Canada Has Much More Than Moose: The Sights Around Newfoundland Will Leave Your Family Smiling

10/24/2017

Written by: Natasha Jones

Explore the incredible place where Canada both begins and ends.

Relax against the backdrop of the Long-Range Mountains and lose yourself in the rhythm of the waves crashing on the rocky shores. Newfoundland, known as “The Rock” is the fourth largest Canadian island, and the Eastern-most. It is an absolutely beautiful island, with so many attractions for all the family.

Whatever kind of trip you’re after, you will find what you’re looking for in this spectacular location.

Top Destinations for Visitors

Newfoundland’s capital, St John’s, also known as the City of Legends, was the first permanent settlement in North America. There is no shortage of historical attractions within St John’s.

Don’t miss QuidiVidi, a quaint old village a stone’s throw from the town centre; and make time to visit The Rooms museum, which beautifully showcases local natural history and folk artifacts, side by side.

Without question you must visit Signal Hill, where the first-ever radio transmission arrived across the Atlantic from Cornwall in 1901, and from where you can watch the most stunning sunsets; and don’t forget Cape Spear Lighthouse, North America’s most Easterly point.

Activities and Sights Not to Miss

Boat tours take passengers out to North America’s largest puffin colony on Puffin Island. Visit between June and August for your best chance of spotting whales. Humpback, minke, finback, orca, dolphins and porpoises, even the elusive blue whale –  Newfoundland has them all! Not to mention the spectacular icebergs, a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

After all the sea air, you’ll need somewhere special to rest your head. Whether you want to fill up at a great restaurant, work out at a state of the art fitness centre, or just get a good night’s sleep, try the Marriott Courtyard St Johns, Newfoundland which sits in an excellent downtown location close to George Street, Signal Hill and Memorial University, making it the perfect base for you to explore the city.

Venture out into the heart of St. John’s, where you will find museums, galleries, parks, restaurants, pubs and a huge range of specialty shops to suit any interest.

The bright facades of the colourful houses along Jellybean Row are a cheerful sight, and are especially memorable for the city’s younger visitors.

Rove further afield and visit UNESCO world heritage site, where you will see some of the most spectacular scenery of the region, and come face to face with a range of wildlife including caribou, moose, bears, beavers, otters and seals.

If you have time after all this, try kayaking as it was meant to be done, go camping in the great outdoors, and spend some time getting to know the locals, who are famous for being the friendliest people on the planet.

All in all, a visit to Newfoundland is an experience like nothing else, the memory of which will be treasured for a lifetime.

Natasha Jones is a digital nomad who has been on the road for 10 years and counting. Her passion is exploring off the beaten track, rescuing puppies and discovering unusual foods. She has a habit of getting stuck in floods, earthquakes and airport closures, so uses these times to catch up with writing!