Tuesday 14 September
1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Link to a fantastic large waterfront picture.
Official tourism siteSt. John's is the most easterly point in North America and closest point of land to Europe. Due to it strategic location, St. John's has been vitally important for centuries to explorers, adventurers, merchants, soldiers, pirates, and all manner of seafarers, who provided the foundation for this thriving modern day city. St. John's is utilized as a home port for cruise ships on a variety of itineraries that cruise Newfoundland and Labrador, and as a port of call for vessels on North Atlantic, Transatlantic, and Canada New England routes.
Ship’s Excursions
Exploring The First City
- Approximate Duration: 3 hour(s)
- Prices starting from: $74.00 USD (Adult)
- $54.00 USD (Child
This 3 hour sightseeing tour takes in some of St. John's most interesting and historic sites such as Signal Hill and Cape Spear. St. John's is North America's oldest European-settled city and the capital of Newfoundland, Canada's youngest province and Britain's oldest overseas colony. For hundreds of years it has played host to explorers and conquerors, marauding pirates and merchant adventurers.
Your tour begins at historic Signal Hill where the Italian inventor Marconi received the first wireless transatlantic signal in 1901. Enjoy the magnificent panoramic view out over the city and rugged coastline while viewing the continent's most easterly point in the distance. Learn about the site's 18th century battles and 20th century aviation wonders. The tour continues through the New World's first downtown, which features historic buildings including Government House, two National Historic churches and the colorful Victorian wooden homes that are characteristic of St. John's.
There will be several brief stops to point out the birthplace of the British Empire, and Government House.... built the same year as the White House but at a higher cost. Before traveling to Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America. Here, you will experience a dramatic setting of the continent's extreme edge while exploring the tunnels and fortifications that protected the gateway to the New World during the wars of the 20th century.
Please note that to avoid congestion, places of interest may be visited in reverse order.
The Galapagos of Geology and Titanic Exhibit - JO02
- Approximate Duration: 3 hours
- Prices starting from: $87.00 USD (Adult)
- $62.00 USD (Child)
- Approximate Duration: 3 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
- Prices starting from: $88.00 USD (Adult)
- $58.00 USD (Child)
The continent's eastern edge (Newfoundland) is a treasure trove of minerals. The story of ancient volcanoes, recent glaciers, visiting icebergs, and rocks from the centre of the earth is told at the award-winning world-class geological museum and interpretation centre. The GeoCentre also includes a Titanic exhibition.
The continent's eastern edge (Newfoundland) is a treasure trove of minerals. The story of ancient volcanoes, recent glaciers, visiting icebergs, and rocks from the centre of the earth is told at the award-winning world-class geological museum and interpretation centre. You will learn about the ages of the earth during your visit while enjoying spectacular scenery, 17th century battlefields, and historic buildings. The GeoCentre also includes a Titanic exhibition.
You will also visit the Geocentre near Gibbett Hill, Signal Hill, and Fort Amherst where views of the geological fault across the spectacular entranceway to St. John's Harbour are possible.
Please note to avoid congestion, the places of interest may be visited in reverse order.
River to The Sea – JO04
Visit sites as 110 acre and Quidi Vidi, a small fishing village enclave of St. John's, where the former fish plant has been converted to a modern day microbrewery. Please note participants must be a minimum of 19 years of age to participate in the beer tasting.
The Memorial University Botanical Garden is the only botanical garden east of Montreal. Its 110 acres of cultivated and natural habitat feature an extensive rock garden, alpine house, heritage garden, trails, bogs and field centre. It is also the headwaters of a famous St. John's river. Learn about medicinal plants and ancient aphrodisiacs while walking the beautiful garden paths. Following the path of the river, you'll arrive at the Newfoundland Freshwater Resource Centre. The Centre boasts exhibits with an environmental theme and the only opportunity in North America to look out at the underwater life of a natural stream. Brown trout, water lilies and other freshwater life abound in the Centers fluvarium, its underwater window on the living stream.
