Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour

St. John's , Canada

Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour

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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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About this experience

Discover Newfoundland, with Newfoundlanders!

Please note that Newfoundland and New Brunswick are different places- there are two towns with similar names- St. John New Brunswick and St. John's Newfoundland. We are in Newfoundland and do not run tours in NB.

Become acquainted with the city of St. John's and its surroundings, including Cape Spear, the most Easterly point in North America. Your local guide will regale you with its steeped history, legends & lore - all flavored with personal anecdotes and good humor for which Newfoundlanders are so famous.

Enjoy the brilliant vistas from Cabot Tower and Signal Hill, one of the most recognizable skylines in Canada. Walk through a cliffside World War II gun battery, watch for whales and seabirds, and visit the oldest standing lighthouse in the province. Other sights include Quidi Vidi Village, Jelly Bean Row, Government House, the Roman Catholic Basilica, and an orientation of the shops and restaurants of the downtown core.

Available options

Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour

Pickup included

What's included

Air-conditioned vehicle

Detailed itinerary

The most Easterly Point in North America, this spit of land and famous lighthouses are well known the world over for welcoming travelers from across the seas.

This quaint fishing village provides visitors with a taste of what small-town Newfoundland is like, outside the hustle-bustle of St. John's. In season keep your eyes peeled for fish coming in on the boats!

These iconic houses stand out and help make St. John's the vibrant and colorful town that it is.

We will explore the iconic Signal Hill, with its commanding view of St. John's, the iconic Cabot Tower, and the impressive gun emplacements and history.

This charming village is a perfect last stop on the tour- a perfect representation of the old economy and the new. Fishermen still take their small boats out from the harbour in the "gut," while in the old fish plant, some of the most interesting beer in Newfoundland is brewed.

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.8

107 reviews

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Tripadvisor 5.0

140 reviews

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Important information

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We require a minimum of four people total booked on a tour in order for it to proceed, and we reserve the right to cancel the tour if we do not receive sufficient people

This tour is located in St. John's Newfoundland, not Saint John New Brunswick- they are different towns in different provinces and not close to one another

Passengers may have to go up and down a couple of steps. We do stop and walk around at the different sites, however if desired they can stay in the vehicle.

The tour lasts 3.5 hours, which includes the driving time to get to the different sites, as well as pickups. We generally spend around 15 minutes at each stop but the driving time to get to each place adds a significant amount of time to the tour

The closest pickup to the Cruise Terminal is the Alt Hotel, roughly 300 Meters Away

Pickup starts prior to tour departure time- please check in the list to see how long before the start time of the tour you should be ready for pickup

Please ensure that you will be in Newfoundland and not New Brunswick

Important notes

The guide will pick you up from the hotel- they will have your name and will be looking out for you, but you can show the confirmation email as well if there are any questions.

PICKUP TIMES START PRIOR TO TOUR START TIME.

Pickup time depends on the location of pickup. We pick up prior to the listed departure time, a set amount of time- see list below.

As an example of how this works, for a 9:30 tour, if the hotel listed says "30 minutes prior to departure," that means we should be there to pick you up right around 9:00 am. We will pick you up just outside of the lobby of each of the hotels unless otherwise specified. If you are not ready at that time you have missed the tour

