St John's Tourist Attractions

Top Tourist Attractions in St John's

The capital of Newfoundland, undisputedly the oldest "European" town in North America, occupies a spectacular site on one of the finest natural harbors in the world.

Entered through "the Narrows", a 200 m (660 ft) wide passage flanked by cliffs 150 m (490 ft) high, the harbor widens out into a basin some 800 m (2625 ft) across, surrounded by steep rocky slopes on which St John's is built.

Typical of St John's are the traditional square, flat-roofed, wooden houses painted in different colors. Many date back to Victorian times; sadly however, because of the many fires to engulf the town in the 18th and 19th c., few have survived from earlier years. The city still retains a very unique look and feel compared with other cities across Canada.

Name

The city was named after St John the Baptist, John Cabot having reputedly discovered Newfoundland on June 24th (sic!) 1497.

History

Whatever uncertainty surrounds the exact date of its discovery, there is no doubt that, from about 1500, the harbor was used as a base by fishing vessels from various European countries, leading to Britain's claiming official possession in 1583 in the reign of Elizabeth I.

There followed a long period during which, having developed into a thriving fishery and trading post, St John's was "governed" by a succession of ruthless "Fishing Admirals".

In subsequent centuries British possession was disputed with the Dutch, Portuguese, Spaniards and particularly the French. In addition St John's was attacked on a number of occasions by pirates. British sovereignty was finally confirmed in 1762 following a short period of French occupation.

In the 19th c. under British rule the city developed rapidly as a center of commerce, despite being devastated several times by fire - in 1892 it was almost completely rebuilt. Its prosperity continued into the early 20th c. and was revived during the Second World War when St John's became the departure point for North Atlantic convoys. In 1949 Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation, a development which resulted in the city's decline. But recent years have seen the capital revitalized, especially following the discovery of oil reserves offshore.

Transatlantic communication

The city played an historic part in the development of transport and communications. It was in St John's that the first transatlantic wireless signal was received in 1901 and it was also from St John's that John Alcock and Arthur Brown took off on the first successful non-stop flight across the Atlantic.

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Signal Hill National Historic Park

Perhaps St John's biggest tourist attraction, Signal Hill National Historic Park provides fantastic views over the harbor and surrounding area. The park is large and requires a good amount of walking.

Highlights:	Cabot Tower	Queen's Battery Barracks

Quidi Vidi, Canada

Quidi Vidi, a delightful little fishing community which forms part of St John's, is situated on a small cliff-enclosed inlet on the north side of Signal Hill. A narrow channel links the inlet with Quidi Vidi Lake, where the oldest sporting event in North America, the annual St John's Regatta, is held.

The now restored Quidi Vidi Battery overlooking the inlet was built during the French occupation of St John's. In 1780, after the British regained control, the battery was strengthened and used as a garrison by British troops until their withdrawal from Newfoundland in 1870. What is possibly the oldest house in British Canada, built in 1740, survives within the fort (it was used by the British as a dressing post during the Battle of Signal Hill). In 1967 the Battery was restored for the centenary celebrations.

Basilica of St John the Baptist

On Military Road, on the highest point of the ridge above the city (fine view over the Narrows), stands Newfoundland's architecturally most important building, the Basilica of St John the Baptist (1842-92). Built in the form of a Latin cross and graced by slender twin towers 42 m (138 ft) high, the Basilica is noted for some fine statues and its beautiful ornate gold leaf ceiling. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima in one of the transepts was a gift from Portuguese sailors who were fortunate enough to survive being shipwrecked on the Banks. The basilica is now a National Historic Site.

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Anglican Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Also dedicated to St John the Baptist, the Anglican cathedral on Church Hill (a short distance south of the basilica) is likewise a National Historic Site. The cathedral, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1849, was designed by Gilbert Scott and ranks among the finest examples of pure neo-Gothic architecture in North America. It also has fine interior furnishings.

After suffering serious damage in two major 19th c. fires the cathedral was not restored until 1905. Among other valuable treasures kept in the chapter-house is a gold communion vessel presented by William IV.

Newfoundland Museum (Closed)

THIS ATTRACTION IS CLOSED

The Newfoundland Museum, just across the road from the Anglican cathedral, traces the history of Newfoundland and Labrador back 9000 years, with exhibits dating from prehistoric as well as colonial times. One section includes an excellent collection of Indian art while another is devoted to the lives of the European pioneers who settled the province - from the hardships of the fisher folk to the elegant drawing rooms of the prosperous city dwellers.

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Colonial Building

Built in 1850 of white Irish limestone and embellished with a Classical portico, the Colonial Building in Military Road, St John's was until 1960 the seat of the Newfoundland government (afterwards the provincial parliament moved into the newly erected Confederation Building). The old building now houses the provincial archives.

