Explore > Newfoundland and Labrador > Newfoundland and Labrador Spotlight
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Newfoundland and Labrador give visitors a front seat to some of the most exciting spectacles on the Atlantic Coast. Mammoth icebergs, breaching whales and jaw-dropping mountains are just part of the province’s appeal. Get the full picture at the destinations below.
Bonavista
The quaint town of Bonavista honors the 1497 discovery of Newfoundland and Labrador by explorer John Cabot. Visit the replica of his tall-ship and view whales and icebergs near shore. But there’s much more to discover in this coastal enclave. Bonavista is a community rich in history and cultural traditions from centuries past.
Colorful Community
The scenery here is gorgeous. Rows of small, colorful houses, new and old, sit alongside rocky shores, pebble beaches and picturesque fishing boats. Dense forest becomes amazing shoreline, frequently visited by whales, seabirds, and icebergs. At the Dungeon Provincial Park, the cliffs drop away into a mammoth sinkhole with two seaward channels, the result of years of ocean erosion. In fact, throughout the peninsula the ancient past is recorded in the land and seascapes.
Butter Pot Provincial Park
No artist can surpass the handiwork of Mother Nature, and proof of this lies in the surreal and beautiful landscapes found in Butter Pot Provincial Park in Newfoundland. Located 22 miles south of St. John’s on the Trans-Canada Highway, Butter Pot is the product of millennia of carving, dragging and gouging by glaciers during the wane of the last ice age, 10,000 years ago. The result is a starkly beautiful landscape highlighted by beautifully shaped rocks that were dragged to the area by the mammoth ice sheets.
Regional Recipe
Ole Fashion Lobster Bake
Newfoundland lobster is unique from lobster you’ll find in North America. Because of the far north location and cold waters, they tend to taste sweeter and yield more meat. Recipe adapted from Woodall’s Favorite Recipes from America’s Campgrounds.
getty images
Ingredients:
- 1 lobster
- 1 lb clams
- 1 egg
- 1 onion
- 1 ear of corn
- 1 potato
- Seaweed
Directions:
Place a bed of seaweed in a 4×8-inch pan. Place live lobster on the seaweed. Place cheesecloth bag containing the clams, egg, corn, onion and potato over the lobster. Cover with seaweed. Cover it all with burlap bag and a canvas topping tucked tightly beneath the lower seaweed bed. Cook over fire for 45 mins. Serve and enjoy.
St. John’s
No matter what type of traveler you are, you’ll find something that tickles your fancy in St. John’s. Nestled in the steep hills of a sheltered harbor, the capital of Newfoundland is home to an impressive food culture, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, colorful row houses, exquisite art galleries and more. With a population of just over 200,000, this thriving city offers the perfect blend of modernity and old town charm.
East Coast Trail
Love the great outdoors? If so, the East Coast Trail, which runs through St. John’s, is calling your name. This 335 mile-long hiking trail takes you through soaring cliffs, scenic headlands, deep fjords and a wave-driven geyser. It’s also a great way to come face-to-face with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea bird colonies and herds of caribou.
For More Information
Newfoundland and Labrador
800-563-6353
Historic Bonavista
709-468-7747
Butter Pot Provincial Park
800-563-6181
www.gov.nl.ca/tcii/parks/p-bup
Destination St. John’s
877-739-8899