Welcome to The Roarbots’ series of Parks Canada Adventures. Similar to our NPS Adventures, this series takes a big-picture view of a single Parks Canada site and highlights some of the best activities it has to offer. This is usually done through a kid-friendly lens and almost always includes activities and suggestions we can recommend from personal experience. And pictures. There are lots and lots of pictures. Glad to have you aboard!

Welcome to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site!

This is the end of the road – quite literally. L’Anse aux Meadows is at the northernmost tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. There’s one road there, and you basically just keep driving until the road runs out.

Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s a hell of a scenic drive and WELL worth the effort it takes to get there. Not only is Newfoundland a divine place to explore, but L’Anse aux Meadows is truly a unique place. Nowhere else will you find its match.

In the 1960s, archaeological evidence turned up and hinted at a Norse presence on this lonely tip of Newfoundland. Today, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only confirmed Norse, or Viking, settlement in North America (outside of Greenland). And since it dates to around the year 1000, it’s also the earliest evidence of pre-Columbian exploration of and contact with the New World.

Did you hear that? It’s the oldest known European settlement in the Americas and the site of the first known iron working in the New World. Take that, Columbus!

It’s believed that Viking expeditions out of Greenland landed here and built a substantial, though likely temporary, camp meant to resupply and repair their boats. It’s therefore likely that the Vikings continued on to modern-day Labrador and possibly deeper into mainland Canada, but – to date – no other confirmed archaeological remains have turned up.

It’s a long, lonely road to the end of Newfoundland.

Stats

• L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
• Location: Newfoundland
• Established: 1968 (declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978)
• Admission: $11.70 (Canadian) per adult; senior, youth, and group rates available
• Social Sites: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

(Click on all pictures to embiggen.)

Museum and Visitor Center

For those who are coming to this sight cold, without much knowledge of the Norse culture, Viking expeditions, or their exploration of the New World, the visitor center is obviously the best place to start.

On display are original artifacts uncovered during archaeological excavations – such as the bronze cloak-fastening pin that was the original discovery in 1960 – and a 3D model of what the Norse camp would have looked like 1,000 years ago. There are also video demonstrations of Viking iron smelting and Aboriginal knapping processes. Plus a 2/3 scale replica færing Viking boat.

And the most awe-inspiring view of the coastline and historic site. (That’s it up at the top of this post.)

Viking Encampment

Follow the path away from the rear of the visitor center toward the sea and you’ll soon arrive at the Viking encampment. The reconstructed camp hugs the rugged coastline and seems to rise up out of the bog. The camp is mostly enclosed by a wooden fence, and several full-scale sod structures are open for exploration. You’ll likely also run into costumed interpreters who are only too happy to answer questions, tell stories, or pose for pictures.

Archaeology and Historical Viking Remnants

Surrounding the reconstructed settlement are the historical remains of the actual 1,000-year-old Norse settlement. This is the reason the site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the first cultural site in the world to be inscribed on the list, to be precise. It’s still a somewhat active archaeological site, so tread carefully.

There’s not much to “see” beyond a few remains and humps in the ground where walls used to be, so make sure you brought your imagination with you. The original structures were all made out of earth and sod, so it’s a miracle any evidence whatsoever lasted as long as it has. Truly, archaeologists are a kind of superhero.

The reconstructed settlement was obviously built to show visitors what this place might’ve looked like 1,000 years ago, but the surrounding area is where the real history is. Take some time to wander the paths and explore the site.

Even if you don’t have much interest in the archaeological remains, L’Anse aux Meadows is just flat out gorgeous. You made the journey; spend some time and enjoy it.

By its very nature, Newfoundland is best described as “rugged.” But the land and coastline around L’Anse aux Meadows are particularly so. I promise you: wherever you’re from, you can’t see anything quite like this.

Sagas and Shadows

If you’ve made the trek all the way up here, you might as well make the most of it. And might I strongly suggest the Sagas and Shadows program as a definite “must do”?

Held Tuesday and Saturday evenings (during July and August) after the site closes to the public, Sagas and Shadows is essentially Viking storytelling around a campfire. After you make your way to the Viking settlement (and likely enjoy a fantastic sunset along the way), you’re welcomed into the longhouse and everyone gathers in the skáli (kitchen) and settles in for an evening of heroic and tragic tales from the Viking Sagas.

Costumed interpreters share stories from the Vinland Sagas and Norse myths. You’ll hear how Eirik the Red founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. You’ll learn how Thor got his hammer and how Thor and Loki got the hammer back. You’ll listen to the folktale about Gilitrutt/the Lazy Housewife, similar to Rumpelstiltskin, but with a troll witch weaving wool cloth.

You’ll also be toasted with a spiced juice made from local partridge berries, indulge in a few Viking snacks, and leave with jars of local partridge berry jam.

The experience costs $22/person and is worth every penny. Definitely make reservations in advance, though, since it does sell out.

Escape Room: The Test of Tykir

Not to be left out of the latest trend, L’Anse aux Meadows has – of all things – an escape room. It costs $24.50 per person (with a max of 4 per group), and the conceit is that you are a member of Leif Eriksson’s crew trying to prove your worth. Tykir, Eriksson’s family servant, has discovered grapes, but only he knows where to find them. Eriksson will share the discovery with only the most worthy Vikings, so it’s up to you to find a map to the grapes in the servant’s hut.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to experience the escape room, but it certainly SOUNDS cool. And I can’t blame L’Anse aux Meadows and Parks Canada for using it to lure more people to this amazing site.

The escape room may look small, but she’s got it where it counts, kid.

Xplorers

If you have kids, Parks Canada’s Xplorers program should not be missed. Most sites in the system offer an Xplorers booklet, which encourages kids to ask questions, discover hidden corners of the park, keep their eyes open, and be active visitors. It’s a must-do feature of every Parks Canada visit, and the kids delighted in earning their dog tags at each location.