roop

Hi, We will be arriving St John's NFL on 3rd august 11.30 pm by air. We will just have 3 days to spend in the province.Will return back on 7th August early morning from St. John's. I would like inputs on what is best to see in NFL in this short duration of 3 days.

By any chance, is it possible to see Gros Morne in this time? I have checked flights from St. John's to Deer lake and they are way expensive. The DRL bus service runs only during day time, which would waste our days.

All responses would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
roop

nfldbeothuk

Much as I agree that Gros Morne is wonderful--without a car you can't possibly get there and back in 3 days. Even with a car, seeing Gros Morne would mean not seeing anything else.
You give us no hint as to where you live, what you know about NL, why you're flying in for 3 days, or what you usually like to do on vacation.
Go to the provincial tourism website (www.newfoundlandlabrador.com ) for more info.
Since you mention a plane or the DRL bus as your only options, I assume you can't/won't be driving. That means you'll be on the Avalon, but there is plenty to see/do here.
If you're interested in nature: visit the Fluvariun & the GeoCentre, MUN Botanical GArdens, try out some of the trails around Cabot Tower, go to Bay Bulls (need a taxi or a tour) for a whale/bird watching adventure.
If you're interested in history: visit The Rooms (provincial museum/gallery/archives), see Cape Spear, the Basilica, Comissariat House, Newman Wine Vaults, etc. Wander downtown.
If you're interested in culture: visit The Rooms, take a look around Quidi Vidi village, try our the evening "Haunted Walks", look at some of the local art galleries, visit the Ship Inn and FOR SURE check our the St. John's Folk Festival on that weekend.
If you can get a car for a day: go to St. Mary's Bird Sanctuary & Castle Hill Historic Site in Placentia, or drive out Conception Bay at least as far as Harbour Grace.
If you can stay overnight, drive out to Bonavista/ Trinity and stay in the area.
Enjoy!

roop

Hi Thanks for sending across this information. Now we finally have more details as we are flying tomorrow. We are flying from Halifax, Nova scotia just for a vacation because we are nature lovers and we have heard a lot about the beautiful geography of NFL. We have also been able to book a rented vehicle from the st johns airport. Landing NFL - Midnight Friday, Leaving Tuesday early morning. We have booked first and last night's stay in st.john's and 2nd and and 3rd night's stay in Arnold's cove area. We have dropped the idea of Gros Morne, that will be some other time.

I do get a lot of idea from you regarding places to see in ST john's. Can you also help us know about Bona Vista and the harbour Grace area in these days ? Is it feasible as we now have a rented vehicle ?

Thanks a lot.

nfldbeothuk

Glad you've found a vehicle; that will give you possibilities!

Harbour Grace is certainly a possibility. The Conception Bay area will give you an idea of some of the older rural communities in NL. You could stop at Cupids (archaeological remains of the 1610 colony), or Brigus (Nat. Historic Site for the home of Bob Bartlett, ARctic ice captain). Harbour Grace is only about 2 hours from St. John's.

Another nice day trip is down the Southern Shore: Bay Bulls has several companies offering 2 hours whale/bird watching tours. Apparently July was a terrific month for whales, so there should still be a good chance of seeing some, and puffins are seen in very few other places. Bay Bulls is about 40 minutes south of the city; you could continue on to Ferryland (another archaeological site of early settlement) and LaManche (nice hiking trail here).

On the other side of the Avalon Peninsula, about an hour from St. John's, is Placentia (site of the 17th c. French capital of NL, the fortifications are a Nat. Historic Site). An hour south from there is the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, home to thousands of kittiwakes, murres, and gannets--quite a spectacular sight.

Take a look at the map when you arrive (or on the plane!) and pick.
Bonavista is one of my favourite places in the province, but it's 3 hours from St. John's, so rather stretching it for a day trip-- you'll spend half the day on the (boring) highway. I'd suggest you pick a place you'll have time to really see, and save Bonavista or Gros Morne for a second trip.

roop

Thanks a lot for this information. It will really help us !

ELiz_Travels

If you get to Ferryland, well worth a visit, there is a lighthouse just up the road where you can sit on the grass high up on a cliff overlooking the sea and have a picnic lunch brought to you in a basket. Very charming.