Things to Do at Jellybean Row Houses

The Jellybean Row Houses line the steep streets of downtown St. John's in a rainbow of colors that defies the gray North Atlantic climate - bright yellow, deep red, purple, and green wooden facades that fishermen could spot from the harbor in heavy fog. These Victorian-era row houses date from the 1800s rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1892, when residents deliberately chose bold colors to replace the ash-gray city that had burned. Walking Water Street and Gower Street, you can hear the wooden floors creaking in houses where five generations have sheltered from Newfoundland winters. The houses are private residences so there's no admission fee, just the pleasure of wandering streets where every corner reveals a new combination of architectural details and bold paint choices. Visit in late afternoon when the western sun lights up the harbor-facing facades and residents return home from work.

The jellybean houses are scattered throughout downtown St. John's, which is quite walkable if you don't mind some hills - and I mean some serious hills. If you're staying downtown, you can easily walk to most of the colorful streets. There's street parking available, though it can be tight on the narrower roads. The area is also accessible by local bus routes. Worth noting that many of these streets are quite steep, so wear decent walking shoes and take your time if you're not used to hill walking.