I’m slowly working my way through a more extensive wheelchair accessible tourism guide for The Avalon Peninsula, and I want to start compiling more info for other parts of the province as well. I’m still compiling places, events, restaurants, museums etc. and I’m relying on followers to share their favourite spots with me. But in the meantime, I thought I should share a more condensed guide for St. John’s and surrounding areas that I have created for the tourists who email me wondering which wheelchair accessible locations I would recommend for anyone visiting our region. This is LONG so I have lots of bold text to make it easier to browse through.
Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
The most eastern point in North America. There you will find accessible parking spaces, an accessible visitor information centre, accessible washrooms, and a paved trail leading down to an observation deck overlooking the ocean (I saw two whales from there just last week). This trail also leads to the WWII bunkers that are also wheelchair accessible.
If you’d like to visit the top where the lighthouse and cafe are located, there is a sign on the gate with a phone number that you can call to be let through so you can park at the top to bypass the stairs. This is available to anyone with an accessible parking permit. While up there you’ll find a beautiful wheelchair accessible cafe with an accessible washroom, and indoor and outdoor seating options. I recommend trying their vegan soft serve ice cream that comes in a cone shaped like a fish tail!
There are guided tours of the lighthouse but unfortunately due to the structure this isn’t wheelchair accessible. But you can get great views of the exterior of the lighthouse and the surrounding ocean.
Click here for more information about visiting Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site.
Petty Harbour
If you’re visiting Cape Spear, you can keep on driving and check out Petty Harbour next. It’s a quaint and picturesque 400 year old fishing village. If you’re a movie buff you’d probably like to know that the 1977 cult classic horror movie Orca was filmed there. There are some spots you can park and wander the area down along the wharf. There is delicious ice cream at Tinker’s Ice Cream Shop and some amazing food at Chafe’s Landing, both wheelchair accessible. On the other side of the harbour is the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium which is also wheelchair accessible, but I’m unsure if all of the touch tanks are reachable from a wheelchair.
Signal Hill National Historic Site – Downtown St. John’s
Signal Hill is St. John’s most popular landmark and has a lot of historical significance because of past military battles and communication triumphs (Marconi received the first ever transatlantic wire there in 1901).
At the very base of Signal Hill there is a statue of Terry Fox to commemorate where he began his cross Canada run.
On the way up the hill there is an accessible visitor’s information centre where you can learn about the history of Signal Hill. Inside the centre there is a Newfoundland Chocolate Company where you can get chocolates, sandwiches and gelato. They also have accessible washrooms.
On the way up the hill you will also find the Johnson Geo Centre where you can go underground to learn about the earth and solar system and see some of the oldest rock on our planet. You can touch a rock wall that is 550 million years old. This building is wheelchair accessible and they accept the Easter Seals Access 2 card.
At the top of the hill there are accessible parking spaces and accessible paths around Cabot Tower to take in the view of downtown St. John’s and the Narrows. Cabot Tower itself is not wheelchair accessible.
Click here for more information about visiting Signal Hill National Historic Site.
Harbourside Park – Downtown St. John’s
Located on Water Street, this park is the perfect place to get panoramic views of Signal Hill, The Battery and The Narrows. There’s one accessible parking space right next to the entrance and ramps that lead down to the wharf by the harbour. There are lots of benches around the park for sitting. Some areas of the park are a looser gravel that can be difficult for a wheelchair to wheel through, but you can bypass the gravel by taking the ramps all the way to the bottom to the wharf area.
Click here for more information about Harbourside Park.
The Rooms – Downtown St. John’s
This is a museum and art gallery overlooking downtown St. John’s. It’s a great place to learn about Newfoundland and Labrador’s history and art. On the top floor there is a beautiful cafe with the most stunning views of downtown. And on the first floor there is a gift shop that is a perfect place to pick up souvenirs to bring home with you. The Rooms offers: accessible parking, ramps, automated doors, elevators, courtesy wheelchairs and walkers, accessible and gender neutral washrooms, ASL interpreting services, assistive listening technology and noise cancelling headphones, dedicated quiet spaces, and free admission for an attendant.
