I'll be spending two weeks in Nfld. in June - arriving in St. Johns. Please tell me the "must see" areas. So far I've got Cape Spears and Bay Bulls. I'll be there for 2 weeks and I'm prepared to travel around. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi Edward:

Must sees are Signal Hill, do the trail if you are in shape, exceptional views. You may see a few ice bergs, in later June you might see the capelin roll, and then there's some whale watching, bird watching tours. George Street is usually on everyone's to do list for CFA's and locals alike. Fantastic older churches, older homes, Commissariate (sp?) House, the GEO center, Quidi Vidi, The Battery, The Gut. Stop by the Tourism booths set up around the city for a walking map and if you are looking outside St. John's connect to www.hospitality.nf.ca for more info. Enjoy us.

Denise

You might want to get the free 2004 copy of the Doer's and Dreamer's Guide from the NFLD website. It's a very good vacation planner and has lots of ideas.

How far are you willing to drive, edward? The Trinity area is interesting. Driving further west will take you to Twilingate where you should take a boat out to see the baby bergs float by along 'Iceberg Alley'. Gros Morne National Park is magnificant and if you travel that far, I'd recommend driving to the northern tip of the island to the Viking site at L'Anse aux Meadows. It's a beautiful province and its people are so genuine. Enjoy your time in Newfoundland

If you go south from St John's, Ferryland is very interesting. There is an archelogical dig there as it has been continuously occupied since early 1600's plus a really nice walk to the light house. Down's Inn is a tremendous place to stay as innkeeper Aidan Costello is just a wealth of knowledge. Every morning at breakfast we watched the whales spouting in the harbor. Further south the fossil beds just before Trepassy are amazing and then St Schott and Cape Pine area. Last year in early July we saw the caribou herds. It is also worthwhile to make time to go out to Cape St Mary. It was unforgettable. I also agree that Trinity is a great place and driving out to the tip of Bonavista Pennisula to Bonavista is worthwhile. We spent an entire day there by the lighthouse just watching the puffins and whales from shore. If you like to hike or walk at all, you should look into the East coast Trail.

Enjoy your trip - we are going back again this year!

Edward,

All of the advice above is excellent!

If you are earlier than late June you might not see humpback whales at Witless Bay [Bay Bulls] but the seabirds are very impressive - 10's of thousands of puffins, murres, kittiwakes etc. June can be good for icebergs at Witless Bay some years as well.

Right in St. John's the 'battery' area is great for a stroll and to get the feeling of an authentic fishing village.

Just south of Cape Spear is the village of Petty Harbour - another very pretty drive.

Following down the Southern Shore, Ferryland, as mentioned in another post has an interesting archeological dig.

Still further south, Chance Cove Provincial Park is another 'out of the way' spot where you have a good chance of seeing gray seals along the shore.

Travelling further south you will enter the 'barrens' - an arctic -like landscape with fascinating dwarf plants and a sizeable herd of Woodland Caribou.

Cape Race is accessed by a road a short drive south of Chance Cove. IF it is not socked in with fog this is a scenic drive along a reasonably good coastal road to historic Cape Race Lighhouse. The first distress signals from the Titanic were received here. Lighthouse tours are available and there is a small interpretive building.

The Trepassey Motel is basic but has a decent restaurant and friendly hosts.

Katrina mentioned Cape Pine - one of my favourite places. The access road is just a bit south of the highway, off of the road to St. Shott's. This is one of the best places to see caribou, although in June the mothers and calves might still be mainly a bit west of there over toward Peter's River. Drive down to Cape Pine Light and if it is clear explore the cliff side for the razorblls and puffins nesting there.
Somewhere along the Cape Pine road get out and take a walk on the barrens. You will be surprised at the variety of miniature plants and wildflowers you will encounter.
There is usually a red fox den about 3/4 of the way to the lighthouse, on the left side of the road. Watching the fox pups can be fun!

Traveling west from Trepassey you will soon come to St. Vincent's beach. You will see a small paved parking area on the left just before a long causeway. When the capelin [little smelt-like fish] are spawning here it can be filled with birds and whales. Generally any time from mid /late June through July there is an excellent chance of seeing humpback whales here very close to shore.
In the village of St. Vincent's stop by the little museum. Few people do and there are usually a couple of student's there eager to share the community's history.

