Things to Do at Cabot Tower

Cabot Tower crowns Signal Hill at 160 meters above St. John's harbor, its stone walls built in 1897 to commemorate both Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland. The tower stands 50 meters tall, and on clear days you can see icebergs floating past the narrows where the Atlantic meets the harbor. Inside, exhibits chronicle the tower's role as a wireless station where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal in 1901. Admission costs CAD $4 (about $3) for adults, and the climb up the winding stone stairs rewards visitors with panoramic views across the city's colorful row houses. Visit early morning when fog often clings to the harbor, creating dramatic views as it lifts to reveal ships and seabirds wheeling below.

Signal Hill is about a 10-15 minute drive from downtown St. John's, and there's a winding road that takes you right up to the parking area near the tower. You can also walk up from the city, though it's a fairly steep climb that might take 30-45 minutes depending on your route and fitness level. The most common approach is via Signal Hill Road, which connects to several main city streets. Parking can get tight during busy periods, so arriving earlier in the day tends to work better.