Restaurants
There are a lot of great restaurants downtown, but while you’re here, you should try fish and chips! Newfoundland is renowned for its fresh Atlantic cod. Here, you can savor cod at its freshest—caught straight from the icy North Atlantic waters.
- The Duke Of Duckworth is a local favourite.
- If you have a car, Chafe’s Landing Restaurant is also an excellent location.
Things to do
Self Directed —— Hiking
St. John’s is close to a lot of beautiful hiking trails.
- There’s a short, but challenging hike right in the city from Cabot Tower on Signal Hill (https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/plan-and-book/attractions/15012376).
- If you have more time there are several hikes within 20 minutes of the city. You can find more details on https://eastcoasttrail.com/.
- Those interested in local history with a little flair may be interested in a The St. John’s Haunted Hike (https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/plan-and-book/tours/213341)
Group Events
Providing there is sufficient interest, we will plan some group events for conference attendees and their accompanying guests.
1. O’Briens Boat Tour
No visit to St. John’s is complete without a trip on the water. That’s why we are planning a whale watching boat tour with O’Briens (https://www.obriensboattours.com/).
Details:
- Date: July 21, 2025, 1pm
- Cost: $125+tax
- Access: bus pickup from the Holiday Inn hotel
- Duration: Approximately five hours total, with two hours on the boat
(Photos are retrieved from https://www.obriensboattours.com.)
2. Legends City Tour
Enjoy visiting the top spots in and around the city including Signal Hill and Cape Spear on a Legend’s walking/bus tour (https://legendtours.ca/).
Details
- Date: July 21, 2025, 2pm
- Cost: $79
- Access: bus pickup and drop off from the Holiday Inn
- Duration: Three hours
- Signal Hill is a landmark where the father of radio, Marconi, successfully received the first transatlantic wireless signal sent from the United Kingdom.
- Cape Spear is the easternmost point of North America. It is a popular destination for visitors eager to witness the first sunrise on the continent. The site is home to the historic Cape Spear Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland, which dates back to 1836.
- Some different street views of St. John’s.
If you are not available during this time and have a vehicle, you can book your own tour.