As someone who has travelled across North America, I can honestly say that there is no place quite like Newfoundland and Labrador. Yes, Canada’s last province to enter Confederation is off the beaten path. But one visit and you will discover that it is a special place with its own unique hospitality, culture, and natural beauty that have made it a stopping place for more than a thousand years since the Norse of Scandinavia landed there looking for Greenland, making a trip to this beautiful part of the world is a must for any travel enthusiast.
If you are planning a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador, we recommend you check out our top 10 bucket list activities to consider for your visit to this amazing part of the world.
- A VISIT TO CAPE SPEAR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Cape Spear National Historic Site is the most easterly point in North America and the perfect place to be the first to see the sunrise. If you stand at the Cape Spear Lighthouse – the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province with your back to the sea, the entire population of North America stretches out in front of you. And there’s nothing behind you until Ireland.
Constructed in 1836, Cape Spear Lighthouse is a striking example of the unique lighthouse architecture of the period. Rising up from the centre of the square lightkeeper’s residence, the all-important light was a beacon of safe passage until 1955, when a new lighthouse tower was built nearby, using the original light.
- A VISIT TO THE TABLELANDS AT GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
In the heart of Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland lies an otherworldly landscape that defies expectations and reveals a glimpse into the Earth’s ancient past. The Tablelands, a geological wonder only seen in a few places on the planet, showcases a rare phenomenon where a portion of the Earth’s mantle has been thrust up through the crust. This extraordinary natural site, forged over half a billion years, stands as a testament to the remarkable forces of geology and these rocks are some of the oldest on the planet offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the Earth’s inner soul exposed like never before.
There are several ways to enjoy the Tablelands, regardless of the season
Gros Morne National Park is home to seven communities roughly located in the southern, central, and northern portions of the park. Each area has its own colorful history, activities, and story to tell, and all are worth taking the time to get to know.
It takes about 2 hours to drive from the South Side community of Trout River Pond to the furthest North community of Cow Head.
The Northern portion of the park is home to the communities of Cow Head, St. Paul’s and Sally’s Cove, and features stunning sandy beaches, the breathtaking Western Brook Pond (a must-see attraction), and several Parks Canada hiking trails interpretive site, and campgrounds.
Rocky Harbour, the largest town in the region, serves as the “gateway” to Gros Morne and offers a wealth of amenities and activities for visitors. Norris Point, a picturesque town nestled on the shores of Bonne Bay, boasts a host of outdoor activities on the water and in the surrounding community trails.
The south side communities of Trout River Pond, Woody Point, and Glenburine-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook can be accessed via route 431 and offer four seasons of fun, from exploring the unique “Tablelands” to enjoying the many Parks Canada hiking trails, campgrounds, and interpretive sites.
- TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME AT THE MISTAKEN POINT ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
One of Newfoundland & Labrador’s UNESCO sites is Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve nestled along Newfoundland’s Southern Shore is a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. This site is one of the best places on the planet to step back into a world frozen in time as you explore over 100 bedding planes adorned with fossils dating back 580 to 541 million years ago. Known as the Ediacara biota, these fascinating creatures offer a glimpse into the dawn of the oldest and largest complex multi-cellular life forms found anywhere on Earth.
- EXPERIENCE WHALE WATCHING
Make some new friends in Newfoundland and Labrador, who just happen to weigh 80,000 lbs. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most spectacular whale-watching places on Earth, allowing adventure seekers the opportunity to experience the size and scale of one of the largest living beings on the planet.
The world’s largest population of humpback whales returns each year between May and September, and you can see them feed, frolic, and even breach. Catching a single glimpse of these majestic mammals is a memorable experience, whether it’s from the deck of a tour boat, the side of your sea kayak, or on a seaside trail along the North Atlantic Ocean, it is something you will not soon forget.
- HUNT FOR ICEBERGS
During spring and summer, you can cruise the coastline hunting for these 10,000-year-old glacial giants from many points along the northern and eastern coasts. Icebergs come in every shape and size and range in colour from snow-white to the deepest aquamarine.
When it comes to viewing icebergs, this is one of the best places in the world. Icebergs are edges of glaciers that have broken off and slipped into the ocean. Roughly 90% of icebergs seen off Newfoundland and Labrador come from the glaciers of western Greenland, while the rest come from glaciers in Canada’s Arctic. Their sheer size will amaze you, and that’s without seeing the ninety percent still below the surface of the ocean.
Icebergs are so plentiful around these parts, that Newfoundlanders put them to good use. You can drink it straight, as in Berg water, or in spirits like Iceberg Vodka, Gin, and Rum. Don’t forget the popular Iceberg Beer.
Icebergs are truly something you have to see in person to believe how amazing they are, and they should never be underestimated.
