I just spent 2 days in St. John’s, Newfoundland and have put together this jam-packed itinerary so you don’t have to spend HOURS researching the best things to do like I did.
The world is finally starting to catch on to the coastal allure of St. John’s and the beautiful island of Newfoundland. The capital city of Newfoundland, St. John’s, is one of the oldest port cities in North America. This stunning city boasts not only historical significance but also incredible natural beauty. From its colourful rows of houses lining the streets to the rugged coastline and beckoning ocean, St. John’s is a city of charm. Whether it is your first time exploring the city or not, this itinerary for 2 days in St. John’s offers a blend of sightseeing, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences.
How Many Days to Spend in St. John’s, Newfoundland?
It is best to spend about 2 days in St. John’s, Newfoundland. This will give you the chance to explore all of the best sights in the city and experience one of the city’s most famous tours.
How to Get Around St Johns
The best way to get around St John’s and see everything you want is by rental car. Otherwise, you could use a taxi service but this will likely end up being a bit expensive and you won’t have as much freedom.
When to Visit St. John’s, Newfoundland
The best time to visit St. John’s, Newfoundland is in the summer months from June – September. The temperatures and conditions for sightseeing will be the most pleasant at this time of year.
The best time to see whales in St. Johns is between June and September. If you want a chance to see icebergs, then visit between mid-May and early June.
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The Perfect 2 Days in St. John’s Newfoundland (Full Itinerary and Guide)
Day 1 – Jellybean Houses, Coastal Views, and Historic Fishing Villages
Enjoy a Coffee on Water Street at Rocket Bakery
For your first of 2 days in St. John’s Newfoundland, start with a coffee and pastry in the local favourite, Rocket Bakery. The shop is bright and the coffee and baked goods are delicious. Rocket Bakery is located right on Water Street, the main strip in downtown St. John’s. If it’s warm outside opt to sit on their small patio to enjoy the ambiance of this adorable pedestrian street. Before departing this area, make sure to wander up and down Water Street to check out the many shops along the road.
Wander St. John’s Famed Jellybean Row
After you’ve got your fill of the downtown area, walk a short way to snap photos of the famed Jellybean Row. St. John’s is known for its vibrantly coloured houses and Jellybean Row is the most colourful of them all. The streets in this part of town are filled with rows of attached homes, each painted a different bright colour. Spend some time exploring the streets to snap photos and admire the unique architecture of the city.
Enjoy a Combo of History and Hiking at Signal Hill
After some sightseeing, head over to Signal Hill National Historic Site. This is the city’s most famous landmark, sitting atop a tall cliff-side offering a full panoramic view of St. John’s and the Atlantic Ocean. This historical site also happens to be next to a fantastic scenic hiking trail.
The North Head Trail is 1.7 km stretching between the colourful tiered houses of The Battery and the summit of Signal Hill. The hike takes you along a stunning trail on the cliff’s edge through the narrows (the narrow section of water that leads from the city port out into the Atlantic). There are views of the city, the Atlantic, and the stunning St. John’s coastline. If you plan to do the entire hike there and back, I recommend starting at the trail head in the Battery.
The North Head Trail Hiking Variations
The trail can be quite strenuous, as you are walking upwards for the entirety of it and then back, so there are different variations you can take to suit what you want to get out of it. Some people opt to hike the trail just from the top to the bottom, which is a great option if you are able to get transportation back to your car at the top. Or, you can hike a shorter variation of the trail from the top to the red Muskoka chairs and back. You can also explore the top of Signal Hill and then drive down to the Battery to hike the shorter portion through the narrows and back.
Aside from hiking, take a peek inside the Cabot Tower and enjoy the great view. There are several Parks Canada staff on site providing free information, answering questions, and offering free tours of the site.
Explore The Historic Fishing Village in Quidi Vidi for Lunch
When it’s time to grab lunch, head to the historic Quidi Vidi wharf. This gorgeous part of the city has a small inlet of water from the ocean with fishing shacks on stilts against the rock cliff behind them. Grab a table on the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company patio to enjoy views of the adorable wharf. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll get to watch fishermen gliding into the harbour with their catch of the day. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a scenic lunch in St. John’s.
