What to Do in St. John’s
on a Rainy Day
St. John’s gets about 150 rain days a year. These are the indoor options that make a wet day genuinely enjoyable.
St. John’s is one of the foggiest and rainiest cities in Canada locals call it RDF (Rain, Drizzle and Fog) and take it entirely in stride. A rainy day in St. John’s is not a wasted day. The city has genuinely good indoor cultural options and one of the best dining and drinking scenes in Atlantic Canada.
Best Indoor Activities in St. John’s
| Activity | Address | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rooms Museum & Art Gallery | 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s | ~$10-15 adult | Free Sunday from 3pm. Allow 90 min minimum. |
| Johnson GEO Centre | 175 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s | ~$14 adult | Built into the rock of Signal Hill. Geological exhibits. |
| Quidi Vidi Brewery tour + tasting | 35 Barrows Road, St. John’s | Tasting fees | Iceberg Beer brewed from 20,000-yr-old icebergs. |
| Water Street galleries and shops | Water Street, downtown | Free to browse | Oldest commercial street in North America. |
| George Street pubs (evening) | George Street, St. John’s | Bar prices | Most pubs per capita in North America. |
| The Anglican Cathedral | 16 Church Hill, St. John’s | Free | Historic 1847 cathedral. Stunning interior. |
A rainy morning in St. John’s: start at Bagel Cafe (246 Duckworth Street) for toutons with molasses and coffee. Walk to The Rooms for the afternoon. Dinner at The Merchant Tavern or Chinched Bistro. George Street for the evening. A full and excellent day despite the weather.
Semi-Outdoor Options Worth Braving the Rain For
St. John’s colourful row houses Jellybean Row on Gower Street look extraordinary in rain and overcast light, which flattens the shadows and makes the colours pop. This is genuinely one of the best times to photograph them. A 20-minute walk in a waterproof jacket delivers some of the most characterful streetscape photography possible in the city.