Discover the best places in Newfoundland for families who travel with intention: culture, hikes, wildlife, outports, and a St. Pierre side trip.
Newfoundland is not a destination you skim. It’s a province that requires a certain level of commitment, whether it’s long drives, shifting weather, or hiking trails that demand patience and attention. For families who love to experience new, off-the-beaten-path destinations and want their children to understand a place rather than simply visit it, Newfoundland delivers in a way few destinations in North America can.
This guide is designed to help families prioritize where to go, why it matters, and how it fits together, whether you’re planning a two-week road trip through “The Rock” or experiencing a slower, deeper exploration of the island.
Want to explore more of the province? Dive into our Newfoundland Family Travel Guide right here, or you can go even deeper with our Canada Family Travel Guide.
How Newfoundland Fits as a Family Destination
Newfoundland rewards:
- Families who are comfortable with long drives and flexible plans
- Younger kids who yearn to wander and interact with their surroundings, and older kids and teens who enjoy hiking, history, and wildlife.
- Travelers who value authenticity over convenience
Rather than hopping quickly between highlights, the island works best when explored region by region, allowing geography to explain culture and history.
Where to Visit in Newfoundland to Experience the Best of the Island
Western Newfoundland: Mountains, Fjords, and Geology
Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne is the anchor destination for most families visiting Newfoundland, and it’s held that position for decades for good reason. Fjords, exposed mantle rock, coastal meadows, and dramatic elevation changes make it one of the most educational landscapes in Canada.
Family-friendly highlights in Gros Morne National Park include:
- Western Brook Pond boat tour – An accessible fjord experience where waterfalls tumble from 2,000-foot cliffs. This can be expanded to a multi-day hike that’s considered one of Canada’s greatest hikes.
- Hiking the Tablelands, the only place on Earth where humans can walk directly on Earth’s mantle.
- Coastal hiking routes like Green Gardens, which blend geology, ecology, and movement
Time recommendation: 2–3 days minimum
Corner Brook & the Bay of Islands
Corner Brook functions as both a logistical hub and a scenic base in western Newfoundland. For families, it’s a practical place to restock supplies while still offering easy access to coastal hikes, waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints.
Bottle Cove, Cape Blow Me Down, and nearby trails offer high reward with manageable effort—ideal between longer driving days.
Time recommendation: 2 days
Northern Newfoundland: History at the Edge of the Map
The Viking Trail & St. Anthony
Driving north along the Viking Trail feels like leaving the modern world behind. This remoteness is part of the experience and the education.
At L’Anse aux Meadows, families encounter one of the only two confirmed Viking settlements in North America. Costumed interpreters, reconstructed sod buildings, and storytelling sessions turn abstract history into something tangible.
Finish your drive in the scenic town of St. Anthony. Grab a bite to eat at the Lightkeeper’s Seafood Restaurant with gorgeous views (and the occasional iceberg) or catch a show at the Great Viking Feast dinner theater.
Icebergs, coastal hikes, and boat tours deepen the experience.
Time recommendation: 2–3 days (plus travel time)
Central Newfoundland: Icebergs, Outports, and Coastal Trails
Twillingate & Iceberg Alley
The town of Twillingate is one of the best places in Newfoundland to experience icebergs from land and sea. Boat tours, lighthouse walks, coastal trails, and fishing museums provide a well-rounded experience without feeling overdeveloped.
It’s also one of the most approachable regions for families balancing activity with downtime. One of the secrets no one talks about, though, is that the drive through the islands to reach Twillingate is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Canada.
Time recommendation: 2 days
Fogo Island (Optional Extension to Twillingate)
Fogo Island requires extra effort—a ferry crossing and advance planning—but rewards families with distinctive landscapes, Irish heritage, and excellent walking trails.
This is best suited for families who already enjoy slower travel and aren’t trying to “see everything.”
Time recommendation: 1–2 days
Eastern Newfoundland: Cliffs, Culture, and Capital City
Bonavista Peninsula
The Bonavista Peninsula blends puffin colonies, historic towns, dramatic coastal hikes, and geological features into one of the most varied regions on the island.
The Skerwink Trail, Elliston puffin site, Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, and Trinity create a strong mix of physical activity and cultural context.
Time recommendation: 2–3 days
St. John’s & the Avalon Peninsula
St. John’s serves as both a cultural anchor and a launch point for the Avalon Peninsula. Colorful row houses, maritime history, local food, and access to the East Coast Trail make it an essential stop.
A dedicated family guide to St. John’s is coming soon and will cover how to experience the city intentionally with kids.
Time recommendation: 2–4 days, including the Avalon Peninsula
Optional Side Trip: St. Pierre & Miquelon
For families with extra time, a ferry from Fortune offers access to St. Pierre & Miquelon, a French overseas territory just a one-hour ferry ride off of Newfoundland’s southern peninsula.
The cultural contrast—language, food, architecture—makes this an excellent educational extension, particularly for older kids studying geography or world history.
Time recommendation: 2–3 days
Tips For Visiting Newfoundland as a Family
How Much Time Do You Need in Newfoundland?
- Minimum: 10–12 days (select regions only)
- Ideal: 2–3 weeks for a balanced road trip
- Slow travel: 4+ weeks to truly settle into regions
Newfoundland is not about efficiency. It’s about immersion.
Final Thoughts: Why Newfoundland Works for Traveling Families
Newfoundland doesn’t simplify itself for visitors. It asks families to adapt to weather, distance, and terrain and rewards that effort with depth, context, and unforgettable experiences.
Children leave with:
- a clearer understanding of geography and history
- confidence gained through real physical environments
- stories rooted in experience, not attractions
For families who travel to feel a place rather than check it off, Newfoundland is one of the most rewarding destinations in North America. If you’d like to explore more of the province, dive into our Newfoundland Family Travel Guide right here, or you can go even deeper with our Canada Family Travel Guide.
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Newfoundland is excellent for families who enjoy outdoor adventure, wildlife, and cultural depth. It’s best for older kids and teens who can handle long drives, variable weather, and active days.
A minimum of 7–10 days works if you focus on a few regions. Two to three weeks is ideal for a balanced road trip that includes Gros Morne, Twillingate, the Bonavista Peninsula, and St. John’s.
Late May to early September is the best window. June is strong for icebergs, July and August are best for hiking and boat tours, and early September can be quieter with mild weather.
Top family regions include Gros Morne National Park, the Viking Trail and St. Anthony, Twillingate (Iceberg Alley), the Bonavista Peninsula, and St. John’s with the Avalon Peninsula.
Yes. Gros Morne combines accessible highlights like the Western Brook Pond boat tour with educational geology at the Tablelands and standout hikes like Green Gardens.
Yes—especially for families who want history that feels real. L’Anse aux Meadows near St. Anthony is the key highlight and works best if you plan enough time for the long drive north.
Twillingate is one of the best places to see icebergs from land and by boat, especially in late spring and early summer. Sightings vary by season and conditions.
es. Newfoundland is a road-trip destination, and a car is essential for reaching trailheads, coastal viewpoints, national parks, and smaller communities across the island.
It can be a great 1–2 day extension for families with extra time. The French culture, food, and atmosphere offer a memorable contrast to Newfoundland, and it pairs well with a longer island itinerary.
Choose fewer regions and stay longer in each. Build your trip around one major anchor (like Gros Morne), add one or two coastal regions (Twillingate or Bonavista), then finish in St. John’s and the Avalon.