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John's 1 |
Surrounded by hills, the
Atlantic Ocean and the city's historic harbour, St.
John's is the oldest English-founded city in North America. A unique
blend of the old and new, the city's quaint colourful homes, winding steep roads,
history and eclectic architecture make this destination a pleasure for the eyes.
Situated on the northeast coast of the Avalon
Peninsula, the city was rebuilt over many years after fires in the 19th
century destroyed the city's core and is now home to some of the most interesting
historical structures and landmarks in the province, such as Cabot
Tower and the Roman
Catholic Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
The second largest city
in Atlantic Canada,
St. John's has a relatively
mild winter climate and local residents surprisingly boast of their city being
the cloudiest and wettest city in the country. The character of the people,
the architecture and the beautiful scenery serve as a magnet bringing folks
back to Newfoundland
and Labrador's provincial capital year after year.
Whether on a day trip or
a week-long adventure, this historic city has a variety of accommodations
and activities
to attract visitors of any age on any budget. Luxury hotels and a wide selection
of unique bed and breakfast places are surrounded by historical
sites, nature parks,
churches
and several art galleries
and museums.
HELPFUL LINKS
Accommodation
Directory - This is a complete St. John's accommodation directory containing
detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds and more. With links to
accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help
visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.
Secure
Room Reservations- Check for St. John's room availability and then make
secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient
link.
Maps
- The St. John's map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only
indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation
to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
ORIENTATION AND TRANSPORTATION
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Signal
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St. John's is developed
to the north and west with Signal
Hill National Historic Site providing spectacular views to the east
while the Southside Hills sit to the south of the city.
St. John's is accessible
by car, boat and air. The Trans-Canada
Highway runs east to west through the city, intersecting Route 40, which
is also Portugal Cove Road, one of the main roads leading into the downtown
core and to St.
John's International Airport. Other main streets within the city centre
are Queen's
Road, Duckworth Street and Rennie's Mill Road. The airport is approximately
6 km (3.7 mi) north of the city centre and WestJet,
Air Canada, and Continental offer non-stop flights from most major
cities, including Montreal,
Halifax, and
Toronto.
The Metrobus
is the main public transportation system which takes passengers around the city
and surrounding areas, including the city of Mount
Pearl. There are many walking paths but because of the numerous steep
streets in the city, hopping on the Metrobus or taking a cab for longer distances
may be a smarter option for people with limited mobility.
Several ferries provide
passenger and vehicle service connecting the island from the mainland province
and is another excellent travel option. The ferries connect with two bus companies,
DRL
Coachlines and NewHook's
Transportation bus lines. Travellers can also take either bus line from
St. John's to the neighbouring city of Mount
Pearl.
WHEN TO VISIT
St.
John's weather has as much character as many of its charming buildings
and homes, with the city leading the country as having the cloudiest, snowiest
and wettest climate. This historic city has an average annual precipitation
of 1,482 mm (58.4 in) and foggy days are very common. Boasting the third mildest
winter climate in Canada,
the city's temperature ranges from an average daily high of -2°C (28.4°F) to
an average low of -8°C(17.6°F) in January. The summer months in this waterfront
city are somewhat warm but remember to bring a sweater and an umbrella in the
Spring, which arrives late. August is an excellent time to visit, as the city's
annual Royal
St. John's Regatta takes place early in the month at the Quidi Vidi
Lake, when the temperature is an average high of 20°C (68 °F) and an average
low of 11°C (52 °F).
ACCOMMODATIONS
Downtown Core & Surrounding Areas
Downtown St. John's lies to the north of the historic harbour where most of
the touristy sites and landmarks can be seen within a four-block radius. The
harbour itself is 2 km
(1.2 mi) long by 0.8 km (0.5 mi) wide and can be viewed from Signal
Hill. Cabot
Tower is located on top of Signal Hill and is the most visible landmark
in the city.
There are a few major hotels
in the downtown area but bed and breakfast places are more plentiful and reasonably
priced. One of the main downtown hotels is the Delta
St. John's Hotel & Conference Centre. Located on New Gower Street,
The Delta is one of the top four convention hotels in the province and provides
all the modern amenities of a full service hotel.
