Eating and Drinking
St. John’s has many wonderful places to go out and have a great meal, whether you are looking to enjoy some traditional Newfoundland dishes such as a jigg’s dinner, some fresh seafood, a gourmet brick oven pizza, or some famous fish n’ chips at Ches’s. For a list of some of the restaurants you can find in St. John’s, check out this link.
St. John’s is also home to one of the most famous (or infamous!) streets in North America – George St. This street runs parallel to the harbour, and boasts the most bars per capita in North America. This street is only a 2 minute walk from Casey St. If you come during July you can attend the George St. Festival.
Festivals and Music
St. John’s has so much to offer anyone who comes to visit-for history buffs, museum and theatre lovers, sports fans, music lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, children and everyone in between. No one visits St. John’s without falling in love with this unique city. Before you go you may want to check out what attractions, festivals, sites and events are going on that you don’t want to miss. Here is a list of some of the festivals and theatre events that will be going on in 2011.
Parks and Attractions
There are many parks and attractions in and around St. John’s. Here is a list of some of the places our family has enjoyed over the years.
Museums and Historic Sites
There are also some wonderful museums and historic sites you may want to see while you are here. Many of these are within walking distance of our Casey St. House in St. John’s.
Whale Watching / Bird Watching / Icebergs
It’s hard to imagine a trip to Newfoundland without seeing whales or icebergs, and if you are staying in St. John’s, there are several options to do this. You may be lucky to see an iceberg floating through the Narrows, but you can also take a chartered trip with a licensed company.
Day Trips
If you rent a car, there are many day trips you can take that will make your visit even more memorable. Here are some of our favourites:
The Ferryland Museum and archaeological site is part of the Irish Loop. http://www.theirishloop.com/
http://www.irish-loop.com/
Cape St. Mary’s Bird Sanctuary is a major ecological site where you can view many species of sea birds who nest on the rock wall. There are easy trails to hike around and a small museum. In the summer you can also enjoy music performances there every week. http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/PlacesToGo/CapeStMarys http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/parks/wer/r_csme/index.html
Many tourists insist on visiting the unusually-named nearby town of Dildo, or South Dildo, if only to have their picture taken beside the sign.
The town of Brigus has a blueberry festival every year in August. They also have the Hawthorne theatre, and interesting sites to visit.
Nearby Cupids is the site of the oldest British Colony in Canada (1610) and the second oldest colony in North America. It is also has an active archaeological site.
There are several other areas close by you can drive to see if you are interested in archaeology.
If you would like to go out on a boat trip, there is Island chartered tours in Carbonear.
Carbonear also has a lovely Inn and Restaurant called Sophia’s (best to reserve ahead) Enjoy a night of theatre in Carbonear or in Victoria or take one of the historic walks through the town of Carbonear.
The town of Markland has a winery which makes delicious and exotic wine from Newfoundland berries. The Rodriguez Winery gives tours during the summer and fall.
There is a golf course on the Baccalieu Trail, and if you are committed, it is a little over an hours drive.
Shopping
Some of the best stores and galleries are on nearby Duckworth Avenue and Water St., which run parallel to the Harbour. St. John’s also has a couple of malls and box stores with the typical selection of stores.
Hiking/Kayaking
Newfoundland is home to some of the best sea kayaking in the world. If you intend to try it, make sure you venture forth with a licensed company. The famous East Coast Trail is accessible from our house, and is about a 15 minute walk away up at the top of Signal Hill.
Otto P. Kelland
Best known as the author of the haunting ballad ‘Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s', Kelland was born in 1904 in Lamaline and he died in July, 2004. He spent his working life as a policeman and later warden and Superintendent at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary. Kelland was a prolific author, with several books and many songs to his credit. His name, however, is synonymous with the song he wrote in 1947 that told the world about the perils of fishing from a dory. He was also a master craftsman whose model dories and schooners bring to life the history of the Grand Banks fishing industry. Kelland is a member of the Order of Canada, investiture 1994.
You find some of Pop’s books and original model dories throughout both our Casey Street and Ochre Pit Cove homes.