As a destination that is off most people’s radar when visiting Canada, St John’s is a true hidden gem for those that seek a destination off the beaten path! There are plenty of fantastic adventure sports in the area throughout the summer – and as North America’s oldest city it is also interesting historically.

It can be difficult, however, to figure out where to stay whilst visiting the city. The fact it is a relatively unknown destination means there isn’t a lot of information online about the best places for tourists.

That’s where we come in! We’ve built this guide to the best neighborhoods in St John’s to help you plan your upcoming trip to the Newfoundland capital.

So let’s just get started!

Quick Tips – Where to Stay in St John’s

• Where to stay in St John’s for your first time? Georgestown
• Where to stay in St John’s close to everything? Downtown
• Where to stay in St John’s for nightlife? George Street
• Best neighborhood in St John’s for familie? City West
• Where to stay in St John’s on a budget? City North
• Where to stay in St John’s for couples? City East
• Best neighborhood close to St John’s? Dildo

Where to Stay in St John’s

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St John’s 7 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in

Let’s take a look, in more detail, at the seven best neighbourhoods in St John’s. Each caters to different interests, so be sure to pick the neighbourhood that’s right for you.

Neighborhood #1 – Georgestown

Best neighborhood in St John’s for your first time!

• COOLEST thing to do in Georgestown – grab some fresh ingredients and mingle with locals at the St John’s Farmers’ Market
• BEST place to visit in Georgestown – check out some fantastic exhibits at the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador

Located just next to Downtown, Georgestown is a great mix of everything that makes St John’s an interesting tourist destination! Higher up in the hills, this is where you can enjoy fantastic views across the city and the St John’s Harbour. There are also plenty of fantastic cultural and culinary attractions across the neighborhood.

Despite being right next to the city centre, Georgestown is quite a peaceful neighborhood – making it the perfect place to soak up the authentic Newfoundland lifestyle! It is only a short walk from most of the neighborhoods mentioned on this list – and a few stops on public transport away from the others.

• Pippy Park is a huge green space just north of Georgestown where you can enjoy some of the best views over the harbour
• House of Assembly is mostly just a dull political chamber – but once a month they host historic tours of the building
• Arts and Culture Centre St John’s houses some interesting performances from local theatre and music groups
• For some unique gifts to take to family members back home, head to Whink – a locally owned boutique
• Fort Amherst is the best dining establishment in the area – we recommend trying out their locally renowned fish

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Best Budget Hotel in Georgestown

Memorial University

This two star accommodation is actually part of the local university – however, during the summer they open their doors to tourists visiting the city! This makes it a great choice for budget-conscious travellers that want the comfort of a private room. They provide a complimentary breakfast and basic facilities.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Georgestown

The Elizabeth Manor Guesthouse

A traditional and authentic hotel situated inside a beautifully grand Manor House, this hotel is a great place to stay if you’re on a mid-range budget in St. John’s. The hotel features unique room options, all of which are equipped with oak furnishings and a deluxe desgn, each having special added touches.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Georgestown

Ryan Mansion

This gorgeous five star hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in the entire city! Rooms come with large en-suites equipped with heated marble floors. On-site parking is included, and there’s high speed WiFi access throughout the hotel. They also provide an American style breakfast every morning.

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Neighborhood #2 – Downtown

Where to stay in St John’s close to everything!

• COOLEST thing to do in Downtown – walk along the Jellybean Row Houses and admire the colourful architecture – perfect for those ‘gram shots
• BEST place to visit in Downtown – The Rooms is the most popular museum in the city, detailing the city’s history and culture

As with most North American cities, Downtown is the most central neighborhood – perfect if you are only visiting for a short stay and need to get around easily! This is where you will find the largest concentration of tourist attractions. Whether you want history, culture or killer views – there’s a little bit of everything in Downtown.

It is also the culinary hotspot in the city, with a wide range of innovative and cosmopolitan restaurants along the streets! Though quite a dense neighborhood, it is mostly restricted to the waterfront making it easy to get around on foot. It is also well connected to other parts of the city.

