Two days in/near St. John's, NFLD this July
 

After I finish a multi-day hike on the East Coast Trail, I'll have two days to enjoy in or near St. John's. I'd love to hear anyone's suggestions on how to spend that time. I'm more of a scenic fan than a museum buff, although history does interest me. I'm tempted to attend the Shamrock Festival in Ferryland & would be interested to hear folks' thoughts about that. I also plan to sample a pint at Quidi Vidi brewery somewhere along the way. Any other thoughts? Many thanks.

One thing we really enjoyed in St. John's is the hike up through The Battery area, up around the cliffs to Signal Hill.

Walk along behind the Newfoundland Hotel, up through the Battery, literally across front porches, and on up the trail on the cliffs. A beautiful hike that won't take that long. If you are energetic, you could even walk to Quidi Vidi for that pint!

Enjoy the East Coast Trail. It's fantastic.

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I'm from Texas and have always enjoyed my visits to Canada...

Flatrock, located 12 km outside of St. John's, is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic. The large flat rocks offer both a perfect surface for dining, as well as a beautiful vantage point for overlooking the sea.

You might see local fishermen casting from the rocks to catch cod, and if you're real lucky (like we were on a sunny August day), you might even spot a whale! :d

Yes to both Battery Hill and Flatrock.

If you will have access to a car (and your hike hasn't already taken you out that way) do go see Cape Spear.

In the city itself, the harbour is interesting...still very much a working harbour so don't expect all twee and picturesque.

You okay for places to stay? eat?

Stuart, I was hoping LJ would chime in. Any advice from LJ will not steer you wrong!!
I agree with Cape Spear too. And if you do have a car, stop in Petty Harbour on the way to the Cape ( is that right LJ?)

Yes, btw, I will have a car. My group is heading out to Cape Spear (as I understand it) before we start out on the East Coast Trail. Thank you, all, for your comments!

You might also head around toward St. Philips/Portugal Cove. What I knew as a funky little tea shop is now quite well-regarded for 'cuisine'. It is to be found overlooking the harbour where the ferry leaves for Bell Island (which has a rather interesting and quirky mining museum if you have the time for a trip and its not too windy).

There is also a fish and chip place out that way...get 'em, wrapped in paper, sit on the rocks overlooking the water and dream of the way things used to be.

Hi Stuart - You can walk to Quidi Vidi from St. John's. Take the walk through the Battery mentioned in a previous reply up to Signal Hill and at the top follow the path to Quidi Vidi. Look for whales while at the top. If you like music the Shamrock Festival is a good one; also go to George Street while in St. John's. Cape St. Mary's is a must see. I think it is about a two hour drive from St. John's.

Fabulous! Can't wait. Thank you everyone for these wonderful recommendations.

I was just going to chime in with a suggestion to visit Bell's Island and check out the mining tour. We went over mostly because our host lives near the docks (right beside the fish and chip place that LJ mentioned).

The fish n chips on Bell's Island were good, too. We never did find the beaches listed on the tourist map (the locals said that the map didn't make sense anyway - the best beach was the rocky one near the ferry docks where we'd picnicked.)
We were pleasantly surprised at how much we, and our then-5 year olds, got out of the mining tour. I'd never been in a mine before. The stories and images were memorable.
Bell Island is best done with a car, though -- if you won't have access to one (or dn't want to rent one), then sticking in and around St John's will still give you a lot to see and do.

A few must-do things for us in St John's:
The Battery and Queen's Hill
The legislature (I'm a political junkie but all of us found it interesting)
The Rooms - a new museum/art gallery complex
The science/geology centre up near Battery Hill (my husband is a bit of a science geek, and the kids found it fascinating)