What are some must-see things in the Eastern part of Newfoundland?

May 5, 2009 11:12 AM

What are some must-see things in the Eastern part of Newfoundland?

My wife and some friends are staying in and around St. Johns for a few days, and then in and around Trinity/Bonavista for a few days. Is there anything particularly standout we should definitely check out?

Also, can anyone recommend places to stay in Avalon or St. Johns? We're still looking for a cottage there. It'd be for 5 people.

posted by chunking express to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

This is not really an off-the-radar thing, but I enjoyed the geological museum which is on top of Signal Hill in St Johns. Since you see a lot of rocks on The Rock, it might be worth a peek.
posted by Rumple at 12:13 PM on May 5

This may help http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/rhs/home.html
posted by Gungho at 12:22 PM on May 5

Don't know too much about this or if your interested or not. I saw a television show on Newfoundland a while back that had this really neat hiking trail along the coastline. I'm pretty sure it was the eastern coast. It looked beautiful and very picturesque. I think it might be a long one going from town to town.
posted by Taurid at 1:03 PM on May 5

Cape St Mary's could be interesting if they're nature lovers. The sheer number of birds is impressive, but when we were there (early July a few years ago) the three humpbacks playing in the surf at the bottom of one of the cliffs were the only thing we really paid any attention to.

Depending on the time of year, a whale watching tour really should be on the list, with lots of options, from big boats to small, fast, getting-very-wet boats.
posted by valleys at 1:09 PM on May 5

Thanks for the ideas so far. We're there from August 1st to the 9th.
posted by chunking express at 1:29 PM on May 5

I don't know how far you're willing to go, but this is unique: Mistaken Point on the Avalon Peninsula has fossils on the top of rock cliffs which appear to have been left there when the continents collided. Here's the web site: http://geol.queensu.ca/museum/exhibits/ediac/mistaken_point/mistaken_pt.html

To get a map, you have to google Avalon Penninsula. St. Johns is to the north. I haven't been, but it's on my list. Apparently they give tours.
posted by x46 at 4:36 PM on May 5

To get a good elevated view of St. John's, I would recommend going up to Signal Hill (Cabot Tower), where Marconi received the first transatlantic signal.
posted by ornate insect at 4:41 PM on May 5 [1 favorite]

I went there with my family as a kid, and we went on a tourboat to see whales and puffins (there were a LOT of puffins).

Standard Newfoundland tourist fare, I'm sure, but I thought it was pretty cool.
posted by sellout at 5:44 PM on May 5