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Vibrant row houses painted every color of the rainbow. A lively two-block street packed with the most bars per capita of any major Canadian city. Fish and chips at every turn and moose burgers for adventurous eaters. Boat trips that take you searching for icebergs and whales. These are just some of the reasons travelers gravitate to St John鈥檚, the famously friendly capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The big question is whether you will get screeched-in or just watch others take part in an admittedly silly yet charming tradition that turns CFAs (鈥渃ome from aways鈥�) into honorary Newfoundlanders by making them recite a short verse, drink a shot of Newfoundland Screech rum, eat bologna and kiss a cod. 

If you鈥檙e visiting Canada鈥檚 youngest province, chances are you鈥檙e flying into St John鈥檚. The port city of nearly 114,000 people is also a great urban base to explore the region before heading off to see the rest of the province. Make the most of your time here with this guide.

When should I go to St John鈥檚?

The best time to visit is from the Victoria Day long weekend in May to Canadian Thanksgiving in October, but St John鈥檚 really comes to life in July and August, when temperatures hover between 20潞C (68潞F) and 23潞C (73.4潞F) and the streets are packed. Summer brings the (that bar-packed street), with local, national and international musicians, the and the . Bell Island, with a unique iron ore mining history and unusual geology, is just a short ferry ride away from near the airport.

While businesses in this province can be highly seasonal, cosmopolitan St John鈥檚 is always open, and hotel prices are lower in shoulder and low seasons. Hurricane season runs from June through November here, as in the rest of Atlantic Canada, but you should always come prepared for wind and rain.

If you visit during late November through mid-December, you can catch the , a multi-day community event that celebrates a Christmas season  culminating in a quirky parade where 鈥渦nderwear is outerwear.鈥�

How much time should I spend in St John鈥檚?

Plan to spend two to three nights here, perhaps divided between the start and end of a longer trip around the province. Stroll around downtown, browsing shops like the , and  and dining at the and . Have a museum moment at The Rooms 鈥� the province鈥檚 largest public cultural space that looms over downtown and has a wonderful caf茅 with harbor views. 

How do I get to St John鈥檚?

Book a flight to (YYT). Air Canada and WestJet offer nonstop flights from cities like Toronto, Halifax and Montreal year-round and seasonally from other Canadian cities. You might make your way to St John鈥檚 after flying into (YDF) to explore  or (YQX) for trips to and . ferries bring people (and their vehicles) from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to either Argentia (a 90 minute drive to St John's) or Channel-Port aux Basques (a 9-hour drive).

How do I get around St John鈥檚?

Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are popular, but most visitors rent cars. They鈥檙e in high demand, so secure your vehicle before booking a flight. While some people hope to return their rentals to another location in the enormous province, it's typically not allowed or involves astronomical drop fees, so plan to start and finish trips here.

It鈥檚 just a 10-minute drive from the airport to downtown. If you don't have a rental car, expect to pay about $35 ($25 USD) for a taxi or rideshare to downtown. , a car-sharing marketplace, is another option.

Downtown itself is compact and walkable. The bus has 10 stops 鈥� plus live commentary 鈥� and will help you get out to as well as Quidi Vidi, a nearby fishing village. The two-day pass is $60 (US$44) and cheaper than catching taxis.

Top things to do in St John鈥檚

Eat your heart out on a food tour

Sure, you can DIY. But the joy of the put on by is having someone guide you to six restaurants and give you the stories behind why you鈥檙e eating moose, toutons (fried dough), fish cakes, local partridgeberries (aka lingonberries) and fries served with dressing and gravy (the local version of poutine). The celebrates local craft beer with seven samples at three breweries or bars.

Look for icebergs and whales

Fun fact: you never forget your first iceberg, and I saw mine (shaped like a giant toothy mouth) on an boat trip out of St John鈥檚. Two-hour narrated trips take you as far as Cape Spear in search of humpback and other whales, icebergs and seabirds. Just south of town in Bay Bulls, and cruise to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to North America鈥檚 largest Atlantic puffin colony. For an extra fee ($35 [US$25]), both companies offer shuttle services from most major hotels.

Find your own favorite Jellybean Row

It took me a while to figure out that isn鈥檛 a single street 鈥� rather, it鈥檚 the nickname for all the colorful row houses scattered across downtown. Start your close encounters of the colorful kind, cameras in hand, on Prescott and Gower Streets.

Watch the sunrise (or sunset) at Cape Spear

Trust me when I say you want to get up when it鈥檚 still dark outside and make the 20-minute drive to Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site for sunrise. It鈥檚 Canada鈥檚 most easterly spot, so you鈥檒l be among the first people in the country to greet the day. But if you鈥檙e not a morning person, there鈥檚 always sunset. This site is also popular for land-based whale watching and picnics (ordered from the ) by the province鈥檚 oldest surviving lighthouse.

My favorite thing to do in St John鈥檚

It鈥檚 hard to say what I love most about visiting Signal Hill National Historic Site 鈥� Sable the dog or Canada鈥檚 best urban hike. Sable is a gorgeous Newfoundland dog who often hangs out near Cabot Tower with his retired owner. Join the  Facebook group to track their schedule. Of course, Sable's presence isn鈥檛 guaranteed. The , however, offers 1.7km (1 mile) each way of astounding views and edge-of-the-ocean thrills, as long as the weather cooperates. Set off from the upper parking lot, climb down a steep set of wooden stairs and along the Narrows to end in the Lower Battery neighborhood. Some people prefer to hike in reverse from bottom to top.

How much money do I need for St John鈥檚?

Newfoundlanders are a cost-conscious bunch, but post-pandemic prices have crept up here just like in the rest of Canada. There aren鈥檛 many budget lodgings, but has seasonal rooms from mid-May to mid-July for $145 (US $91). Save money by walking everywhere and using rideshares and taxis sparingly. If you鈥檙e going beyond the city, keep in mind that car rentals are pricey (budget $1000 [US$730] a week) and often sell out in high season.

• Night at a downtown hotel (summer): From $300 (US$215)

• Coffee: Drip $2.90 (US$2.10), espresso $3.80 (US$2.80), latte $5 (US$3.65)

• Typical screeched-in event: $42.50 (US$31)

• Pint of craft beer: From $8 (US$5.80)

• One-piece fish and chips: $19.99 (US$15)

• Moose burger: $26 (US$19)

• Admission to The Rooms: $13.80 (US$10)

Where should I stay in St John鈥檚?

Staying downtown puts you within walking distance of all the action. The , part of a Qu茅bec boutique hotel chain, has small but stylish rooms, plus  restaurant for contemporary Canadian fare. Another favorite is the newly expanded, rock-themed . Unveiled in April 2025, its new tower, Blues, connects to its original Rhythm building with a pedway. There are 169 music-inspired guest rooms, plus the (a music venue), and several places to eat and drink. 鈥淟et鈥檚 spend the night together,鈥� is the slogan of the edgy hotel that鈥檚 reportedly named for Mick Jagger.

Come again? 

Locals have a very unique dialect and you鈥檒l find popular sayings like 鈥淵es b鈥檡鈥� ("Yes, boy" 鈥� often said in agreement) and 鈥淲hadda ya at?鈥� ("How鈥檚 it going?") on  chocolate bars, T-shirts and other souvenirs. Unless you鈥檙e toting the , don鈥檛 be afraid to ask people to translate what they're saying.

Ask the Welcome Desk

鈥淭here鈥檚 no question too big, or too strange, when planning a trip here,鈥� promises . Its website is full of travel tips, but you鈥檙e also officially invited to call the at 1-800-563-6353 and chat with a human (with one of those distinctive accents).