoundland desserts. It’s seriously the best way to end your whirlwind of 24 hours in St. John’s.
Extra things to do in St. John’s
Puffin and Whale Watching Cruise: See the adorable puffins and majestic whales in their natural habitat on this guided boat tour.
Newfoundland Food Tour: The food in Newfoundland is so good (if you like seafood) that it deserves its own tour.
Downtown walking tour: Join a group and learn the history and stories behind the colorful buildings, streets, and landmarks of downtown St. John’s.
Where To Stay In St. John’s
For this one day in St. John’s and the rest of our trip in the province, we stayed at the JAG Boutique Hotel. Instead of us describing it, make sure you watch the full video below to get an idea of why we loved it so much.
There are a few other great options you should also consider:
Blue on Water: A boutique stay right in the center of St. John’s giving you easy walking access to the best pubs and restaurants.
The Elizabeth Manor Guesthouse: A little outside of the city center, this guesthouse is a warm and friendly welcome to St. John’s.
Where To Eat In St. John’s
The Merchant Tavern: Amazing eggs benny and coffee.
Mallard Cottage: Quaint cottage with the best chowder.
Chafe’s Landing Restaurant: Casual restaurant with a yummy lobster roll.
What To Pack For St. John’s
For one day in St. John’s you won’t really need much. Keep in mind that the weather differs amongst seasons, and here in Newfoundland it can be quite unpredictable. Here’s what we recommend:
- A lightweight fleece or jacket – It can get rather windy at times, making it seem cooler than it really is.
- Comfortable shoes – although this is a road trip, you’ll still want comfortable shoes for the exploring you will be doing.
- Sun protection – when the sun is shining it can get quite bright. Sunglasses and a hat are a necessity to protect your eyes, and it never hurts to have sunscreen on. No one wants a sun burn!
- Camera gear – We always have the OM System OM-1 with us. Don’t forget to pack a good car charger to keep the batteries full!
- Snacks and water – Though you’ll be stopping at several restaurants through the day for delicious food, a road trip isn’t complete without some car snacks! Keep hydrated through your busy day with a water bottle to keep in the car as well.
A Perfect Day In St. John’s
There’s no question that Newfoundland & Labrador is perfect for road-tripping. With open roads, loops, and scenic points dotted everywhere you go, there’s no better way to see the province than to roam freely with a car that can handle all conditions and terrain.
At the time, we were lucky enough to be the first in Canada to drive the new Ford EcoSport. This small and nimble SUV was a joy to drive for the day in Newfoundland.
If you’re planning on renting a car in St. John’s, we wouldn’t say a bigger vehicle is needed but it sure does give you confidence to take on all types of terrain. To save money on your rental, make sure to check out whether you’re eligible for car rental coupon codes.
It was quite a long day in Newfoundland, but we certainly made the most of it. This one day is truly a teaser for what the province has to offer so make sure to stick around. A longer 4-day itinerary to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to visit Newfoundland is during the summer months, from June to August. The temperature is warmer/milder then, making all those outdoor activities more enjoyable. This is also the time of year you are more likely to see whales.
The short answer, yes, absolutely! With the views and wildlife you’ll experience alone, on top of the quaint villages inhabited with the nicest locals you’ll ever meet, PLUS the amazing food… visiting Newfoundland is absolutely worth it!
While there are bus services, as well as taxis in Newfoundland, renting a car is recommended, especially if you’re short on time. With buses operating on a certain schedule and taxis being a bit unpredictable, a car of your own will allow you to go at your own pace.
No, this is actually a derogatory term and not something taken positively when meant to refer to someone from Newfoundland. The correct way to call a local would be “Newfoundlander”.
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
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