Things to do in Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador: The Best Specialty Museums

The Newfoundland Insectarium is a museum of nature featuring insects and arthropods from around the world. It houses thousands of live and mounted specimens including a butterfly garden, glass beehive, and ant colony. It is located in Reidville, Newfoundland, just outside Deer Lake.

Closed for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Opening May 2021. Group and Off Season Tours can be booked in April, 2021. This “Cultural Tourism Award” winner is a 20 minute ferry ride from scenic Portugal Cove. When you arrive, the #2 Underground Mine Tour & Museum is a 5 minute car ride from the ferry dock. At our facility you will be greeted by local tour guides who will share our history and tell you amazing stories about our forefathers. You'll be inspired by tales of these hard working Bell Islanders who risked their lives to supply the world markets with precious iron ore and were instrumental in contributing to the economic stability of the province of Newfoundland Labrador in the early 1900's. Our experience includes a walking tour that goes down into the #2 Mine to 650 feet on a 10 degree slope. Wear a jacket or warm sweater, it is 6 degrees. After your tour, sit and enjoy a cup of our own Miners' Blend Coffee with a treat in our newly renovated Mug Up Coffee Shop.

The Museum’s collection focuses on North Atlantic aviation history as it pertains to Gander and Gander International Airport, from the 1930’s through to present day, focusing on the WWII years through the early jet age. Highlights of our collection: We have several WWII aircraft engines, a restored WWII DeHavilland Tiger Moth bi-plane, a WWII Lockheed Hudson MkIIIA mid-range bomber (which we are told is one of only 8 left in the world, and is the only one in North America), a 1950’s CF101 Voodoo jet, a 1930’s Beech 18-S, and a 1940’s Canso PBY-5A waterbomber. Of special interest, above the main entry we have positioned the tail section of a DC-3 (1930’s model). We also host numerous items relating to 9/11 and the events of what happened here in Gander. We also offer Beyond Words Tours, a 9/11 experience here in Gander which highlights our town and key aspects of our 9/11 story! Join us as we take you on an unforgettable journey showcasing the inside scoop of what’s happened!

The Cupids Legacy Centre was built in 2010 to commemorate the 400th Anniversar of the establishment of the first English settlement in Canada in Cupids. It houses a museum with a state-of-the-art exhibit, which illiminates the rich historical and cultural narrative of Cupids and the Conception Bay North area. A series of special events and programs is offered though the season. The Centre is also home to the archaeology field laboratory for the Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site (which has unearthed more than 160,000 artifacts), Legacy Hall (a full-service receptioon room), a Family History Rescource Centre, a rooftop Faerie Garden, and a Museum Shop.

Have you ever walked on a 17th-century street, seen a 17th-century herb garden, or looked at the remains of everyday life in one of the earliest European colonies in North America? If you haven't, come to the Colony of Avalon at Ferryland, Newfoundland. The colony was founded by George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, in 1621. Most people have no idea that permanent European settlement in North America dates so far back, and that Newfoundland played such an important role. The Ferryland settlement was "forgotten", and its remains lay undisturbed for centuries.The site is now being excavated and archaeologists have uncovered over a million artifacts from the stone constructed buildings including gold rings, Portuguese ceramics and other unusual objects. Ferryland is easily accessible from St. John's, Newfoundland. Enjoy a tour of the Interpretation Centre and the excavations. In season, you can enjoy whales playing in the waters with icebergs in the distance. There are seabird sanctuaries nearby, and not far away, the Avalon caribou herd wanders in view of the road. Boat tours, guest houses, gift shops and restaurants are all available.

Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site - Closed for the Season