cmcfong

In just about three weeks I will head to Newfoundland. Kodi, Clousie and Anselm Adornes have given me some great information so I feel certain it is going to be a memorable holiday. We start with an overnight in Deer Lake then off to Gros Morne for three nights. Then we head to Great Falls for an overnight stay to break up the drive. We will be at Port Rexton for two nights before heading to St. John's.
Any suggestions of
a. great bakeries or ice cream spots?
b. good casual restaurants?
c. Hikes along our route ( I have Skerwink Trail and the Gros Morne options on my list already)
d. the drive from Gros Morne to Great Falls to Port Rexton looks relatively tedious. Any hike or side trips or points of interest you can recommed?
e. what special items might I look for to buy which are unique to the area?
Thank you!

irecommend

I think I told you about The Bonavista Social Club
http://bonavistasocialclub.com/
Looks like they are having a Garlic Festival-Pig Roast on Aug 31st.

We had an excellent lunch at The Rooms in St Johns-the view is on of the best in the city. The museum and art gallery are definitely worth a visit.
http://www.therooms.ca/
The featured artist is Mary Pratt and her work is beautiful.

irecommend

We enjoyed the East Coast trail from Pouch Cove. Elke Dettmer who runs Points East
http://www.pointseast.ca/
was instrumental in the development of the East Coast Trail and is a great resource for trail info. She is also an amazing cook.

cmcfong

Thank you! I have added this to my notes.

kodi

As for shopping, I found hand knit woollen products that were beautifully done.. All were 100 %wool and I had trouble limiting my shopping . I bought a cute pair of thick woollen socks with puffins on them . I also bought a beautiful wool hat and matching mitts. . The hand knits are in many stores so not hard to find.
There are jams made from the local berries that are very good.
I also bought a hand painted silk scarf.

I know you will find just the right thing .

cmcfong

I will sure give it my best shot, Kodi. Thanks for the suggestions!

nfldbeothuk

cmcfong, you don't mention if you are staying on the south (Woody Point) side or the north (Rocky Harbour) side of Gros Morne. Hopefully you'll take a day to see the "other side" as both have special sights: the southern Tablelands hike is just as amazing, though different, as the Western Brook boat tour is.

The little restaurant (?I think the Pioneer?) at Wiltondale has good mooseburgers, as well as blueberry, partridgeberry, and bakeapple tarts. (and that's last week's lunch!) Wiltondale is just before the southern park entrance. In Rocky Harbour, Java Jack's gets good reviews. Jacki's and the Treasure Chest are popular "home cooking" type spots.

I assume you're stopping in Grand Falls. Springdale or Lewisporte are nice little towns (you'd probably say villages, but we don't use the term) a few km off the highway, if you want a break. About the only attraction in Grand Falls-Windsor would be the salmon interpretation centre. There's a good bakery in Bishop's Falls, just east of Grand Falls--you can turn in the first entrance, and drive out the second. It's easy to miss the bakery, it's on the left attached to a gas station.

In Port Rexton I assume you're going to Trinity (the Anglican Church, the Rising Tide theatre, and of course the Skerwink Trail are worth seeing) and Bonavista (the lighthouse, the Dungeons park for the sea caves, the Mockbeggar historic property). I've heard the restaurant by the Courthouse is good, but no personal experience recently. Port Union is a nearby spot often overlooked, but the early 20th century businesses/housing established by the FPU (Fisherman's Protective Union) is unique. You can visit William Coaker's home and learn about it. Alternatively, if there are still puffins over by Elliston, that would be worth a look.

Irecommend's advice about The Rooms is spot on--probably a better view than Signal Hill (which you should also see, along with Cape Spear, and downtown).

Have a good time!

cmcfong

Wonderful information. We are staying at Sugar Hill in Gros Morne and are booked for the Western Brook boat trip. Anselm and Clousie have given me some hiking suggestions. I am delighted with the prospect of the berry treats. We are overnighting in Grand Falls and Inreally appreciate the suggestions for that area. Our hotel is the Carriage House ( b and b). Next we go to the Fisher 's Loft in Port Rexton and finally we go to St. John 's. We have tickets to the Rooms.

I am very grateful for your suggestions!

laverendrye

When you are in Gros Morne, don't miss a performance of Anchors Aweigh at the Ocean View in Rocky Harbour. Here's a brief video to whet your interest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCouZiogZLk

The Fisher's Loft in Port Rexton is a wonderful place to stay and to dine. While you are in the area, in addition to the other suggestions, I would add the Trinity Pageant in Trinity and a visit to the film set for the Random Passage mini-series in nearby New Bonaventure. (The series is available on DVD or you can read the book--both well worth it for a picture of a Newfoundland outport in the early 19th C.) Also in New Bonaventure, I thoroughly recommend a tour with Bruce Miller and his Rugged Beauty tours--you'll be too late to see whales or icebergs and will miss the recreational cod fishery, but he gives a fascinating tour of some of the abandoned outports which were resettled in the 1950's and 60's.

http://www.risingtidetheatre.com/?Co...mances/Pageant

http://www.randompassagesite.com/

http://www.ruggedbeautyboattours.net/

I don't have any recommendations for Grand Falls/Windsor, but on your way from there to Port Rexton you might take a detour on the Eastport peninsula to the very scenic village of Salvage, inhabited since the early 17th century.

Enjoy your trip.

cmcfong

Thank you so much, lavenderrye. I am adding your suggestions to my file!

irecommend

I hope you have a great trip! We want to hear all about it.

cmcfong

Thank you! I am very excited about the trip. I appreciate the suggestions and recommendations.

traveller69

Newfoundland is wonderful but the Newfoundlanders themselves are the best reason to visit. In all of our travels I have never had such a good time with the locals as in Newfoundland. Be sure you become an honourary Newfie by being "screeched in" http://www.screechrum.com/screechin

cmcfong

Ah no one had mentioned screeching before. Good thing I saw this before my trip!

kodi

If you'd like to be screeched in, don't do it yourself .
Go to George Street in Saint John's .
There are a couple of pubs that do an proper
Screeching in .

Go to Trapper Johns or Christians .
Have fun !

cmcfong

Thanks, kodi! self screeching was never going to work. I need help!

irecommend

kodi! Did you screech?

kodi

Yes, I screeched on my first visit, and completed all the required steps !! ALL of them ! Did you ?

cmcfong

Well if you two are both screeched clearly it is a must do...

traveller69

I was screeched in twice and of course have my certificate to prove it from the more "formal" screeching. The other was in a pub on George Street. I was with a group of friends and a fellow came over to ask me to dance. I politely declined but he thought I didn't understand him with his new teeth and all so he removed them and asked me again. Being a good sport I said yes. When we danced he removed his teeth if he was going to talk and put them in his shirt pocket!! I will never forget his name - kind of suited the scenario there but I won't tattle!! Great fun.