• Take a walk around the gorgeous grounds surrounding government house – and pop into Colonial House to learn some history
• Red Ochre Gallery is a locally owned art gallery with some fantastic exhibits from Newfoundland and Labrador’s up-and-coming artists
• The National War Memorial commemorates the nation’s role in the first world war and is set right on the coast
• Downtown has an incredibly multicultural culinary scene – pop into Shalimar Restaurant for some of the finest Pakistani food in Canada
• The Rooms Cafe is a popular brunch spot with locals offering contemporary takes on classic breakfast food

Best Budget Hotel in Downtown

Alt Hotel St John’s

If you want a little more privacy, Alt Hotel is a contemporary getaway right on the waterfront! A continental breakfast is provided every morning, and there is even a small fitness centre on-site where you can keep up with your routine. Rooms come with basic facilities such as WiFi and coffee machines.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Downtown

The Duckworth Inn

Uniquely decorated and fitted with hardwood floors and polished furnishings, the Duckworth Inn is a beautiful 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Downtown. Its central location means it is surrounded by cute cafes, tasty restaurants, and cool bars!

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Best Luxury Hotel in Downtown

Blue on Water

This beautiful and boutique hotel is situated right on the waterfront in Downtown St. John’s and has deluxe and luxurious furnishings fitted throughout. The hotel also features a swanky on-site restaurant and bar area that serves up a tasty selection of food and drink options.

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Neighborhood #3 – George Street

Where to stay in St John’s for nightlife!

• COOLEST thing to do in George Street – dance the night away at Dusk Ultralounge, the most popular nightclub in the city
• BEST place to visit in George Street – check out some truly unique exhibits at the Motorcycle Museum

Whilst part of Downtown, George Street is the main nightlife strip in St John’s and deserves to be considered an area in its own right! Whilst St John’s isn’t a big nightclub city, there are still a few to keep the party going all night long. Otherwise, where the city truly shines is in its selection of fantastic pubs.

During the day, George Street provides easy access to Downtown and most other areas mentioned on this list. It also has some great attractions in its own right – including some fantastic restaurants where you can grab a hearty meal to soak up the hangover!

• Check out a local hockey game – or catch a live concert from touring artists – at the Mile One Centre
• Newman Wine Vaults are a large underground collection of wines from across Canada, as well as some historic exhibits about production
• Unwind with a walk along Harbourside Park – it has some of the best views of St John’s Harbour and other parts of Newfoundland
• Whilst there are some great nightclubs along George Street, the pubs are the best nightlife venues – we recommend The Celtic Hearth
• Beat the hangover with a hearty meal from the Keg Steakhouse – they are particularly well known for their enormous desserts!

Best Budget Hotel in George Street

Extended Stay St John’s

With kitchenettes in every room, this small hotel is perfect for backpackers that are self-catering and want a little more privacy! Rooms come in at very reasonable prices, and the previous guest reviews are fantastic. A complimentary buffet breakfast is provided every morning, and there is parking on-site.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in George Street

Hilton Garden Inn

Despite being a Hilton Hotel, their St John’s Garden Inn is surprisingly well priced – perfect if you want some extra levels of comfort without breaking the bank! A complimentary American style breakfast is included in the rate, and high speed WiFi can be accessed throughout the hotel.

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Best Luxury Hotel in George Street

JAG Boutique Hotel

The four star JAG Boutique Hotel is perfect if you want a luxurious getaway in the main nightlife district of the city! They have free on-site parking that comes with a complimentary valet service, and the breakfast buffet comes with vegan options. Rooms are well equipped, with modern appliances such as Keurig coffee makers.

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Neighborhood #4 – City West

Best neighborhood in St John’s for families!

• COOLEST thing to do in City West – take a tour of Newfoundland with McCarthy’s Party Day Tours
• BEST place to visit in City West – visit part of the RMS Titanic Wreck, close to the Railway Coastal Museum

City West, whilst still fairly close to Downtown, is one of the most peaceful neighborhoods in the city. This makes it the perfect choice for families that want to discover St John’s! Many of the hotels here cater to families visiting the city, and there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions dotted around City West.

This is also an area where many of the tour companies in the city are based – perfect if you want to explore further afield in Newfoundland! It is very much a residential area, giving it a strong community atmosphere – perfect for discovering the authentic heart and soul of the people of Newfoundland.

