Beautiful Twillingate, one of the towns along Iceberg Alley, is a must visit when planning a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. When bergs are in season, this is a prime spot to see them. Icebergs melt and get smaller the further south they drift so, in a good season, Twillingate will get some monsters. They’re just one of the things that make this pretty town so appealing to visitors.
So how to best make use of your time in Twillingate? We have some ideas.
Day 1
Start your first day by arriving in Twillingate and checking into your accommodations. Whether you like hotels, B&Bs, inns, or cottages, there’s a little bit of everything available. Some of our favourites include the Anchor Inn and the Harbour Lights Inn for comfort and charm.
After getting settled away, Take a drive out to Crow Head to see the Long Point Lighthouse – I guarantee you’ll stop at least once to admire the view. The vistas here are like nothing else. Swing by the Crow’s Nest Cafe afterwards for a coffee and lunch on their patio.
On your way back into Twillingate from Crow Head, stop by the Wooden Boat Museum, where they aim to preserve the boat building history of Twillingate and area and also teach these skills. The museum is in the historic St. Peter’s Anglican Parish Hall. Downstairs, you can view numerous displays depicting the boat building history of the town while the upstairs has been set up as boat building workshop space.
Summer evenings in Twillingate are magical. Join Rock Adventures on the water for a 2-hour paddle around Twillingate Harbour and Notre Dame Bay before watching the sun set over the horizon. Then head off to the Split Rock Brewery for a late dinner and beer flights.
Day 2
After a leisurely breakfast, Book a shoreline boat tour with Twillingate Adventure Tours. While no one can guarantee icebergs or whales, the gorgeous Newfoundland coastline is a sure thing and Twillingate Adventure Tours has the only boat that can take you under the bridge to explore both sides of New World Island.
Stop by the Cozy Tea Room & Bakery for a light, homemade lunch. They have daily specials like pea soup, cod au gratin, or fisherman’s brewis and you can always count on everyday staples like baked beans and toutons or fish cakes. Cash only.
After lunch, hop across the street to check out the Artisan Market, which carries a wide variety of local artisan products from pottery to soaps, jewellry, knits, and more. Pick up some Rockcut Trail Mix from Newfoundland Oat Company for your next adventure.
Now that you’re properly fueled up, head to the north end of the south island for the stunning 6km French Beach hiking trail, part of the newly branded Rockcut Trails. This hike will take you from the large, rocky French Beach around headlands to Spillars Cove Beach before looping back to the main road. If you like coastal hikes with dramatic rocky shorelines, you’re going to love this one.
After a quick refresh at your accommodations, finish the day off with a delicious dinner at Annie’s Harbour Restaurant – a must for seafood lovers. If the weather is fine, go for a post-dinner stroll up Main Street and check out some live music at the Captain’s Pub before calling it a night.
Day 3
Culinary experiences have been growing in popularity in recent years and with such unique food traditions in Newfoundland, it’s no surprise that you’ll find some exceptional experiences here. Start your last day in Twillingate off with a Mug-Up with Experience Twillingate. Your guide will take you “down the cove” for a “mug-up”. That’s a cup of tea/coffee and an interpretative food experience, inspired by traditional coastal foods. Served by the sea and cooked over fire!
While you’re in Back Harbour, check out the Spencer’s Park Trail, a short 1km trail where you can see some lava formations.
Have a spin around town and see how many yarn bomb murals you can find by @rock_vandal. They’re some fun little surprises where you least expect them. We’ve found at least half a dozen so far.
Swing by D&T Restaurant for lunch after your short hike. The menu can be a bit overwhelming so we recommend focusing on their delicious homemade burgers and fries. Cash or debit only.
After lunch, head south to see the natural arch of Little Harbour. If you hike directly into the arch and back it’s a relatively easy jaunt from the parking area but if you want to really challenge yourself continue after the arch and do the Jonas’ Cove loop, making for a 4.7km round trip.
While we may not grow grapes on this island, we do have a winery. Drop by Auk Island Winery for an afternoon tasting of their locally made fruit wines. We recommend Fifty Shades of Bay, only partly for the name.
For your last dinner in Twillingate get tickets for the classic New World Island Dinner Theatre and be entertained by funny skits and rousing songs while being served a delicious dinner.
Relax back at your accommodations with a bottle of Auk Island wine and reminisce about the amazing three days you just spent in Twillingate, Newfoundland.
