Top Things to do in St. John's
10 Museums in St. John's That You Shouldn't Miss
Looking out over the city of St. John's, you may be reminded of a mini San Francisco (minus the cable cars). St. John's provides the ideal balance between nature and nightlife, from the East Coast Trail and its stunning scenery to the colorful entertainment district along George Street. Although it's the largest city in Newfoundland, the vibe is still very small-town. You'll feel welcome in the City of Legends!
Restaurants in St. John's
1. Alexis Templeton Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Alexis Templeton Studio: Shop and working pottery studio. A creative space, the studio always features Alexis’ latest work as well as interesting pieces by other potters and a selection of very fine chocolate. Visit Year-round - please consult the website for current hours. 75 Quidi Vidi Rd (near the foot of Signal Hill)in St. John’s, NL. Note on Covid-19: Outside of essential workers, visitors to the province are prohibited at this time. Those with special exceptions to travel are expected to isolate for 14 days. We are happily Covid-free right now!
2. Johnson Geo Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Cut from the ancient rock of Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, the Johnson GEO CENTRE takes you deep underground to experience the story of planet Earth. Discover our planet's incredible history, get the real story behind the sinking of the Titanic, learn about the volcanoes, earthquakes and natural forces that shape the very ground beneath our feet, and so much more. Explore the interactive exhibits on your own or join our interpreters on a guided tour. The kids will love playing in the Hibernia KidsPlace and experiencing our multimedia film complete with rain and lightning. You can all enjoy lunch at our onsite cafe and take home unique keepsakes from GEO GIFTS. Then, take your learning outside with a walk through our GEO VISTA PARK. At the Johnson GEO CENTRE, we'll show you Earth from the inside, out! The GEO CENTRE is wheelchair accessible and offers free, off-street parking. Bus parking also available.
Reviewed By crysw83 - St. John's, Canada
This place has it all. There is lots of parking, and around the building is trails to walk. Along the paths are displays of man made items to resemble the area in another era, like a well, fishing wharf, land markers and rock wall boundary. Inside the geo centre is a very inviting place, with a small lounge/cafe style area, and close by is the geo centre gift shop and has all kinds fun gifts from geode rocks to newfoundland items abd souvenirs. Downstairs is like no other. Several different areas to explore with different exhibits like the titanic, hibernia, rock walls showing the history of our land, etc. You'll be amazed by the large hanging planets above your head. Quite the place to visit.
3. Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
A showcase of Newfoundland talent.
4. The Rooms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,822 reviews
The Rooms is a place for all of us: for those who live here and those who want to experience it fully. Part sanctuary, part showcase, part classroom and part playground, it’s both a destination and a journey. This is a gathering place, a creative space and a cultural centre as distinct and unique as Newfoundland and Labrador. It is our place to come together, to create meaningful and memorable experiences. It is our place to share the best of who we are.
Reviewed By Nunya-from-NS - Wick, United Kingdom
A magnificent collection of collections on a stunning site. Well signed, easily accessible, big range of exhibits. We saw WW1 exhibit, rughooking exhibit, Group of Seven exhibit, natural history exhibit, cultures of NL exhibit (very sensitively handled, bravo, and a wonderful display of local expressions!) ... and somehow we missed the David Blackwood exhibition (I'm very disappointed about this, but can't figure out how it happened). Bravo, this place is sensational!
5. James J. O'Mara Pharmacy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Throughout the museum, examples of equipment used by pharmacists can be seen including mortars and pestles; glass graduates; a variety of dispensing scales with brass weights; pill making machines; brass suppository molds; glass ointment slabs; cork presses; and label dispenser. A display of patent medicines can be seen, some reputedly to cure almost any illness. Antique drug store fixtures border the museum walls, constructed of oak in England in 1879. These fixtures are currently stocked with many of the medications found in drug stores just before the turn of the 20th century but held many commercialized products at the time of the pharmacy
6. Peter Lewis Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
The Peter Lewis Gallery is a unique downtown heritage space, home to the work of artists who find inspiration in the colourful elements and brash landscapes of Eastern Canada. Peter's own work is informed by an impressionist's eye, detailed settings from here in his home province and those he has been inspired to capture during his international travels.
7. Heritage Shop Duckworth Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
The Heritage Shop offers the best in local art, craft and literature that reflect the history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. A non-profit, proceeds from Heritage Shop stores go toward projects that present this province's history.
8. Crows Nest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By iwheeler2018 - St. John's, Canada
Although a private club, visitors are always welcome. View the artifacts especially the U-Boat periscope and enjoy a pint with an awesome harbour view.
9. Memorial University of Newfoundland
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 55 reviews
Founded in 1925, this university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to thousands of students each year.
Reviewed By stevewA1265GK
Awesome school , but just watched my daughter graduate so a bit biased.She attended two universities in Ontario but found her self here at MUN
10. Railway Coastal Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By 638derrickc - St. John's, Canada
I don't often write reviews on local attractions, something which I suppose I need to be more pro-active about, especially for the great ones like this one. This particular local muesum recently made headlines for our city counsel's short-sighted decision to shut it down while we're in the middle of a global pandemic, due to "reduced visitors". I had to make sure I got in one visit before it was gone forever. The exhibits on the history of railway and coastal travel in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador are all very professionally designed and filled with lots of interesting facts and artifacts to tell the story of a railway which no longer exists in our province. It's all housed within the historic building that was once that railway's St. John's hub. There are at least a couple of hours worth of interesting things to view, if you take the time to read through all of the displays, and I'm glad I was able to view it all with my fiancee once before it's alllost forever. Do consider visiting it while you still can!