• The Railway Coastal Museum itself has some fantastic exhibits dedicated to both the railways and the maritime culture of the city
• Tombstones and Tea is a quirky tour through a historic cemetery in the heart of City West, finished off with a small picnic
• If you want the kids to burn off some energy, take them to Wallnuts Climbing Centre that has activities to suit all ages
• Need to unwind after all of the climbing required to get around St John’s? Enjoy the fantastic facilities at Monastery Spa
• Ziggy Peelgood’s might just be a small food truck – but they are known city-wide for their fantastic poutine

Best Budget Hotel in City West

Midstream Manor

Offering both rooms and apartments, Midstream Manor isn’t just perfect for backpackers – but also for families visiting the area on a strict budget! The apartments are fully serviced and have well-equipped kitchens. The rooms have all the basic facilities you require for a short stay in the city.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in City West

Ramada by Wyndham

Ramada are a popular hotel brand across America for budget-friendly comfort, and their St John’s hotel is no exception! They provide a hearty, American style breakfast every morning and high speed WiFi can be accessed throughout. Rooms come with cable TV and coffee making facilities.

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Best Luxury Hotel in City West

Monastery Spa & Suites

As mentioned in the things to do section, Monastery Spa & Suites is an attraction in its own right thanks to the well-renowned spa facilities! Guests are given complimentary access to the spa, as well as a whole host of other benefits. Rooms come with their own hot tubs and cable television.

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Neighborhood #5 – City North

Where to stay in St John’s on a budget!

• COOLEST thing to do in City North – interested in some great hiking trails? Head to the White Hills that overlook the city
• BEST place to visit in City North – Virginia Lake is a beautiful nature reserve with plenty of picnic facilities

City North is a vast area starting just above Georgestown and stretching right to the city limits close to the airport! This makes it a diverse neighborhood with a lot to offer visitors that are willing to stay a little further out from the centre. It is also one of the cheapest areas in the city – perfect for those wanting to watch their spending in this notoriously expensive country.

As the largest neighborhood, it is also home to the most natural attractions! Whether you want to climb the hills or paddle along the lake, there are plenty of facilities scattered across the area to help you connect with nature.

• The Royal St John’s Regatta Museum has some fun exhibits dedicated to the city’s seafaring and sporting traditions
• Closer to the lake, Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum is all about the region’s wartime history
• Paul Reynold Community Centre host regular events throughout the year – check their website before your visit
• Vegan? Head to Sprout for some of the best plant-based cuisine in Newfoundland and Labrador!
• Otherwise, take a walk along Torbay Road to discover the area’s culinary delights – known for great Chinese food, we suggest Canton and Chang’s

Best Budget Hotel in City North

Super 8 by Wyndham

Super 8 consistently offer some of the best-rated budget hotels in cities across North America! Located right next to the airport, this is a fantastic choice for backpackers with late arrivals or early departures from the city. It comes with the fastest internet in the city and a complimentary breakfast buffet.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in City North

Holiday Inn St John’s Government Center

For a little bit of an upgrade, you can’t go wrong with the Holiday Inn at Government Center! Located a bit closer to the city centre, this is a great choice for anyone on a budget that still wants to stay close to the action. There is an indoor pool and a fitness centre.

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Best Luxury Hotel in City North

Premiere Suites

Whilst there aren’t any luxury hotels in City North, Premiere Suites offer some great serviced apartments! With a four star rating, these apartments go above and beyond the usual tourist studios. They come well equipped with full kitchens and large bathrooms. Private parking is also included.

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Neighborhood #6 – City East

Best neighborhood in St John’s for couples!

• COOLEST thing to do in City East – take in marvellous views across the city and surrounding countryside from the North Head Trail
• BEST place to visit in City East – visit Quidi Vidi, a beautiful seaside suburb that feels like a village in its own right

City East is the best connected of the city’s suburbs thanks to its proximity to Downtown! This is a great option for couples that want to get away from the centre and enjoy a more relaxing break in the city. With romantic walking trails and sumptuous restaurants, City East is the perfect location for a couple’s weekend.

By far the most popular attraction in the area is Quidi Vidi. This small neighborhood is often regarded as a village in its own right due to the secluded atmosphere! The quaint houses and friendly locals certainly add to this vibe, making it a truly unique spot only a short drive from the city centre.

