Guidebook for St. John's

Ruth
Guidebook for St. John's

Arts & Culture

From July 23-Aug 10, each weekday at 10 am and 2 pm, Other Women Walk is a 1 hour historical walking tour around Bannerman Park and area. It looks at the period leading up to the Women's Suffrage vote as told by women on the margins. (It's a White Rooster Theatre production, written and directed by your host, Ruth Lawrence.) $10 cash at the show, $5 under 12 yrs. Starts at the corner of Rennie's Mill and Circular Roads, at the corner of Bannerman Park. https://www.otherwomenwalk.com/
Rennies Mill Road
Rennies Mill Road
From July 23-Aug 10, each weekday at 10 am and 2 pm, Other Women Walk is a 1 hour historical walking tour around Bannerman Park and area. It looks at the period leading up to the Women's Suffrage vote as told by women on the margins. (It's a White Rooster Theatre production, written and directed by your host, Ruth Lawrence.) $10 cash at the show, $5 under 12 yrs. Starts at the corner of Rennie's Mill and Circular Roads, at the corner of Bannerman Park. https://www.otherwomenwalk.com/
The provincial archives and museum are also housed in this stunning, modern building near the Basillica. Best view of the harbour from the atrium and cafe. Secret: You don't have to pay admission to go to the cafe and you can still take in the great views from the windows. The art gallery hosts the finest exhibits, and the archives holds a treasure trove of research. This place is a MUST for any traveler.
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The Rooms
9 Bonaventure Ave
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The provincial archives and museum are also housed in this stunning, modern building near the Basillica. Best view of the harbour from the atrium and cafe. Secret: You don't have to pay admission to go to the cafe and you can still take in the great views from the windows. The art gallery hosts the finest exhibits, and the archives holds a treasure trove of research. This place is a MUST for any traveler.
An historic theatre in the heart of downtown, 6 nights a week (and sometimes on its dark day, Monday, too) Excellent low prices. Home to RCA Theatre, you can also see work by White Rooster, Artistic Fraud, Persistence and other companies here. The Hall hosts film, dance, and other nationally renowned festivals as a venue through the year - the Nickel Independent Film Festival (June), Festival of New Dance (Oct), St. John's International Women's Film Festival (Oct) and a host of music festivals as well as unique, one night only events. Call the Hall at 709 753 4531 or go to rca.nf.ca to book tickets.
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The LSPU Hall (Resource Centre for the Arts)
3 Victoria St
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An historic theatre in the heart of downtown, 6 nights a week (and sometimes on its dark day, Monday, too) Excellent low prices. Home to RCA Theatre, you can also see work by White Rooster, Artistic Fraud, Persistence and other companies here. The Hall hosts film, dance, and other nationally renowned festivals as a venue through the year - the Nickel Independent Film Festival (June), Festival of New Dance (Oct), St. John's International Women's Film Festival (Oct) and a host of music festivals as well as unique, one night only events. Call the Hall at 709 753 4531 or go to rca.nf.ca to book tickets.

Food Scene

There's also a location on Elizabeth Ave. Great service. Excellent breakfast sandwich in a city where a good but simple breakfast isn't easy to find. Good sandwiches and treats. Great coffee, local chain
Jumping Bean, Atlantic Place
215 Water St
There's also a location on Elizabeth Ave. Great service. Excellent breakfast sandwich in a city where a good but simple breakfast isn't easy to find. Good sandwiches and treats. Great coffee, local chain
They do gluten free and dairy free options. Run by a Peruvian and Nflder couple. It's a lovely and busy spot! You're welcome to read here among the regulars.
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Georgestown Cafe and Bookshelf
73 Hayward Ave
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They do gluten free and dairy free options. Run by a Peruvian and Nflder couple. It's a lovely and busy spot! You're welcome to read here among the regulars.
Always busy, this is an amazing neighbourhood bakery that specializes in Montreal style bagels and croissants. Get there early most days.
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Georgestown Bakery
60 Hayward Ave
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Always busy, this is an amazing neighbourhood bakery that specializes in Montreal style bagels and croissants. Get there early most days.
Vegan restaurant. Good prices, great for sharing. Very friendly service
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Peaceful Loft
250 Duckworth St
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Vegan restaurant. Good prices, great for sharing. Very friendly service
Middle Eastern dishes include an Arabian Salad, Falafel, Hummous, Shawarma. Good prices and delicious.
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Mohamed Ali
177 Duckworth St
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Middle Eastern dishes include an Arabian Salad, Falafel, Hummous, Shawarma. Good prices and delicious.
Good prices, comes with free miso soup. 3 min walk from house.
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Sun Sushi
186 Duckworth St
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Good prices, comes with free miso soup. 3 min walk from house.

