St. John's City and Coastal Journey Private SUV Tour ~ 6 Hours

By Iconic Newfoundland A Coastal Journey

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Overview

Awarded Viators Badge of Excellence!

Truly Private & Unhurried Service: Travel in a private SUV limited to your group with your own dedicated guide. Larger groups will travel in multiple SUVs. We move at your pace, enjoying 30 to 90 mins at each stop. For cruise passengers we tailor the day to your ships schedule, no crowded buses.

Local Expertise: All guides are proud to call St. John's home. Each having lived here at least 65 years, we share real stories coming from true locals, something a 15-minute photo op simply can't provide.

Deep Engagement & Authentic Insider Access: We dont just drive past the sites, you'll experience them. Wander, talk, listen, explore. Go behind the scenes for authentic cultural experiences. Step inside a working fishing stage & hear real stories from local fishemen. Tour the inside of an 1800s lighthouse. Visit inside a Newfie shed & learn of our Newfie tradition.

Our unhurried 6 hours maximizes chances of spotting whales, icebergs & seabirds.

Activity location

Fort Amherst Lighthouse
- 111 Fort Amherst Road,
- A1C 5H2, St. John's, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

Downtown
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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What's included, what's not

Bottled Water
Seasonal entrance ticket and fees for Cape Spear National Historic Site.
Handmade Souvenier from your guide - yours to keep.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Any purchases of food, drink, lunch, souvenirs are at the travelers expense.

Know before you book

- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We tour in comfortable, private SUVs exclusively reserved for your group—no sharing with strangers. • Each SUV seats up to 4 guests. • Larger groups are accommodated across multiple vehicles (example - a group of 9 will travel in 3 private SUVs each with its own guide.
- While the entire tour is not noted as accessible, many areas can be visited / viewed for those using walkers/wheelchairs. Going all the way to the lighthouse in Fort Amherst would be difficult however other parts of that stop are accessible. The lighthouse in Cape Spear will be difficult but can be viewed from below. Other areas of Cape Spear are accessible. Guests can choose individually to not partake in any portions of the tour they choose.

Activity itinerary

Jellybean Row Houses (Pass by)

We begin our journey in the heart of historic downtown St. John's. We will navigate the steep, winding streets to see the world-famous "Jellybean Row"—the iconic, brightly colored Victorian row houses that give our city its vibrant personality. You’ll hear the fascinating stories behind why these homes were painted such brilliant colors and get your first taste of our St Johns incredible charm.

Fort Amherst Lighthouse

Take a scenic walk along Southside Road & view the rugged coastline guarding the harbor entrance, a famous filming site for the TV series Hudson & Rex. Pass charming historic houses and stop to view the iconic Battery, learning the stories behind Chain Rock and how a massive chain was once stretched across the harbor to keep enemy ships out. Enjoy an amazing unique view of Cabot Tower from below. We will make our way to the site of Newfoundlands 1st lighthouse, & walk among World War II ruins and crumbling gun batteries at Fort Amherst, all while soaking in breathtaking, views of the open ocean and our massive rugged coastline.

Blackhead

Lookout stop giving a panoramic view of the older part of St Johns, Water Street, and St Johns Harbour. A great viewing point of Fort Pepperell once a USA Military base which we pass by later in the day.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site

1h
Admission ticket included

Cape Spear National Historic Site Next, we head to Cape Spear, the most easterly point on the Continent. With your back to the water the entire Continent is in front of you, while behind you is the vast Atlantic Ocean. Explore the underground WWII tunnels and view the famous disappearing gun. We will do a full tour inside the meticulously restored 1800s lighthouse to see exactly how the lightkeepers lived in their day. Stop at the lookout, which in season provides an amazing opportunity to view the massive icebergs, breaaching whales and diving puffins so close to our shoreline. Unrushed and plenty of time to explore this amazing National Historic Site.

