68 Best Sights in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

At the easternmost point of land on the continent, songbirds begin chirping in the dim light of dawn, and whales in early summer feed directly below the cliffs, providing an unforgettable start to the day. From April through July, you might see icebergs floating by. Cape Spear Lighthouse, Newfoundland's oldest such beacon, has been restored to its original form and furnishings. There is a visitor center and souvenir shop open in the summer. The historic gun batteries can be viewed up close from the walking trail whenever weather conditions allow.

The cliffs surrounding the lighthouse are beautiful but dangerous. Rogue waves and slippery rocks have caused fatal accidents in recent years. It is important to heed the warnings and avoid getting close to the edge, as there are no barriers and no rangers on duty during the popular sunrise hour.

The reserve has some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Newfoundland and is a good place to spot whales. Most birds visit from March through August, although some will be viewable in October. You can visit the interpretation center—guides are on-site in summer for larger groups—and then walk to within 100 feet of nesting gannets, murres, black-billed kittiwakes, and razorbills. At busy times you may have to wait your turn at the observation point. Call ahead to check on weather conditions before heading out. In July and August the interpretation center presents local artists performing traditional music.

This historic lighthouse, built in 1870, now signals the spot for breathtaking views, worry-free picnics, and great food such as smoked salmon and ice-shrimp sandwiches, green salads, and gooseberry fools. You bring the appetite, and the lighthouse staff packs everything else—even the blanket. Bread is baked daily here; in fact, everything is made on-site down to the desserts and freshly squeezed lemonade. Check the website for menus. Picnics start at C$27 per person and reservations are required; July and August book up especially quickly.

Grates Cove community is 75 km (46 miles) north of Harbour Grace on Route 70. Here is a photographer's dream, with vistas of both Trinity and Conception bays from the flat rocks by the harbor. In iceberg season, you cannot find a wider field of view for the startling magnificence. The fields are covered with the remains of dry stone walls built by the original Irish settlers. Maintained and well-marked walking paths wind through the hills, the community, and along the cliffs. A community-built museum is always open to the public.

One of Newfoundland's most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this national park showcases the beauty and splendor of this part of the world. The most popular attraction in the northern portion of Gros Morne is the hike and boat tour of Western Brook Pond. While the fjord itself remains the same, recent upgrades to the trail to the boat dock have turned a once transportive stroll into a 45 minute-slog over a gravel road with no shade. Those in good shape can tackle the 16-km (10-mile) hike up Gros Morne Mountain, the second-highest peak in Newfoundland at 2,644 feet. Weather permitting, the reward for your effort is a unique Arctic landscape and spectacular views. The park's northern coast has an unusual mix of sand beaches, rock pools, and trails through tangled dwarf forests. Sunsets seen from Lobster Head Cove Lighthouse are spectacular. In season you might spot whales here, and a visit to the lighthouse museum, devoted to the history of the area, is rewarding. At the very north end of the park is the community of Cow Head, home to the Gros Morne Theatre Festival's popular summer program of theater and music. Also nearby, Shallow Bay Beach has a 3-km (2-mile) stretch of soft sand ready-made for beachcombing. Woody Point, a community of old houses and imported Lombardy poplars, is in the southern part of the park, on Route 431. Rising behind it are the Tablelands, a unique rock massif that was raised from the earth's mantle through tectonic upheaval. The Tablelands provide a remarkable exposure of mantle rock, rarely seen at the earth's surface; it's the main reason Gros Morne National Park has received UNESCO World Heritage status.

L'Anse aux Meadows is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Norwegian team of Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad discovered the remains of Viking settlements here in 1960. In 2021, researchers determined that the settlement had been active in 1021 AD. Parks Canada has a visitor center and has reconstructed four of the huts to give you a sense of the era and how the Vikings lived. An interpretation program introduces you to the food, clothing, and way of life of that time. The site has also turned one reconstructed hut into a very fun, interactive escape room called the Test of Tykir. 

A fishing village that lies along the coast between Cape Spear and Route 10, Petty Harbour is a great day trip with something for everyone all around one scenic harbor. Two of the prettiest segments of the East Coast Trail start from either end of town. Island Rooms of Petty Harbour is dedicated to keeping the fishing and boating heritage of the town alive and can arrange walking, fishing, and traditional boating excursions ( 709/740–3474;  www.fishingforsuccess.org). North Atlantic Ziplines boasts the longest zipline in Canada, with views over the hills and ocean ( 709/368–8681;  www.zipthenorthatlantic.com). The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium has a touch tank and daily family programs ( 709/330–3474;  www.miniaqua.org). To eat, there are plenty of eateries with fresh seafood and harbor views.

