Located on the eastern coast of Canada, St. John’s Newfoundland is a vibrant and picturesque city with a rich history and culture. The city is renowned for its colorful row houses, friendly locals, and stunning natural scenery. In 2021, it was ranked as one of the best places to live in Canada. It’s also home to Memorial University, as well as WESTER-LAND student housing, which is located just across the street from the university.
If you’re looking for a perfect blend of city and coastal living, St. John’s has it all. With easy access to hiking trails, parks, and beaches, St. John’s is the perfect place for students looking to make the most of their uni experience.
EXPLORE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
We’ve compiled all the coolest (and most useful) spots in the ‘hood for your convenience…
The Old Dublin Bakery☕🥐
203 Merrymeeting Road
Their coffee is delicious, their baked goods are out of this world. If you’re looking for a cozy study spot, this is the place for you.
Signal Hill National Historic Site & Cabot Tower 🌊☀️
Signal Hill Road
Explore the most easterly point in North America atop dramatic cliffs just southeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland’s oldest surviving lighthouse marks Cape Spear. Cape Spear is a popular spot for spotting whales and icebergs.
George Street 🌇🎊
George St
George Street is the boisterous and colorful hub of St. John’s nightlife scene. The entertainment district covers just two blocks and every building is either a pub, club or bar. It claims to have more bars and pubs per square foot than any other street in North America!
The Rooms 🖼️🎨
9 Bonaventure Ave
The large cultural space in downtown St. John’s encompasses an art gallery, museum and archives showcasing different aspects of the province. Browse archeological relics, study paintings and search through historical documents.
Memorial University Botanical Garden and Pippy Park 🌺🌳
306 Mt Scio Rd
The 110 acre property offers 3.5km of nature trails, a large cultivated garden area with multiple themed gardens, a public greenhouse and an alpine house, special events, workshops, public art, camps, and so much more. And that is only the public-facing Garden!
Escape Quest🔐
156 Duckworth St
Completing an escape room challenge with others is the ultimate way to test your friendships and your own skill and logic 😳. Do you have what it takes?
Georgetown Pub 🍻
80 Hayward Ave
They have craft beer on tap, great vibes, and the menu changes every two weeks so you’re sure to find something you like.
MajesTea 🥤
80 Hayward Ave
This women-owned bubble tea shop is right across the street from MUN and the only place in Newfoundland and Labrador to find authentic bubble tea.
The Parlour Gelato + Coffee 🍨☕
85 Military Rd
The best ice cream shop in St. John’s is The Parlour, located a short stroll from Bannerman Park. This cheery ice cream parlour features housemade gelato, fresh coffee (beans roasted in house) and waffles.
The Duke of Duckworth 🐟🍟
325 Duckworth St
The Duck of Duckworth is the best spot to feast on Fish & Chips. We suggest ordering the unique dishes unique to Newfoundland such as Pan-Fried Cod, Fish Cakes, Cod au Gratin and Poutine topped with savoury stuffing.
Charlottetown, the largest city in Prince Edward Island, is known for its lively nature, accessible amenities, and friendly residents. It was voted number 1 place to live in Canada in 2021 (tied with Halifax, of course)! It’s also home to UPEI, as well as Brown’s Court student housing, which is located just across the street from the university.
If you’re looking for a perfect balance of urban and suburban charm, greenery and waterfronts, and historic sites, this is the place for you. This city is truly idyllic and sets the scene perfectly for students looking to make the most of their uni experience!
EXPLORE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
We’ve compiled all the coolest (and most useful) spots in the ‘hood for your convenience…
Baba’s Lounge 🎵🥘
181 Great George St
Live music, authentic Lebanese food, and reasonably priced local beer. You and your friends are sure to have a good time!
Hopyard 🍻
151 Kent St
They have craft beer on tap, great vibes, and the menu changes every two weeks so you’re sure to find something you like.
Charlottetown Beer Garden & Seafood Patio 🍺🦐
190 Kent St
Come for the yummy seafood and excellent beer, stay for the live music, outdoor patio (in the warmer months), and super fun atmosphere!
The Hive + Honeycomb Social Lounge and Board Game Bar 🥤🎲
119 Grafton St #111
Board game libraries (stay & play, rent, or buy), paint-your-own pottery, island-famous boozy shakes, bubble waffles, the list goes on…is there anything they don’t offer?
Upstreet Craft Brewing 🍺
41 Allen St
Not only do they have an excellent selection of beer and amazing customer service, they’re also a Certified B Corp (like UA!) meaning they use business as a force for good. This is a local business you wanna support!
Details Fine Art Gallery 🖼️🎨
166 Richmond St
This is the perfect chill spot for a rainy afternoon or whenever you feel the need to clear your mind and recharge. Appreciate and get inspired by local and international art.