Drinks & Nightlife

While there's no music at the bar, a lot of people head here for a pint and fish & chips (best in town). Well known (and a bit touristy) because of its frequent mention on Republic of Doyle TV show. VLT's on site. Not my fave but worth mentioning for the attraction and it's a great bar outside of George St.
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The Duke Of Duckworth
325 Duckworth St
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While there's no music at the bar, a lot of people head here for a pint and fish & chips (best in town). Well known (and a bit touristy) because of its frequent mention on Republic of Doyle TV show. VLT's on site. Not my fave but worth mentioning for the attraction and it's a great bar outside of George St.
Folk Session every Friday night, one of the best in town, with excellent musicians leading it. Owned by Chris Andrews (Shanneygannock) and Bob Hallett (Great Big Sea) and attracts a wide range of patrons. One downside is the VLTs on site.
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Erin's pub
186 Water St
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Folk Session every Friday night, one of the best in town, with excellent musicians leading it. Owned by Chris Andrews (Shanneygannock) and Bob Hallett (Great Big Sea) and attracts a wide range of patrons. One downside is the VLTs on site.
The Best. Every night there is live music at Don Maher's bar. Early shows start at 7 pm, and change about every 2-3 hrs. Cover for each show but WELL worth it in a city that has too few live venues these days. Wide range of music from folk to rock to klezmer! Small capacity but a large number of musicians, regulars, and guests adore this spot! No VLT's
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The Black Sheep Pub
7 Water St
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The Best. Every night there is live music at Don Maher's bar. Early shows start at 7 pm, and change about every 2-3 hrs. Cover for each show but WELL worth it in a city that has too few live venues these days. Wide range of music from folk to rock to klezmer! Small capacity but a large number of musicians, regulars, and guests adore this spot! No VLT's
Wednesday is Folk Night, and has been for years. Hear some of the best in local folk plus open mic. Other nights, there's rock to singer-songwriters, readings, etc. It's a bar frequented by the arts community. No VLTs! Good kitchen with specials daily. So kids can join you until the kitchen closes. Very sensible. This is a longtime, popular bar and there's usually something on each night.
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The Ship Pub
265 Duckworth St
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Wednesday is Folk Night, and has been for years. Hear some of the best in local folk plus open mic. Other nights, there's rock to singer-songwriters, readings, etc. It's a bar frequented by the arts community. No VLTs! Good kitchen with specials daily. So kids can join you until the kitchen closes. Very sensible. This is a longtime, popular bar and there's usually something on each night.

Sightseeing

Unfortunately our city has made the true harbour front off limits to anyone but those on the ships that dock there. But it's still a great iconic spot.
Saint John's Harbour
Unfortunately our city has made the true harbour front off limits to anyone but those on the ships that dock there. But it's still a great iconic spot.

Parks & Nature

The far east of Canada, it's the most easterly tip of North America (if you consider Greenland part of Europe) Though it requires a car, it's WELL worth the trip. But be careful of the waves. Obey the signs and stay safe!
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Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
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The far east of Canada, it's the most easterly tip of North America (if you consider Greenland part of Europe) Though it requires a car, it's WELL worth the trip. But be careful of the waves. Obey the signs and stay safe!
It's hard to visit St. John's and miss the Hill. A great walk up for the adventurous but you can also drive or bike up and stroll around. Especially beautiful at night!
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Signal Hill
230 Signal Hill Rd
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It's hard to visit St. John's and miss the Hill. A great walk up for the adventurous but you can also drive or bike up and stroll around. Especially beautiful at night!
Family friendly, minutes from the house, gorgeous urban park with lots of benches and clean trails. There's a place for snacks (but I've never eaten there). In winter, there's a skating loop. In summer, there's an outdoor pool and ball field. Right next to the historic Colonial Building. Site of the long running NL Folk Festival every August. Other Women Walk Tour starts here (see Rennie's Mill Rd note below)
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Parque Bannerman
Military Road
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Family friendly, minutes from the house, gorgeous urban park with lots of benches and clean trails. There's a place for snacks (but I've never eaten there). In winter, there's a skating loop. In summer, there's an outdoor pool and ball field. Right next to the historic Colonial Building. Site of the long running NL Folk Festival every August. Other Women Walk Tour starts here (see Rennie's Mill Rd note below)
A very pretty park in the West End of St. John's. Summer Pool, gorgeous walks, duck & swan pond, lots of green space!
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Bowring Park
305 Waterford Bridge Rd
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A very pretty park in the West End of St. John's. Summer Pool, gorgeous walks, duck & swan pond, lots of green space!
A concert series offered by the city in summer. Small urban park by the harbour.
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Harbourside Park
Queens Cove
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A concert series offered by the city in summer. Small urban park by the harbour.

