Contact Us : 1-888-660-6060 or by email at nfldinfo@mccarthysparty.com
MCCARTHY’S PARTY CONFERENCE TOUR OPTIONS
Optional Tours may be booked through McCarthy’s Party through May 5th.
HALF-DAY TOURS : The Far East of the Western World (3 hours)
First off today we will visit the National Park at Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Here the lighthouse has been restored to circa 1836. Explore the bunkers built by Canadian soldiers in the side of the cliffs here during the Second World War. Now you can say you have been to the other "Far East"" where you can stand with your back to the Atlantic and face every other being in North America - or turn your back on them. The choice is yours. From Cape Spear we tour old St. John's with plenty of time to see such National historic sights as Cabot Tower and Signal Hill. Hear the legends of Dead Man's Pond, and Government House and the history surrounding the Colonial Building. This tour will orient you and give you a feel for the history, legend and lore of St. John's, the oldest community in North America.
PRICE PER PERSON: $45.00 including transportation, guide, lunch, entrance fees & taxes.
HALF-DAY TOURS : Whales, Icebergs, and Bird Island Tour (4 hours)
Today begins with a drive down the Southern Shore to the historic Irish out port, Bay Bulls. Here we enjoy a home cooked lunch dockside at the O’Brien’s waterside chalet. After lunch we take a boat ride out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve Bird Islands. The Bird Islands are home to over 100,000 Atlantic Puffins that nest here every year as well as thousands of murres and kittiwakes. In the summer months Witless Bay is also home to many Humpback and Minke whales. The sight of a whale showing his tail on its terminal dive in a glistening bay is one to be remembered for years to come. Be sure to bring your camera!
PRICE PER PERSON: $85.00 includes transportation, guide, and boat trip.
HALF-DAY TOURS : Exploration of Sea and Culture (3 hours)
Today we take a leisurely drive along the Atlantic coast stopping to visit such highlights as the seals in Logy Bay, and the beach in Middle Cove where you can put your feet in the Atlantic or look for "lucky rocks" to take home for paperweights or for a satiny smooth souvenir. Learn about the folklore, humour and culture of the Newfoundland people along the way to The Rooms, where you can immerse yourself in what you have heard so much about. The Rooms is Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Museum, Art Gallery, and Provincial Archives under one roof. This modern looking building holds all aspects of Newfoundland’s culture and history for all to see. Enjoy, the panoramic views, or keep an eye out for the giant squid. This is an adventure that both kids and adults will enjoy.
PRICE PER PERSON: $50.00 to include transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
HALF-DAY TOURS : A “Taste of Newfoundland” (3 hours)
First off this afternoon we head to Quidi Vidi village, a Portuguese fishing village in St. John’s, where we visit the Quidi Vidi micro brewery and have a refreshing sample of their wares. From Quidi Vidi we make our way to the “Jigg House” for a sample of local Rodriguez Newfoundland berry wines. Next we travel south on Water Street to the Newman’s Wine Vault for a sample of the famous Newman’s Port. According to tradition, a Newman's ship bound for London in 1679 was driven far from its planned course by pirates and foul weather. The captain of the ship sought shelter in St. John's, and as winter was closing fast upon them, it was decided to remain in the harbour until spring. The ship's cargo of wine was stored in caves, and when the ship returned to London, the flavour of the port seemed to have improved.
PRICE PER PERSON: $65.00 includes transportation, guide, and entrance fees .
HALF-DAY TOURS : Local Artisans and Gallery Tour (3 hours)
The group will visit the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Council facility. Located in the Historic Devon Row area of downtown St. Jolhn’s, the facility hosts the the finest in artisan works the province has to offer. Next we are off to the Presentation Convent to see some of the wornderful art the sisters have accumulated over their 170 years in Newfoundland. Included in their collection is the Veiled Virgin, a remarkable marble statue carved by Giovanni Strazza and donated to the sisters in 1856. Then we are of to the new Newfoundland and Labrador Art Gallery located in The Rooms. This facility, opened in June of 2005, overlooks St. John’s and features local artists as well as touring exhibits.