Signal Hill is emblematic of the island's military history, of early technological achievement, and ancient geology. En route to the top, the visitor center exhibits the history of St. John's. Cabot Tower, at the peak of Signal Hill, was constructed in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of explorer John Cabot's landing in Newfoundland. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic-wire transmission near here, and today you can visit the Marconi exhibit on the top floor of Cabot Tower. The GEO Centre lets you to go literally inside Signal Hill and learn about the ancient rock. The drive to the tower along Signal Hill Road affords fine harbor, ocean, and city views, as does the tower itself. Walking trails take you to the base of the hill and closer to the ocean. In July and August every year, cadets in 19th-century-British uniforms perform military tattoos.

Golfing, sea kayaking, fishing, camping, and canoeing are among the activities the 399-square-km (186-square-mile) park supports. You can arrange guided walks at the visitor center, which has exhibits, a small shop, and a decent snack bar–cafeteria.

The visitor center can also provide connections to a local tour company for boat tours and kayaking activities while in the park.

An eye-catching feature of the cityscape, this lively space celebrating the arts and cultures of Newfoundland and Labrador has a design inspired by traditional "fishing rooms," shacks by the waterside where fishing families would process their catch. Multimedia and hands-on exhibits explore the region's cultural heritage, archaeology, and ecology, while the art gallery presents contemporary and older works from the permanent art collection and mounts temporary and traveling art exhibitions. Displays at the Provincial Archives include historical photos and documents. The facility's observation deck has awe-inspiring views over St. John's, even in bad weather.

Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, this fine example of Gothic Revival architecture was erected in the mid-1800s, with major additions in the 1880s, but it had to be rebuilt after the 1892 fire. Free lunchtime organ recitals take place on Wednesday afternoon at 1:15. From mid-July through August, you can slip into the crypt for a cup of tea and homemade tea biscuits and cookies (C$8). Tea service, run by the women of the parish, operates from 2:30 to 4:30 pm on weekdays except Wednesday, when it starts at 2.

Consecrated in 1855 after 14 years of construction, this Romanesque-style Roman Catholic cathedral holds a commanding position above Military Road, overlooking the older section of the city and the harbor. The Irish sculptor John Hogan carved the sanctuary's centerpiece, Dead Christ, out of Carrara marble in the mid-19th century. Also note the many stained-glass windows, side altars, and statuary. A museum with vestments and religious objects is next door in the Episcopal Library of the Archbishop's Palace. Every December, the Basilica hosts Handel's Messiah performed by the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

Explore the lives of the Beothuk, a First Nations people who succumbed in the early 19th century to a combination of disease and battle with European settlers. A 1½-km (1-mile) trail leads to the archaeological site that was inhabited from about 1650 to 1720, when the Beothuk departed this stretch of coast as settlers moved in. Walk softly to feel The Spirit of the Beothuk, represented by a commanding bronze statue by Gerald Squires that stands almost hidden in the woods. Just in back of the center is a Spirit Garden, opened in consultation with First Nations in Newfoundland, which is the site of an annual "Voices on the Wind" ceremony in September.

A visit here is a must, especially for kids, who often find themselves enthralled by the touch tank, the centerpiece of the 45-minute guided aquarium tours. In addition to experiencing sea stars, crabs, algae, and other marine life firsthand, participants learn about the station's past and current research projects. Tours begin every 30 minutes.

An expansive Victorian park west of downtown, Bowring was modeled after the famous city parks of London. Dotting the grounds are ponds and rustic bridges; the statue of Peter Pan just inside the east gate was cast from the same mold as the one in Kensington Park in London. The wealthy Bowring family, which made its money in trade and shipping, donated the park in 1914. There is a swimming pool, a splash pad (both open July and August), a large playground, and walking trails.

A provincial historic site on the point, about 1 km (½ mile) outside town, the lighthouse was built in 1843 and has been restored to the way it looked in 1870.

Just north of Placentia, Castle Hill is what remains of the French fortifications. The visitor center has an exhibit that shows the life and hardships experienced by early English and French settlers in the settlement then known as "Plaisance." Performances of Faces of Fort Royale, a play about the French era, take place during the summer as weather allows on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1:30. There are hiking trails from the forts and many lookouts on-site.

After the devastating fire of 1846, the business elite of St. John's moved to Circular Road. The street contains some very fine Victorian houses and shade trees.

As you travel down the Trans-Canada Highway toward Port aux Basques, Routes 406 and 407 bring you into the small Scottish communities of the Codroy Valley. Some of the most productive farms in the province are nestled in the valley against the backdrop of the Long Range Mountains, from which gales strong enough to stop traffic hurtle down to the coast. Locally known as Wreckhouse winds, they have overturned tractor trailers. The Codroy Valley is great for bird-watching, and the Grand Codroy River is ideal for kayaking. Walking trails, a golf course, and mountain hikes make the area an appealing stop for nature lovers.

