Road Trip: Newfoundland's Historic Coast & Viking Heritage

St. John’s is the capital and largest city of the Atlantic island of Newfoundland. Vibrant rows of houses, busy streets, vast open green spaces and a charming harbor front are the distinguishing elements one of North America’s oldest cities. The narrow winding alleys of the town lead up to Signal Hill, home to Cabot Tower, where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message. The tower was originally built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland. Perched atop the hill are other iconic sights, such as the twin clock towers of the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and The Rooms, a museum and cultural center with displays of local art, artifacts and historical records. The Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site offers an intriguing perspective into tales of pirates of yore and old outports. Beyond Signal Hill stands the charming local village of Quidi Vidi, a remnant of the city’s old fishing port days. The village microbrewery, the old wharf, an 18th century battery and lakeside regatta museum are all worth visiting. Head to George Street in the evening for a night out on town, enjoying live music at the many pubs and cafés that serve typical Newfoundland comfort food.

Discover the historic landmarks of the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shared vehicle and driven to the various attractions. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with anecdotes and facts about the region’s past and present. At Signal Hill National Historic Site, see the iconic Cabot Tower and take in splendid views of the city skyline and the harbor. Your next stop is Cape Spear, believed to be the easternmost point in North America. You could walk around the cliffside gun battery dating back to World War II and keep an eye out for whales and seabirds in the water. After, visit the 19th-century lighthouse. You will also stop by picturesque Quidi Vidi village, known for its artsy community, and the colorful row of houses lining Jelly Bean Row. Also on your itinerary are Government House, the official residence of the lieutenant governor, and the stately Roman Catholic Basilica. Before the tour winds up, check out the popular shops and restaurants in the downtown area. (Duration: 3 hrs; Seasonal: May 1 – Oct 31; Time: 0930/1400 hrs; Shared activity & transfers)

Nestled by Trinity Bay in Newfoundland, the seaside town of Trinity is a heritage destination that draws travelers from across the seas. First settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the town has plenty of history and culture to discover, as well as loads of outdoor adventures to look forward to. The town has painstakingly preserved its heritage architecture, with many of its historic buildings recognized today as Registered Heritage Structures. The Cooperage celebrates the old tradition of barrel making, which was fueled by the region’s prosperous shipping industry. The Dock Marina, English Harbour Arts Centre, and Mercantile Building Provincial Historic Site are among dozens of other heritage sites that showcase Trinity’s past. The film locations of the popular drama, The Shipping News, are popular not just for posterity but also for their panoramic ocean views from the cliff tops. The town’s craggy coastline also offers numerous hiking trails over the rolling coastal hills and lovely beaches, including the popular Skerwink Trail, Gun Hill Trail, and Lockston Path Provincial Park. The region is also great for birding and whale watching. Enjoy feasting on fresh seafood paired with delicious local wines.

Discover the old-world charm of Trinity on your own. Begin your day with a leisurely hike along one of the popular trails to take in scenic views of local landmarks, lighthouses, sea stacks and even icebergs. Afterwards, explore the rich history and culture of the region at the many heritage structures in town. Stop by Hiscock House for a glimpse of life in the town during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Head to the Green Family Forge to see a blacksmith at work at one of the few operational forges in the region. The Trinity Historical Society Museum, housed in a saltbox-style home, offers traditional craft demonstrations. Catch a performance about the history and social issues of the region at Rising Tide Theater. Enjoy a brewery tour and sampling session at the nearby Port Rexton Brewing Company before you wind up your day. (Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included)

Twillingate is an old fishing town in the Twillingate Islands in Notre Dame Bay, off Newfoundland. Apart from magnificent natural vistas and lush countryside, the town has a long history. The Twillingate Museum, which stands in the town’s former Rectory, offers an insight into the lives of early settlers of this island town. The lovingly preserved displays at the Twillingate Fishing & Heritage Centre and the Isles Wooden Boat Builders Museum & Workshop also make for happy browsing. The town itself is a pleasure to explore, with its winding streets lined with brightly painted houses, and hiking trails along the rugged coastline, including the Spencer’s Park Trail. Long Point Lighthouse, overlooking Notre Dame Bay, offers spectacular views of icebergs passing down the vast ocean corridors. Boat tours are the best bet for spotting whales, dolphins, harp seals and seabirds off the coast, as well as icebergs in season.