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The Rooms

The Provincial Museum, The Provincial Archives and the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador are housed in The Rooms in St John's. This cultural centre is a good place to begin for those looking to gain an understanding of the local culture and history.

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Commissariat House

Standing next to one another in King's Bridge Road Commissariat House and the little Anglican Church of St Thomas make an attractive ensemble. The house (built between 1819 and 1821) and the church (1836) are among the few buildings to have escaped the devastating fires in the 19th c. The restored Georgian-style house was the headquarters of a Commissariat responsible for keeping the St John's military post supplied. An Interpretive Center in the adjoining reconstructed coach house illustrates how the house was restored.

Arts and Culture Centre

Strikingly modern in its architecture the Arts and Culture Center in St John's, on Prince Philip Drive was built in 1967 for the centenary celebrations. It plays a leading part in the province's cultural life and incorporates a quite exceptional theatre, two art galleries, a museum of the sea, three libraries and a commercial art school.

War Memorial

The War Memorial (1924) on Water Street East in St John's stands on the spot where in 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed possession of the colony in the name of Queen Elizabeth I.

Murray Premises

The harborside Murray Premises are restored mercantile buildings dating from 1847, now converted into shops, restaurants and offices and containing a branch of the Newfoundland Museum. Opened in 1983 the branch is devoted to the natural, military and maritime history of the province, including the development of maritime trade, underwater archaeology, navigation, cartography and shipwrecks.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Science Centre (Closed)

THIS ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.

The Newfoundland & Labrador Science Centre in St John's is targeted towards children and aims to inspire an interest in science and technology. There are outreach programs only available.

George Street

With its many restaurants George Street is a popular city center rendezvous in St John's.

In the evenings George Street is closed to traffic making it a pleasant area to walk around with lots of entertainment options and live music.

Water Street

For more than 400 years Water Street, one of the oldest streets in North America, was the commercial center of St John's. It is still the meeting place for sailors from all over the world, with a host of inviting shops, restaurants and bars.

Confederation Building

Occupying a site high above the rest of the city of St John's the Confederation Building is the seat of Newfoundland's provincial government. It is also the location of a permanent exhibition which includes some of the best of the province's art both traditional and experimental.

Longshoremen's Protective Union Hall

The Longshoremen's Protective Union Hall at the bottom of Victoria Street in St John's (referred to simply as the LSPU) is home to the highly successful Resource Centre for the Arts. The company stages a wide variety of modern and classical plays, including works by Newfoundland authors. Interesting art exhibitions are mounted in the gallery of this lively cultural and social center. It is also a center for municipal activities.

C.A. Pippy Park

Situated on the northern perimeter of St John's, is C.A. Pippy Park (opened in 1968). There are walkers' trails, picnic places, a golf course and a children's animal farm.

C.A. Pippy Park is also the location of a botanical garden belonging to St John's Memorial University. The garden occupies some 42 ha (100 acres) of undulating ground and incorporates the about 6 ha (15 acre) Ox Pond. Spruce and fir, bog, heath and alder intersperse with rocky outcrops and natural landscape.

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Fluvarium

Have you ever wondered what lies just beneath the surface of that beautiful river or stream? At the St John's Fluvarium you can peer beneath the surface without getting wet. Visitors can peer through nine large glass windows into the world beneath the surface. The Fluvarium underwater section is divided into three different ecosystems; a shallow pool, a riffle area, and a deep pool. Several different species of fish including trout can be seen along with a variety of aquatic vegetation. Informative display boards provide helpful facts for visitors. The St John's Fluvarium is unique. It is the only public Fluvarium in North America.

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Bowring Park

Bowring Park in St John's is a little gem in the city that is continually developing, and a great place to be during the summer. This green space has a number of interesting water features, statue, and amphitheatre. One of the newest additions to this park is the Fountain Pond, which was opened in 2008. Bowring Park is also expanding to include a children's play area and splash park.

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Johnson GEO Centre

Johnson GEO Centre in St John's presents interactive exhibits that describe the earth's geological history, cultural history, and other unique displays. A visual presentation shows the development of the earth throughout history. In addition to this there are The GEO Centre itself is uniquely designed to incorporate the surrounding rocky terrain.

Saint John's - East Coast Trial

The East Coast Trail is a 540 km long hiking trail that runs along the East Coast of Newfoundland. The trail starts north of St John's at Pouch Cove and runs south to Cappahayden. There are a number of different access points that allow you to hike individual sections of the trail. This is a great way to see some of the rugged landscape and beautiful scenery of the Avalon Peninsula.

Railway Coastal Museum

St John's Railway Coastal Museum, housed in the restored 1903 Newfoundland Railway Station, exhibits the 150 year history of the Newfoundland Railway and Coastal Boat services. Some of the highlights include model trains, themed exhibits, the train park, as well as posters and books.

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