As a second option, there is a small restaurant in Quidi Vidi called Mallard Cottage. It is inside an old white cottage and serves locally sourced meals with a cozy and rustic ambiance. The Mallard Cottage is considered one of the best restaurants in St. John’s.
Get a Unique View of “The Battery”
After lunch head to The Battery Viewpoint. Seeing The Battery from within is great, but the best vantage point to truly appreciate the bright traditional homes tiered upwards into the cliffside is from across the narrows. Drive around to the other side of the harbour to the public dock. From there, you can walk out onto the dock to snap photos of the Battery in its entirety. This made for some of my favourite photos from my time in St. John’s. You can find this photo spot as the “Battery Village Lookout” on Google Maps.
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Take a Short Trip Out of St. John’s to the Iconic Town of Dildo
In the late afternoon, take a short jaunt up the Trans-Canada Highway in the direction of Bonavista to visit the iconic town of Dildo. While this town truly is a natural beauty right on the water, I’d say it gets its fame for its strange and laughably inappropriate name. It’s worth the visit to snap photos of their own version of the Hollywood sign but the views over the water are also stunning. The Dildo Brewing Company is located here with a popular restaurant if you want to visit a little later in the evening to grab dinner with live music on a patio.
Day 2 – The World’s Best Whale Watching and The Easternmost Point of Canada
Whale Watching Boat Tour with Iceberg Ocean Quest
Start your last day in St. John’s with a bang by embarking on the city’s most famous tour: The Iceberg Ocean Quest whale watching and coastal tour. I have been on numerous whale-watching tours around the world in destinations like Hawaii and Iceland, and I can confidently say that this was by far the BEST tour I’ve ever participated in. Due to the influx of Capelin this area gets between late May – September, humpback whales flock to the city’s nearby Ocean. Our tour guide estimated that at the time we were in the area, there were about 80 whales feeding. Everywhere we looked we were seeing the whale’s spouting water into the air, flipping their tales up out of the waves, and even jumping into the air. It was truly incredible and I highly recommend booking this tour while in St. John’s. The tour was also immaculately run, with a humorous captain and traditional newfy music accompanying us on our journey back into port.
Dive into Newfoundland’s Irish Roots at Popular Lunch Spot, The Celtic Hearth
After the whale-watching tour, grab lunch in the downtown area at the Celtic Hearth. A traditional Irish pub that serves local seafood, they have a nice big covered patio outside on the pedestrian street. St. John’s and its culture are heavily influenced and tied to Irish culture because of the high percentage of immigrants who came from Ireland for the good fishing and high wages in the 1800s. Enjoy the blend of Irish and Newfy vibes and their yummy pub food.
Witness The Most Eastern Point of Canada and North America
After lunch, drive out to Cape Spear Lighthouse. Cape Spear is the easternmost point of North America and has spectacular views of the coast. It is another great spot for whale watching, where you can see them flipping their tails shortly off the coast. There are a series of walking paths that traverse the entirety of this Eastern point with different viewing decks and historical landmarks to check out. Spend some time here, wandering the paths, enjoying the views, and getting up close to this still-functional lighthouse.
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Explore An Authentic Coastal Village in Petty Harbour
For your next stop, head to the nearby Petty Harbour. Not far from the Cape Spear Lighthouse, this cute local town is a great stop in the Avalon Peninsula. The town can be traced back to the 1600s and is only populated by about 950 people today. It’s a great short visit to see some local life and admire another fishing town on the water.
Enjoy an Upscale Dinner at Fish Exchange
When it’s time to grab dinner, visit the waterfront Fish Exchange. The restaurant is known for its hip urban vibe with an authentic Newfoundland twist. The food is absolutely delicious serving a large variety of fresh fish and seafood. They have a patio overlooking the harbour to watch the cargo ships coming in and out of port. This upscale eatery also has a great cocktail bar, making it the perfect spot for your last night out in St. John’s.
