What is there to do in Twillingate?

What is there to do in Twillingate? Our fellow Newfoundland and Labradorians are planning summer getaways, and this question cropped up a few times.

Well, it certainly changes daily, but the short answer is that there is a lot to do and that it depends on what you enjoy.

Adventure On Land

Firstly, Twillingate’s hiking trails are very well known and have been listed among Canada’s best trails. Many trails follow the coastal contour with breathtaking vistas. For families wanting an easy stroll, there is Hospital Pond, a groomed half-hour meander at the end of Hospital Lane. For the more adventurous, try the hike at French Beach or Long Point Lighthouse.  *(and that is just the beginning!)

Adventure at Sea

Our town is known for its icebergs and whales, and there are several boat tour companies operating on the island that can get you out on the water. Seeing icebergs and whales is on most visitors’ lists, but Mother Nature being Mother Nature, some days you have to be satisfied with the incredible feeling of being on the water and experiencing all of Twillingate’s beauty from a more interesting vantage point.

For our Foodies

Georgie’s Restaurant at the Anchor Inn Hotel is open every night of the week in season, offering good food in a casual and relaxed setting while overlooking the harbour.  Captain’s Pub focuses on its artisan pizzas, plus other usual pub items.  In season, there is entertainment most nights at Captain’s Pub. Mike Sixonate, our musician in residence, delights visitors with songs and tall tales, Monday to Saturday most weeks, and a variety of other talented musicians fill in on Sundays. Always check our socials for what is scheduled. The Blue Barrel Gallery Cafe at the Hodge Premises offers freshly baked delights by our in-house baker, the incredible Jenny, so do not miss the opportunity to have a coffee and treat in this wonderful heritage building!

Other favourites include lunch at Annie’s, jigg’s dinner on Thursday at the Cozy Tea Room, ice cream at Lickety Split, fudge at Long Point Lighthouse, a bite at the Auk Island Winery, and a lobster sandwich with a Split Rock beer at the Wharf.

Wild Island Kitchen is a small business that will introduce you to locally foraged food and seafood cooked on the beach. You may want to book your own private culinary adventure with Crystal!

Twillingate’s Fish Market is where you’ll find anything from cod to fresh lobster to local mussels – perfect for cooking if you are going self-catered!

#SupportLocal: Shopping

Twillingate offers quite a few choices, and we’ll list the ones dear to us. The Blue Barrel Gallery Cafe has local art, original and reproductions, Newfoundland vamps and mittens, other handmade crafts and books.  The Artisan Market is known for its well-curated NL Crafts, and the Green Thumb is a hidden gem with its vast selection of quilting fabric (easily one of the best in the province!). CUP Studio Pottery and White Emporium are located on Main Street and offer unique local art interpretation. Twillingate and Durrell Museums are well stocked with crafts produced by local craftspeople people and the Auk Island Downhome Shoppe has a good selection of NL gift items.

Day Tripping

Fogo Island is a two-hour trip by vehicle and then ferry from Twillingate.  A day trip to this scenic and very famous island is on many lists. Everyone loves a selfie with the world-renowned Fogo Island Inn in the background! Traveling “All Around the Circle” (Fogo, Twillingate, Moreton’s Harbour) will knock another bucket list item off.  Another great day trip takes you in the direction of Lewisporte with a stop at the strawberry U-pick at Campbellton Berry Farm and a fine seafood meal at Kindens Treats from the Sea (look for the giant lobster along Route 340).

A History Lesson or Two

Twillingate has a centuries-long history of the fishery, merchant trade, a famous doctor, a world-famous opera singer and the extinct Ingenious group; the Beothuks. The Twillingate Museum, Durrell Museum, Long Point Lighthouse, and the Beothuk Interpretation Centre (Boyd’s Cove) tell many of the stories of Twillingate. A special mention should go to the Isles Wooden Boat Builders Museum, where you can talk to and watch a master boat builder work amidst exhibits of Twillingate’s boat-building history.

Curate Your Experience

Grab a Camera

Twillingate is home to the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival, and for good reason! It is impossible to visit and not stop for selfies and create digital art from the multitude of breathtaking views and experiences. You do not need to be here for the Festival in September to enjoy photographing Long Point Lighthouse, or some of the more than 230 root cellars!

There is an App for that!

Family fun can be had in many forms, and geocaching is just one of them. Or locate Pokestops, Ingress Portals or map your route with a geo-tracking app.

Nature’s Bounty

Now, we have not even mentioned beach combing for sea glass, scouring the hills for berries (August and September).

And then we have not mentioned watching the sun rise from the south island, or watching the sunset at Back Harbour Beach… there is no wonder that even three days will not be enough time on this treasured island!