Newfoundland is big. Like, surprisingly big. Most people look at a map of Canada, see that rocky triangle out in the Atlantic, and figure they can "do" the whole thing in a long weekend. Honestly? You can't. If you try to rush the things to do in Newfoundland, you’re just going to spend twelve hours a day staring at moose-warning signs on the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s a place that demands you slow down, drink a lukewarm Quidi Vidi beer, and accept that the weather is going to do whatever it wants.
I’ve seen tourists show up in St. John’s wearing flip-flops in June only to realize that "iceberg season" means the wind feels like a slap in the face. But that’s the charm. It’s raw. It’s the kind of place where you go looking for a hiking trail and end up invited into a stranger’s kitchen for tea and toutons (deep-fried dough with molasses, and yes, they are life-changing).
The St. John's Starter Pack: More Than Just Jellybean Row
Most trips start in St. John’s. It’s one of the oldest cities in North America, and it feels like it. The streets are steep—I’m talking "your calves will scream at you" steep. You’ve probably seen photos of the brightly colored houses known as Jellybean Row. They’re great for Instagram, sure, but the real soul of the city is down on Water Street and up at Signal Hill.
If you’re looking for iconic things to do in Newfoundland, Signal Hill is non-negotiable. This is where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Stand by Cabot Tower when the wind is whipping off the ocean at 80 kilometers per hour. It’s humbling. From there, you can hike the North Head Trail. It’s a 1.7km loop that skirts the edge of the cliffs. Do not do this if you have vertigo or if the rocks are icy. Seriously. One slip and you’re Atlantic fish food.
The George Street Myth
Everyone talks about George Street. It has the "most bars per square foot" or whatever the stat is this year. Look, it’s fun. It’s loud. If you want to get "Screeched-in"—a ceremony involving cheap rum, a silly hat, and kissing a frozen cod—this is the place. But if you want a real local vibe? Head to The Ship Pub or The Duke of Duckworth. Get the fish and chips. It’s usually cod, it’s usually caught nearby, and it’s usually better than anything you’ve had on the mainland.
Chasing Icebergs and Whales (Timing is Everything)
People often ask about the best time to visit. If you want icebergs, you need to be there in late May or June. These are massive, 10,000-year-old chunks of Greenland glacier floating past the coast. They call it "Iceberg Alley."
Twillingate is often called the Iceberg Capital of the World. It’s a bit of a drive, but seeing a berg the size of a condo block grounding itself in a shallow cove is something you don't forget. But here’s the thing: icebergs are fickle. Some years there are hundreds. Some years there are none. Check the Iceberg Finder before you commit to a five-hour detour.
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Whales are a different story.
The humpbacks usually show up in July and August to feed on capelin. If you go to Witless Bay—just south of St. John’s—you can take a boat tour out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
- You’ll see puffins.
- Thousands of them.
- They look like flying potatoes with colorful beaks.
- They’re adorable and clumsy.
- The whales often breach right next to the boats.
It’s loud, it smells like bird guano, and it’s spectacular.
Gros Morne: The Geological Mind-Trip
If you only do one thing outside of St. John's, drive the eight hours west to Gros Morne National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason. This is where geologists basically proved plate tectonics.
You have to see the Tablelands. It looks like Mars. It’s one of the few places on Earth where the Earth’s mantle—the layer usually buried miles deep—is exposed on the surface. The rock is peridotite. It’s toxic to most plants because it’s high in heavy metals, which is why the area is a barren, orange wasteland in the middle of a lush green forest. It’s eerie.
The Western Brook Pond Hike
Don’t let the word "pond" fool you. It’s a massive landlocked fjord with 2,000-foot cliffs. To get to the boat tour, you have to walk about 3 kilometers over a flat boardwalk through a bog.
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- Pack water.
- Bring bug spray (the blackflies in June will try to carry you away).
- Book the boat in advance.
The scale of the cliffs makes the boat feel like a toy. It’s one of those things to do in Newfoundland that actually lives up to the hype in the brochures.
The Bonavista Peninsula: History and Dramatic Edges
Bonavista is where John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) allegedly first spotted North America in 1497. There’s a lighthouse there that’s been restored to its 1870s glory. It’s cool, but the real draw is the Dungeon Provincial Park. It’s not a literal dungeon—it’s a massive, two-arched sea collapse where the ocean rushes in with terrifying force.
Nearby is the town of Trinity. It’s arguably the prettiest town in the province. It’s been used as a film set for movies like The Shipping News and the recent Peter Pan & Wendy. It feels like a time capsule.
While you’re in the area, do the Skerwink Trail. It’s a 5km hike near Port Rexton. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best hikes in North America. Why? Because the sea stacks and rugged cliffs look like something out of Game of Thrones. After the hike, hit the Port Rexton Brewing Co. Their T-Rail Pale Ale is a local staple for a reason.
Fogo Island and the "Edge of the Earth"
You’ve probably seen the Fogo Island Inn on your feed. It’s that ultra-modern building on stilts that costs a small fortune to stay in. Even if you aren't dropping three grand a night on a room, Fogo is worth the ferry ride from Farewell.
The island has "four corners of the earth," according to the Flat Earth Society (Brimstone Head is one of them). The hiking is world-class. The people are incredibly dry-witted. It’s an island off an island. Everything is harder to get, which makes the food and the hospitality feel more intentional.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Newfoundland
A lot of visitors think they can see the whole province in a week. Newfoundland is 108,860 square kilometers. For context, that's larger than Ireland. The roads are mostly two-lane, and you must watch for moose. There are over 100,000 moose on the island, and hitting one is no joke. They are heavy, they are tall, and they will total your rental car and potentially you.
Pro tip: Avoid driving at night. If you must, drive slow.
Also, don't expect "Canadian" weather. Expect "North Atlantic" weather. It can be 25°C in the morning and 5°C with horizontal rain by lunchtime. Layers aren't just a suggestion; they are a survival strategy.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
To actually enjoy the things to do in Newfoundland, you need a strategy that doesn't involve living in your car.
- Fly into St. John's and out of Deer Lake: This is an "open-jaw" flight. It saves you from having to drive eight hours back across the island to catch your flight home. It’ll cost a bit more in car rental drop-off fees, but it’ll save you two days of driving.
- Book your car months in advance: There is a notorious rental car shortage in Newfoundland. If you wait until June to book for August, you will be walking or taking the bus (and the bus system is... let's just say "limited").
- Talk to the locals: Newfoundlanders are famously chatty. If you’re at a gas station or a cafe, ask where the best spot for fish is. They won't send you to the tourist trap; they'll send you to a shed where someone’s uncle is frying up the morning catch.
- Respect the "Tickle": In Newfoundland, a "tickle" is a narrow strait of water. Some of the best views are found by just driving down a random road that leads to a tickle or a cove.
- Check the Ferry Schedules: If you’re going to Fogo or Labrador, the ferries are weather-dependent. Always have a "Plan B" day in your itinerary in case the wind picks up and the boats stop running.
Newfoundland isn't a place you visit to tick boxes off a list. It’s a place you go to feel small against the backdrop of the ocean. It's loud pubs and silent bogs. It’s rough around the edges, and that’s exactly why it’s better than the polished tourist hubs on the mainland. Pack a raincoat, bring a sense of humor, and don't try to see it all at once. You won't, and that's just an excuse to come back.