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Let the friendly locals teach you what it really means to 'Kiss the Cod'.
Some people visit often, some come once and may never want to leave. Visit St. John's and you'll be hooked too.
St. John's is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador , affectionately referred to as "The Rock" by locals due to its windswept and craggy appearance. The oldest city in North America , it is also the most easterly city, and one of unparalleled history and beauty. St. John's is a quaint but bustling city of just over 100,000 citizens best known for their welcoming and sociable personalities. St. John's is also home to Memorial University , which lends the community a younger, student atmosphere too.
Let's get your holiday started! Keep reading if you want to know more.
Planning a family holiday you'll never forget is easy in St. John's. The possibilities are endless, but these are some highlights:
- The Railway Coastal Museum has 100 exhibits and displays relating to the building and operation of the Newfoundland Railway and Coastal Services;
- The Johnson GEO Centre Science exhibits take visitors on a virtual trip through time, telling the story of Earth;
- The Fluvarium Science Centre - a partially underwater aquatic centre with a series of nine panoramic viewing windows under the river;
- Military history buffs, don't miss the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum;
- Signal Hill National Historic Site at the entrance of St. John's Harbour for historic ceremonies which celebrate the city's seafaring and pirate lore;
- The Titanic & Iceberg Interpretation Centre has authentic artifacts and displays;
- If you have older kids, take them on the St John's Haunted Hike, for thrills, chills and a whole lot of fun.
Grown-up entertainment is easy to find and distinctive to the region. Check out unique and out-of-the-ordinary shopping by day, but save some energy to enjoy the fabulous nightlife.
- Sophisticated shops and restaurants line Water and Duckworth Streets, and St. George's Street is legendary for its lively bars. Find local music rich in the Irish history of Celtic ambiance in pubs, popular still even though brought here centuries ago by the province's ancestors.
- St George's Street is the focal point of the city's nightlife, join the locals for an evening of music, laughter and memories;
- Water Street is over 400 years old, the oldest commercial street in North America with its' colourfully painted store fronts. Find any type of shopping you can imagine from souvenirs to designer clothing;
- Duckworth Street where shopping is more focused on crafts, artwork antiques and books;
- St. John's has over 300 restaurants from fine dining to casual, to fast food. Enjoy a profusion of excellent seafood and wild game - choices like pan-fried cod, bacon wrapped scallops, seafood chowder, and stuffed Atlantic salmon to tempt the palette.
Are you ready to go? If not, keep reading for more great information!
St. John's is one of the most dramatic and captivating places you can visit. It's also a place of large proportions, for such a small island. You have to see it to believe it - spectacular seascapes, impressive glacier carved fjords, pristine wilderness and magnificent waterfalls.
It is a nature lover's bliss. Get outdoors - there's so much to see, in all four seasons; something exciting and unforgettable is waiting for you!
- Take an easy drive along the coastline for ocean and iceberg views. A scenic drive around the southern shore of Cape Race is awe-inspiring;
- Whether in the city or nearby countryside, there are many parks to choose from for sightseeing or simply strolling:
- Bannerman Park, a quaint, inner city Victorian park;
- Bowring Park with botanical gardens, walking paths, swimming pool, picnic amenities, lawn bowling, tobogganing and skiing in the winter;
- C.A. Pippy Park has steep hills and woodland, hiking trails and picnic sites, camping, a golf course, cross country skiing, and panoramic views of St. John's;
- Salmonier Nature Park with zoological display of wildlife and walking trails;
- Hikers have a wealth of choice: The East Coast Trail; Grand Concourse Walkways, Southside Hills from easy to wilderness challenges;
- Conception Bay with sunken whaling ships and waterfall is a photographers and naturalists haven and is sheltered and sandy, suited for scuba diving and swimming;
- Witless Bay Ecological Reserve has millions of seabirds;
- Zodiac Excursions are high speed fun with forays into caves, tales of notorious pirates, humpback whales and waterfalls;
- Golfers choose from 9 public and semi private challenging courses and landscapes;
- Don't be shy about coming to St. John's for winter sport too, some great locations to stay in the region for cold weather pursuits are:
- White Hills Resort for downhill and cross-country skiing;
- Terra Nova National Park which offers approximately 50km of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, and ice fishing facilities;
A variety of attractions can be found in those spots too. Be sure you get to as many of them as you can:
- Explore two World Heritage Sites, including the first European settlement in the New World :
- Cape Spear National Historic Site, the eastern most tip of North America, is the sight of the first Lighthouse in Canada;
- Fort Amherst Lighthouse, Museum and Tea Room;
- The Newfoundland Museum, Provincial Art Gallery and Provincial Archives are all under one roof at The Rooms;
- Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site.
