Top Things to do in St. John's
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in St. John's, Newfoundland
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. St. John's Hop On Hop Off
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 123 reviews
Hop on hop off bus tour that provides live guided tours of St. John's. St. John’s Hop On Hop off has 10 stops that are conveniently located near all major attractions and landmarks including; downtown, Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi Village and Cape Spear. Hop on hop off gives you the freedom to see St. John’s at your own pace, while experiencing Newfoundland storytelling on board.
2. 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!
3. Escape Quest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Escape Quest is a new escape room experience in downtown St. John’s! Crafted by local artists and gamers, our four interactive escape scenarios provide a thrilling combination of challenge, entertainment, and teamwork. What is an Escape Room? Escape rooms are a new form of entertainment that has caught on all over the world! Groups are sent into a room filled with riddles, puzzles, and clues. Working together, they must solve each problem in the hopes of finding a way out before they run out of time. Each success gives players a rush of excitement, but as the game goes on, the challenges get tougher. Only by working together and finding every clue can players hope to escape!
Reviewed By 162unah
I first did a couple of escape rooms (Patient 709 and Lost Colony of Atlantis) at Escape Quest back in February of 2019. This time around we did 1892. I will come back every time there is a new room to do! Every time I have been to Escape Quest the staff are consistently energetic, the rooms are engaging but not impossible to complete, and it's always a good time. I've loved puzzles and riddles and brain teasers since I was a kid and these rooms provide so many unique challenges that get your brain going. I've done these rooms with just a couple of friends each time and we always have a laugh. Super great place for an hour or two of gameplay (depending on how many rooms you book), great for team building or just having a fun night out! GO VISIT!! :) :)
4. O'Brien's Music Inc.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Newfoundland's traditional music store since 1939. Large selection of Newfoundland CDs and DVDs. Also musical instruments, including harmonicas, accordions, bodhrans, guitars, mandolins, ukes and of course made-in-Newfoundland shakers and ugly sticks. Friendly, laid-back, helpful staff. Find out what's happening on the St. John's music scene.
5. Jack Axes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Jack Axes is St. John’s first indoor axe-throwing facility. From coast to coast, axe-throwing competitions have been taking Canada by storm. Everyone that tries their hand at throwing axe is instantly hooked. Here at Jack Axes, our aim is to provide a unique, fun, and ‘axe’-citing environment for you and your group to enjoy.
Reviewed By RobH363 - Halifax, Canada
Loved our time at Jack Axes. The instructor was super into it and helpful. The beer was tasty, and even though we couldn't take it to the court/lane, it was only a short walk to have another sip. They didn't hurry us out the door and we generally had an excellent time.
6. Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Museum featuring historical and artistic artifacts pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church.
Reviewed By ramona551 - St. John's, Canada
If your into stained glass and churches then you will want to see the Bascillica..this beautiful stone building is a remarkable beauty ..the inside is a must see as the stained glass and monuments inside are breathtaking...around the back of the Cathedral on outside you can visit the holy shroud ..a remarkable must see for Catholics and people interested in religioous artifacts and history..a must see ...there is a nice terry walk from downtown St. John’s up to the basilica ..a grea5 easy at your own pace walk..
7. Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
A beautiful stone church built in 1847.
Reviewed By Nunya-from-NS - Wick, United Kingdom
We thought we'd wander in and enjoy this building for a bit and ended up with a thoroughly mind-blowing tour by the young man on his way studying the organ at Memorial. The history of the imagery, structure, organ and artifacts were all enthusiastically and thoroughly presented, and he left us wowed by the cathedral and the community that has invested so much in it's preservation. It was beautiful inside and out. Thank you very much, and kudos to the docent who looked after us so well!
8. Aquarena Fitness Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
9. Commissariat House
10. 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.