Click here for more information about The Rooms exhibits, events and accessibility.
The Downtown Pedestrian Mall – St. John’s
If you’re visiting in the summer months you can check out the downtown pedestrian mall located on Water Street. This season it will be operating from June 25 – September 7, 2026 from noon to 10 pm daily. Lots of restaurants have outdoor patios, there are pop up performances and markets, and more.
For accessible parking options for the downtown pedestrian mall click here to view the map. There are several parking spaces located around the perimeter of the pedestrian mall, as well as some parking garages.
Please note that there’s a limited number of stores and restaurants in the downtown area that are wheelchair accessible. With the addition of restaurant patios for the pedestrian mall, as well as plenty of wheelchair accessible picnic tables, there are more accessible places to eat downtown during the summer season than the rest of the year, but access to washrooms is still limited. There’s a portable accessible washroom and hand wash station located on Water Street near the intersection of Water Street and McBride’s Hill, Alt Hotel on one end of Water Street allows people to use their accessible washrooms located in their lobby, and Boreal Cafe on the other end of Water Street also has an accessible washroom. For more information about the downtown pedestrian mall click here.
A favourite store of mine located within the footprints of the pedestrian mall is Johnny Ruth, which is wheelchair accessible.
Titanic and Iceberg Exhibit – Downtown St. John’s
Located on the lower level of the Merchant Tavern building (291 Water Street) is this mini museum dedicated to the Titanic shipwreck and icebergs. There you will find authentic artifacts, official movie props, and you can even hold a piece of an iceberg. The exhibit is run by Larry Daley, a titanic expedition diver. This building has a lift for wheelchair users as well as ramps.
Restaurants/cafes/pubs – Downtown St. John’s
- Bannerman Brewery on Duckworth Street is a brewery/cafe/restaurant that is wheelchair accessible. There is an accessible parking spot across the street, automated doors, and accessible washroom.
- Merchant Tavern on Water Street is a popular local restaurant that is wheelchair accessible. They have a lift and accessible washroom.
- Terre Cafe and Restaurant located inside Alt Hotel on Water Street are both wheelchair accessible. Terre restaurant is a great choice for an elevated Newfoundland dining experience, while the cafe offers some amazing pastries, sandwiches, coffee and more.
- Boreal Cafe on Water Street is wheelchair accessible with automated doors and an accessible washroom.
- The Keg and Jack Astors on Harbourside Drive are both wheelchair accessible with automated doors and accessible washrooms.
- Wooden Walls Distillery on Harbourside Drive is wheelchair accessible with accessible washrooms.
- O’Reilly’s Pub on George Street is wheelchair accessible and a great spot to hear some traditional music.
Quidi Vidi – St. John’s
Nestled in the east end of downtown St. John’s you’ll find this quaint fishing village that was settled as far back as the 16th century. Quidi Vidi is such a small area that you can park and easily wander around.
The Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios is a great place to start. The building is wheelchair accessible with automated doors, accessible washroom stalls, and an elevator. There are a handful of talented artisans working from there which makes it a great place to buy some beautifully crafted handmade souvenirs. The Artisan Studios building now has a cute new express cafe which is accessible from the exterior of the building.
Quidi Vidi Brewery is a great spot to try some new beer and listen to live music. They have an accessible entrance, elevator, and accessible washrooms.
Mallard Cottage is a very popular wheelchair accessible restaurant in the Quidi Vidi area.
There is an outdoor space in the summer called The Wharf at QV that has some food trucks and seating areas, but unfortunately the ground is very large loose gravel and nearly impossible to wheel through.
Bannerman Park – St. John’s
Located off Military Road in downtown St. John’s. A small, popular park with a skating loop, accessible playground, accessible splash pad, outdoor swimming pool, canteen, and walking trails. There is a parking lot with three accessible parking spaces, accessible washrooms, and the pool has accessible change rooms, child and adult size change tables, pool lift and water wheelchair. One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of the trails in and around Bannerman Park are packed gravel.
