My husband, 2 11 yr old girls and I are taking our summer vacation in Newfoundland this year.  We arrive in St. John's June 24 and leave on the 9th of July. We've always wanted to experience George Street, but as we're traveling with the kids, I don't think that will be an option.   Anyone have any suggestions for how we can take in some great music?  Any family friendly great little tips anyone can share on what to take in?  We are SUPER excited!

Lots of non-pub places have live music. I think I recall that Auntie Crae's has a weekly session mid-day, not sure what day. (Think it was something random, like Wednesday.) I've seen listings for live music in venues that are primarily restaurants, not pubs, such as Sprout (vegetarian restaurant) and the Athenian (Greek restaurant). Take a look at the Town Cryer or the Scope (local papers; also online), they have listings for live music, I believe, 2 weeks in advance. Additionally, some pubs have 6 p.m. shows, where there is really no rowdiness or excessive drinking - once you get to St. John's (or even before, via phone), you could ask if it's OK to bring kids to those. (I'm not sure about that personally, but it would make sense that you could - people come there for quiet dinners.)

Unfortunately, most of the "A-list" bands do seem to play in the evenings at the pubs, but there are good performers you can see, with your kids, who'll probably play the exact same songs :)

Once you get to St. John's, you might also want to stop by Fred's Records on Duckworth Street or O'Brien's Music Store on Water Street - these are the major local music shops and they might have some information for you on what is or isn't kid-friendly.

I think most of what I've seen has been fairly family-friendly (excepting George Street nightlife, of course), so you shouldn't have much trouble. Quite a few museums, historical sights, boat trips, etc., which I'm sure you've already read about. Oh - they have this one thing called The Haunted Hike (a guy takes you around St. John's at night and tells you "scary" stories). They have a little kids' version too, but 11-year-olds should be able to handle the regular one. The stories are more funny than scary (at least that's how it was on my tour). It's a lot of fun.

Also, there's an AWESOME candy shop on Water Street. Think it's called "Candy Lane." They sell kazoos! And have all sorts of funny retro action figures all over the place. I'm no kid, but I LOVE it :)

Also be sure to find out about concerts on the George Street stage around Canada Day.  Last year there were concerts for Canada Day weekend, and I'm pretty sure that some performances were during daylight hours and I also think that for those earlier performances, the street was open to all ages.  Again, I'm not certain but it is worth investigating.  Those sources that Chiarascura mentioned should have the appropriate information.

Signal Hill hikes are great for the family as well as Cape Spear.  You could take a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery.  Last summer Epicurean Kitchen was selling box lunches at Quidi Vidi Lake.  I haven't seen any info yet as to if that will be occurring this summer, but if not you could always stop by the Memorial Dominion (grocery store close to the lake) or Belbin's Grocery (in Quidi Vidi Village) and pick up your own lunch items to go and head over to the lake.

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Live ♥ Love ♫ Rock

"I finally found my way, Say goodbye to yesterday
Hit the gas there ain't no brakes on the lost highway"

"She spends all her cash on letting go"

Don't forget the Friday daytime concerts in Harbourside Park! I've seen some great bands there!

Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Unfortunately, Candy Lane has closed its doors.  BUT there is still the Candy Bouquet on Water Street.  They don't sell quite as much as Candy Lane used to, but it's still good.  And there is also Moo Moo's ice cream..can't remember the cross street it's on - I can walk there from downtown though!

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Don't feed the idiots or they'll continue being idiots...

Thanks for all the great tips everyone!  The people on this site are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!  If there are any great attractions ANYWHERE on The Rock, I'd love to hear about them.  We are really wanting to do the Lighthouse Picnics in Ferryland.  Can't wait for that experience!

Bonnie-the-Bodhranista:

Unfortunately, Candy Lane has closed its doors.  BUT there is still the Candy Bouquet on Water Street.  They don't sell quite as much as Candy Lane used to, but it's still good.  And there is also Moo Moo's ice cream..can't remember the cross street it's on - I can walk there from downtown though!

 

God, Moo Moo's. I just got a tear in my eye thinking about it. I bring it up every time I'm in a discussion about ice cream. (Who do half the things I say get prefaced with, "One time in Newfoundland . . ."?)

Vonya, be sure and check out The Rooms. It's a museum that focuses on the history and culture of Newfoundland. Perfect size, too - not so big as to be daunting, but big enough to spend a few pleasant, educational hours in.  

Hi Vonya: I'm heading to the "Rock"  on June 4th to June 11th for a visit with my sister in St. John's.  When I was out there last year Velma's (restaurant) on 264 Water Street had a great music expericence on Wednesday Lunch Time.  A few musician's would show up at lunch and play traditional music, while you are having lunch...you have to get there early, but it is a great place that the children can enjoy the music with you, without the Pub Scene. They make their own bread, so come with a full stomach.  Take the kids on the walk down George Street at night, let them expericence it anyways, cause you can always hear the music from the street.  Someone already talked about the museum, The Room's and the Eko Centre is great too.  Cape Spear is a nice walking experience too.  Remember if you are able to hit the Pub scene at night, there is cover charge per person to get into the pubs.  Cora's Breakfast and Lunch is a nice place to eat, try and get a window or outdoor seat to St. John's harbour (might catch a few ships coming or going from that spot)...always packed to be ready to wait...this is on Water Street as well.  And Erin's Pub, also on water street...have some early nights there are some local musicans that gather to practice their craft & I'm sure you can take the kids in to listen or dance.

Fantastic, Debby!  Thank you so much for the suggestions!  I've added Velma's to our list!  Great tip about Cora's and Erin's too!  I really appreciate it all! 

Hey again!... If I find anything more of interest for the kiddies...I'll be back in time, before to go,  to let you know.

Thanks so much. Recently I've been panicking that we booked too much time there....15 days....think we'll we tearing our hair out?????

Fifteen days in Newfoundland too MUCH time??????? No No No! You will find it's not nearly enough! A MONTH IS NOT ENOUGH! You will discover this on your own, of course. I don't have to tell you, you'll see... Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Thank you SO much for the reassurance!  I just started worrying about it lately because we've had a couple of people say "Why Nfld?", as though we're nuts.  Then when they hear that we're there 15 days, they look at us like we're insane and say "WHAT are you going to do in NFLD for 15 days?"  Of course, this isn't everyone, but it's been 2 or 3 people in the last 2 weeks, and now I'm losing sleep over it!  We're staying in St. John's for a week, Carbonear for a couple of days, and Bonavista for 5 days.  So hard to know how to plan it when you've never been there.

When St. John's is your base, there's much to see and do on the Southern Shore. Don't forget to check out Outer Cove, Middle Cove, Pouch Cove, Flatrock... all north of S. John's. Lighthouse picnics in Feryland (make reservations) is a good chunk of time. Tour the archeological site while you're at it. Wherever you stay, get off the beaten path to go to the little towns. When you're in Carbonear, go North to Old Perlican, over to Heart's Delight, visit Random Island, Harbour Grace. Plenty to see in and around Trinity. Take a jaunt to Gambo to the little cafe before town for the best NFLD pea soup ever. Take in some of Terra Nova and visit the beach at Sandy Cove on the Eastport Peninsula. Plenty to do and you've barely touched the Eastern side of the island. Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com