Petty Harbour

1h 30m

Petty Harbour, a breathtaking, colorful historic fishing village that has been continuously inhabited since the late 1500s. . Have your cameras and phones fully charged as this village offers so many picture perfect postcard photo opportunities. We dont simply drive through this community as do many of the shorter tours. We will walk the vibrant wharf and step inside a working fishing stage. You will have the unique opportunity to watch the fishermen fillet their cod, we talk with them & listen to their personal stories from the harbour We then stop for lunch at the renowned Chafe’s Landing, famous for fresh seafood & the cod caught daily by the fishermen you just met. The full menu also offers a variety of Newfoundland dishes as well as classics like burgers and sandwiches. No worries about the notorious 2 hour wait times, we have VIP reserved tables for the entire season.

National War Memorial (Pass by)

The Newfoundland National War Memorial represents the war effort of Newfoundlanders who were not part of Canada Confederation during either of the World Wars. Tomb of the unknown soldier.

St. John's (Pass by)

The Four Sisters: View these four iconic, adjoining stone homes built in the late 1800s by master stonemason Samuel Garrett as gifts for his four daughters. They were meticulously crafted using surplus sandstone and slate from Garrett's most famous commission: Construction of Cabot Tower in 1897! A fascinating hidden feature is the basement doorway "tunnel" system connecting the homes, built so the sisters could visit each other away from the harsh Newfoundland weather.

Quidi Vidi

Step Back in Time in Quidi Vidi Village Experience a historic 1600s fishing village nestled right inside the city of St. John's. We will walk along the narrow streets & view the colorful homes so basically on the street edges. Visit the Artisan Studios near the historic Quidi Vidi Wharf. On our walk to "The Gut," we will be passing by the famous Quidi Vidi Brewing Company, makers of beer from 20,000-year-old iceberg water. Finally, "The Gut", an active colorful fishing inlet framed by towering cliffs. Watch the local fishermen navigate the waters and the narrow inlet. Quidi Vidi Village offers absolutely amazing photo opportunities. On our return we will stop inside a Newfie Shed, a traditional fixture in many back yards, where men gather to "cook up" and talk tales.

Quidi Vidi (Pass by)

Quidi Vidi Lake sits at the entrane of the village. The Royal St. John's Regatta, held right on the Lake, officially dates back to 1818, making it the oldest continuous sporting event in North America. It is held the first Wednesday in August, offering games of chance, food stalls, and the all important rowing races.

St. John's (Pass by)

Fort Pepperell USA Military Base As we pass by the historic site of Fort Pepperell, you will hear how this sprawling American military base was constructed during World War II under the famous "Destroyers for Bases" agreement. Because the U.S. military held a 99-year lease on the land, thousands of American soldiers remained stationed here long after the war ended, sparking a massive "friendly invasion". To foster community goodwill, these American servicemen built the iconic St. Pat's Ballpark in 1947 entirely at no cost to Newfoundlanders. Today, it stands as the largest baseball park in the province and famously hosted baseball for the Canada Summer Games.

Cabot Tower

Towering over the city, the iconic Cabot Tower stands as a monument to Newfoundland's incredible history. Constructed to commemorate two major milestones: the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's historic 1497 landfall on our shores, and the Diamond Jubilee celebrating Queen Victoria's historic reign. This majestic stone tower is also the world-famous site of Guglielmo Marconi’s groundbreaking achievement. In December 1901, Marconi stood right here on Signal Hill and made global communications history by successfully receiving the first-ever transatlantic wireless transmission, permanently linking the old world with the new. Hear why Cabot Tower was a controversial project.

Signal Hill

The Grand Finale at Signal Hill We end our day at the legendary Signal Hill National Historic Site, which towers over the landscape and offers the ultimate panoramic vantage point. Looking out over the vast Atlantic, the city, and The Narrows, you can finally see the entire defensive "horseshoe" layout we discussed throughout the day. From up here, it all beautifully clicks into place as you look down and trace how Cape Spear, Fort Amherst, and Signal Hill historically teamed up with the Battery & Chain Rock to lock down the harbor entrance. A climb to the top of Cabot Tower located on Signal Hill offers spectacular views. Hear about the noon day gun and how it was used for timing. You will also stand on the exact ground where Guglielmo Marconi made history in 1901 by receiving the world's very first transatlantic wireless signal right here at Cabot Tower.

Location

Activity location

Fort Amherst Lighthouse
- 111 Fort Amherst Road,
- A1C 5H2, St. John's, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

Downtown
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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