St. John's, Newfoundland's capital, emerges from the hillsides above one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours. The scenery is breathtaking, and unlike many cities, it clutches its harbour so tightly that ships arrive and depart right in the middle of the city's commercial and residential district.
St. John's, the first European settlement in North America, functioned as a home for fishing boats from all over the world as early as the 1500s, and it still has the sense of a nautical port today. Many of its tourist sites are related to the province's long and fascinating history, but a number of the greatest things to do here and in the area will help you connect to the nature—and even animals makes eastern Newfoundland so fascinating: its wildly spectacular shoreline and the sea birds and animals that prosper off its coasts.
The term "Jellybean Row" is used to characterise the vividly coloured row houses in St. John. It doesn't have to be one specific street; it could refer to any of the hillside's decorated wooden houses. Take a trip around the streets above Water Street to observe these local landmarks.

Things to do at St. John's

• Trek along the East Coast Trail: You're rarely far from nature in St. John's, which is one of its best features. From Pouch Cove to Cappahayden, the East Coast Trail is a network of 26 interconnected trails. There are also a few pathways that go through the city along the water's edge. If you've never trekked through the woods with a view of the ocean, you're missing out.
• Brunch at Quidi Vidi: The dining scene in St. John's is vibrant and surprising. Three of Canada's top 100 restaurants are located in this small town. Make time to visit Mallard Cottage in Quidi Vidi for their weekend breakfast. They not only offer up some of the province's most traditional cuisine in one of the province's oldest wooden structures, but they also offer an all-you-can-eat cake table that must be seen to be understood.
• Zipline over Petty Harbour: Zip lining with North Atlantic Ziplines in Petty Harbour is the best way to mix an exciting experience with breathtaking vistas. On Canada's longest zip line course, get strapped and glide from platform to platform. You can also discover from the displays that explain the region you're gazing at on every platform.
• The Haunted Hike in St. John's: There are likely to be a few ghost stories in a city as old as St. John's. Signing up for the St. John's Haunted Hike is the greatest way to hear some of the best. You'll be guided about downtown by a creepy, fascinating guide who will take you to the eerie locations where the stories took place. Explore hidden squares and back alleyways while learning about our magical past.
• Visit the Folk Festival of Newfoundland & Labrador: The annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is without a question another highlight of each St. Johns summer. It usually takes place near the George Street Festival, but that's nothing like it. The Bannerman Park Folk Festival takes place in early July and includes workshops, panel discussions, and plenty of folk music.
• Explore an iceberg and go whale watching: Although St. John's is not the epicentre of Newfoundland's whale viewing and iceberg seeking, there are still plenty of options to get out there. If you take an Iceberg Quest boat excursion, you might find yourself scraping bergy chunks from the sea to put in your beverage or witnessing a pod of humpback whales eat on capelin.
• Take a Picture of Jellybean Row: In the 1970s, the practise of painting vividly coloured facades erupted in St. John's as a bid to breathe fresh life into the city's dwindling downtown. Today, Jellybean Row is a source of pride for residents, who utilise painted mailboxes, t-shirts, and gifts to honour their row houses as symbols of the community. Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt and see how many you can find.
• Beach bonfire at Middle Cove: Grab some firewood, a bottle of beers, some hot dogs, and marshmallows, and hit the road for a bonfire on Middle Cove Beach. On any given night, you'll see the glow of more than a dozen flames. If you arrive early, you can acquire a fire pit, but if you arrive late and still want to have a fire, you can construct your own circle of stones and have at it.

Places to visit

• Signal Hill: One of the nicest views of St. John's is from the summit of Signal Hill. Although it is constantly windy, a journey up to the location where Marconi sent the first wireless signal is worthwhile. On your way up, halt at the visitor centre for gelato from the Newfoundland Chocolate Company Cafe or go inside Cabot Tower to see the gift store.
• The Rooms: The world-class cultural institution first opened its doors in 2005 and is now considered one of the best places to visit in St. John's, Newfoundland, for art and history fans. The Rooms' imaginative curators use the museum's treasures to tell Newfoundland and Labrador's special tales. 7,000 works of art, dioramas of tundra and bog animal and plant life, mounted bird displays, and more are among the highlights of The Rooms amazing collection.
• Bannerman Park: Bannerman Park, constructed in the Victorian style, is the city ’s top outdoor shared area. Today, historic buildings and Victorian Bed & Breakfasts encircle Bannerman Park. A baseball diamond, public swimming pool, playground, and numerous grassy areas are all included inside the park. A refurbished park was unveiled in 2015, complete with an outdoor skate loop and a stunning new entrance.
• George Street: Two blocks of bars, pubs, and restaurants make up the city's famed bar street, which is located in the heart of the city. It's the city's entertainment district, a gathering place for live music aficionados to see local bands perform. The George Street taverns in St. John's have been the inspiration for a slew of songs and stories, serving as a venue for everyone from Ron Hynes to Great Big Sea and Blue Rodeo.
• Johnson Geo Centre: The Johnson Geo Centre is a science museum devoted to learning about Newfoundland's geology. The Johnson Geo Centre is primarily underground, in an excavated glacial framework that enables tourists to get up and personal with the hill's visible granite. The Johnson Geo Centre explores geology through the perspective of Newfoundland, with permanent exhibits on off-shore mining in the oil and gas industry, as well as the terrible tragedy of the Titanic's loss.

How to reach?

• By Air: The St. John's International Airport is where planes to St. John's land. To get to downtown St. John's, take a taxi or hire a car from here.
• By Boat: Despite the fact that ferries stop in Newfoundland province, the travel to St. John's city is lengthy.
• By Bus: Bus service connects St. John's to adjacent towns and cities.