St John’s is a city that was built around it’s harbour, a dramatic inlet approached through the 200m-wide channel known as The Narrows. There was a time when the port was crammed full of ships from a wealth of nations, but these days, there is less traffic to the port, and it attracts mostly container ships and oil construction barges.
This has not stopped the growth of a vibrant nightlife in the city, and rough houses that used to be found along the waterfront have now been replaced by chic restaurants, stylish shops and professional office buildings. The waterfront is the social hub, and features a smattering of bars which showcase the best of Newfoundland folk music. This is a great reason to visit the city in itself, another is that the city forms the backdrop of the hit Canadian TV show, Republic of Doyle.
The number of seafarers who inhabit the city is dwindling, and instead the city attracts white-collar workers, artists and students from all corners of Canada.
With the exception of Signal Hill, the attractions in the city are within walking distance of each other. Museums include the Railway Coastal Museum, Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador and the East Rider Motorcycle Museum.
Getting there
The city is served by St John’s International Airport. St John’s is also the eastern terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway, which is one of the longest national highways in the world.
