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Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, travel.
Newfoundland and Labrador is an outdoor paradise. It’s the most easterly province in Canada with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Watch icebergs, broken off of glaciers in Greenland, float south. View pudgy puffins soaring through the air and nesting on the cliffside with their mates. And be awed by the humpbacks and other whales that migrate through the area annually.
- Get exclusive AAA member benefits when renting a car and enjoy scenic drives, visiting the fishing villages, touring lighthouses, and spending time at historic sites and national parks.
- Book AAA Diamond-designated hotels in Newfoundland and Labrador using Trip Canvas. Also plan restaurants to eat at and book things to do.
FEATURED DESTINATIONS
Newfoundland and Labrador
DESTINATION
St. John's
The town of St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador and North America's most easterly city. The coastal town is charming with cliffsides that overlook the Atlantic Ocean and Victorian row houses painted in yellows, greens, blues and reds known as Jelly Bean Row. Visit mid-May to mid-September to take a whale watching tour to see humpback and minke whales and to view little black and white puffins with bright orange beaks waddling on the cliffsides and zipping through the air. Don't forget to take a trip out to Cape Spear to tour the lighthouse.
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Fogo Island
Reachable by ferry and by plane, Fogo Island is a small island off the coast of the southern portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. While here, head out on some of the hiking trails like Joe Batt’s Point Trail where you head up to the coast and get amazing views of the Atlantic coast and of the island. If you are there in spring or early summer, you might see an iceberg floating south, likely broken off a glacier in Greenland. Fogo Island’s natural beauty attracts artists, and you can see works by artists in residence at the gallery at Fogo Island Inn and at Fogo Island Arts studios located across the island.
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Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
About a 20-minute drive from St. John's, Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site is one of the best places to see in Newfoundland. The lighthouse was built in 1835 and is the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province. Visit June through October for its seasonal hours. During this period, the lighthouse is staffed with costumed interpreters. Also stop at the kiosk at the entrance of the site to check for the day’s activities, such as guided tours. Also at Cape Spear are walking trails that offer great views of the ocean and the area's natural beauty.
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Gros Morne National Park
Casual visitors to Gros Morne National Park can spend half a day up to an entire day on easy to moderate hikes, enjoying the coastal views in the natural setting, or walking through the Tablelands marveling at how past tectonic activity has shoved the earth’s mantle to the surface. Experienced hikers can camp or get a hotel room and spend several days on hikes like the Gros Morne Summit Trail or all day and multiday wilderness hikes like in Western Brook Pond Gorge or taking trails from Snug Harbor to the Northern Rim.
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Corner Brook
Corner Brook, the second-largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, blends the amenities of a city, restaurants and things to do, with a gorgeous natural setting. In and near Corner Brook are walking trails and mountain biking trails, amazing views of the Long Range Mountains, water activities at Humber River and more. Looking for more adventure? Speed down a mountain on a zip line course that offers picturesque panoramic views.
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Things to do in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada
If the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is not at the top of your Canadian bucket list, it should be. This stunning province is known for its untamed coastline, quaint towns and amazing hospitality. Few destinations are more underrated — and if you make the journey, you will be amazed that this spectacular destination lacks crowds.
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Why Travel & Book with AAA
AAA is there for you before, during and after your trip, so you can be sure you’ll have the best Newfoundland and Labrador vacation. Find Diamond-designated hotels in the best Newfoundland and Labrador vacation spots, and book your stay with peace of mind. Each Diamond hotel is certified Inspected Clean by AAA inspectors during annual, in-person evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador is located on the easternmost edge of Canada, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Québec on the other. It’s made up of Newfoundland (the island) and Labrador (the mainland), offering breathtaking coastal views and expansive wilderness.
Iceberg Alley is a famous area off Newfoundland’s east coast, where massive icebergs, typically broken off of glaciers in Greenland, float south passing by the province. If you want to spot these natural wonders, April to June is the best time to visit Newfoundland and Labrador to view icebergs along the coastline. You can see them from the shore or go on a boat tour. There are even a whale-watching tours that include the possibility of seeing icebergs.
Yes, Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s easternmost province. Newfoundland became a Canadian province in 1949 as the 10th province. Newfoundland became Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.
It’s pronounced “new-fin-land,” with an emphasis on the last syllable.
You can fly into one of the province’s major airports, like St. John’s International Airport and Gander International Airport. Or take a ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Newfoundland. The Marine Atlantic ferry is a popular choice for people traveling with a vehicle.
The Newfoundland ferry, run by Marine Atlantic, connects mainland Canada at North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to the island of Newfoundland. It offers routes to Port aux Basques (about 7 hours) and Argentia (about 16 hours), with options for cabins, vehicles and even pets. While reservations are only required for people traveling with pets, they are recommended for all travelers. You can book a cabin or general seating. Aboard the ferry are dining options, a play area for kids and some shopping.
St. John’s is packed with charm! Visit Signal Hill for epic views, explore the vibrant Jellybean Row houses, walk along Quidi Vidi Village and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the city’s many welcoming restaurants. There's also guided tours of St. John's, so you can learn more about the area.
In general, summer is the best time visit Newfoundland and Labrador, but when to visit may be determined by what you want to see and do.
- Whale watching: Whale-watching season is mid-May to mid-September with the peak of season typically being mid-June through August.
- Puffins: Visit between May and early September to see puffins. This is their nesting season, and Newfoundland is one of the best places in the world to view the black and white seabirds with vibrant orange beaks.
- Icebergs: Icebergs can generally be spotted from April through June, and peak viewing in Iceberg Alley is generally May and early June.
Newfoundland is well-known for its stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The Canadian province has a rugged coastline where you can spot icebergs, puffins and whales. There are also gorgeous mountain ranges, forests and lakes. The coastline is dotted with charming fishing villages, and it's a great place for outdoor activities like kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.
Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its seafood, particularly cod, lobster, crab and scallops. Popular traditional dishes include fish and brewis (salted cod with soaked hard bread), toutons (fried dough typically served with molasses) and Jiggs' dinner (a boiled salt meat dish with vegetables).
To fully experience Newfoundland and Labrador, having a vehicle to get around is best. If renting a vehicle, reserve it well in advance if traveling during peak travel season. If you opt to travel without a car, bus and taxi services connect many towns, and there are several tour operators who offer guided tours to popular attractions.
English is the prominent language in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, a portion of the population also uses French or Indigenous languages.
Yes, U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport to enter Canada if traveling as a tourist. If you plan to stay for six months or longer, you will likely need a visa, and if traveling for business or to work, you may need to apply for and obtain a work permit before traveling.