Charlottetown Farmers Market 🥕🥬
100 Belvedere Ave
Spend your Saturday browsing through fresh food and crafty goods from local farmers, vendors, and artisans!
Confederation Centre of the Arts 🎭
145 Richmond St
This national arts centre displays iconic works by Canadian talent and celebrates Canada’s origins and evolution through performing arts, visual arts, and interactive programming.
The Comic Hunter 💢🃏
183 Queen St
If you’re into comics, board games, and card games, this is the place for you! They have a great selection, fair prices, and the friendliest service.
PEI Escape Rooms 🔐
81 Prince St
Completing an escape room challenge with others is the ultimate way to test your friendships and your own skill and logic 😳. Do you have what it takes?
Charlottetown Park Eighteen 🌳🦆
Raiders Rd C1A 9K3
Visit this sweet park right near campus and Brown’s Court for some much needed nature and a mental reset. It has a small pond, bridge, and greenery galore!
Loblaw Pharmacy ⚕️💊
465 University Ave
This pharmacy is located on your way from campus/home to downtown Charlottetown, and has everything you need in terms of amenities and essentials.
Receiver Coffee Vic Row ☕🥐
128 Richmond St
Their coffee is delicious, their baked goods are out of this world, and to top it all off they incorporate their values of sustainability, transparency, and quality in everything they do. A local coffee shop you should definitely support! (Opening back up in May 2022)
The historic South End is a lively neighbourhood marked by its specialty boutiques, charming galleries, and easy access to lush greenspace and waterways.
Most importantly, it’s home to Dalhousie University’s Studley campus and a bustling community of university students, further adding to the fun vibe. Luckily for you, South End is full of amazing restaurants and cafés for you to enjoy solo or with your roomies, as well as tons of beautiful parks, historic sites, and waterfront boardwalks.
Take advantage of South End’s seamless blend between urban living and natural landscapes, all while making the most of your university experience. We couldn’t think of a better neighbourhood to house our new student apartment building, SEE-MORE, launching in September 2022.
EXPLORE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Here are some of our favourite spots in the ‘hood for your convenience:
Coburg Social Bar and Café
6085 Coburg Rd
Coburg Social is THE go-to spot for a reason. Their coffee is incredible, their baked goods are always fresh, and the ambiance is impeccable. If you’re looking for a cozy study spot just minutes away from campus, this is the place for you.
Thomas McCulloch Museum
1355 Oxford St
Calling this museum unique would be a major understatement. Tucked away in the halls of Dalhousie’s Biology Department, it boasts an impressive collection of Nova Scotian birds, colourful ceramic mushrooms, skulls and skeletons, and more. Entry is free, so you can easily go check it out between classes.
Halifax Public Gardens
Spring Garden Rd. &, Summer St
Described as “one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian Garden in North America,” these gardens are definitely worth checking out on a sunny day. Come here for a relaxing afternoon stroll, or even set up a picnic with your roomies and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Glitter Bean Café
5896 Spring Garden Rd
This is more than just your typical cafe- it was brought to life by workers who envisioned a warm, welcoming, inclusive place that catered towards creating a safe community space for LGBTQ2SIA+ customers. On top of that, their coffee and food is delicious!
Mary’s Place Café II
5982 Spring Garden Rd
This super homey cafe has been happily serving students for ages now, and they’ve managed to create a wonderful space that makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. Their food is to die for and the service is incredible. You’re definitely gonna want to come here during your lunch breaks.
Triple A Convenience and Pizzeria
6279 Jubilee Rd
This family-owned convenience store and mini-resto is ideal for a late night slice or a midday ice cream sandwich. They have pretty much anything you could possibly be craving, and it’s always served with a smile.
Emera Oval
5775 Cogswell St
Although it’s a bit further away from campus than the other places we’ve highlighted for you, it’s totally worth checking out. It’s the perfect skating rink in the winter, and the ideal spot for roller skating and rollerblading in the warmer months. Its impressive size means you’ll have more than enough room to flex on your roomies with your spins and tricks.
Second Cup Coffee Co.
6225 University Ave
This Second Cup happens to be directly on campus, making it the perfect one-stop shop for those hectic mornings where you run out of the house with an empty stomach and no coffee in hand after hitting the snooze button one too many times (happens to the best of us).
Dalhousie Community Garden
Henry St, Halifax, NS B3H 3J6
If you’ve ever considered gardening but decided against it due to a lack of greenspace in/around your home, now’s the time to take that leap and go for it. This community garden offers discounted prices for students, which should make your decision that much easier. Even if you’re not into gardening, this is the perfect spot to surround yourself with greenery and appreciate your community members’ hard work!
Studley Gym and Dance Studio
6185 South St
Staying active throughout the semester has never been easier with this gym and dance studio right on campus. Opt for solo workouts to stay ultra-focused, or come along with a friend so you can both keep each other on track!