Your Future Favorite Place: Why You Should Visit Newfoundland and Labrador
In the seventh grade, my geography teacher made the class memorize the Canadian provinces. At twelve, my love of dogs influenced me to choose my favorite Canadian province: Newfoundland and Labrador. I learned how two dog breeds, Newfoundlands and Labrador, owe their name to the province. When the teacher handed the students the blank map of Canada exam, I knew the easternmost point of North America was the dog place.
When I was seventeen years old, I watched Departures on Netflix. Departures was a Canadian travel documentary that starred three friends, Scott Wilson, Justin Lukach, and Andre Dupuis, venturing around the world. The first episode captured a road trip across Canada. Before watching this episode, I didn't understand the vastness of our northern neighbor. But when the trio began their odyssey in Eastern Canada, it piqued my interest. I started researching the eastern provinces, and Newfoundland and Labrador stood out.
Since starting this blog, I have wanted to learn about destinations that could be your future favorite places. I spoke with Gillian Marx, Media Relations at the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to learn more about the province.
1. Why should someone visit Newfoundland and Labrador?
Newfoundland and Labrador is an exotic destination in the truest sense. We are the most Easterly Point in North America, so we have our unique time zone. We have over 29000 km (18019.765 miles) of coastline, making this one of the best places in the world for sea kayaking, whether you are experienced or not. We have hundreds of hiking km and coastal hiking trails that rival any other destination, including coastal and freshwater fjords.
Our rocks are ancient and tell Earth's story. Our culture is rich, and you can hear over 60 different dialects in our language. Our birds, icebergs, and whales are often a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the most accessible. We have a rich culinary scene with some of the freshest seafood anywhere, But the people genuinely stand out, storytellers like no other.
(Images courtesy of Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.)
2. How does Newfoundland and Labrador respect its past and embrace innovation?
This province understands that we are slow to change, but we embrace our history, understanding it has brought us to this very time and place. We celebrate the past as we forge into the future. Our culinary scene illustrates that with old foodways presented in a way that greets the palates of visitors today. Our music is rich with culture, and musicians continue to bring it to new generations and make it extraordinary.
3. What hidden gems should people visit when they travel to Newfoundland and Labrador?
Lumsden Beach in Central NL became one of the most visited places by locals during the pandemic. We are not known for sandy beaches, but this one is big, and new amenities are always offered. Quidi Vidi Village is an old fishing village at the east end of downtown ST. John's.
The Old Fish Plant is our first microbrewery, and it has new and current creations and unique products like iceberg beer. You can take a boat tour out of The Gut, as it is called, and you are guaranteed to catch a cod; then, you'll be shown how to clean it, and it will be affectionately cooked up so you can enjoy the delicacy with your beer. A local artist incubator is on site where you can watch artists create their wares for sale and purchase them.
You are also at the foot of the East Coast Trail. Hike to the top of Signal Hill and view the city from above. You can attend various festivals and we are a popular destination for festivals like Ochre Fest, Winterset in Summer, and Writers at Woody Point. These festivals celebrate the award-winning literature of storytellers from here and attract authors internationally. There are too many gems to name them all!
4. When is the best time of year to visit?
It depends on what you want to do and see. You can come early when the icebergs, whales, and birds start to return. Summer is short-lived, but people don't come for the weather. That said, it is an excellent time for hiking, kayaking, and, if you dare, outdoor swimming. We love our dips in the pond, a brook, or even the Atlantic Ocean. Cold water dip was invented here. Ask anyone, and they'll tell you, "You can't let facts get in the way of a good story!" Fall is an even more beautiful time for hiking.
5. What is the future of Newfoundland and Labrador?
That is a big question. The simple answer is that we are here to stay. The Vikings came over here over 2000 years ago and stayed there for about ten years. Lord Baltimore came with all his riches and waited but left again. Those of us here still have endured the rugged coastline and harsh winters because we care for each other. Reciprocity is part of our cultural DNA. We are grounded by the land and live by it; through it. We are connected to the ocean as salt water runs through our veins. We are rich in natural resources, have an outstanding University and marine Research, and have state-of-the-art facilities. Tourism is only growing. This world-class destination leaves its visitors all the better for visiting.
