Another excellent museum is the Johnson GEO Centre, a science museum that focuses on Newfoundland and the surrounding sea. It’s adjacent to the Signal Hill National Historical Site, a military lookout point that dates back to 1704 (its beautiful stone tower isn’t quite that old). The Memorial University Botanical Garden at Oxen Pond highlights the natural wonders of the province.

St. John’s is a vibrant city at night. Locals will tell you that George Street has more pubs per square foot than anywhere else. Whether or not that’s true, it’s a lively scene, with live music (much of it Celtic-sounding) spilling out onto the street. Be sure to sample the locally produced Iceberg Vodka (named for the pure glacier water used in making it), and decide for yourself whether it deserves all of the international awards it has won.