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town in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
North America > Canada > Atlantic Canada > Newfoundland and Labrador > Western Newfoundland > Stephenville (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Stephenville is a town of 6,600 people (2016) in Western Newfoundland.

Understand

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History

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Overlooking the town of Stephenville

This place was known as the Acadian village, between 1848 and 1870. The populace of the village consisted of Roman Catholics who eked out a living, farming and fishing. The town's population continued to grow because of the stable economy. It was home to Ernest Harmon AFB, which was operated by the United States Air Force from 1941 to 1966.

The base precipitated an economic boom of sorts on Newfoundland's southwest coast during the 1940s. The village of Stephenville grew from a hamlet of several hundred people with no paved streets, side walks, water or sewage system in 1941 into a modern town of over 5,000 by the mid-1950s. By the time Ernest Harmon AFB closed in 1966, the town had more than doubled in size, partly as a result of the provincial government's forced resettlement policy toward residents of outports. The town uses many former USAF structures for housing, recreation and entertainment.

Get in

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By car

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If travelling by car, you first have to take the Marine Atlantic Ferry from North Sydney to Port aux Basques. From there it's a 2-hour drive north on the Trans-Canada Highway to Stephenville. Turn off the Trans-Canada Highway onto provincial Route 460 - White's Road (also known as Hansen Highway) or Route 490 - Stephenville Access Road. Both roads lead into downtown Stephenville.

By plane

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You can reach Stephenville easily. Firstly, if visiting from the mainland or anywhere off the island, you can reach Stephenville by air. Stephenville has its own international airport with connections to just about anywhere, but first you have to connect through Halifax or St. John's as they have the largest airports within the Atlantic region.

By bus

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Get around

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Once in Stephenville you can get out and enjoy the region by car or on foot. But be very cautious as Stephenville has the highest crime rate in the province (with the exception of Labrador's small outports). Keep an eye open for common violent attacks and mischief. Do not pick up hitchhikers on any occasion.

By car

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The town no public transportation system besides taxis. Two taxi companies—Bluebird and Crown—offer a flat rate of $8 for in town trips, $10 for a round trip and an additional $1 for each stop.

By car you can take Route 460 along the French Ancestors route around the Port-au-Port peninsula, Newfoundland's only bilingual region. On the peninsula make sure you drop by Sheaves Cove for some beautiful scenery; it's near the limestone mine at Lower Cove.

On foot

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If you prefer to walk, then get out and explore the town, walk through and see the former American Air Force Base, with streets named after American states.

  • There are various sites around town that show old French heritage, later American influence, and ongoing fishing history.
  • Port-au-Port Walking Trail (in Port-au-Port, 20 minutes from Stephenville; go west at the Gravels, just before Abbott's and Haliburton's.). A nice hiking trail. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 1 Arlims Company, 107 Main St (Downtown), ☏ +1 709 643-2823. A historic souvenir shop. (updated Jun 2018)
  • Riffs, Main St. A wide variety of quality clothing. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 2 Byrnes, 83 Main St, ☏ +1 709 643-2991. 9:30AM-5:30PM. Sells high quality footwear and sports clothing. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 1 Hartery's Family Restaurant, 109 Main St, ☏ +1 709 643-2242. Good home-style food. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 2 Emile's Restaurant, 44 Queen St (At the Day's Inn.), ☏ +1 709 643-6666, toll-free: +1-800-329-7466, . M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa Su 8AM-10PM. Good home-style food. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 3 Domino Pizza House, 54 Main St, ☏ +1 709 643-2742. This local restaurant—unaffiliated with the international chain— opened in the 1950s and is known locally for its great pizza and submarine sandwiches and friendly atmosphere. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 4 Mary Brown's, West Street, ☏ +1 709 643-5153. No visit to Newfoundland is complete until you have tried this chain's fried chicken. (updated Jun 2018)

Drink

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Newfoundland is known for great drinking, and Stephenville is no exception. Bars and clubs are located throughout town. There are a handful of bars along Main St.

  • 1 The Bar and Grill, 52 Main St, ☏ +1 709 643-5017. The most popular nightclub in the area for the younger generation. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 2 Clancy's, 120 Carolina Ave (downstairs from Razoolies, on the edge of town), ☏ +1 709 643-6623. (updated Jun 2018)

Sleep

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Hotels

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Campgrounds

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Go next

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  • Go golfing at Harmon Seaside Links on the 18 hole golf course.
  • Hike the Lewis Hills and visit Newfoundland's highest point.
Routes through Stephenville
END ← Port au Port Peninsula ←  W  E  → ENDS at → Corner Brook
END ←   N  S  → ENDS at → Port aux Basques



This city travel guide to Stephenville is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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