St. John's: Discover cultural history and trails

St. John's appeals to travelers who want to include cultural history and outdoor trails when choosing a destination. Historical landmarks include Signal Hill, St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, and the building at 195 Water Street; The Rooms and the Johnson Geo Centre offer different points of interest. Parks and trails around Bowring Park and Quidi Vidi Lake add to the options. You can tailor your trip to whether history, cultural insights, or hiking matters most to you.

Signal Hill combines history and hiking trails

Signal Hill was designated a National Historic Site because of its significance in Canada's defence and communications history. One notable part of this communications history dates back to 1901, when Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless communication on Signal Hill. There are also hiking trails on the site. This brings historical significance and hiking together in one place—a combination that may interest you if you want to include both in your trip.

Culture and science from different perspectives

The Rooms is the largest public cultural space in Newfoundland and Labrador. It brings together the province's artifacts, works of art, and historical records to create visitor experiences. This offers a perspective that extends beyond individual objects to the different ways history and culture are presented.

The Johnson Geo Centre focuses on a different subject: it takes visitors deep underground to experience the story of the Earth. You can explore the interactive exhibits on your own or join a guided tour with the interpreters. The two institutions differ both in their subject matter and in the visitor experiences described: at the Geo Centre, exploring independently is an option alongside a tour with interpreters.

Parks, a lake, and trails

Bowring Park is an urban park in the west of St. John's, with hiking trails. At Quidi Vidi Lake, a 3.8 km loop trail goes around the lake. Its length and circular route offer a specific reference point if you want to include a lakeside hiking option in your plans. The information about the park and the lake describes different ways to spend time outdoors: on park trails in the west of the city or on a clearly defined loop around the lake.

Sections of the East Coast Trail also pass through Quidi Vidi. They connect the neighbourhood with coastal scenery and hiking routes that extend beyond the city. This makes Quidi Vidi a reference point both for a trail by the lake and for routes that open up further coastal and hiking landscapes. In your planning, it is worth distinguishing these connections from the separate 3.8 km loop around the lake.

Historic sites and a long regatta tradition

St. Thomas’ Anglican Church is the oldest church in the city. The building at 195 Water Street is located in the Water Street Federal Historic District. Bannerman Park also has a historical connection: this downtown park is a good example of 19th-century public park design and reflects British parks of that era. These places offer different ways to explore the city's history—through a church, a building in a historic district, and the design of a public green space.

The Royal St. John’s Regatta has been held every August at Quidi Vidi Lake since 1826. It is the oldest organized sporting event in North America. The event's schedule is weather-dependent; if you want to plan your trip around the regatta, check the date in advance.

Quidi Vidi is also home to a reconstructed fishing premises with working studios. Local artisans create and sell a variety of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces there. Together with the trails and the regatta at the lake, this offers another perspective alongside the area's historical and cultural attractions: local crafts.

Discover more destinations: Red Bay, Corner Brook.

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