- BOOK A UNIQUE STAY EXPERIENCE
You can stay in a historic 1922 lighthouse inn still operating on a deserted island at the northern tip of Newfoundland. Orcas and humpbacks are frequent visitors, often coming so close to shore that you can almost touch them. Watch from our comfortable indoor viewing station, take our zodiac tours to get a closer view, or relax and watch the northern lights.
Homestead Adventures is where outdoor adventure meets luxury accommodations. It is operated by a young couple who had a dream to bring people to the area to enjoy the rich culture and beautiful scenic surroundings. So, they left the city and moved to New-Wes-Valley located at the Northern end of Bonavista Bay just south of Cape Freels, to follow their dreams offering amazing outdoor adventures and upscale glamourized camping accommodations for those looking to experience the great outdoors while still having the comfort of a warm room and pillow-top mattress at the end of the day.
Or you can sit back and enjoy the 40-minute cruise through a narrow, sheltered inlet as you make your way to Woody Island. Enjoy the unmatched scenery of Placentia Bay with the towering hills of the Burin Peninsula on one side and Sound Island on the other as you step back in time, and experience Newfoundland history firsthand at Woody Island Resort.
This rugged, quaint, beautiful island was resettled in the early 1970’s. Woody Island Resort offers a vacation destination like no other and plays host to many Newfoundland traditions such as the iconic kitchen party, sing-a-longs, traditional Newfoundland home-cooked meals with toutons, fried cod, and fresh homemade bread. Other activities such as boating, hiking, etc. are also available.
Come experience everything Newfoundland has to offer at one of these amazing destinations
- HIKE TO ONE OF THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH
Brimstone Head on Fogo Island is worth the hike. Venture up the stairs to the rocky outcrop for a phenomenal view. This is a perfect photo, picnic, or sunset location.
Climb to the top of Brimstone Head on Fogo Island, one of the four corners of the Flat Earth. This trailhead is located at the Brimstone Head Park. Venture up the stairs to the rocky outcrop for a phenomenal view. This is a perfect photo and picnic spot for the whole family and is an incredible spot to enjoy the sunset. But remember proper footwear as this is a 2 km (1.25 mi) hike return.
- TRAVEL BACK 1,000 YEARS TO A VIKING ENCAMPMENT
Norse sagas had spoken of their discovery for centuries. But whether it was merely myth had always been debated. Until the discovery of a small cloak pin in 1968, by archaeologists Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, changed everything. This and subsequent archaeological discoveries proved Leif Erickson and crews of Norse explorers settled here in Newfoundland and Labrador (or Vinland as they called it).
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only authenticated Norse site in North America. Today, your visit will transport you back to 1000 AD where Vikings once stood. At the Viking Encampment, you can try blacksmithing or weaving and talk to characters who will bring the Viking history to life. In the evenings, gather around the skáli (kitchen) and hear heroic and tragic tales of Thor, Loki, Erik the Red, and more from the Sagas.
- EXPLORE THE LAND OF SPIRITS, MOUNTAINS, GLACIER, AND WILDLIFE
Torngat Mountains National Park takes its name from the Inuktitut word Tongait, meaning place of spirits. It is 9,700 square kilometres (3,784 square miles) of spectacular wilderness stretching north from Saglek Fjord to the northern tip of Labrador, and westward from the Atlantic seacoast to the Québec border. It’s a land of mountains and polar bears, small glaciers, and caribou, where the Inuit hunt, fish, and travel, as their predecessors did for thousands of years.
Explore Torngat Mountains National Park through an Inuit cultural lens. By joining Inuit to experience spiritual and cultural sites and a harvesting trip as they gather food for the Base Camp. You can also take an overnight trip into spectacular fjords where their ancestors have camped and walked before. Listen to the ancient stories and legends of the area as you sip on hot tea and eat food prepared over an open fire.
Packages offer various levels of comfort and amenities and depending on the package, the visitor will experience guided excursions such as helicopter rides, boat tours, and cultural experiences.
- SUBMERSE YOURSELF IN ST. JOHN’S CULTURE & HOSPITALITY
St. John’s is the capital and largest city of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. The city is the easternmost city in North America (excluding Greenland).
St. John’s is home to the George Street Festival which has been a flagship event of summer to celebrate music, entertainment, and culture that has been bringing people together for almost four decades. Plus, the Churchill Park Music Festival which is one the best summer music festivals in Canada brings amazing international artists to the harbour city and keeps getting bigger and better every year!
The city has a rich history, including the first transatlantic wireless signal. Its history and culture have made it into an important tourist destination. Enjoy the colourful jellybean row houses wedged together in every space lining the sides of steep hills and hidden alleyways.
Remember when you are in St. John’s, meandering down to the working harbour of the waterfront, to look towards the Narrows to imagine a time when the waters were brimming full of fishing schooners.
For information on more great experiences throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, visit https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/
by Ryan Myson