Only have two days to spend in Canada’s oldest city? No problem! St. John’s, Newfoundland packs a big punch. So much charm, history, and some of the most scenic views I’ve ever seen. Here is how to spend two days in St. John’s, Newfoundland!
Read More: 5 Tips for Your Trip to Newfoundland
Day 1: Best of St. John’s
Start your two days in St. John’s strong by hitting some of the highlights in and around the city! Wander downtown, explore small fishing villages, get out to the coast, and then end your night in true Newfoundland fashion: at a pub, of course!
Breakfast & Exploring St. John’s
Your two days in St. John’s must start with fuel. And there is no better place to grab a hearty breakfast than at Bagel Cafe! This whimsical cafe has been awarded as the best breakfast in St. John’s many times, and for a good reason! The portions are hearty and everything was delicious. Afterward, spend some time strolling downtown St. John’s before the rest of the world wakes up. Take a walk by Jellybean Row and beyond to admire the colorful rowhouses. A morning stroll down on Harbour Drive will be a peaceful start to your day, and you may even catch boats (or a cruise ship!) coming in to the docks.
Quidi Vidi
Next, make your way out to the charming historical fishing village of Quidi Vidi! This town is small with tight, narrow roads so getting here early to find parking will be imperative. Stroll through the small town along “The Gut”, which is what the harbor entrance is called. Stop for a pint and a bite to eat at the famous Quidi Vidi Brewery, and then pop in to the Quidi Vidi Artisan Studios for authentic Newfoundland-made goods! I loved standing on the bridge outside the studios and just staring out at the water and large rock formations. We even saw a river otter!
Hiking a section of the East Coast Trail
The East Coast Trail is a coastal hiking trail that hugs the east coast of the island. While the entire trail is over 330 kilometers long, take some time during your two days in St. John’s to do a section of the trail! I can think of no better than the section at Cobbler’s Path. This out-and-back trail is only about 3 kilometers long and gives incredible sea and cliff views. At the end, you can even hike out onto the peninsula to be completely surrounded by the sea. It’s surreal! Park your car at the end of Dorian’s Lane here, and you’ll see the trailhead right at the circle. This was one of my favorite things to do in Newfoundland!
Sunset at Signal Hill
To start closing out a perfect first day in St. John’s, make your way up to Signal Hill. This National Historic Site sits atop the highest point in the city and overlooks the harbor and St. John’s. Cabot Tower sits at the top of the hill and the area is home to many historic military sites. It’s also where the first transatlantic wireless radio signal was received in 1901 (the letter “S” in Morse Code). Take a rest on one of the many benches that face downtown and watch the sun slowly set behind the city. If you have time, there are plenty of coastal boardwalk hikes to also do here!
End the night on George Street
Once the sun has set, make your way to the famous George Street! This small pedestrian-only street is packed with pubs, restaurants, and live music. In fact, this two-block stretch is one of the highest concentrations of pubs per square foot in North America! Take a slow stroll and pop into whichever one catches your attention. Listen for musicians playing anything from traditional Newfoundland folk songs to Beyonce. I spent some time in Green Sleeves and Kelly’s for a cider and to listen to music. Both were great, but the win goes to Kelly’s as the singer was fantastic and played my favorite sea shanty!
Day 2: St. John’s and Beyond
For your second of your two days in St. John’s, you’ll dive a little deeper into the city, and also hit some highlights just a short drive outside of town! An incredible sunrise, nature, wildlife, and good food await!
Sunrise at Cape Spear
There is absolutely no better way to start your second of two days in St. John’s than with a sunrise at Cape Spear! Cape Spear is a National Historic Site and is also home to the most easternmost point in North America. Which means that Cape Spear is the very first place in the entire continent to see the sun rise! Make your way out before “first light” to allow time to park and walk out to the viewing area. Enjoy listening to the sea crash against the rocks while you wait to be the first people on the continent to see the sun! After it rises, do not miss exploring some of the WWII bunkers and battery. And a walk up to view the lighthouse is an absolute must!
Toutons at Classic Cafe East
After an incredible sunrise, it’s time for some grub! Make your way back into downtown St. John’s for an authentic Newfoundland breakfast: toutons! Classic Cafe East on Duckworth Street is known for having some of the best toutons in the city. This cafe has no frills, but if you’re looking for a classic diner breakfast, you’re in the right spot. Toutons are basically just pan-fried fried dough. They are typically served with a side of molasses, but I opted to try other toppings with mine like maple syrup, peanut butter, and jams. Any place where fried dough for breakfast is acceptable is a place for me!
Take a wildlife boat tour
After you’ve fueled up, make your way just a bit south of St. John’s to the small town of Bay Bulls. Here, get on a 2-hour wildlife boat tour with O’Brien’s. O’Brien’s offers boat tours around the bay and out to the Witless Bay Islands. No matter what season you visit in, wildlife will be abundant! In the summer, you’ll have the opportunity to see humpbacks, orcas, and minke whales! Puffins also make their way to nest in the summer through mid-September. Gull Island is home to the largest puffin colony in North America and you’ll be surrounded by these tiny, adorable, fascinating birds!
Petty Harbour & Chafe’s Landing
After your wildlife tour, start making your way back up to the city of St. John’s. On your way though, a stop in the adorable town of Petty Harbour is a must! This fishing village is still an active working one. Take a stroll along the docks and you can see boats coming in and out of the harbor and fisherman unloading their day’s haul. Stop for lunch at Chafe’s Landing Restaurant, which was recommended time and time again as some of the best seafood on the island (which is quite the accolade!). Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time! After, an ice cream cone at Tinker’s will be the perfect sweet treat.
Sunset at Fort Amherst
To wrap up a successful two days in St. John’s, make your way out to Fort Amherst for sunset! Fort Amherst is located just across the harbor from Signal Hill and has a small lighthouse and coast to explore. You’ll need to park the car down the road here and make the walk up to Fort Amherst. Once you make the short walk, you’ll be greeted by a small (but adorable) red and white lighthouse. The area around the lighthouse isn’t huge, but you can walk up to the fences to get more incredible coastal and sea views. Plus, views of Signal Hill from this side of the harbor just cannot be beat!
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