Bowring Park – St. John’s
Located in the city’s west end, this is a larger park with lots of beautiful scenery. Some of the amenities include: paved trails with diverse tree coverage; ball field; amphitheatre; accessible labyrinth; dog park; duck pond; koi pond; playground with accessible features; accessible splash pad; outdoor swimming pool with accessible change rooms, child and adult size change tables, and pool lift; skate park; soccer field; and tennis courts. There is an accessible parking lot located off McNab’s Lane, as well as wheelchair accessible bathrooms located throughout the park (no automated doors).
Urban Market 1919 – St. John’s
Located at 330 Lemarchant Road (not far from downtown St. John’s), this is a great store to visit if you’re looking to buy food, drinks, art, or souvenirs from local vendors. They have a great selection of ready made meals from local restaurants and bakeries, and cater to many specialty diets. Special shout-out to Gingerly Bakery who makes amaaaazing vegan desserts and meals that are sold there. If you want authentic things to bring back from your trip to Newfoundland, this is a great place to get them. And a great one-stop shop to try local treats as well. Urban Market 1919 has accessible parking, a ramp, automated doors, and wide aisles.
Click here to find out more about Urban Market 1919.
The St. John’s Farmers Market – St. John’s
Located at 245 Freshwater Road in St. John’s, this is a vibrant gathering space for local farmers, artisans, chefs, musicians and the community. This is another great place to visit if you’re looking to buy from local vendors on your visit to Newfoundland. At the St. John’s Farmer’s Market you’ll find food stalls, produce, art, desserts, jewellery, live music and more. The market is open every Saturday from 9-4, but they have lots of other events throughout the week and sometimes have a themed market day on Sundays or Wednesday evenings.
The SJFM has accessible parking spaces, level ground entrance, automated doors, wide aisles, seating options both indoors and outdoors, and gender-neutral accessible washrooms.
Click here to visit their website so you can see their upcoming schedule.
Avalon Mall – St. John’s
If you’re looking to do some shopping or you want somewhere to spend a few hours on a rainy day, you can check out Avalon Mall off Kenmount Road in St. John’s. Some amenities located inside the mall are retail and clothing stores, Newfoundland Chocolate Company, Downhome Shoppe for souvenirs, Cineplex, The Rec Room, and a large food court. The mall has lots of accessible parking spaces located outdoors, in the underground parking, and in the parkade, accessible washrooms, elevators and ramps. There are wheelchairs that can be rented for free at Guest Services.
The Rec Room – St. John’s
Located within the Avalon Mall, next to Cineplex, is The Rec Room. The Rec Room is a restaurant and bar, as well as an arcade with a bowling alley and axe throwing. They have trivia on Tuesdays. There’s a ramp to the restaurant and bowling alley with adaptive bowling equipment, gender neutral wheelchair accessible washrooms, and tactile flooring near stairs.
Here’s a previous post I wrote about accessibility at The Rec Room.
Manuel’s River Interpretation Centre – Conception Bay South
Located just off the highway in Conception Bay South, this interpretation centre features ancient fossil exhibits, an on-site cafe, a 52-seat theatre, and access to some scenic, world-class geological walking trails. This building has accessible parking, automated doors, accessible washrooms, and a GRIT all-terrain wheelchair that you can borrow for the trails. The trail surface is mostly finely packed gravel.
Favourite place to stay as a wheelchair user: Alt Hotel – Water Street, St. John’s
This guide wouldn’t be complete without once again mentioning my hands down favourite hotel in the city – Alt Hotel on Water Street. They have underground parking with accessible stalls, automated doors (even on the doors to the accessible rooms), elevators, roll-in showers, closet at wheelchair height, control panel by the bed where you can operate the lights, blinds, temp, etc. And they have the BEST customer service. The staff will go above and beyond to ensure you have a comfortable, accessible stay. And as mentioned in the previous section about places to eat in downtown St. John’s – they have a cafe and restaurant on site. I highly recommend grabbing a coffee at Terre and heading out back to their courtyard where you can drink it at an accessible picnic table while taking in views of the harbour.
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I will happily add to this list if you have any suggestions of places that should be included! Let me know in the comments or by e-mailing accessyyt@gmail.com
