Johnson Geo Centre
Johnson Geo Centre
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Cut from the ancient rock of Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, the Johnson Geo Centre takes you deep underground to experience the story of planet Earth. Discover our planet's incredible history, the numerous species of corals that live off our coast, learn about the volcanoes, earthquakes, and natural forces that shape the very ground beneath our feet, and so much more. Explore the interactive exhibits on your own or join our interpreters on a guided tour. The kids will love playing in the Hibernia KidsPlace and experiencing our multimedia film complete with rain and lightning. Be sure to visit Geo Gifts to find the perfect keepsake. Then, take your learning outside with a walk through our Geo Vista Park. At the Johnson Geo Centre, we'll show you Earth from the inside, out! The Geo Centre is wheelchair accessible and offers free, off-street parking. Bus parking also available.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- 3000caloriesBuffalo, New York1,787 contributionsNo free entry at any time but still fun for the free stuffInteresting rock exhibit outside the hall and my kids loved the store. We didn’t go into the inside exhibit because they were closing in 30 minutes and said they still needed to charge us the entry fee. Also there were lots of signs explaining that various things aren’t working.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 4, 2024
- Daniel L6 contributionsA Hidden GemThe underground exhibit is comprehensive and rich. There are programs every half an hour, such as live science experiments. There are interactive displays and events by their interpreters. My children love it better than many museums in bigger cities!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 11, 2024
- backpacker31Boynton Beach, Florida5,957 contributionsMake this Your First Stop in St. John’sMy mom and I visited this museum in a rain day - perfect indoor activity. We took a 3 minute taxi ride from our downtown hotel to the museum. We spent over 3.5 hours here! The exhibits on the regional geology as well as the offshore natural oil/gas were fascinating. Many interactive exhibits are available - the kids seemed to really enjoy these. We both came away feeling as if we really learned so much about the area. The following day, on a walk in Quidi Vidi, we found ourselves commenting on the various rocks/formations that we had just learned about. Only complaint is there is no cafe or food available on site. Otherwise, this is a must-see for all ages when in St. John’s.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten September 7, 2024
- Herb IDanville, Pennsylvania202 contributionsGeology REALLY well done!!On our way up Signal Hill we noticed this museum. We always enjoy a good science museum and this one did NOT disappoint! Really well done history of earth and excellent geology presentations. Of the earth and locally in Newfoundland. My wife is a geologist and thought it was REALLY well done. Definitely worth a visit!Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten September 7, 2024
- Karen BFEdmonton, Canada701 contributionsTake the kids. Loads of hands on activitiesTheir slogan is to 'go under the rock,' which you sort of do in this massive geology museum. It explains the geography of Signal Hill and all of St. John's, and has immersive displays of space and science. Adults without a bent towards these subjects may find it a bit too much reading, or out of their sphere of understanding. But science buffs and kids will love it.Visited August 2024Travelled with friendsWritten September 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
812 reviews
Excellent
486
Very good
226
Average
85
Poor
10
Terrible
5
Kenneth B
Hancock, MA117 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
For child or the child within you
This is a must stop. After you arrive, you take an elevator that takes you down not only in feet but in time. The displays are well constructed with lots of hands on opportunities for the kids and kids at heart. I loved how the incorporated the native rock into the building to tell the story
This is a must stop. After you arrive, you take an elevator that takes you down not only in feet but in time. The displays are well constructed with lots of hands on opportunities for the kids and kids at heart. I loved how the incorporated the native rock into the building to tell the story
Written August 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackhl
14 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The Johnson Geo Centre is right on the way to Signal Hill and well worth the visit. Built deep into the rock of Signal Hill it the self guided tour is simple with staff available if your have any questions. Don’t miss the walking trials behind the centre.
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateSussexUK
Bognor Regis, UK79 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We really enjoyed this fascinating museum. The exhibits are well displayed and explanations are clear. We did only manage about half of the museum due to time constraints, but we were there for nearly row hours. The short film is well worth watching..
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bucko007
Sudbury, Canada1,121 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Living in Sudbury Ontario it is difficult when visiting other Science Centres. There was virtually no one there. Should have been an indication of what was to come. The exhibit did give a good synopsis of the geology of NL. Many of the other exhibits seemed a bit basic. Dynamic Earth and Science North in Sudbury is a much better bang for your buck. It has much more hands on exhibits than this centre.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie L
Halifax, Canada12 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Tons of information about rocks and planets. Influence of the Oil & Gas industry is apparent. Almost no engagement with Indigenous culture and knowledge. If you like geology and want to touch rocks/minerals/etc, then this is the spot for you. If you don't (like me), then this might be a pass.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin L
Tiny, Canada387 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
It was raining at signal hill so I thought I would stop in. It may be great for kids but I did not find it that interesting. Everything is underground and you get to see the different rock formations but there is not a lot else. I would recommend going to the Rooms instead if it is a rainy day, much more to see
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael L
4 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
I was told to stop in here on my way to Signal Hill, I ended up doing so on my way back and that might have been for the better! Seeing the Great Rock Wall underneath after taking in the view of the ocean was a spectacular experience. I was there for about an hour but could have stayed for longer. Well worth the (reasonable) price of admission. The staff was friendly and seemed to have good understanding of the exhibits.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley
27 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Fantastic place to stop for two or three hours, especially if a rainy or foggy day. Great displays and informative videos. Many displays you can touch and interact with. Great for people of all ages.