Cape St. Mary's is an absolute must-see. Their interpretive Center is excellent, the scenery is superb and the seabird colony - especially the 11,000 Northern Gannets - is
awe-inspiring. Whale watching from the cliffs and lookout can be very good here.
A friendly, comfortable , motel nearby is the Bird Island Resort in St. Bride's.

Edward, this is just a sample of areas close to St. John's - if you want other suggestions further afield please let me know!

We are returning for the eighth time this summer - drawn back by the landscapes, incredible wildlife, the music and especially by the wonderful people.

cheers

Jerry
Toronto, Ontario

I've really enjoyed this thread! My husband and I are headed to Nfld in August for 2 weeks on the Avalon peninsula..lots of good information here about what to see. Thanks!! Are there any tips for getting around St. John's? My husband had a knee replacement last year and we still have to take it a bit easy for him on walking the hills. I'll take some short hikes while he admires the views and does some photography and music writing not far from the car or a place to sit.

I don't think parking is really a problem in St. John's. For instance, places like Signal Hill, your husband could drop you off at the trail down around the Narrows or even further up and then drive to the top (Signal Hill) and park in the parking lot. Lots of benches, etc. up there. If we were heading out for a day trip we usually stopped down town to buy sandwhiches or coffee on the way back. We always found street parking. I do believe there are some municipal lots. St. John's is very hilly, however some of the streets have steps carved into the sidewalk. A fun place to visit is the Geo Center. No hills there Enjoy your visit. It is an absolutely wonderful place.

Sorry I need a fast reply. How far are these great places from St. John's. Be on a cruise there from 9-5. Would love to find a DRIVER w/car.
Thanks Marge

www.marge, this site was suggested to me and it has been just perfect with estimating travel time:
http://www.stats.gov.nl.ca/DataTools...ce/Default.asp

It allows you to select a starting town and a destination, and then it calculates miles or kilometers per hour for you!

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the "capelin roll" ??

Dear Syv:

Capelin are a small fish somewhat like a smelt but bigger I think. Years ago they would roll onto the beaches in waves at the end of June or beginning of July. If you were lucky to be in Middle Cove outside of St. John's or Bears Cove or Bishops Cove in Conception Bay North you could pick them up by the handfull. Nowadays they roll much later in July (global warming??). You can cook them fresh, or dry them and have as a pub snack. They can be found at most grocery stores in the dried form.

No one really responded to Marge's query (about 3 posts up), and now I have the same one. N'f'land will be a cruise stop for us (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.) next Sept. (1st week), and I'm wondering what we might look forward to seeing in a quick overview...?

We've been to Nova Scotia (oh, Cape Breton!!!!!)and to New Brunswick in the past, but never N'f'land, so quite eager and curious. Thanks!

If I only had from 9 to 5:00, I would find a way to get out to Cape Spear Lighthouse. If I remember correctly it is about a 20 to 30 minute drive from St. John's. It is the furtherest eastern point in North America. There is a historic lighthouse with interpreters, the current light house, an interesting WWII battery, and lighthouse pictures in one of the outbuildings. The East Coast Trail is right there and you could walk along the coast and depending on the time of year perhaps spot whales or ice bergs. When I was done I would head back to St. John's. I would have the driver drop me at the top of Signal Hill. Great views and if you wanted you could follow the trail down hill to the Narrows and the Battery and walk on down to the Harbor where the cruiseships dock. If you were not inclined to walk down from Signal Hill, I would consider the Geo Center or see if there was time to go on a walking tour in the city. If there was still time, I would walk on down to a little seafood restaurant and have a bowl of chowder. The one I am thinking off is right off Gower Street but I cannot remember the name. It is something like Bucky's. I suspect you will experience enough right in St. John's area that you will leave knowing you have to go back. The outlying areas are even better than the city but you will be so rushed you will not have enough time to enjoy yourself.

Thanks Katrina for that info! We are LH guides at a Wisconsin light, so Cape Spear sounds like it's def worth a visit. (formerly posted as arjay).