If visiting for more than
a few weeks at a time in St. John's visit the Hometel
on Signal Hill, just off Signal Hill Road. A good alternative to a traditional
hotel, this home away from home offers luxurious hotel suites and brownstone
residences, complete with designer-accessorized rooms.
Offering more than pillows
and pancakes, some of the best bed and breakfasts around are close to the city's
historic sites and attractions such as Signal Hill, Cabot Tower, the Railway
Coastal Museum and the Newman
Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site on Water
Street, all definitely worth a visit.
Gower Street has several
bed and breakfasts that line the street, such as the Gower
Street House Downtown and the Leaside
Manor. Even on a foggy day in the off-season, travellers will adore
the Leaside Manor with its romantic Signal Hill luxury suite complete with a
double Jacuzzi tub, fireplace, full breakfast and queen-size bed. Business travellers
can stay at one of four executive apartments and single travellers will enjoy
the Placentia and Jelly Bean room. Centrally placed, the Gower Street House
is a short walk to live performances and shows at the L.S.P.U.
Hall Theatre, a slew of different restaurants and a main business centre.
Private off-street parking is available.
George Street
A busy street any
time of the day or night in downtown St. John's, this cobblestone road is lined
with the most bars per square foot in North America and is closed to cars for
most of the day and the night for pedestrians and bar hoppers. George
Street is a perfect destination for a quick stroll to a traditional
pub at dinnertime or even during the wee hours of the morning.
Parallel to George Street,
Queen's Road has several reasonably priced bed and breakfast places,
such as the Bluestone
Inn Bed & Breakfast. In the centre of downtown, this Victorian stone
structure is within walking distance of many interesting areas and restaurants,
including St. John's harbour and the nightlife of George
Street. Just southeast of Queen's Road, the Victoria
Suites
can be found on picturesque Victoria
Street, offering three themed-styled rooms with an amazing panoramic
view from the Narrows Suite.
Water Street
One of the oldest
streets in North America,
Water Street is located in the city's downtown core and offers a wide
range of accommodations to satisfy even the pickiest of travellers. Around the
corner from the St.
John's Courthouse, there are a few places to rest weary feet, including
The
Harbour View Inn and the Blue
on Water Inn. A
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Water
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variety of lures, such as
coffee shops and a fish and chip restaurant also add to the charm and warmth
of this street. Look for the green four-storey building to find the Harbour
View Inn, a locally owned inn with a name that speaks for itself.
Positioned close to all
the bars and trendy restaurants on George Street, Blue on Water is an adult-only
inn with seven fully furnished rooms. Its namesake restaurant serves up local
crisp cod tongues and seafood lasagna for tourists wanting a taste of true Atlantic
fare.
In close proximity to the
sports and entertainment centre, Mile
One Stadium and City Hall, Murray
Premises Hotel is located on Beck's Cove, which crosses Water Street
between Queen's
Road and Ayre's Cove. This restored trading house has fined-tuned some
of the more important details for the traveller, such as towel warmers and electric
fireplaces in each room.
The Battery
This neighbourhood
was once an old fishing village and is now home to a few different types of
accommodations for visitors. Known as the most easternly bed and breakfast
in North America, Admiral's
Adventure Bed & Breakfast On The Waterfront can be found in The
Narrows of St. John's. This semi-rustic guest house provides a haven for relaxation
and imagination only a 15 to 20-minute walk from the city. Spectacular views
of the sea and wooden cabins give the visitor a feel for what it would be like
to be an admiral on the open waters. Wear comfortable shoes on the grounds of
this bed and breakfast as there are several sets of steps leading up to the
main lobby. The bed and breakfast is also situated on the north end side of
a trailhead, which leads to Cabot Tower.
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Puffins On The Coast 4 |
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Also in the area, The
Battery Hotel and Conference Centre provides eight rooms with pleasant
harbour views and Jacuzzi tubs, 128 suites in total, plenty of free parking,
a fitness centre and a great place to hold a wedding reception. Walk halfway
up Signal
Hill to find this hotel, a 15-minute walk to downtown or a $15-$20 taxi
ride to the airport.
Quidi Vidi
At the base of Signal
Hill, Quidi Vidi (pronounced Kiddy Viddy), is a historic fishing village
on the east end of the city. The village is home to the Quidi
Vidi Battery Fort, a Provincial Historic Site and a local microbrewery.
Originally built in 1762 by the French when they captured St. John's in the
war of 1812, the fort was rebuilt and restored several times from 1780 to 1967.
