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Best Free Things to Do in St. John's
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in St. John's
Best Free Things to Do in St. John's
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What travellers are saying
- mickey448Prince George, Canada211 contributionsThis was a great place to visit. Lots of history. There's accessible paths to get to the Cabot Tower too. Amazing views to enjoy as wellWritten September 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,340 contributionsCape Spear is the Easternmost point in North America. During World War II, there were tunnels and a gun emplacement at Fort Cape Spear. Cape Spear is noted for its lighthouses, the easternmost in North America. The modern lighthouse was built in 1955 to replace the original one. The historic lighthouse was built in 1836. It is now a museum which shows how the lighthouse keepers lived in the 1830s. Take the time to explore this place.Written October 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CannuckkLangley, Canada381 contributionsI did the Cape Spear to Maddox Cove section of the trail, which is almost two different hikes in a way.
The section to North Head ( distance wise about half way I think, but time wise, maybe a third of my 4 hour hike time) is easy, fairly flat, proper hiking footwear desirable but not essential. Beautiful “high” views of the cliffs and seaside. I’d seen a few reviews online of people who did this section and then returned to Cape Spear. Based on those reviews I was expecting a fairly easy 10k hike of about 3 hours ( and that’s what I told my wife, who was going to pick me up in Maddox Cove). I was a bit off base though. The last half to Maddox Cove is significantly more challenging, requiring some scrambling up and down rock ridges, watching out for very uneven footing, and interpreting some rather indistinct trail sections that made me wonder from time to time if I was going the right way. I went from wondering why I’d brought the damn hiking poles I’d carried for the first half of my hike to being very glad I had them on the second. Not to mention being glad I’d worn my hiking boots.
None of this is to say that I didn’t enjoy the second half of the hike, as it provided some very different scenic views and a sense of accomplishment for a 66 year old who counts himself as only moderately fit.
Beware that you won’t have a cell signal for a good chunk of the second half of this hike, so give yourself some wiggle room as far as timing is concerned, if you have someone expecting you at the finish,Written October 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mike from Rival TownNiagara Falls, Canada1,114 contributionsThis place was definitely always live! So much going on with a lot of fun people. We always enjoyed walking through here and drinking. It reminds me of Hess Village back in Hamilton, ON except way better!Written June 12, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA18,945 contributionsOne of the best attractions in town. You will find many streets that are lined with wooden row houses that are painted in different bright colors. We once rented a tourist apartment in one of them. Be prepared to climb steep hills. Great opportunity for colorful photos.Written August 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,340 contributionsQuidi Vidi Village was once a fishing village, but now it is a neighbourhood in St. John's. It is a scenic spot to go for a walk. The Quidi Vidi Gut connects Quidi Vidi Lake with the Atlantic Ocean. Note the many fishing boats. I walked around the village to the Quidi Vidi Village Residents Memorial Park and saw beautiful Wild Roses.Written October 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PenstarFairlawn, OH95 contributionsBeautiful. Plenty of people so I never worried about being alone. Started at the top and walked down.
Highly recommended.Written August 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Julie DVancouver1,075 contributionsThey give tours in summer months, but you have to inquire on off months to possibly get one. There were only 4 of us and I first inquired back in February 2024 about having a tour in September. I ended up in contact with the executive director of the foundation which now owns the church. He arranged a time for us to show up and that it would cost $20 a person to get an hour tour.
When we showed up, it turned out they were having generator problems and we would have to tour the Cathedral in the dark. But it was only for a few minutes and then the lights came back on. The executive director was the one who gave us the tour which turned out to be almost hours long. He showed us all over the interior and we were all very impressed with his abundant knowledge of the history of such a beautiful building. He even played one of the two organs for us. We ended up donation $25 a person for the tour. It was well worth it.
By the way, my friend's husband hadn't been eager to take the tour, but by the time we finished, he was very happy we had come.Written October 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,340 contributionsI went up Signal Hill to see the Cabot Tower, built in 1897 to celebrate Queens Victoria's diamond jubilee and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot. In front is the Noon Day Gun, which fired a shot at noon to let people know the time. Go to the top for some nice views.Written October 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert DBrooklyn, New York5,340 contributionsI took a bus to the Terry Fox Monument. Terry Fox is one of Canada's greatest inspirational heroes. He was born the same year as I was, but in 1977 was diagnosed with bone cancer. He lost a leg to that cancer and he wanted to raise money for cancer research. He decided to run across Canada in what he called "The Marathon of Hope". Mile Zero is in St. John's. The monument stands at the spot where he began his journey. Unfortunately he was unable to complete his cross-country race. His cancer returned and he died in 1980 at age 22.Written October 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA18,945 contributionsA very pretty city park where we spend some time relaxing on a sunny day. It is located away from the honky tonk and the busy bars, so it is a calming place.Written August 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 3000caloriesBuffalo, NY1,724 contributionsThis was a fantastic walk. The scenery and pathway varies as you move around the lake. The kids loved it, especially the great photos we could take.Written July 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- backpacker31Boynton Beach, FL5,968 contributionsI first walked this trail back in the summer of 2019. It made such an impression on me that I returned (with my adventurous 78 year-old mother) in September, 2024. After walking from Quidi Vidi we stopped at Dominion for some sandwiches prior to heading off onto Rennie’s River Trail (which is adjacent to the supermarket). We loved the tranquil nature of the trail, always within earshot of the river. There is a perfect mix of shaded and sunny sections. The trail is very well maintained and relatively flat, with mild undulations that give just enough calf exercise. The only steep section has a staircase built into the trail. We admired the lovely homes adjacent to the trail, passed several parks and took advantage of the numerous benches found along the trail to rest. Although the trail is not far from downtown St. John’s, it felt like we were somewhere out in the countryside. I am grateful I had the opportunity to return to Rennie’s and share this special experience with my mom.Written September 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- empathologyRotterdam, The Netherlands617 contributionsDwarfed by the Catholic basilica up the hill, this Anglican cathedral) also called St Johns) shouldn't be over-looked. It felt very closely modelled on traditional English churches & cathedrals (and I've been to a great many), so this felt like a slice of England.
Simple yet elegant, it's not the biggest but it's a lovely building that doesn't shout out its position - just a nice restful soothing place for worship.
Come and compare with its Catholic cousin up the road.Written August 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - solaris_peteRichmond, Canada331 contributionsSt. john's is a very quaint town/city in Nfld. We came in on a cruise ship and as the cruise ship was rolling in the residents greeted us with signs and friendly waves at the mouth of the harbour. It was a very nice experience and gesture.
The mouth of the port is very narrow so it was an experience watching the large cruise ship navigate and dock at the terminal.
The city/town is actually quite small, and most of the sites are very walkable but there is some uphill. We opted to take an Uber to visit Signal Hill. I highly recommend this site as it's very picturesque and right on top of a hill which oversees the full harbour. It claims the walk is 45 min but it's uphill and a bit steep at some parts... Definitely walkable but can proven to be strenuous in hot summer day... Uber from downtown was only like $13.
We arrived on a sunday and the main downtown streets were closed to traffic. There was a few shops and eateries on the streets for shopping but we didn't find anything too interesting for our tastes. Lot of souvenir gift shops and some men and ladies proper clothing stores.
overall St. john's is worth a visit, but probably one day is enough for usWritten September 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
