Things to do in St. John's

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

St. John\'s
St. John\'s featuring rocky coastline, a coastal town and general coastal views
Photo provided by Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Photo provided by Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
St. John\'s showing a coastal town and rugged coastline
St. John\'s featuring rocky coastline, general coastal views and a coastal town

St. John's Attractions

Wondering how you'll keep yourself occupied in St. John's? You won't be short of things to see or do in this lively state capital. With so many tourist attractions and activities to choose from, the only tricky part of your getaway will be figuring out where to begin.

Find out what makes St. John's tick with some of the most popular tours & day trips. Look into our {20 fun activities in St. John's fun activities in St. John's}, and book with confidence knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

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Most popular activities in St. John's

Tours & day trips

See all 17 activities
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour

St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 12 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $99 per adult
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 3 activities
Friendly St. John’s: A Newfoundland Port Self-Guided Audio Tour

Friendly St. John’s: A Newfoundland Port Self-Guided Audio Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $15 per adult
Friendly St. John’s: A Newfoundland Port Self-Guided Audio TourOpens in new tab

Wildlife & nature

See all 3 activities
St. John's: Cape Spear and City Tour with Local Guide

St. John's: Cape Spear and City Tour with Local Guide

Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $65 per adult
St. John's: Cape Spear and City Tour with Local GuideOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in St. John's

Number of things to do
20
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Murder Mystery Detective Experience in St Johns NL: $11
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in St. John's

Free Things to Do in St. John's

Leave your purse in the hotel. It's a snap to have fun in St. John's without surrendering a penny.

St. Bonaventure College - Tour this landmark and be inspired by its distinctive design.

St. John's Courthouse - If you're fascinated by history, this is one stop you won't want to miss.

Quidi Vidi Lake - Find a good place to sit and enjoy the tranquility that goes hand in hand with being near the water.

Atlantic Place - Speak to a few locals and discover why many sightseers call in at this place.

Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - No matter your religious leanings, this site is sure to inspire a sense of reverence in you.

Waterford River Walk - You're bound to feel connected with Mother Earth at this awe-inspiring attraction.

Harbourside Park - Work on your green thumb and marvel at the wide range of plants on show.

Things to Do in St. John's with Kids

You'll find loads of fun activities to do with the kids in and near St. John's. Keep the crew entertained with our family friendly experiences.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in St. John's? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in St. John's

The Rooms featuring theater scenes

The Rooms

4.5/5(54 reviews)

Browse the work of talented artists and dive into thousands of years of history at the largest cultural center in Newfoundland.

The Rooms
George Street which includes street scenes and a hotel

George Street

Enjoy nights of singing, drinking, dancing and live music at the party capital of downtown St. John’s, two blocks of clubs and bars.

George Street
Standing at the very edge of North America, I watched the wild waves as they crashed into bluffs. Cape Spear National Historic Site is perched on the most easterly point of the continent. A breathtaking place with ocean vistas and the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland. #canada #travel #newfoundland

Cape Spear Lighthouse

4.5/5(68 reviews)

You can learn about the history of St. John's with a stop at Cape Spear Lighthouse. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Cape Spear Lighthouse
Signal Hill showing general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Signal Hill National Historic Site

5/5(94 reviews)

Retrace historic moments of this landmark hill, the site of wartime defenses and where the first transatlantic wireless signal was received.

Signal Hill National Historic Site
Most eastern point of Canada -2017

Cape Spear National Historic Site

4.5/5(35 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Cape Spear National Historic Site, a lovely green space in St. John's. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the shops in this relaxing area.

Cape Spear National Historic Site
Built in the shape of a cross with material from Ireland -2017

Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

4.5/5(2 reviews)

You can find out about the history of St. John's with a visit to Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Check out the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Fort Amherst showing general coastal views and a ruin

Fort Amherst

4/5(17 reviews)

Newfoundland’s first lighthouse has stood sentry over St. John’s harbor for more than 200 years and is where you can take in glorious sea views.

Fort Amherst
Quidi Vidi Village, St. John's, Newfoundland #aquatrove

Quidi Vidi Battery

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can find out about the history of St. John's when you stop by Quidi Vidi Battery. Check out the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Quidi Vidi Battery

Port of St. John's

4.5/5(63 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in St. John's with a trip to Port of St. John's. Check out the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Port of St. John's

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in St. John's

Johnson Geo Centre

Downtown St. John's

4.5/5(116 area reviews)

Historic core meets business hub, this area boasts office buildings, hotels, and a vibrant entertainment scene. Discover local art galleries, bookstores, and The Rooms cultural facility, while enjoying unique shopping experiences.

Downtown St. John's
Cabot Tower featuring general coastal views and landscape views

Quidi Vidi

Discover "The Gut" harbor and Quidi Vidi Lake in this charming area, where you can visit the Quidi Vidi Brewing Company and Village Artisan Studios. Explore the Quidi Vidi Battery Provincial Historic Site and dine at the restored Mallard Cottage.

Quidi Vidi
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Central

While Central isn't home to many top sights, Newman Wine Vaults and Mile One Centre are some notable places to visit nearby.

Central
I. love. Lester's Farm. It brings colour and joy to even the coldest and dreariest July winter days

West End

While visiting West End, you might make a stop by sights like Village Shopping Centre and Lester's Farm Market.

West End
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Churchill Park

While there might not be top attractions in Churchill Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Suncor Energy Fluvarium and St. John's Government House.

Churchill Park
Neighbourhood built on the slopes of Signal Hill overlooking St. John's Harbour -2017

The Battery

Perched on the slopes of Signal Hill, this picturesque area boasts steep inclines and vibrant houses. Explore Chain Rock, a historic landmark, and enjoy captivating harbor views.

The Battery
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from St. John's

Photo by Bash Mac

Portugal Cove - St. Philips

Photo by Melissa Jayne

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove

Photo by Joanne Dray-Byrne

Bay Bulls

Photo by Joanne Dray-Byrne

Conception Bay South

Frequently asked questions

Is St. John's worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in St. John's is visit Cape Spear Lighthouse. Tick this leading attraction off your agenda, then experience more of this area's festivals and culture.
How do I spend a day in St. John's?
Once you've checked off major attractions like Cape Spear Lighthouse and Quidi Vidi Lake, spend the rest of your day experiencing the retail and food options in St. John's.
What is the top tourist attraction in St. John's?
Cape Spear Lighthouse is one of the top tourist attractions in St. John's and deserves a spot on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in St. John's?
Three days in St. John's is more than enough to enjoy the city's major attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. Cape Spear Lighthouse, Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Spirit of Newfoundland are highly rated sights. Want to experience more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like Harbour Grace.
Is St. John's a walkable city?
Some top attractions in St. John's, like Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Spirit of Newfoundland, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Only 0.2 miles from the city center of St. John's is Downtown St. John's and Waterford Valley is 2 miles away.
What are some activities to do in St. John's with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all the family, take a look at these great ideas for what to do in St. John's with kids.

What to do in St. John's for adults?
Suncor Energy Fluvarium and St. John's Government House are just a couple of the things to do in St. John's. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in St. John's?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in St. John's is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on cool neighborhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.