Things to Do in St. John's in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
October Weather in St. John's
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
53°F (12°C)
High Temp
44°F (7°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is October Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + October delivers the final curtain call for iceberg season. Cathedral-sized blocks of ancient ice glide past Cape Spear until the third week, handing you photographs the July masses will never capture.
- + October is prime time for moose rutting. At dawn, fog over Pippy Park carries the haunting echo of bull calls that roll across the city like ghostly trumpets.
- + Hotel rates plummet about 35% after Thanksgiving once the cruise ships disappear. But kitchens keep ladling out fresh cod and October scallops straight from the boats.
- + By mid-month, George Street's bars belong to locals alone. You'll hear the real traditional music instead of the tourist sing-along track.
Considerations
- − The North Atlantic wind turns nasty by mid-month. When the sun slips behind Signal Hill, the temperature falls ten degrees in minutes.
- − Smaller coastal outfits close after Thanksgiving. If you want that puffin colony tour, lock it in for early October or forget it.
- − Storms can charge in from the Labrador Sea without warning, flipping a sunny morning hike into a sideways-rain dash for cover.
Best Activities in October
Top things to do during your visit
October in St. John's is a month of transition, where the air carries a crispness absent in summer and the light takes on a clear, golden slant. The climate data shows October as a bridge, with average highs of 12 degrees Celsius and lows of 7, a noticeable shift from the warmth of September and a prelude to the chill of November. The rainfall remains low, mirroring the drier months from May through September, meaning days often dawn bright and clear over the Narrows. This is a time when the pace of the city subtly changes. Summer visitors have largely departed, and a sense of quiet anticipation settles in as locals prepare for the coming winter. This atmospheric shift makes October a distinct time to explore St. John's. The famous row houses along streets like Gower Street appear even more vivid against often brilliant blue skies, and you can hear the distant, mournful blast of foghorns with greater frequency as autumn mists roll in from the Atlantic. It is a season for pulling on a wool sweater and feeling the cool breeze on your face while walking historic paths, a time when the city feels returned to its residents, offering space and a certain reflective quality. While no specific festivals are verified for the month, this absence of scheduled spectacle allows for a deeper, more personal engagement with the place itself. For travelers searching for things to do in Newfoundland in October, the focus turns to the lasting landscapes and rich indoor culture. It is an excellent month for coastal vistas without summer crowds and for savoring the warmth of a pub where you can taste the tangy, earthy flavors of local craft beer and hear live traditional music. The weather is generally cooperative for outdoor excursions, though the sea can be choppy and the wind brisk, adding a bracing, authentic edge to any coastal adventure in St. John's.
2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John's
cruiseSet out from the historic harbor into the open Atlantic, where you will see spouts from humpback whales and the dramatic plunge of northern gannets into the cold, dark water. You will hear the excited shouts of fellow passengers and the powerful exhale of a whale breaking the surface just meters from the boat, feeling the salt spray on your skin. This tour operates when many of the great migratory whales are still in the rich feeding grounds off the coast of Newfoundland.
It has a direct, awe-inspiring encounter with the monumental marine life that defines this rugged coastline.
Insider tip: Dress in layers you do not mind getting wet with sea spray, as the wind on the open water amplifies the autumn chill significantly.
This month: Whale activity can be strong but is less predictable than in peak summer months, as some species begin their southward migration.
Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
culturalThis journey takes you from the colorful, steep streets of downtown St. John's to the windswept cliffs of Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, where you will see historic lighthouses and endless ocean. You will feel the powerful, constant wind that has shaped this landscape and hear it whistling around the restored 19th-century buildings, smelling the clean, briny air. The tour connects the human history in the city with the raw, elemental force of the North Atlantic coast.
It physically traces the edge of the continent, providing a profound sense of place at the meeting point of land and sea.
Insider tip: If the October sun is out, the light at Cape Spear in the late afternoon is spectacular for photography, casting long shadows and deep golden hues.
St. John's Downtown Walking Tour
walking_tourWalk the hilly, cobblestone lanes of the oldest city in North America, seeing the famously lively jellybean row houses and touching the cool, weathered stone of Anglican Cathedral. You will hear stories of great fires and maritime trade, and perhaps catch the sound of an accordion drifting from a pub doorway, smelling the faint aroma of woodsmoke from an early fireplace. This tour grounds the grand narrative of Newfoundland in the intimate details of its capital's streets.
It unlocks the layers of history and local character embedded in the very architecture and topography of downtown St. John's.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip, as the historic streets are often steep and can be slick with fallen leaves or October rain.
Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)
guided_experienceThis extensive tour blends dramatic coastal scenery with poignant modern history, including a stop in Gander, the town central to the Come From Away story. You will see the vast, boreal landscape change from city to wilderness, hear firsthand accounts from a performer involved in the celebrated musical, and taste an included lunch featuring local flavors. It is an immersive experience that captures both the generosity of the people and the scale of the island.
It uniquely combines impressive natural visuals with a powerful, personal narrative of human connection.
Insider tip: This is a substantial journey. Bring a book or prepare for conversation, as the road time is part of the experience of understanding Newfoundland's distances.
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour
foodThis culinary walk is a movable feast through St. John's, where you will taste smoky fish cakes, rich moose stew, and sharp, aged cheddar, often paired with a tart partridgeberry preserve. You will smell fresh-baked bread from a local bakery, feel the warmth of a crowded tasting room, and hear the provenance of each dish from passionate purveyors. It explores the hearty, survival-based cuisine that has sustained Newfoundlanders for generations.
It provides an essential, delicious education in the ingredients and traditions that define Newfoundland's food culture.
Insider tip: Come hungry and pace yourself. The servings are generous and designed to show the substantial nature of the local fare.
3 hour City Tour of St.John's, small group up to ten guests
guided_experienceExplore St. John's in an intimate vehicle, allowing for spontaneous stops at lookouts like Signal Hill where you can see the entire city and harbor laid out below, feeling the humid updraft from the sea. You will hear detailed commentary tailored to the group's interests, from geological formations to contemporary politics, and catch glimpses of hidden neighborhoods larger tours miss. The small group size creates a conversational and flexible atmosphere.
It has a complete overview of the city's layout and landmarks with the adaptability of a private showing.
Insider tip: Ask your guide about their favorite neighborhood for a walk after the tour. They often have excellent suggestions beyond the standard itinerary.
Explore More Activities in St. John's
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See All St. John's Tours on ViatorWhere to Stay in St. John's in October
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for October travellers.
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Public Holidays in October
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Thanksgiving
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Thanksgiving
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Thanksgiving
Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View St. John's Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best cod and chips waits at Ches's on Freshwater Road after 9pm, when they fry the fresh catch instead of lunch scraps. Locals have followed this routine since 1959.
October opens the cod fishery to locals, so the fish on downtown menus is yesterday's catch, never frozen.
Skip George Street on Friday nights in October. Head to O'Reilly's on Water Street, where musicians play real Newfoundland songs instead of tourist-bar standards.
The Rooms museum café has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the harbor, the perfect iceberg lookout with proper coffee while tourists shiver on Signal Hill.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to drive the Irish Loop in October without checking which sections wash out during fall storms. The road south of Trepassey often shuts down without warning.
Booking whale-watching tours for late October, when most operators have already hauled their boats into winter storage.
Wearing the same shoes for downtown bars and Signal Hill hiking. Water Street cobblestones chew up running shoes, and the hill destroys dress shoes.
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