Check Out the Nightlife on George Street
If you happen to be travelling over a weekend in St. John’s, the city is known to have some fantastic nightlife. Check out George Street, known for having over 2 dozen pubs, clubs, bars, and restaurants packed into one little street. Find a local pub (or two), listen to live music, and enjoy a great time out.
Additional St. John’s Itinerary Options
If you want to add or replace any of the activities on the above itinerary, these other activities are also some of the best things to do in St. Johns:
Hike a Portion of the East Coast Trail
The East Coast Trail is a famous 336 km trail in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador. It is well known in Canada for its stunning coastal scenery and complete immersion in the wilderness. And a portion of it runs through St. John’s. There are two trailheads in the city. One in Quidi Vidi, known as the Sugarloaf Path, and the other in Fort Amherst, known as Deadmans Bay Path.
Take a Private Tour Around St. John’s With a Professional Photographer
One of the popular tours in the city, this excursion takes you around to the best sights of the city and some hidden gems with a local photographer. You’ll learn the history of St. John’s firsthand from a local and find all of the best spots to capture photos of this stunning city. You can find the tour here.
The Best Restaurants in St. John’s, Newfoundland
1. The Merchant Tavern – This is one of St. John’s most popular restaurants. They are known for their incredible seafood chowder and traditional Newfoundland food. They pride themselves in offering a fresh and locally sourced menu, with a hip and upscale industrial ambiance.
2. Adelaide Oyster House – As the name suggests, this is the best place in town to get fresh oysters. They also offer a variety of local seafood dishes, masterful plating, and an upscale dining experience.
3. The Ship Pub – Filled with old-school traditional decor, this traditional Newfoundland pub is a great option for casual meals in the heart of St. John’s. Their food is good and you’ll be surrounded by locals enjoying a drink at the pub.
4. YellowBelly Brewery – Featuring delicious locally brewed beers, this restaurant is great for finding paired dishes with your craft brews. They have a diverse menu and provide a lively and friendly atmosphere.
5. Chinched – An eclectic bistro, Chinched receives many reviews raving about their food being the best in St. John’s. They offer creative dishes optimizing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and their most popular menu item is their famed charcuterie board.
Best Places to Stay in St. John’s Newfoundland
The best budget-friendly accommodation in St. John’s, Newfoundland can be found on Airbnb. You’ll find the cheapest options there with the added bonus of your own kitchen if you want to save some money where you can. Otherwise, you can find plenty of great mid-range and high-end accommodation options in the city.
The Best Mid-Range Places to Stay in St. John’s Newfoundland:
- Elizabeth Manor Guesthouse – A short drive from downtown, this adorable guesthouse features beautiful grounds, decorated rooms, free breakfast in the mornings, and a shared kitchen and living room common space for guests.
- DoubleTree by Hilton St. John’s Harbourview – Located only 1 km from the city centre, this hotel is a classic, comfortable hotel that offers great amenities such as a fitness centre, restaurant on-site, and great views of the harbour.
- Courtyard St. Johns – Another classic hotel right in the centre of town with clean and comfortable rooms that you can’t go wrong with. They have a fitness centre, room service, and a bar with views over the harbour.
The Best High-End Places to Stay in St. Johns, Newfoundland:
- The Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland – A high-end chain of hotels, the Sheraton sits in downtown St. John’s with luxurious and comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, and a delicious restaurant.
- Dvele Inn – If you are looking for a luxurious and homey place to stay, this recently renovated manor offers impeccable service and stunning rooms. The units are often fitted with wine and champagne, beautiful decor, and a bar on-site.
Final Thoughts on the Best 2 Days in St. Johns, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital city is a stunning coastal destination with a ton of great things to do. As you conclude your perfect 2 days in St. John’s, you’ll find yourself captivated by its blend of history, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. Looking ahead, if your travel plans allow for it, I highly recommend extending beyond the city to explore the other beautiful areas in Newfoundland, such as Gros Morne National Park and the Bonavista Peninsula. St. John’s is a great place to start the rest of your Newfoundland adventures. Happy adventuring!
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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