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-   -   St John's, NL for 3/4 nights? (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/st-johns-nl-for-3-4-nights-1722120/)

Helen40 Apr 27th, 2024 02:22 AM

St John's, NL for 3/4 nights?
 
Hi, I'm planning on going to St John's, NL. I like nature, walking, outdoors, wildlife.

Looking for suggestions re whereabouts to stay (ie stay just in St john's or travel somewhere for a night?). Things to do, whether a car would be a good idea, and finally is a 3 nights ok, or more/less?

Many thanks,
Helen.

Helen40 Apr 27th, 2024 03:26 AM

Forgot to say - I'm planning on going early July.

tlc195 Apr 27th, 2024 11:35 AM

Helen,

How are you getting to NF, ferry or flying? Do you plan to go anywhere else in NF besides St. John’s? Things to check out while in town.

Signal Hill

Cape Spear Lighthouse

Petty Harbor ( great fish and chips at Chafe’s Landing when 2 times that good)

Pippy Park & Memorial University Botanical Garden

Downtown area including

Waterfront

Railway Coastal Museum

Anglican Cathedral

The Rooms (history museum)

Fort Amherst (Lighthouse and Fort)

Johnson Geo Center (great Titanic Exhibit)

Castle Hill National Historic Site ( near ferry to St John’s )

Tom

Daniel_Williams Apr 28th, 2024 08:26 AM

Hi helen40

Number of days is a very hard thing to suggest, as some like things more fast-paced and others like to linger more. I spent 4 full days in St. John’s a number of years ago and was happy with that. Got to do some hikes: the trails to Signal Hill and Quidi Vidi were great, easily do-able from downtown and gorgeous and had one day where I went out to see the puffins and other wildlife at Witless Bay. One day was pouring rain, which turned out fine as I went to the Rooms museum, but I was glad to have had several days, to have more chances for outings in nicer weather. I personally could have seen myself happy doing more time there, but would not have wanted to do too much less.

Best wishes

Daniel

Helen40 Apr 28th, 2024 10:29 AM


Originally Posted by tlc195 (Post 17557594)
Helen,

How are you getting to NF, ferry or flying? Do you plan to go anywhere else in NF besides St. John’s? Things to check out while in town.

Signal Hill

Cape Spear Lighthouse

Petty Harbor ( great fish and chips at Chafe’s Landing when 2 times that good)

Pippy Park & Memorial University Botanical Garden

Downtown area including

Waterfront

Railway Coastal Museum

Anglican Cathedral

The Rooms (history museum)

Fort Amherst (Lighthouse and Fort)

Johnson Geo Center (great Titanic Exhibit)

Castle Hill National Historic Site ( near ferry to St John’s )

Tom

Hi Tom,

I'm flying in from Calgary, so won't have seen anything in the area yet.

Kind of wondering whether to hire a car for a day or two to go further afield, would like to if there's stuff worth seeing, especially natural and/or unique sights.

I was hoping to go on a wildlife/glacier boat trip, but it seems an awful lot of money.

Thanks,
Helen.

Helen40 Apr 28th, 2024 10:31 AM


Originally Posted by Daniel_Williams (Post 17557870)
Hi helen40

Number of days is a very hard thing to suggest, as some like things more fast-paced and others like to linger more. I spent 4 full days in St. John’s a number of years ago and was happy with that. Got to do some hikes: the trails to Signal Hill and Quidi Vidi were great, easily do-able from downtown and gorgeous and had one day where I went out to see the puffins and other wildlife at Witless Bay. One day was pouring rain, which turned out fine as I went to the Rooms museum, but I was glad to have had several days, to have more chances for outings in nicer weather. I personally could have seen myself happy doing more time there, but would not have wanted to do too much less.

Best wishes

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Hikes and puffins sound good. Sounds like it might be worth a little longer.

Thanks,
Helen.

tlc195 Apr 28th, 2024 01:54 PM

Helen,

I would rent a car while in St. John’s. We spent 3 weeks on NL in 2018 and enjoyed our time beautiful place.

If you go north about 3 hours is Bonavista. Things to check out are below.Dungeon Provincial Park

The town and fishing village

The puffins in Elliston and the root cellars

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse ( some puffins here but more in Elliston)

The Matthew Museum

Bonavista has some nice places to dine.

Beware of moose while driving they are definitely around as well as bears. Once you get out of an area the next place not much around so if you are low on gas fill up! The weather was in the 60’s in August and it rained very often so bring layers and rain gear. Once you get out of St. John’s it get very rural very fast, lots of trees and more trees....lol

Have you ever been to PEI? I posted a lot of information on the island below.

Tom


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