This is a good suggestion! Especially after a nice Signal Hill Hike, to finish off and head over to the QV Brewery to grab a nice cold beer would be great.

And that’s just what we did:

http://goo.gl/maps/Fdxmj

Here's the view from Signal Hill (I love this city!!)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/IMG_3562.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/IMG_3566.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c...0/IMG_3561.JPG
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Look like you had some great weather! Must have caught one of our good summer days ^

I'm surprised no one mentioned this: FRESH LOBSTER!!!!!

I had a similar layover in June and spent most of my day on Signal Hill walking around and got to see some icebergs.

I also managed to get lost in St. John's trying to find a place that served fresh local lobster and as I was about to give up, I found it! :)

Not a bad way to cap off a month long trip. I'd love to go back though and see more.

Anyways, def check out Signal Hill. I didn't know where QV was so I didn't get a chance to see it sadly. But always next time!

I had the privilege of living in St. John's for four years in the late 1950s, when my father was stationed at the former Pepperrell AFB, on the east edge of the city. Remnants of the base can be seen at the north edge of Quidi Vidi Lake (the area containing the two adjacent ball fields), in the map link provided in ATL10A's earlier post.

I returned two times to St. John's in 1984 and 1994, renting a car both times, and enjoyed exploring the Avalon Peninsula. Do visit both Cabot Tower and Cape Spear, as you'll most probably eventually see them both shown later on TV, and you can say, "I've been there!". On my second return trip I drove around the south end of Conception Bay, and stayed overnight in a B&B in the small town of Brigus. I'd suggest you plan to make a similar overnight visit to a small fishing village somewhere on the peninsula, as such villages and their occupants tend to be quite interesting.

Have a great visit, and don't rule out a return.

If you do end up with a car, I'd try By the Beach for fish 'n' chips rather than Ches', which has coasted on reputation for decades.

The view from the Rooms cafe is great even if you don't have time for the whole museum/gallery. The cafe has a partridgeberry cheesecake which is nice.

Decent beer/atmosphere at the Yellow Belly; OK beer but better casual vibe at the Ship or the Duke.

If you drive down the southern shore (to go whale watching), you might want to continue on to Ferryland. Interesting archeological site, and very pleasant picnic lunch option at the lighthouse:
http://www.lighthousepicnics.ca/

I second other comments: walk down from Signal Hill the long/harbour way, or check out Quidi Vidi, go on a whale/puffin/iceberg boat trip, check icebergfinder.com.

And pack warm clothes. June can be chilly!

I rather liked Ches's fish and chips. If that's on reputation then their reputation is tasty :)

Bay Bulls is a good place to go if you want to get on a boat for pffins and icebergs. May is a great time to see both. June will not be too bad either.

Just curious - do folks think a trip to St. John's / Newfoundland could be done well for a long weekend? (say, arrive Wed. night, leave Sunday afternoon)? I don't have anything planned out, but have been taking a look at 'closer' places (relative to NYC) to visit that I haven't been to, and some of the pictures I've seen from light research make it seem like a very nice place to go experience the outdoors.

I think you could do a long weekend if you are just focused on St. John's area with maybe a day trip down the southern shore.

St John's yes. If you want ideas for when, look into the George St Festival.

Newfound and some of Labrador in 2 weeks in August?
 

changed ITN

You must try cod tongues. They are much tastier than they sound.