Written June 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SLH
St. John's, Canada313 contributions
Jul 2022
For me, its more or less a thing you do once and not again. No travelling exhibit. A bit of a dated feel. I liked the theatre that that discussed NL. Interesting geological artifacts as one would expect. Would've been nice to see a bit more of our Labrador portion of the province detailed. Gift shop very underwhelming. Could def, use a refresh and some creativity here.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explorer22004
2 contributions
Since my husband is a keen amateur geologist, we really looked forward to visiting the Johnson Geo Centre. We discovered a science centre which was in its first year of operation, and it showed.
The displays were both too basic, and too boring. Not enough was hands-on (with the exception of a whole bunch of large rock samples); instead, most of the budget seems to have been invested in videos, which were not well set-up for viewing. I've been to a number of other Canadian science centres (Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alexander Graham Bell Centre, Ontario Science Centre) and the best (and usual) setup for videos is to provide a small (4-12 seat) theatre for each one, so that several people can catch each screening, without having to block out the noise from the rest of the science centre. But here, the only way to see the videos was to stand up and watch a small TV screen, and try to filter out the background noise.
There was one interpreter on the main level the entire time that we were there, and he was clearly unclear on what his role was; in fact, he seemed quite reluctant to interact with the visitors at all.
With so many great large and small science centres to learn from in Canada, it was frankly rather dismaying to find this brand new one to be such a disappointment, and repeating many of the errors of bad design from 20 years ago. I hope that things will improve as the Geo Centre finds its feet in the next few years.
The displays were both too basic, and too boring. Not enough was hands-on (with the exception of a whole bunch of large rock samples); instead, most of the budget seems to have been invested in videos, which were not well set-up for viewing. I've been to a number of other Canadian science centres (Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alexander Graham Bell Centre, Ontario Science Centre) and the best (and usual) setup for videos is to provide a small (4-12 seat) theatre for each one, so that several people can catch each screening, without having to block out the noise from the rest of the science centre. But here, the only way to see the videos was to stand up and watch a small TV screen, and try to filter out the background noise.
There was one interpreter on the main level the entire time that we were there, and he was clearly unclear on what his role was; in fact, he seemed quite reluctant to interact with the visitors at all.
With so many great large and small science centres to learn from in Canada, it was frankly rather dismaying to find this brand new one to be such a disappointment, and repeating many of the errors of bad design from 20 years ago. I hope that things will improve as the Geo Centre finds its feet in the next few years.
Written January 14, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be coming in September on a Seabourn Cruise. Is there transportation available to the Geo Center from the cruise port?
Written August 4, 2019
JohnsonGeoCentre
St. John's, Canada
We would recommend hopping on "The Link" to travel up Signal Hill and back. You can find out more information about this service by searching "Metrobus Link" in your search engine. (Unfortunately, it is against TripAdvisor policy to post web links here).
Written August 5, 2019
JohnsonGeoCentre
St. John's, Canada
Thank you for your question and interest in the centre. The Johnson GEO CENTRE houses a Titanic Story gallery with replica artifacts and models of the ship. The wreck itself can be found at the bottom of the ocean about 350 miles from the Johnson GEO CENTRE.
Written April 23, 2019
Is there still free admission for MUN students?
Written January 12, 2017
JohnsonGeoCentre
St. John's, Canada
Thanks for your question and interest in the GEO CENTRE. Yes, we still offer free admission to MUN students, faculty and staff when you present your MUN ID. In addition to free admission, your MUN ID will also save you 10% on gift shop purchases, facility rentals and select events! Hope to see you soon!
Written January 13, 2017
dlrgraham
Atlanta, Georgia
What are your hours at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John's? Is there a discount price for seniors (>65 years)?
Written July 11, 2016
JohnsonGeoCentre
St. John's, Canada
The Johnson GEO CENTRE is open to the public 9:30-5, 7 days a week, except on Mondays from January to mid-March and a few key holidays.
Our Senior's rate (60 plus) is $9.00.
Written August 10, 2016
povera1945
Burlington, Canada
We are staying at the Delta Hotel. How do we get to the Geo?
Written May 25, 2016
JohnsonGeoCentre
St. John's, Canada
Thank you for your question and interest in GEO. Our general admission is $12/adult.
Written June 8, 2016
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