1. Mark a Titanic anniversary
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John's is just 536 kilometres from where the ship went down, making its exhibit the closest to the disaster site in the world. Find out what really happened that fateful night with the Geo Centre's guided tour, and stay on to learn about the geology that gives The Rock its nickname.
When to go: Any time
geocentre.ca
2. Stand at the edge of the continent at Cape Spear
If you time it right, you could be the first person in North America to see the sunrise. Cape Spear, at the tip of the Avalon Peninsula, is the most easterly point on the continent and home to Newfoundland's oldest surviving lighthouse. The lighthouse has been restored to its 1839 appearance and offers a glimpse at how early lighthouse keepers and their families would have lived. From the tip of the cape, depending on your luck and the season, you can also see whales, shorebirds and, if you're in season, icebergs.
When to go: Any time
3. Circumnavigate the province
Experience the jagged cliffs, outport villages and icebergs up close by sailing around the island on the tall ship Picton Castle. But this isn't a cruise. Joining the crew means learning fore from aft and port from starboard, and if you think that sounds easy, just wait until you start hauling the lines. Experience is not required, but enthusiasm is recommended.
When to go: July and August
picton-castle.com/voyages
4. Visit Canada's only Norse village
L'Anse aux Meadows is the first known European settlement in North America, and is the only known Viking settlement in North America outside Greenland. The site, located at the island's northern tip, was discovered in 1960 and made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978. Originally a winter camp for Norsemen exploring beyond Greenland, the three restored buildings will give you a sense of Viking life on land. As a bonus, if you visit in June or July, you will likely also see icebergs just off shore.
When to go: Any time
5. Make friends with puffins (& whales)
Witless Bay Eco-tours will provide the zodiac, guide and survival suit, all you need to do is hold on as you bounce over the waves toward Gull and Green Islands to spend an hour and a half watching the antics of the Atlantic puffin -the black and white pot-bellied bird with the striped beak known to run along the top of the water. To see whales, you can head out to the open ocean for the chance to see Humpback whales breach and play just metres from the boat.
When to go: Summer and early fall
whaleicebergandpuffinecotours.com
6. Chill with the icebergs
Who wouldn't want to visit a place called Iceberg Alley? Nestled in a cove on an island off the north coast of Newfoundland, Twillingate is a picturesque and remote town with more than its fair share of icebergs. Twillingate is the iceberg capital of the world, and there are iceberg tours from the village that will take you out to see the massive natural structures up close.
When to go: mid-May-mid-July
twillingate.com
7. Pub-crawl down George Street
George Street in St. John's has the most pubs and bars per square foot of any street in North America, and it is the place to be any night of the week. When it comes to festival celebrations or just regular Saturday nights, George Street is the place people head, not just because it has 22 bars, pubs and clubs within its two blocks, but because it's closed to cars all night, so the party can continue into the wee hours -long after the bars close at 3 a.m.
When to go: Any time
8. Visit Quidi Vidi brewery for iceberg beer
The Quidi Vidi brewery has upped the ante by using glacial water from the icebergs that pass by the Newfoundland coastline to brew their iceberg beer. The Quidi Vidi brewery is in an old Cabot Seafood's warehouse and offers brewery tours for $10 a person that include samples of all nine of their brews, plus one to tour with.
When to go: Any time
quidividibrewery.ca/iceberg.php
9. Take an archeological boat tour
Thousands of years before either the Vikings or John Cabot arrived on Newfoundland's shores, Native peoples were living in the Burnside and Alexander Bay area of Bonavista Bay. The area has been inhabited for over 5,000 years and the Burnside Heritage Foundation offers half-day boat tours to the beaches and the research quarry, led by a project archaeologist.
When to go: June-October
burnsideheritage.ca
10. Kayak in the South Labrador Sea
Whether you want a few hours of paddling around the harbour or a multi-day sea kayaking adventure, Experience Labrador has got you covered. See humpback and minke whales, puffins, seals, caribou and icebergs from sea level as you kayak between islands.
When to go: Summer and fall
experiencelabrador.com/SeaKayaking.html
Read More: Have a rollicking good time on The Rock
