Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's

St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital, is ideal for a short getaway. Just a two-hour flight from Montreal, this charming city is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for fresh air.

St. St. John’s – Highlights

Iceberg, whale and bird watching

Every spring, icebergs break off the glaciers of Greenland and drift down to the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. The iceberg-watching season runs from mid-May to the end of June. Whales are in Newfoundland waters from mid-June to August.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - puffin-unsplash

Cruises depart from the port of Bay Bulls, about 30 minutes away from St. John’s . If you don’t have a car, a shuttle service is available for around $30. Boats cruise through the Witless Bay ecological reserve and on to Gull Island, where thousands of seabirds, including the adorable puffins, can be seen!

During my visit in July, I was also able to observe many humpback whales. The tour lasts 2 hours and costs $80 + tax per adult. You can book this kind of activity on Viator:

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Signal Hill

Signal Hill National Historic Site has played an important role in Newfoundland’s military history. Today, the hill offers a breathtaking view of the city, the port and a panoramic view of the ocean. Several hiking trails are available. Access to the site and parking are free.

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Jellybean Row

I searched for this famous street for a long time, only to find that it doesn’t exist… In fact, Jellybean Row is a term for the style of colorful row houses found in St. John’s . All the streets in the city center are Jellybean Row! These pretty, candy-colored houses are mainly found along Gower, Bond and Colonial streets.

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Quidi Vidi

This neighborhood is on the other side of Signal Hill, near the lake of the same name. It’s a picturesque « village within a town » that has kept its fishing port soul. It can be reached by car or by a short hike from Signal Hill. In summer, a food court is set up with a number of breweries and food trucks.

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The Rooms

To learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador’s heritage, a visit to this cultural center is a must. It’s a hybrid between a museum and a gallery. The collections include artifacts, archives, specimens and works of art. Admission is $12 + tax.

East Coast Trail

25 different hiking trails meet end-to-end to make up the 336-kilometre East Coast Trail. This trail runs along the coast of the Avalon Peninsula, passing cliffs, seabird colonies, fjords, archaeological sites and many other points of interest. The trails closest to St. John’s are Sugarloaf Path (8.8 km hike) and Deadmans Bay Path (10.5 km).

Cape Spear

The Cape Spear lighthouse marks the easternmost point of North America. At the end of this cliff, we’re closer to Paris than to Vancouver! The area offers superb ocean views, and in season you can admire whales and icebergs. A section of the East Coast Trail (the Cape Spear Path) crosses this national historic site. Access to the site costs $8.50.

St. John’s – Good addresses

Quidi Vidi Brewery

This former fish factory has been transformed into a microbrewery with an English pub atmosphere. Go there to sip a craft beer made with iceberg water and grab a bite to eat. Local musicians entertain from Thursday to Sunday.

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Mallard Cottage

Also located in the Quidi Vidi district, this restaurant is housed in one of the oldest wooden buildings in North America. The menu changes frequently and features local produce. Dishes can be enjoyed for brunch or dinner. This restaurant is very popular, so it’s advisable to book weeks in advance during the summer months.

Oliver’s

Located on Water Street in the city center, this restaurant offers fresh, local cuisine. Their small menu includes dishes from the sea and land, as well as an impressive wine list. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner.

Terre Restaurant & Cafe

This upscale downtown restaurant serves local and modern cuisine. On the menu, lots of seafood prepared with refinement. They are also open for brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is located in the Alt Hotel.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - terre-stjohns

The Battery Cafe

This little café near Signal Hill is my favorite in St. John’s. All kinds of coffees are served, some rather original like a blueberry latte. Good breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch are also on the menu. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon there working remotely.

George Street

For those looking to party during their stay in St. John’s go to George Street. This small stretch of street is home to nothing but bars. Lively in the evenings and on weekends, it features Irish pubs, nightclubs and a karaoke bar.

St. St. John’s – Planning your trip with points

Flights

Air Canada offers daily flights between Montreal and St. John’s . These are often expensive when booked in cash, despite the short distance involved. This is an opportunity to use Aeroplan points at a good value. Direct flights start at 15,000 Aeroplan points one-way.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - yul-yyt-ac-en

Here are the best credit cards for easily earning Aeroplan points:

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Reserve Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$599	Welcome offer Up to 85,000 points	Apply NowCompare
FeaturedTD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$139 $0	Welcome offer Up to 50,000 points	Apply NowCompare
American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offer Up to 45,000 points	Apply NowCompare
American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$599	Welcome offer Up to 90,000 points	Apply NowCompare

CIBC Aventura points are also an excellent option for an inexpensive flight. The YUL-YYT route falls into the short-haul category of the Aventura airfares table. For as little as 20,000 points plus tax, you’ll get a round-trip ticket.

You will have to pay the difference if the ticket’s market value is over $400. In the example below, the ticket sells for $473. So there’s an extra $73 to pay (the OVERMAX amount in the screenshot).

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - yul-yyt-aventura-en

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$139 $0	Welcome offer Up to 45,000 points	Apply NowCompare
CIBC Aventura^® Gold Visa* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$139 $0	Welcome offer Up to 45,000 points	Apply NowCompare

Ultra-low-cost carrier Lynx Air recently set up operations at Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau airport. Flights with Lynx Air start at $69 one-way, and promotions are frequent.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - yul-yyt-lynx

You can also use your CIBC Aventura Points to pay for some or all of the flights you book with Lynx Air. For example, if your flight costs $140, you’ll need just 11,200 Aventura points to cover the total!

Personally, this is what I did to reimburse my accommodation expenses, my flights with Lynx Air and my car rental. I used 44,000 Aventura points for a total credit of $550.

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Accommodation

The Marriott Bonvoy group offers four different hotels in St. John’s under four distinct banners. Depending on the date, rates range from 16,000 to 34,000 points per night.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - st-johns-marriott-en

FeaturedCompare

Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 110,000 points; Ends Sep 22, 2026

Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

On theHilton Honors side, three of the program’s hotels are present in St. John’s. Rates are quite high, between 40,000 and 50,000 points per night.

Newfoundland: Guide to a long weekend in St. John's - st-johns-hilton

St. St. John’s – Practical information

When is the best time to visit St. John’s ?

The best time to visit St. John’s is during summer, mainly from July to August. These are the months with the hottest and driest temperatures. These months are also ideal for whale watching.

How long does it take to visit St. John’s ?

St. John’s can be visited in a single busy day, but 2 to 3 days is ideal.

What’s the weather like in St. John’s ?

St. John’s is Canada’s foggiest city. Expect rain too, but the weather can change very quickly during the day. Summer is comfortable, with average temperatures of 16°C. Winter is cool, with an average of 0°C and heavy snowfalls.

Can we visit St. John’s without a car?

Although downtown St. John’s can be explored on foot, I recommend renting a car to take full advantage of out-of-town attractions like Cape Spear.

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Bottom line

This summer, flights to St. John’s are particularly affordable with the arrival of Lynx Air in Montreal. Newfoundland and Labrador’s charming capital promises a relaxed atmosphere and superb coastal scenery.

Continue reading with our other guides and stories about Newfoundland :

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.