Experience the thrill of seeing icebergs up close on this boat tour. At the scheduled time, make your way to the pier in Twillingate. Board your boat and find a comfortable spot. Sail into Iceberg Alley, which extends along the coast of Labrador up to the southeast coast of Newfoundland where pieces of Greenland’s glacier come floating down. As your skipper expertly maneuvers the boat past icebergs, keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching the water and seabirds flying above. Your guide will share interesting facts about the region’s history, geography and culture. After cruising for a couple of hours, return to shore with lasting memories. (Duration: 2 hrs; Seasonal: May 1 – Aug 31; Time: 0930/1300/1600 hrs; Shared activity; No transfers; Starting point: 52 Main Street, Pier 52; Please arrive at least 30 mins prior to departure; Do dress in layers and wear weather appropriate clothing; Please carry rain gear, sunscreen, binoculars and camera; Depending on the weather condition, the timing and date of this activity may change at a very short notice)

Gros Morne National Park lies on Newfoundland’s west coast in eastern Canada. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was shaped by colliding continents and glaciers, and is packed with ancient forests, pristine beaches, and dramatic cliffs. It is named after the Gros Morne mountain, the second highest peak in Newfoundland. Gros Morne means big lone mountain and it rises 806 m in solitary splendor. Follow the mountain trail to the summit for stunning views of the glacial-carved landscape. In all, there are about 20 marked day-trip trails in the park that pass through both coastal and interior areas. Western Brook Pond has the highest purity rating possible for natural water bodies. Pissing Mare Falls, the highest waterfall in eastern North America, tumbles into the lake from a height of 1,125 ft. The park also contains the Tablelands, a landscape in which the earth’s mantle, normally found below the crust, has been pushed to the surface. There’s plenty of wildlife to be found as well, from moose and foxes to black bears. Harbor seals inhabit St. Paul’s inlet while a variety of whales and dolphins often appear in early summer. The park is also home to a vast number of bird species.

L’Anse au Claire, originally settled by the French in the early 1700s, forms the gateway to Labrador in Newfoundland. For years it has been a favored junction town for travelers headed to Labrador from Québec. The town makes an excellent stopover before taking the ferry across the Labrador Coast, with its distinctive French heritage. The restored 19th-century church, which today houses the Labrador Visitor Centre, is worth a visit. A stroll through town reveals graceful heritage architecture, while a ride down the Labrador Coastal Drive might bring up whale watching and iceberg-spotting opportunities, in season.

Battle Harbour sits on a small island off the coast of Labrador in Canada. This restored 18th-century fishing village was once the bustling hub of the Labrador fishing industry. Today, it exists as a living museum that preserves and showcases what life was like more than 200 years ago. In 1996, the Battle Harbour Historic District was designated a National Historic Site. The heart of the town was the wharf and the waterfront, and the wooden and shingle-clad buildings erected in the late 18th and 19th centuries still stand today. You can learn about the region’s past through interactive exhibits and knowledgeable guides and view the meticulously preserved buildings, including the salt store, cooperage, and blacksmith shop. The town and the island also offer sweeping views of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean, and opportunities to go hiking and whale watching. The stunning landscape lends itself to photography as well. You can borrow a rod and reel and go fishing or grab a picnic basket and spend a few quiet hours eating and soaking in the scenery.

Saint Anthony lies amid the freezing northern fringes of Newfoundland. Located at the end of the Viking Trail, this frontier town is an excellent base for travelers heading out to explore northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador. Saint Anthony has its own charm, luring visitors in with outdoor activities that often lead to extended stays. There are plenty of scenic walking trails to try, including one to Lighthouse Point along the harbor front. Wildlife watching tours on snowmobiles and snowshoes are popular for spotting arctic birds, moose and even polar bears. Boat tours are even more popular, for whale watching and spotting icebergs off the coast. There’s also plenty of angling and fishing to be enjoyed, along the waterfront. Saint Anthony is, of course, a seafood haven. Try specialties like pan-fried cod and grilled Atlantic salmon, available throughout the year, finishing off with local desserts made with bakeapples or squash berries.