The nearby Quidi Vidi Lake hosts the annual St. John's Regatta in August. Roam
the narrow streets to find the Mallard
Cottage, a registered heritage structure located approximately 3.2 km
(2 mi) from the Fairmont
Newfoundland Hotel. Another place to stay overnight is the Oh
What a View! Bed and Breakfast, located on Signal Hill Road.
Churchill Square & Military Road
Within walking distance
to C.A.
Pippy Park and the
Memorial University of Newfoundland Campus, west of downtown
St. John's, Churchill
Square is a main shopping area on Elizabeth Avenue. On this same stretch,
which intersects Portugal Cove Road to the east, there are a few places to stay.
One of them, Guv'Nor
Inn, can be found off Route 40, a major route that passes by St.
John's International Airport.
There are at least five
bed and breakfast choices on Military Road, situated along the edge of Bannerman
Park, within walking distance to the harbour via Duckworth Street and
Water
Street.
The
Roses Bed & Breakfast is a Victorian 1903 duplex with 11 large rooms.
Visit the nearby Commissariat
House, the Roman
Catholic Basilica of St. John's the Baptist, the
Basilica Cathedral Museum and one of the oldest wooden churches in St.
John's, Garrison
Church. The
Banberry House and the Park
House Bed & Breakfast are also good choices found on Military Road.
The
Travellers Inn is a good bet for eco-conscious travellers. The inn's
culture focuses on integrating environmental management practices and won an
environmental award in 2006. The inn is based within walking distance to Avalon
Mall, the largest shopping mall on the island and a 10-minute drive
from the city centre. The inn's six meeting rooms offer space for up to 100
business guests.
Airport
There are several
major hotel chains within a few miles of St.
John's International Airport. Book a night or two at the Comfort
Inn Airport Hotel, within minutes, 1.5 km (0.93 mi), from the airport.
Parking is free at the hotel for a week and an additional fee for each night
after that. The
Holiday Inn is ideal for business travellers as the hotel is also within
minutes of the airport. Golfers and nature lovers will also enjoy this hotel
for its close proximity to a major park and several golf courses.
Also close to the airport
is the Ramada
Hotel, a short drive or challenging bike ride to both Pippy Park and
the smaller Mundy Pond Park. A major shopping area, Avalon
Mall, is also nearby. The hotel offers free shuttle service to and from
the airport, free parking, and spacious rooms complete with a range of amenities,
including same-day laundry facilities.
The
Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel is a little further out but worth the 5
km (3 mi) commute from the airport for the spectacular views of the harbour.
There is no shuttle service but several car rental agencies, including Budget
Rent a Car or a 15-minute cab ride, are excellent options to consider. Feeling
peekish? Stop in for a hearty breakfast at Zachary's
Restaurant, a 2-minute walk from the hotel grounds.
Hostels/Campgrounds
For those who
want a real rugged outdoorsy or no-frills vacation spot, a campground site and
a hostel are both close enough to see the main tourist interests and activities
that this historic city has to offer. The
C.A. Pippy RV Park site is found on Higgins Lane in a 1375.9 ha (3400
acre) park. An ideal camping spot, this campground has a mini-golf, a 9-hole
and an 18-hole golf course. At the main entrance to the park, bring the kids
to the Fluvarium,
a fun and interactive environmental education centre.
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Coast
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Another affordable and convenient
option for exploring the city's rich culture is to stay at the Downtown
Hostel on Young Street. Stay in this character building, which is only
a five to 10 minute walk to downtown St. John's.
Vacation Home Rentals
A rental cottage
in the historic downtown core, Victoria
House
on Victoria
Street, is a Victorian-era building located across the street from the
L.S.P.U. Hall Theatre in downtown St. John's. This cosy three-bedroom
cottage has on-site parking for two cars, three fireplaces and is close to other
must-see attractions, such as the Roman Basilica and the Johnson
Geo Science Centre. Walk to art
galleries and shops or stop in at the many restaurants
and bar
choices on nearby George
Street.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- View of St. John's;
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- Signal Hill National
Historic Site; St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- Water Street; Popular
street in the centre of downtown St. John's; St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- Puffins; St. John's,
Newfoundland, Canada
- Coast Road; St. John's,
Newfoundland, Canada
