An 8-day crammed itinerary of Newfoundland's must-see places
- FancifulRoamer
- Apr 20, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 22
Travel like a local and explore the local history and culture. Check out my favorite hidden gems. My guide is for a Newfoundland trip in July, August, and September.
Day 1
You will be flying to St. John's, not to be mixed with St. John, New Brunswick. Also a lovely town, but this guide won't work there.
I recommend staying somewhere downtown. It is cheaper to book a hotel further away, but you will pay a lot for taxis. Downtown, you can easily walk to restaurants and shops. There are no ride-sharing services available.
So on your first day in St. John's, walk along Duckworth Street, Water Street, and Harbour Drive. The sections between Waldegrave Street and Wood Street will cover most shops and restaurants. Enjoy seafood at The Merchant Tavern or The Gypsy Tea Room and browse local crafts in the shops.
If this is your first visit to Newfoundland, you need to be screeched in. Christian's bar on George Street is very popular for that, it's a fun tradition.
Take photos of the Jelly Bean rows of houses on Duckworth Street. Brewdock has a lovely courtyard, a few minutes away from the cat cafe called Mad Catter Cafe. Pass by the Harbourside Park and take photos with Our Dogs - the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador.
Don't miss The Rooms Museum. It's dedicated to local art and history. Take in the harbor views while you eat at the Red Oak restaurant.
Day 2
On day 2, I recommend going up on Signal Hill to see Cabot Tower. Depending on how much hiking you're willing to do, you have some options for this area.
If you want to save time or your feet, opt for a taxi. Go up, take photos, take in the views, and then go to the Quidi Vidi Food Market. Get some wings or fish and chips, take in the magic of this former fishing village. Sample beers at the Quidi Vidi Brewery and pick something unique to bring home at the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios.
If you're looking for a hiking day, walk instead. You can walk up the hill on the paved Signal Hill Road. For a more strenuous hike, North Head Trail takes you all around Signal Hill. While you climb a million stairs, you may admire the scenic views, maybe spot a whale.
From the Cabot Tower on top of the hill, you can go on more trails. The easiest is a half-hour walk starting on North Head Trail towards Quidi Vidi. Then continuing on Ladies Lookout Trail, finishing with Cuckold's Cove Trail into Quidi Vidi, towards The Wharf. Eat and drink beers.
The whole coast boasts great trails, you could visit Newfoundland and fill all your days with nature hikes.
Day 3
About this time it would be good to pick up a rental car. You can also opt for day tours from St. John's, but you will see more with your own car.
First, visit The Postmaster's bakery or Belbin's Grocery and stock up on fresh pastries and snacks for the road.
Then you'll be heading west. The first stop is to stroll around beautiful Brigus. I suggest having lunch at the North Street Cafe or The Riseover. Check out the coastal views and the Brigus Tunnel.
Continue on to Clarke's Beach. Pop by the Newfoundland Distillery Company for a snack and take a bottle of Cloudberry Gin or Chaga Rum as a souvenir. There are lovely small stores next door and across the street where you can buy locally made crafts.
Adventuring on, cross the peninsula to Dildo town. Stay for the night so you can enjoy the Dildo Brewery and Museum. They have great beer and tasty food to savor by the water.
Day 4
Stay another night in Dildo or around, so you get a chance to see Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve. It's 2 hours each way, so make it a day trip. It's a scenic coastal drive.
There is a short walk from the parking lot to the seabirds site. It does feel like you're walking into a different world. Especially if it's foggy. You only need to wait a little, and the fog disperses, leaving you on the cliff, watching over what seems like the edge of the world. The birds are out of reach, on their own cliffs.
On the way back to Dildo, drop by the local favorite - Busy Mom's Homemade Chocolate Treats. Fill up on chocolate-covered treats and other local crafts.
Day 5
The day leaving Dildo you're heading towards the Bonavista Peninsula. It's about a two-hour drive. We usually stay at a nice B&B in Port Rexton.
You want to stay around Port Rexton or Bonavista town, so you can easily drive to the other places.
Eat at the Dock Marina Restaurant and then check out their upstairs Gallery of Newfoundland-themed crafts. For dessert, I recommend going across the street to Aunt Sarah's Chocolate Shop. Stroll along the streets with small shops and historical houses.
If you book in advance, you can have a fancy 3-course dinner at the Twine Loft Dining. They have a set menu and you choose between two options, usually one being delicious local cod.
Day 6
I cannot recommend Skerwink Trail enough. The views are stunning. It takes around 2 hours to complete it, depending on pace and time spent on photos. It is a bit strenuous, but if you're only doing one hike, this should be the one.
Pack water and a small snack. There is a small parking lot across the trail entrance.
Afterward, you can enjoy a bite at Port Rexton Brewery + Tap Room or the Brightside Bistro.
The next stop of the day should be Elliston. You do need binoculars here, to make the best out of puffin viewing. There is a short walk to the edge of the cliff. On the way, you encounter several root cellars - what people here used to keep their root vegetables over the winter.
Watching the puffins is a wonderful experience. This is the closest you'll be to puffins, on land. There is even a Puffin Souvenir Craft Shop close by, so you can bring a puffin-themed souvenir home.
If you're in the mood for more local culture, visit the John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre. It showcases the hard life and risks locals took to make ends meet. Sealing was necessary for survival, as they would sell the meat and fur. It also eliminated seals as a competitor for fish, which was the main source of food.
Day 7
Spend day 7 in Bonavista town. The Dungeon Provincial Park is an amazing UNESCO Geosite you can walk around. The main attraction is the collapsed sea cave.
Eat at Ragged Rocks Gastropub, then enjoy dessert at Sweet Rock Ice Cream or Moreish Cupcakes and Treats. The ice cream is inspired by local Newfoundland treats and ingredients, so you can try unique flavors.
Shop for cool, minimalist jewelry at the Kind Seas shop. At the Brim Pottery Studio + Boutique, you can buy mugs, bowls, and all kinds of locally-made kitchen things. The artist has her studio right in the shop, so you can see the process and chat.
Mockbeggar Plantation is also a great visit. This was a fishery established in the 1700s, where cod would be processed and sold.
Stop for a snack basket at the Bicycle Picnics Cafe and Bistro. You can have a fun picnic experience, with or without a bicycle ride. I like to have my coffee and snack on-site, sitting by the water.
After, head on to see The Matthew Legacy. This is a full-scale replica of the Matthew ship that carried Giovanni Caboto and his crew towards the New World. They were aiming for what is now China, but the ship ended up in Newfoundland. This was 1497, and the ship sailed under the flag of England.
The next historical landmark is the Ryan Premises National Historic Site. The buildings hold much history and artifacts related to catching and processing cod.
Day 8
If you want to add a few more days to your Canadian adventure, keep heading west. Gros Morne National Park of Canada is a hiker's dream. There are many trails, but not much else. If you need a rest between Bonavista and Gros Morne, I would suggest the charming fishing village of Twillingate. The Auk Island Winery, the Twillingate Museum, and the Long Point Lighthouse will fill your day.
Otherwise, it's time to head back to St. John's. It's a chance to pass by the places you visited, if that thing you saw is still on your mind. Visit the Two Whales Coffee Shop for a snack or lunch.
The second part of the day you should visit Cape Spear, the most eastern point in North America. The lighthouse and the views are worth the 20-minute car ride.
I hope you enjoyed my itinerary of Newfoundland's must-see places. There are many more things to do in Newfoundland and on the islands around it. Don't forget to book everything in advance, and enjoy the most hospitable place I have come across!
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