A major ongoing archaeological dig at Ferryland has uncovered this early-17th-century colony founded by George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore. The highlights of a visit here include six dig sites, exhibits of artifacts uncovered at them, two period gardens, and a reconstructed 17th-century kitchen. You can watch the conservationists at work in their laboratory, examining and restoring newly discovered artifacts, and take in living-history demonstrations that provide a feel for colonial times. Admission includes access to the Visitor Centre and a fascinating guided tour.

The residence and office of the British garrison's supply officer in the 1830s has been restored to reflect that era. Interpreters sometimes dress in period costume, and the videos and labels are engaging and informative. Guided tours and child-friendly activities are offered during the summer and fall. Visitors are welcome to use the green space on the grounds to enjoy a picnic.

The first English settlement in Canada (founded by John Guy in 1610) has been an active archaeological dig since 1995. Engaging tours of the site are given by archaeologists and archaeology students with specific knowledge of the dig and infectious enthusiasm for the region's history.

With interactive displays, interpretive tours, a shop, and an archaeological lab, this is a good place to learn about the English settlement founded here in 1610. The bright and modern museum traces 400 years of settlement in the area through interactive exhibits and a selection of the 153,000 artifacts recovered to date at the nearby archaeological site. These include trade beads and the oldest English coin found in Canada.

On the outskirts of Woody Point, a charming community of old houses and imported Lombardy poplars, this is the main center for interpreting the geology of Gros Morne National Park. Educational programs about natural history are conducted, and there's a craft shop. Learn about indigenous culture of the Mi'Kmaq in Newfoundland in an exhibition called Miawpukek: The Middle River. At the back of the center's parking lot is the fine Lookout Hills trail, a 5-km (3-mile) trek with outstanding views of Bonne Bay, Gros Morne Mountain, and the Tablelands.

If history and quaint towns appeal to you, follow this trail, which is accessible from the Trans-Canada Highway (Rte. 1) on Route 230 or 230A at Clarenville, or at Port Blandford on Route 233. It includes two gems: the old town of Trinity, famed for its architecture and theater festival, and Bonavista, one of John Cabot's reputed landing spots. The provincial tourism website ( www.newfoundlandlabrador.com) has a more detailed description. Clarenville itself is largely a departure point for these more attractive destinations.

Once called the Upper Path, this has been the "second street" of St. John's for centuries, Water Street being the main street. Stretching from the bottom of Signal Hill in the east to near City Hall in the west, Duckworth Street has restaurants, bars, antiques and crafts shops, as well as lawyers' offices and a yoga studio. A few blocks east of City Hall, the Newfoundland Supreme Court is housed in a late-19th-century building with an eccentric appearance: each of its four turrets is in a different style. If you take the time to go through security and wander the halls, you will see a unique collection of artwork from the provincial artbank on the walls. Lanes and stairways between Duckworth Street and Water Street or George Street give access to some of the city's most popular pubs. 

The lieutenant governor—the Queen's representative in Newfoundland—lives at Government House, which was built in the 1830s. Myth has it that the 12-foot ditch surrounding the structure was intended to keep out snakes, though Newfoundland is one of the few regions in the world to have no snakes. The original governor, so the story goes, was expecting a warmer colony where serpents might be a problem. In fact, the moat was designed to allow more light into the basement rooms. House tours (free) can be arranged by appointment. The marvelous garden is open all year for you to explore on your own.

This 1896 church has a redbrick facade, green turrets, about 40 stained-glass windows, and a massive Casavant pipe organ. The church itself is on a sort of concrete island, the lone occupant of a small tract of land surrounded by four streets. The home of a community band and choirs for adults and youth, this acoustically pleasing venue hosts musical performances throughout the year. 

As depicted beautifully in the movie Hold Fast (2013), this spectacular 9-km (5½-mile) round-trip hike starts at Long Pond, on Route 431, 5 km (3 miles) east of Trout River, passes through the Tablelands barrens, and descends sharply to a coastline of eroded cliffs and green meadows. Be prepared to do a bit of climbing on your return journey. A longer version of the trail includes a loop around Wallace Brook. Some parts of the cliff edges are undercut, so stick to the trail.

A museum and a nearby interpretation center document the life and inspirational work of the English-born doctor Wilfred Grenfell (later Sir Wilfred), who in the early 20th century provided much-needed medical services and transformed the lives of the people of this remote land.