Rainy Day Adventures
Don't let a bit of rain ruin your day. There's lots to do in Newfoundland and Labrador without getting wet. We've chosen some of our favourites for you and organized them by region.
Labrador
Labrador Interpretation Centre | North West River
Dive deep into the rich culture of Labrador and learn about its people – Innu, Inuit, Métis and Settlers. The exhibits, which interpret the lifestyles and cultures of past and present, are presented in three languages: English, Inuktitut and Innu-aimun.
White Elephant Museum | Makkovik
Built in 1915 to be used as a boarding school run by the Moravian Mission, the building was rarely used for that purpose and so it became known as the “white elephant.” The museum houses more than 200 artifacts – from tools, to books, fishing gear, old photos and more – that showcase the community’s history.
Parks Canada Red Bay National Historic Site | Red Bay
The interpretation centre details the rich Basque fishing and whaling history of this region. There is even a “weird and wonderful” exhibit, a collection of staff’s favourite and often odd artifacts, including Norwegian black rat bones recovered from the wreck of the whaling ship San Jan off the coast.
Lord Strathcona House | Rigolet
Step back in time inside this newly constructed replica of the former home of a Hudson’s Bay Company trading officer. The home is decorated inside with items that might have been common in households in the 1860s.
West
50 Centuries Interpretation Centre | Bird Cove
Go way, way back in time, through artifacts on display today that were left behind by the Maritime Archaic people who inhabited this area thousands of years ago. Before you leave, enjoy a snack in the tea room.
Bonne Bay Marine Station | Norris Point
Tour the underwater world and get your hands wet (if you want) during an interactive aquarium tour. Observe some of the natural saltwater inhabitants of Bonne Bay and interact with them at the touch tank.
Newfoundland Insectarium | Reidville
You won’t find any experience in Newfoundland and Labrador that compares to this. Tour about 8,000 square feet of exhibits featuring mounted and live insects – including probably the most popular, the Butterfly House.
Dr. Henry N. Payne Community Museum and Craft Shop | Cow Head
There’s much to discover here, including the stories behind a walrus skull and an axe with a murderous connection to a local family. Browse the craft shop for locally made crafts and interesting souvenirs.
Central
Springdale Heritage Centre Inc. | Springdale
The old courthouse is now a home of curiosities, including more than 100 framed historic photographs and the largest taxidermy exhibit in the provinces, showcasing more than 60 animals.
Botwood Heritage Museum & Flying Boat Museum | Botwood
Pilot your own tour of early aviation on the site of a former WWII anti-submarine base. In addition to flying boats, exhibits expand to cover other aspects of local history, including a really cool collection of vintage snowmobiles.
Beothuk Interpretation Centre | Boyd’s Cove
This Provincial Historic Site is a world-class homage to the province’s extinct Beothuk people. Even on a rainy day, it’s worth venturing outside the centre to walk through the old-growth forest to view the life-size statue of Shanawdithit – the last known Beothuk.
Twillingate Museum | Twillingate
Explore local history, room by room in this former Anglican church rectory. Exhibits cover the social, educational and medical history of this community, home of world-famous opera singer Marie Toulinquet.
North Atlantic Aviation Museum | Gander
For a small town, Gander has played a significant role in world events. It provided a pivotal airport for early transatlantic aviation, supported Allies during WWII, and welcomed the world on 9/11. Learn about all this, and try out the flight simulator, during your visit.
East
Provincial Seamen’s Museum | Grand Bank
With its exterior shaped like a ship’s sails, this building stands out against the landscape, yet fits right in as the place to tell the province’s seafaring history. Two floors of historical exhibits trace local development from the 1800s to modern times.
Port Union National Historic District of Canada | Port Union
Tour several premises from the heyday of Canada’s only union built town, the dream work of Sir William Coaker and the Fishermen’s Protective Union. The Factory houses the pressroom of the former Fishermen’s Advocate newspaper.
Wooden Boat Building Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador | Winterton
Explore this important time in the province’s industrial history and learn about the art of boatbuilding in the Boatbuilding Room, the Boat Shed and other exhibit spaces in this two-storey museum.
Admiralty House Museum | Mount Pearl
Telecommunications history is preserved in this museum, in a park-like setting in the centre of the city. This building was a top secret British wireless station during the First World War.
Johnson Geo Centre | St. John’s
The universe is on display inside this striking Signal Hill structure. There are exhibits about the earth, the cosmos, NL geology and history that invite visitors to see, listen to and touch the evidence for themselves.