Your journey continues to where the river meets the sea. Learn about the of Quidi Vidi, a small fishing village enclave of St. John's. The former fish plant has been converted to a modern day microbrewery that produces craft ales unique to this part of the world. Samples are available for tasting. En route to and from the village you will pass by Quidi Vidi Lake, the site of the annual Royal St. John's Regatta which is the oldest continuous sporting event in North America. The tour continues through the downtown area which features historic buildings, which were once part of the British garrison, Government House, several churches and the colorful Victorian wooden homes, which characteristic of St. John's architecture.
Participants must be a minimum of 19 years of age to participate in the beer tasting. Please note that to avoid congestion, places of interest may be visited in reverse order.
Links
Saint John and Bay of Fundy visitor's guide
Johnson Geo Centre
The Johnson GEO CENTRE is a science centre unlike any other in Atlantic Canada. Focusing on the geology of Newfoundland and Labrador, it tells the amazing story of the Earth — going back almost to the planet's birth, over 4.6 billion years ago. As "Earth's Geological Showcase", Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the few easily-reached places where the geological record so fully reveals the life-story of the blue planet.
Nestled among the rocks of Signal Hill, visitors will go underground and see the exposed 550 million year old rock walls, fossil trilobites, labradorite, peridotite from Gros Morne National Park, artifacts from the province's early people, and much more. The main reception hall of the centre has an enormous solar system model that dwarfs visitors as they exit the elevators to the lower floor. The ExxonMobil Oil & Gas Gallery tells the story of exploration of the Newfoundland offshore, and features interactive stations and large scale models of the Hibernia oil platform and FPSO (floating production, storage and offloading) vessels. The Titanic Story tells the tragic tale behind one of the most memorable nautical disasters in history, and features artifacts from the Titanic and her sister ships, as well as items from James Cameron's Titanic movie. A KIDZone area provides a place for children 7 and under to learn and have fun with interactive play, and features exhibit elements such as a xylophone made out of drill core and a fossil excavation bin.
The GEO CENTRE staff offer daily interpretative programs on a variety of topics, and documentaries are presented in the Earth & Space Auditorium. If the weather is nice, you can take a walk around the GEO PARK, which is a series of interconnected trails surrounding the GEO CENTRE. These trails have interpretive panels that speak about the geological and botanical features of the park, as well as displays of early Newfoundland stone use. It's a great place to have a picnic after your visit.
The Johnson GEO CENTRE also features a coffee shop and GEO GIFTS, one of the most unique gift shops in the city. If you are looking for a special momento to remind you of your trip, this is the place to find it.
The Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador (c. 1892-3) was located on Duckworth Street, the building is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. In 2005 the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador, moved into The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural facility, which located in the downtown area.
The Railway Coastal Museum is a transportation museum located in the 104 year old Newfoundland and Labrador train station building on Water Street.
The Johnson Geo Centre is a geological interpretation centre located on Signal Hill. The centre is designed to teach the public about the history of the earth through the unique and complex geological history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Signal Hill is a hill which overlooks the city of St. John's. It is the location of Cabot Tower which was built in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland, and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The first transatlantic wireless transmission was received here by Guglielmo Marconi on December 12, 1901. Today, Signal Hill is a Canadian National Historic Site and remains incredibly popular amongst tourists and locals alike; 97% of all tourists to St. John's visit Signal Hill. Amongst its popular attractions are the Signal Hill Tattoo, showcasing the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of foot, circa 1795, and the North Head Trail which grants an impressive view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coast.
Cabot Tower
Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
A Canadian Parks Service Historic Site. This beautiful Romanesque Cathedral was consecrated in 1855. Built of Newfoundland and Irish bluestone and granite, the church is in the shape of a Latin Cross. A town clock and nine bells, including the two-tonne St. John's Bell, are located in the twin towers. The Basilica houses John Hogan's revered "Dead Christ", while the ornate Italianate ceiling is polychrome and highlighted in gold leaf. There are stained glass windows by Irish, French and English artists and a museum that holds interesting exhibits of the cathedral's history.
