Rally in the Alley : July 15th
Be sure to join your friends and colleagues in our closing festivities on George Street, located in the heart of downtown St. John's. It’s an integral part of the Conference experience and a perfect way to celebrate the relationships that are so important in our community. In the true spirit of Newfoundland hospitality, you’ll be treated to a culinary extravaganza featuring the finest fare from our host city’s shores... along with a variety of live entertainment from the very best local performers. You can count on returning home with the music and the stories ringing in your ears.
Click here for the registration form
MCCARTHY’S PARTY CONFERENCE TOUR OPTIONS
Optional Tours may be booked through McCarthy’s Party for Wednesday afternoon July 14th.
Optional Tour #1 : The Birds and Whales of Witless Bay (Half Day)
Today begins with a drive down the Southern Shore to the historic Irish outport, Bay Bulls. Here we take a private boat ride out to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve Bird Islands, home to thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Murres and Kittiwakes in the summer. The end of July coincides with the peak of the whale season so along the way we will look for these massive, majestic creatures which frequent this bay in the summer months. If the weather cooperates this will be the best whale watching trip you have ever experienced.
PRICE PER PERSON: $80.00 per person includes boat tour, transportation to Bay Bulls with guide
Optional Tour # 2 : Stan Cook Sea Kayaking (Full Day)
Take a peaceful trip through the world famous wildlife sanctuaries in a sea kayak. A well trained guide will give you an orientation on shore showing you basic paddle strokes and safety procedures of your top-quality, stable, two-person kayak before you even leave the beach. You will get to explore shorelines and hidden coves accessible only by sea kayak. You will enjoy unforgettable backdrops provided by the caves, arches, waterfalls, and cliffs.
PRICE PER PERSON: $115.00 includes transportation, lunch and guide
Optional Tour #3 : The Far East of the Western World (Half Day)
Tour old St. John's with plenty of time to see such historic sights as Cabot Tower, Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi, the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Basilica. 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. Next we are off to 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.
PRICE PER PERSON: $45.00 includes transportation and guide
Optional Tour #4 : St. John’s Harbour Boat Tour (Half Day)
Today we board the M.V. Iceberg Quest for a tour of St. John’s Harbour and the spectacular North Atlantic sea coast. Views of the historic city, the Narrows of St. John’s, the jagged cliffs of Signal Hill, and Cape Spear (the most Easterly Point of land in North America) await. This area is home to the mighty humpback whale which feads in these nutrient rich waters in the summer months. Sightings are a definite possibility.
PRICE PER PERSON: $75.00 per person includes transportation and guide
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.