Explore the archaeological remains of the oldest known European settlement in the New World, L’Anse aux Meadows. Your visit to the UNESCO-listed site begins at the Visitor Center, which is filled with artifacts and informative displays about this 11th-century Viking settlement. Watch a short film detailing the colony’s history. Then walk on the boardwalk that winds through a grove of wind-stunted evergreen trees and stop at the striking sculpture, The Meeting of Two Worlds. Cross Black Duck Brook to arrive at the area where the homes, workshops and boat-repair sheds once stood. Pass by mounds of grass-covered soil with plaques indicating which original structure existed on the spot. Finally, head to the reconstructed replica of a Norse longhouse. See traditional features of Norse design including sod bricks, timber door frames and rebuilt wooden interiors. Reenactors help you to imagine the lives led by the Nordic settlers. (Duration: half day; No guide, no transfers and no meals are included; Entry tickets included)

Gros Morne National Park lies on Newfoundland’s west coast in eastern Canada. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was shaped by colliding continents and glaciers, and is packed with ancient forests, pristine beaches, and dramatic cliffs. It is named after the Gros Morne mountain, the second highest peak in Newfoundland. Gros Morne means big lone mountain and it rises 806 m in solitary splendor. Follow the mountain trail to the summit for stunning views of the glacial-carved landscape. In all, there are about 20 marked day-trip trails in the park that pass through both coastal and interior areas. Western Brook Pond has the highest purity rating possible for natural water bodies. Pissing Mare Falls, the highest waterfall in eastern North America, tumbles into the lake from a height of 1,125 ft. The park also contains the Tablelands, a landscape in which the earth’s mantle, normally found below the crust, has been pushed to the surface. There’s plenty of wildlife to be found as well, from moose and foxes to black bears. Harbor seals inhabit St. Paul’s inlet while a variety of whales and dolphins often appear in early summer. The park is also home to a vast number of bird species.

Clarenville is located in the picturesque Shoal Harbour River Valley, on the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to its location, it gets considerably more sunshine than the rest of Newfoundland. It also forms a natural gateway to explore the historical Discovery Trail, which extends down the Bonavista Peninsula to Trinity and Bonavista, where European explorer John Cabot is thought to have landed. The Clarenville Heritage Museum documents the area’s railway, shipbuilding and logging history, as well as the transatlantic telephone cable that used to connect Clarenville with Oban, Scotland. The Clarenville Events Centre has a theatre and a hockey-and-ice-skating rink. There are three golf courses nearby and plenty of hiking trails. Clarenville also boasts of the only ski resort east of Corner Brook. The town has a strong sporting tradition and has hosted the 1994 Newfoundland Winter Games and the 1997 National Under-17 Men’s Softball Tournament.

Discover the beautiful little town of Clarenville! A thriving community located on Newfoundland and Labrador's east coast, Clarenville is nestled in the scenic Shoal Harbour River Valley. Start the day with a visit to the Farm and Market, one of the town's top public gathering places. Walk amid vendor stalls selling fresh local produce and handcrafted items as you sip on hot coffee. Chat with the locals to learn more about their daily lives and see the six raised beds growing specialty crops and the Elliston-style root cellar. Next, head to the Rotary Marina and take a stroll along the waterfront to see some breath-taking seascape views. Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants and cafes which are within walking distance before you continue to Elizabeth Swan Park. Explore the lush, green open space and its many walking trails. Museum-lovers can visit the Clarenville Heritage Museum, while history buffs will be interested to see Wiseman’s Mill and the War Memorial. (Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy)

St. John’s is the capital and largest city of the Atlantic island of Newfoundland. Vibrant rows of houses, busy streets, vast open green spaces and a charming harbor front are the distinguishing elements one of North America’s oldest cities. The narrow winding alleys of the town lead up to Signal Hill, home to Cabot Tower, where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message. The tower was originally built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland. Perched atop the hill are other iconic sights, such as the twin clock towers of the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and The Rooms, a museum and cultural center with displays of local art, artifacts and historical records. The Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site offers an intriguing perspective into tales of pirates of yore and old outports. Beyond Signal Hill stands the charming local village of Quidi Vidi, a remnant of the city’s old fishing port days. The village microbrewery, the old wharf, an 18th century battery and lakeside regatta museum are all worth visiting. Head to George Street in the evening for a night out on town, enjoying live music at the many pubs and cafés that serve typical Newfoundland comfort food.