Summer in St. John's and Newfoundland is a time for festivals, as they occur virtually back-to-back starting in June and going through until October.
- Rising Tide Theatre - Seasons in the Bight, June - August;
- Festival 500 Sharing the Voices, July;
- Stephenville Theatre Festival, July - August;
- St. John's Jazz Festival, July;
- A St. John's Time, July - August;
- Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival in Bannerman Park, August;
- Labrador Canoe Regatta, August;
- Writers at Woody Point, August;
- St. John's International Women's Film Festival, October.
Not to mention some of the other annual events you should check out:
- The Royal St. John's Regatta, the oldest continuing sporting event in North America;
- The George Street Musical Festival, the largest and longest annual music festival and party in Newfoundland and Labrador, leads up to the Regatta;
Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Not quite ready to book? Keep reading!
What type of accommodations you'll find:
Whether you need a place to catch forty-winks between adventures, somewhere to sleep under the stars or an out-of-the-way setting to curl up with a good book - or the one you love - in front of a roaring fire while you watch winter blanket the world outside, you'll find the perfect accommodation for your ideal holiday in and around St. John's :
- Camping & RV Parks in Terra Nova National Park, for summer or winter camping:
- The Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel offers gracious rooms, fine dining and a health spa;
- Deliciously comfortable B&B's in manor homes and quaint harbour-side houses;
- Brand name and chain hotels, such as WestJet's Hotel Partners, the InterContinental Hotels Group, can be found in the area and booked through WestJet.com.
- Thinking about booking a package? Visit WestJetVacations.com for flight and hotel package deals.
Surrounded by breathtaking beauty and inspired by splendor, what better place to hold your business meeting or conference. In St. John's you'll find unique and full service locations and amenities:
- Delta St. John's Hotel and Conference Centre;
- The Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel for groups from 10 to 1,100;
- St. John's Convention Centre;
- The Johnson GEO Centre;
- Be sure to contact WestJet's conventions desk to coordinate travel for your conference delegates.
Beauty and splendor also bring romance and new beginnings to mind, and what a perfect backdrop for your wedding .
- Admiral's Green Clubhouse;
- Bowring Park Bungalow;
- Be sure to contact WestJet's groups desk to coordinate travel for your wedding guests.
Get your trip started now! Read on for more reasons to visit!
The English and Irish influence is still evident; much of the character is derived from these roots. Five fires threatened to devastate St. John's in the 19th century, but each time the city rebuilt; a testament to the hearty spirit of Newfoundlanders.
- Visit fishing villages like The Battery, Petty Harbour and Quidi Vidi to get a glimpse of how the island's inhabitants come by their hard working and resilient nature;
- Check out the Bowring Park Amphitheatre for performances of Shakespeare plays, dancing, concerts, cultural events, band concerts, youth theatre, folk concerts, magic shows and children's concerts;
- Also, The Arts & Culture Centre presents a wide range of theatre, music and dance.
Want to see more of Newfoundland? Rent a car from one of WestJet's Car Rental Partners: Budget Rent a Car or National Car Rental through WestJet.com and see all there is from St. John's and Deer Lake .
If you want to drive between one WestJet destination and another, you can book a Multi-city flight - be sure to inquire about dropping your rental off in a city other than the one you picked up from.
What's a Multi-city flight? Click here to Ask WestJet.
WestJet offers direct service from Toronto and Halifax daily, with connections from other great WestJet cities each day. Starting June 27, fly direct from Calgary to St. John's until November 3, 2007.
St. John's, where the people are the most hospitable and friendly you could meet, with their patently welcoming traditions and ceremonies which will endear you to the place forever. Become one with the locals.
Book now!
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