Shopping

Best Health Food store in the city, right on our corner. Nancy keeps an incredible stock in-store, so if you don't see it, ask. She's very knowledgable and sweet. She also keeps other household items and lots of great sweets.
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Food for Thought
84 Gower St
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Best Health Food store in the city, right on our corner. Nancy keeps an incredible stock in-store, so if you don't see it, ask. She's very knowledgable and sweet. She also keeps other household items and lots of great sweets.
Any item a traveler needs and much more. Its sister store next door is The Bee's Knees. Owned by two of St. John's best known & loved women, these are great places to get small unique items that you may need on your trip.
The Travel Bug
197 Water St
Any item a traveler needs and much more. Its sister store next door is The Bee's Knees. Owned by two of St. John's best known & loved women, these are great places to get small unique items that you may need on your trip.
This store includes Living Planet Designs, a local printing company who make the best in t-shirts, skirts, and decor items. Large selection of great Canadian & other designers, owners work in the store, excellent collection of women's clothing but also some men's items. A very positive and supportive atmosphere in this place.
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Johnny Ruth
183 Water St
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This store includes Living Planet Designs, a local printing company who make the best in t-shirts, skirts, and decor items. Large selection of great Canadian & other designers, owners work in the store, excellent collection of women's clothing but also some men's items. A very positive and supportive atmosphere in this place.
Second hand clothes shopping at its finest. The owner curates the stock, about 25% the price of new, many designer lines, and good range of sizes! Also sells some new accessories and locally made jewellery and clothing.
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Model Citizens
245 Duckworth St
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Second hand clothes shopping at its finest. The owner curates the stock, about 25% the price of new, many designer lines, and good range of sizes! Also sells some new accessories and locally made jewellery and clothing.
A rare find downtown, a store that sells books! Local and international. Small spot but well stocked.
Broken Books
245 Duckworth St
A rare find downtown, a store that sells books! Local and international. Small spot but well stocked.
Best stop for music in the city. To say the staff is knowledgable is not enough. Many are well known musicians or icons in the community. Tony Ploughman is amazing. Excellent selection of local music but also includes imports, hard to find, new and used. Sometimes tickets go on sale here for great one of a kind events. Another MUST for the cultural traveler. Some in store performances by amazing artists.
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Fred's Records
198 Duckworth St
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Best stop for music in the city. To say the staff is knowledgable is not enough. Many are well known musicians or icons in the community. Tony Ploughman is amazing. Excellent selection of local music but also includes imports, hard to find, new and used. Sometimes tickets go on sale here for great one of a kind events. Another MUST for the cultural traveler. Some in store performances by amazing artists.
A shoe repair shop in the best cobbler's tradition. It's almost worth it to bring a pair of shoes just to be re-laced. These are wonderful men, who love their work (and a well made shoe!)
Modern Shoe Hospital
244 Duckworth
A shoe repair shop in the best cobbler's tradition. It's almost worth it to bring a pair of shoes just to be re-laced. These are wonderful men, who love their work (and a well made shoe!)

Essentials

Open 24 hours. Across from Bannerman Park
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Needs Convenience Military Road
69 Military Rd
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Open 24 hours. Across from Bannerman Park
Also the best butcher shop in town.
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Halliday's Meat Market
103 Gower St
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Also the best butcher shop in town.
With a NLC Liquor store attached. Good fresh seafood usually.
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Sobeys St. John's Merrymeeting Road
8 Merrymeeting Rd
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With a NLC Liquor store attached. Good fresh seafood usually.