nicolino

would love to know what to do once we port. we'll have 8 hours on land and we would like to see as much as we can. never been to canada and would like to take advantage of all we can. fronm the por are there busers and trains we can use? ny input would be greatly appreciated.

Tanya

You can take a cab ride to the top of Signal Hill and then get them to take you out to the most eastern point of Canada (can't remember the name). For about $100 you can get a good tour - split it 4 ways and it isn't a bad deal. There are a couple of companies that do taxi tours. If it is foggy, you won't see much. Quidi Vidi is worth a quick trip and there is a beautiful little antique shop there. Plus the smallest pub - which isn't always open. St. John's also has "George St" where you can "kiss the cod" and try a shot of skreech! THere are a couple of whale watching tours available from the harbour.

nfldbeothuk

The Signal Hill (site of Marconi's transatlantic wireless communication & a great view) and Cape Spear (the most easterly point, about 20 km outside of town)are both good ideas.
If you're not into bars, walking around DT St. John's is easy & popular with visitors (rebuilt after 19th c fire with wooden, multi-hued row houses). Water Street is the main shopping street downtown.
The Geocentre is interesting for science types, The Rooms (provincial museum, archives, & art galley) has a bit of everything culture-wise.
There are city buses, taxis are fairly cheap, and the downtown is small and walkable as long as hills don't bother you.
There are NO trains in Newfoundland! (there are in the rest of Canada, BTW)
I'd look into the possibility of a short trip outside the city. Newfoundland fishing villages are "quaint" to most visitors and there are several scenic ones which would be only an hour or so away. That would depend on the weather though; on a rainy day I might go for city attractions.

nicolino

are the buses to downtown close enough to the port? is downtown walkable from the port? im traveling with my mom and dad and though they can walk i wouldnt want them to hike i was thinking about getting off ship and taking a bus into the city as long as its not to far.

nfldbeothuk

Downtown IS the port -- or vice versa. Serviously, St. John's is small -- < 100,000 people. You couldn't take a bus to downtown, as you'd be exactly one block from Water Street.
Signal Hill (which is at the top of a very high and long hill) might be too much of a hike, but the rest is an issue only if hills are an issue.
Picture if Orvieto was built on the slope! Or better--here's a picture:
http://www.newfoundland-photo.com/i/large02.jpg

kodi

Nfld, great photo.

Nicolono, as others have said,
Signal Hill is a must.. IF you can hike , walk to the 'Battery' area from downtown and hike up Signal Hill. A fabulous hike. Take a taxi back down and on to Cape Spear. Well worth it.

Yes as said before the dock IS downtown.. walk all along Water Street.. and George street.

If you have a change do try to get out to some of the smaller towns. South to Witless Bay or north to Pouch Cove.

It's all great. .. but your real please will be mingling with the wonderful and friendly Newfoundlanders. They are the best!!

traveller69

Even if you are not into the bar scene (which I am not) you still have to go into a bar. Let them know you are a tourist (not that they couldn't guess). Its great fun - you can become an honorary Newfie by kissing the cod and drinking some screech. Actually it is jut the fun of it all and the people themselves are the reason to go there. So basically do a little sightseeing but other than that enjoy the Newfoundlanders - I love them!!!