Top 9 Things to Experience in Newfoundland

August 30, 2019

With seven weeks to road trip and explore all around Newfoundland I discovered all the beauty and quirkiness this province has to offer. I took the ferry over from Nova Scotia and started on the west side and ended over in St. John’s on the east side. There is so much to see and do here that I want to give you some things that may not be on all the typical lists of things to do.

Stay at the Hospital Hostel

I understand staying in a hostel is not everyone’s cup of tea, but this one is really unique and well maintained. For your explorations in Gros Morne National Park, Norris Point is a great place to base yourself. Norris Point International Hostel has private rooms and dorm rooms, which are the large hospital rooms with the curtains giving you privacy. Downstairs there is a museum type room of all the old equipment and tools of the old hospital. I was here at the end of the season, so I mostly had the place to myself, which was a little eerie staying in an old hospital all by myself. I am glad I got a private room where I could lock the door! LOL

Take the Western Pond Brook Boat Tour

In the heart of Gros Morne National Park you will find the Western Pond Brook boat tour. You’ll be sailing through a beautiful glacier-carved land-locked fjord with waterfalls, wildlife and billion year old cliffs. This is one tour you will not soon forget.

Newfoundland, Western Pond Brook, Western Pond Brook Boat tour, Gros Morne National Park

Hit up as many Lighthouses as you can

With the rugged coastline here and the dramatic weather, it makes for some gorgeous photos and landscape views in these areas.

Newfoundland, Canada, lighthouse, lighthouses

Explore and Stand on Viking Ground

Up north in L’Anse aux Meadows is the only known Viking settlement in North America. The archaeological site brings you back to what it must have looked like more than 1000 years ago. Be sure to take the guided tour here.

Newfoundland, canada, viking settlement, l'anse aux meadows

Wildlife Spot

Depending on the time of year you come be on the lookout for the amazing wildlife. Moose, caribou, bears, fox, whales and over 350 species of birds, including the adorable puffins. When you take the time to seek them out there are a lot of chances to spot wildlife.

Newfoundland, caribou, wildlife, canada, canadian wildlife

Visit Change Islands and Fogo Island

These two small islands, which you can visit with the same ferry, offer up some of the most beautiful views of this province. They are small enough to drive around them many times to get the shots you want and be able to get back to those locations at your optimal time for photographing. There are also a number of different hikes and walks you can do on both of these islands. Fogo Island is known for its arts community, they have a number of artist residency facilities that the architecture itself is a work of art. It is also well known for the high end Fogo Island Inn that draws in big names including Oprah.

Go Iceberg Viewing

I was not here for iceberg season (which is in the Spring) but I plan to come back for it. Head up to Twillingate to get the best view of Iceberg alley. You’ll be able to watch in amazement these mammoth burgs float by. You can also go on boat tours to watch the burgs up close.

Visit Petty Harbour

This town just outside of St. John’s is a little slice of heaven. It is not big but it is big on cuteness and beauty. A fishing village where time seems to slow down and you can quiet your mind to escape the noise.

Newfoundland, Petty Harbour, Canada, fishing village

Get Screeched In!!

Now I can’t leave this list without having this on it!! The Screeched In ceremony is performed for non-Newfoundlanders to become honorary Newfoundlanders. They are performed in all different places like pubs and tourist areas, I was lucky enough to be Screeched In by my friends family. It will involve dressing up (crazy), answering questions that you cannot understand with their Newfoundland slang and accent, drinking a shot or many of Screech, and kissing a cod! It is an experience not to be missed.

Newfoundland, Canada, Screeched, Screeched In, honorary Newfoundlander

With so many things to do and see here you will be spoiled for choice. It is a big province so you want to make sure you have a game plan of what you want to see and have enough time to see it without getting exhausted.

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