PRICE PER PERSON: $50.00 includes transportation, entrance fees and guide.
Tour Policy Information
Changes or cancellations may be made 24 hours prior to start of tour. If an individual does not show for the tour and has not contacted McCarthy’s Party prior to 24 hours, refunds will not be given. Please note that all day tours are subject to cancellation if minimum numbers are not met. Upon cancellation, refunds will be given to those registered or payment transferred to an alternate tour.
NOTE: To book half and full day tours outside of the times indicated above, please contact our office at 888-660-6060 or by email at nfldinfo@mccarthysparty.com
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS IN ST. JOHN’S
The following are featured local attractions that you may wish to visit either before or after the SEUS//CP Conference. Participants are encouraged to search the attraction’s websites for additional information, contact the organizations directly or contact McCarthy’s Party Tours with have any questions.
Click the Globes to locate on Google Maps
The Johnson GEO Centre
Newfoundland and Labrador is unique as “Earth’s Geological Showcase.” No other easily-reached place on the planet has a geological record that so fully reveals the fascinating story of our Earth — going back almost to our planet’s birth, over 4.5 billion years ago. The province’s oldest rocks, in northern Labrador, date from almost 4 billion years ago, and are amongst the very oldest discovered on Earth. But to understand how they got here, we need to take a journey back in time.
The GEO CENTRE located on Signal Hill in St. John’s, shows the amazing life-story of our planet, through the remarkable geology of Newfoundland and Labrador. Come in and see for yourself why this province is "Earth's Geological Showcase." Other exhibits include “The Titanic Story” exhibit. The exhibit and displays tell the story of the Titanic, its passengers and crew, and reveal recent information, gained from actual exploration of the Titanic, where it lies on the ocean floor.
The facility also houses the ExxonMobil Oil and Gas Gallery. This exhibit gallery, proudly sponsored by ExxonMobil Canada, will depict the role oil and gas play in our lives. The wide range of topics will amaze and astound you — from our dependence on oil and gas for our way of life, to careers in the industry.
The Rooms
The Rooms Welcomes You. Immerse yourself in our culture at Newfoundland and Labrador's newest public cultural space. It's the place where it all comes together - our history, heritage and artistic expression. The Rooms unites the Provincial Museum, the Provincial Art Gallery and the Provincial Archives under one roof. A place for people, The Rooms is a portal to the many stories our province has to tell. The facility features a wonderful café and some of the most spectacular views of the old city available.
The Memorial University Botanical Gardens
Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden is a resource centre for basic and applied botanical research and education with a particular interest in the flora of Newfoundland and Labrador. Come walk in the boreal forest and visit the vast array of botanical life we have nurtured in this facility. Perennial gardens, medicinal gardens, shade gardens and a series of nature trails await.
http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/home.php
The Newfoundland Railway Museum
The Railway Coastal Museum's home is in the 104-year old train station building, located at 495 Water Street West in St. John’s. Come in and join us! Enjoy the fascinating story of the great initiative, courage, and sacrifice involved in building and operating the Newfoundland Railway and Coastal Boat Services.
http://www.railwaycoastalmuseum.ca/
The East Coast Trail
The East Coast Trail is a 540 km coastal hiking experience that takes you to the outermost reaches of North America. The Trail provides walkers and hikers with a special blend of wilderness adventure, outstanding natural beauty, wildlife, history, and cultural contact.
The Trail takes you past towering cliffs and headlands, sea stacks, deep fjords, and a natural wave-driven geyser called the Spout. It provides access to abandoned settlements, lighthouses, ecological reserves, seabird colonies, whales, icebergs, world's southern most caribou herd, historic sites, a 50-metre suspension bridge, two active archaeological dig sites, and many more attractions. It offers a wilderness paradise of boreal forest, fresh clean air and quiet solitude, all combined with the raw natural beauty of the rugged Atlantic Ocean.