St. John's walking tour & city guide

Downtown and Jellybean Row

Downtown St. John's climbs the hillside above the harbor. Water Street is one of the oldest streets in North America, and parallel George Street is packed with pubs. The colorful row houses on streets like Gower Street, nicknamed Jellybean Row, are the city's signature.

The Rooms, a large museum and gallery shaped like traditional fishing sheds, offers great views over the city and harbor.

Signal Hill and Cape Spear

Signal Hill rises at the harbor entrance. Cabot Tower at its top marks the spot where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Cape Spear, 15 minutes away, is the most easterly point in North America, with a historic lighthouse. In late spring, icebergs often drift past, and whales arrive in summer.

A classic walk to Signal Hill

Start on Water Street and walk up through the colorful streets behind it to see the row houses. Head east along the harbor to the Battery, a tiny fishing village of houses clinging to the cliff.

From the Battery, the North Head Trail climbs steeply along the cliffs, with chains to hold in places, to Cabot Tower on Signal Hill. The views over the harbor and the ocean are spectacular. The walk is about 4 kilometers but steep.

Visiting tips

June to September is the best time, with iceberg season usually peaking in May and June. The weather changes quickly, with fog and wind, so bring layers. Newfoundland has its own time zone, half an hour ahead of Atlantic time.