Things To Do

*Be sure to bring a camera, plenty of "Bona vistas" (Good views) to be had throughout the province!

Is there something in particular you are interested in or would like more info on? Let us know, there's a good chance someone else may be interested too and we'll post it here.

Check out these helpful links to discover all the Province has to offer:
Points of interest St. John's (Capital City)
Recommended things to see
-Signal Hill - Historic site -  the reception point of the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901
-The Rooms - Art & History Museum
-Water St. & Downtown Shops - wonderful Ma & Pa shops of many stripes
-George St. Pubs - This is where the party's at! "The Biggest Little Street in North America - rumored to have the most bars per square foot anywhere!"
-Quidi Vidi Brewery - one of the tastier lines of beer brewed in the province (per Virginia's palate) and a good excuse to see a beautiful inlet village, minutes from downtown.
-Picturesque walking routes
-Whale Watching Tours
        Iceberg quest: http://icebergquest.com/
        Obrians: http://www.obriensboattours.com/obriens-newfoundland.html
        Dee Jay charters: http://www.deejaycharters.ca/
-Sea kayaking
       Stan Cook: http://www.wildnfld.ca/

Our favorite places to eat (many other great choices too)
-Hungry Heart Cafe best place for breakfast/brunch and supports a non-profit group helping folks get back on their feet.
-Aqua Kitchen & Bar try the cod cheeks appetizer! Exquisite!
-Gypsy Tea Room try the mussels!
-Pi this is where to go for pizza
-Velma's Place Restaurant and Lounge sadly they have closed...boo.
-For loads more check out these reviews on the local free time guide The Scope.

Day trips from the city
-The Irish Loop - Avalon Peninsula - highlights include: The Colony of Avalon archaeological dig, Harbour Grace - where Amelia Earhart departed for her Transatlantic flight, The Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve "Embedded in the planes of Mistaken Point's tilted and cleaved mudstone and sandstone, exposed by the pounding of the Atlantic waves, are fossils of the oldest creatures—in fact, the oldest complex life forms—found anywhere on Earth." Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve the only nesting seabird colony in the province that can be approached on foot. As well as many picturesque old fishing villages. 

-Bell Island highlights include: take a ferry to get there, underground tours of an old mine, lighthouse, sunken ore ships (you can scuba dive), bird watching, trails and more. 

Points of interest Bonavista and surrounding towns
Bonavista www.townofbonavista.com
Recommended things to see
-The Matthew - a replica tall ship of the one John Cabot sailed when discovering Newfoundland (P.S. Berry family...maybe we are distant relations...from Genoa, Italy...)
-Ryan's Premise - the original merchant's premises in Bonavista, excellent history exhibits.
-Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
-Mockbeggar Plantation - historic house that has played several significant historic roles.
-Dungeon Natural formation
-Hiking & Walking
-Whale Watching
       Trinity Eco Tours: http://www.trinityeco-tours.com/Trinity_Eco-Tour_Home_Page.php
       Sea of Whales Adventures: http://seaofwhales.com/Book.html
-Sea Kayaking
       Trinity Eco Tours: http://www.trinityeco-tours.com/
-You might get to see icebergs, puffins and whales!
-Don't miss the fish flakes & stages around town historically used to dry cod. (Many folks still use similar methods at home...ask Steve to tell you about the flake he & Uncle Barry built this year to dry their catch).

Places to eat (There are also several fast food options not listed)
-Steve's employer, Walkham's Gate Pub try the fish & brewis - ask for molasses! Also great soups and breakfast...try the tautons.
-Bonavista Social Club (our caterer's restaurant -world reknowned Chef Katie Hayes) EVERYTHING is good! Most items are grown/produced in house and very gourmet. Best restaurant view in the area. Sit on the porch, feast and gaze at the ocean!
-Susie's Cafe burgers are good, also check out her new craft shop next door. Great view too!
-Mifflin's Tea Room try the seafood chowder and a pot of one of the large variety of teas. Great prices & cute.
-Niel's Yard try the crepes and don't miss the art!
-Skipper's Restaurant at the Harbour Quarters Inn

Spillar's Cove
-Natural Sea Pillar formation
-Hiking

Elliston
-Root Cellar Capital of the World - about 135 root cellars built into hillsides...let your imagination wander while picturing hobbits living in these historic storage solutions.
-Puffins - Drive out to "The Neck" where you can walk inland and see root cellars and walk out a peninsula to get up close and personal with puffins! Easy short walks and worth the view! Bring your camera. We saw 1000's 6/8/13 - they are nesting right now! 
-Hiking
-$15 all you can eat breakfast buffet at Nanny's Root Cellar Kitchen Saturdays & Sundays 9 -1
-Keep driving out of town towards Maberly to check out a wonderful all handmade souvenir shop - Puffin Ventures- amazing handmade crochet!

Port Union
-"Only Union Built Town" in North America
-Tour the old Union factory, printing press and historic union built town - very interesting tour.

Trinity
-Picturesque old sea port village worth the drive from Bonavista for historic tours and pretty town.
-Rising Tide Theatre

Greater Newfoundland
-Terra Nova National Park
-The Heritage Run - Burin Peninsula noted for some of the most dramatic & impressive scenery in Newfoundland. 
-The Great Northern Peninsula highlights include: Gros Morne National Park, The Arches 400 million year old giant limestone arches, Port au Choix exhibitions of Archaic Indians (2000 BC) & Dorset Eskimos (AD 500) and L'Anse-aux-Meadows Viking settlement from AD 1000! 

Visit France While You're in Canada
-Islands of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon accessible by ferry from Newfoundland.

Breweries & Vineyards Throughout the Province
Many craft brews and small vineyards are found throughout the province. Here is a list (including some of the national brews with local production).

Quidi Vidi Brewery
A quick ride from St. John's and a very picturesque destination (don't miss the Artist's Studios just around the bay http://quidividivillageplantation.com/)
http://www.quidividibrewery.ca/
Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland


Yellow Belly Brewery & Restaurant
Located in the heart of St. John's serving delicious meals and craft brews brewed on site!
http://www.yellowbellybrewery.com/
St. John's, Newfoundland

Storm Brewing Company
Sorry they are not set up for tours, but interesting to read about some of the extra curricular work they are into and worth hunting them down in the store.
http://www.stormbrewing.ca/STORM_BREWING_2011/STORM_BREWING_in_Nfld._Ltd..html
Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland

Labatt Brewery
Not sure if they do tours.
*http://www.labatt.com/?language=en
*http://www.profilecanada.com/companydetail.cfm?company=138540_Labatt_Breweries_of_Newfoundland_St_Johns_NL
St. John's, Newfoundland

Molson Canadian
Not sure if they do tours.
*http://www.molsoncanadian.ca/en/Index.aspx
*http://www.profilecanada.com/companydetail.cfm?company=183246_Molson_Canada_St_Johns_NL
St. John's, Newfoundland

Rodrigues Winery & Distillery
Specializing in fruited wines, liqueur and brandy.
http://www.rodrigueswinery.com/
Markland, Newfoundland

Auk Island Winery
A wide offering of wines including fruited wines, whites & reds.
http://www.aukislandwinery.com/
Twillingate, Newfoundland

Dark Cove Cottage Winery
http://www.dccw.ca/
Gambo, Newfoundland

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