ALT Hotel – 15 minutes prior

Bannerman Park Suites – 20 minutes prior

Best Western – 45 minutes prior

Capital Hotel - 45 minutes prior

Comfort Inn - 45 minutes prior

Compton House - 10 minutes prior

Courtyard by Marriott - 20 minutes prior

Delta - 10 minutes prior *Pickup from Lower Lobby*

DoubleTree - 20 minutes prior *Pickup from Lower Lobby*

Duckworth Hotel – 15 minutes prior

Fairfield Inn - 45 minutes prior

Franklin Hotel - 15 minutes prior

Gower Guest House – 15 minutes prior

Hampton Inn and Suites - 45 minutes prior

Hilton Garden Inn - 10 minutes prior

Holiday Inn Express - 45 minutes prior

Holiday Inn Portugal Cove Road - 40 minutes prior

Homeport Hotel – 40 minutes prior

Hometel on Signal Hill - 25 minutes prior

Jag Hotel - 10 minutes prior

Leaside Manor - 5 minutes prior

Mallard Cottage – 25 minutes prior

Memorial University (MacPherson College) - 30 minutes prior

Monastery Spa and Suites – 5 minutes prior

Murray Premises - 15 minutes prior

Narrows B&B - 15 minutes prior

Pippy Park (Main Entrance) - 30 minutes prior

Ramada - 45 minutes prior

Sandman Signature – 45 minutes prior

Sheraton Hotel - 20 minutes prior

The Roses B&B - 20 minutes prior

Visitor Information Centre - 15 minutes prior

About St. John's

St. John's is the capital and largest city of Newfoundland and Labrador, known for its colorful row houses, vibrant culture, and stunning natural landscapes. It is the oldest city in North America, offering a unique blend of history, adventure, and coastal charm.

Top Attractions

Signal Hill National Historic Site

Signal Hill offers stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a historic site where the first transatlantic wireless signal was received.

Historical 1-2 hours Free entry to the park, fees for some attractions

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America and home to the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland.

Historical 1-2 hours Free entry to the park, fees for some attractions

The Rooms

The Rooms is a museum, art gallery, and archives that showcases the history and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Museum 1-3 hours Admission fees apply

Bowring Park

Bowring Park is a beautiful urban park with gardens, walking paths, and a large pond. It is a popular spot for picnics and leisurely strolls.

Nature 30 minutes to 1 hour Free

Quidi Vidi Village

Quidi Vidi Village is a charming fishing village within the city limits, known for its colorful houses, local art, and the famous Quidi Vidi Brewery.

Cultural 1-2 hours Free to explore, fees for brewery tours and tastings

Must-Try Local Dishes

Jiggs' Dinner

A traditional Newfoundland dish made with salt beef, cabbage, carrots, turnips, and pease pudding.

Lunch/Dinner Contains beef and salt

Fish and Chips

Freshly caught cod or haddock, battered and fried, served with chips (fries) and tartar sauce.

Lunch/Dinner Contains fish and gluten

Todo

A traditional Newfoundland dessert made with molasses, breadcrumbs, and spices, baked and served with cream or ice cream.

Dessert Vegetarian, contains gluten

Molly's Crackers

A traditional Newfoundland snack made with hardtack, a simple type of cracker, often served with molasses or cheese.

Snack Vegetarian, contains gluten

Popular Activities

Hiking Kayaking Whale watching Iceberg viewing Picnicking Beachcombing Spa treatments Museum visits

Best Time to Visit

June to August

Summer is the peak tourist season with warm temperatures, long daylight hours, and numerous festivals. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the city's attractions.

12°C to 20°C (54°F to 68°F) 54°F to 68°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: English
English: Widely spoken

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Time Zone

GMT-3:30 (Newfoundland Time)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

St. John's is generally a safe city, but visitors should exercise caution in certain areas and during certain times.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure
• Use licensed taxis
• Be cautious of strangers offering services

Getting there

By air

St. John's International Airport • 10 km (6 miles) from city center

By bus

St. John's Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

Metrobus is the primary public transportation system in St. John's, offering affordable and reliable service.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Taxi Apps

Rentals

Car, Bike

Neighborhoods

Downtown The Battery Quidi Vidi Bellevue

Day trips

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

15 km (9 miles) • Half day to full day

A charming fishing village with scenic views, hiking trails, and local art galleries.

La Manche Provincial Park

20 km (12 miles) • Half day to full day

A beautiful provincial park with hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ferryland Lighthouse Picnic

25 km (15 miles) • Full day

A unique picnic experience at a historic lighthouse, accessible only by boat.

Festivals

George Street Festival • August Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival • August St. John's Reggae Festival • July

Pro tips

Visit Signal Hill for stunning views and a deeper understanding of the city's history
Try local seafood, especially fish and chips and Jiggs' Dinner
Explore the historic Battery neighborhood for its unique charm and picturesque streets
Take a day trip to Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove for hiking and scenic views
Check out the local music scene on George Street, especially during the George Street Festival