Harbourside Park
This delightful park was built opposite the National War Memorial to commemorate the 1583 proclamation by Sir Humphrey Gilbert claiming Newfoundland. This is the only public place fronting on the harbour.
Crow's Nest Museum
Sea going naval officers club dating from 1941/-42. Walls festooned with memorabilia.
Gower Street United Church
This 110 year old building of modified Romanesque origin, home of the oldest United Church congregation in St. John's features a hammer beam roof, iron grillwork 50 stained glass windows and a newly refurbished organ originally installed in 1930.
Grand Concourse Walkways
Over 125 km of inter-connected Walks, the Grand Concourse connects the rivers, ponds, lakes and parks with government buildings, museums and schools from Windsor Lake to Signal Hill to Octagon Pond. Billed as the finest walkway system in Canada, the award-winning Grand Concourse has directional and interpretive signage along the entire network. Many Walks are wheelchair accessible.
James J. O'Mara Pharmacy Museum
Heritage drugstore (1895) is a replica of a working apothecary, complete with set of store fixtures, shop bottles & pharmacy implements used in the preparation of medicines (pill makers).
Lester Farms
NL's Premier Agritourism Destination, comprising of an onsite farm market, Craft shop, restaurant, petting barn and corn maze.
Lillian Stevenson Nursing Archives / Museum
Hospital and nursing artifacts c. 1950's including medical equipment, nursing equipment, nursing uniforms and photographs.
Murray Premises
Situated on the harbour front, this building was built in 1846 as an office and warehouse for trade and fishing. It is one of the oldest buildings in St. John's and was restored in 1979. It houses restaurants, offices and speciality boutiques
Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site
Explore the history of the world famous Newman's port wine inside one of St. John's oldest buildings, the only existing historic wine vault in Newfoundland and Labrador.
North Head Trail - Signal Hill
This difficult 1.7km trail on Signal Hill from Cabot Tower to Lower Battery Road descends almost 500 feet over stairs, boardwalk and footpath. incredible view of St. John's harbour.
NRC Institute for Ocean Technology
Some of the world's largest facilities for scale model testing of ships, drilling platforms and submarines. (May not be open in Spetember.)
Quidi Vidi Brewing Company Limited
Local beer, local company. Specialty brands: Award Winning 1892 Traditional Ale, Honey Brown, Honey Brown Light and Award Winning Eric's Red, Mainstream: Quidi Vidi and Quidi Vidi Light, the official beer here.
Railway Coastal Museum
In this magnificent heritage building, this museum exhibits the 150 year history of the Newfoundland Railway and Coastal Boat services. Also houses city of St. John's Archives & Records.
The Rooms
The home of The Rooms Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. Showcasing the art, artifacts and archival records, natural history, cultural treasures of Newfoundland and Labrador. Diaries, maps, plans, photography, government records, family history collections, business records and films let researchers explore the diversity of the provincial culture and the breadth of Newfoundland and Labrador history. Jun 1 to Oct 14 Mon, Tue, Thu. Fri & Sat 10am to 5pm, Wed 10am - 9pm, Sun 12noon to 5pm (Archives Closed). The Gift Shop has same hours as The Rooms.)
Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada
Commemorated for its defence and communication history. May 15 - Oct 15 (Visitor Centre 10am - 6pm Jun 15 - Labour Day; Rest of Year 8:30am - 4:30pm, Cabot Tower/Gift Shop May 15 - Sep - 8:30am - 9pm)
Titanic Exhibit / Travelling Exhibits
Travelling exhibits available and presentational lectures given by L. Daley, Titanic Diver. St. John's Jan 1 - Dec 31, Mon - Sat 9:30am - 5pm,