• Saucy Pots Pottery is an adorable little boutique store selling handcrafted pottery goods and souvenirs
• Quidi Vidi Brewery is a prominent craft beer producer in Newfoundland – take a tour of their facility and sample their brews in the adjoining bar
• Signal Hill is a major parkland that takes up most of City East – it has a heritage store and a historic tower at the top
• For the ultimate date night restaurant in the city, head to Mallard Cottage – just outside Quidi Vidi, it comes with coastal views
• Close to Signal Hill, Newfoundland Chocolate Cafe offers a whole host of delectable treats – perfect for recovering from the climb

Best Budget Hotel in City East

Quality Hotel St John’s

For young couples visiting the city on a tight budget, the Quality Hotel is a great choice in City East! Rooms come well equipped with modern conveniences such as coffee makers and cable TV. There is also full WiFi access – and despite it being a hotel, there are plenty of great social spaces.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in City East

The Inn by Mallard Cottage

Right next to Quidi Vidi, the Inn is the perfect romantic getaway if you want something simple and cosy! Rooms are spacious and well decorated in a contemporary, minimalist style. A complimentary bottle of wine is included for all guests – a great way to start your short break in the city.

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Best Luxury Hotel in City East

Bannerman Park Suites

City East is also lacking in luxury hotels – but this five star apartment is the perfect compromise if you want to splash out on your romantic getaway in St John’s! They offer both king suites and queen suites depending on how much you are willing to splash out – though both apartments are spacious and well equipped.

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Neighborhood #7 – Dildo

Best neighborhood close to St John’s!

• COOLEST thing to do in Dildo – go whale spotting with Dildo Island Adventure Tours
• BEST place to visit in Dildo – Hants Harbour Lighthouse is a fantastic viewpoint for enjoying the raw majesty of the sea

Located about an hour west of St John’s, Dildo is the picture-perfect seaside town that truly showcases what Newfoundland is all about. Dramatic scenery, rugged coastlines and adventure-based activities abound in this gorgeous village! It is also a popular spot for whale watching and hiking.

There aren’t any transport links to Dildo, so you will need to hire a car to visit – but it is well worth the drive! It’s most famous attraction is Dildo Island, a major conservation area with multiple tours per day. Dildo is well and truly the ultimate “get away from it all” type destination in Canada’s maritime region.

• Dildo Island Adventure Tours also offer direct tours to the island itself where you can learn about the area’s indigenous past
• Every August, Dildo host the historic Dildo Days – a celebration of everything that makes the town great
• Dildo Coffee & Krafts Inc is both a quaint coffee shop right on the waterfront and an extensive souvenir store
• Tara’s Kitchen and Cafe is a great restaurant where you can enjoy Newfoundland seaside cuisine and mingle with locals

Best Budget Hotel in Dildo

Dildo Boathouse Inn

There’s no getting around it – as a small village, Dildo is an expensive destination. This inn, nevertheless, is one of the best-priced hotel options in the area and offers fantastic service! For backpackers, there are also some small social spaces on-site where you can mingle with other guests.

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Best Mid-range Hotel in Dildo

Blueberry Cottage Inn

A little bit further out from Dildo is the Blueberry Cottage Inn. This secluded hotel has its own private beach – perfect if you just want peace and quiet away from society for a bit! They also offer a complimentary American style breakfast, as well as canoe hire facilities and hiking maps.

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Best Luxury Hotel in Dildo

George House Heritage Bed and Breakfast

This five star bed and breakfast is very expensive but absolutely worth every cent! The colorful façade is complemented by well-designed interiors, with all of the rooms containing antique furniture. A full English breakfast is available – however, they also offer vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.

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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in St John’s?

St John’s is a fantastic destination to discover authentic maritime Canadian culture! The city is surrounded by fantastic hiking trails and unique seafaring adventures. There are also some interesting historic and culinary attractions spread across St John’s.

As it is quite a small city, all of the areas mentioned in this list are equally convenient (bar Dildo if you don’t have a car)! If you really want to just check out the main sights, however, then we have to suggest Downtown as our top pick.

We hope this guide has helped you plan your upcoming trip to St John’s!

Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments!

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