Bonavista is a pedestrian's delight. The gentle topography is appealing but it is the rich cultural landscape which makes for enjoyable walking in the community. Bonavista has approximately 1000 heritage buildings dating from the early 19th century to 1949, more than any other Newfoundland town. In addition there is a complex network of roads and laneways connecting the central area of the town known as the Harbour and Church Street to variuos sections of the community bearing ageold names such as Canaille, Mockbeggar, Rolling Cove, Red Point, Bayley's Cove and Bakeapple Marsh. This all makes Bonavista a superb place to wander.

Come to Bonavista to see the dramatic coastline, Dungeon Provincial Park, and the historic lighthouse at Cape Bonavista, but be sure also to walk along Church Street.

There you can visit local businesses, see the magnificent, classic revival United Church (one of the largest wooden churches in the country), explore the Church of England Cemetery with its superb 18th century slate graves, linger at the striking granite War Memorial, walk by the double-front peak Mifflin Houses - a vernacular architectural style unique to Bonavista - situated on property occupied by the Mifflin family since the early 18th century, mail postcards across the street in the post office at the Federal Building, and visit the massive Orange Lodge, the largest fraternal hall of wooden construction in North America.

Then stroll down to the old harbour past the 1897 Court House painted in bright traditional colours with its mansard roof, gable roundel and panel (a local architectural detail). On the other side of Walkham's Hill you will find Bridge House which was built by Alexander Strathie for Scottish merchant William Alexander ca. 1811-1814, the oldest, documented, surviving house in Newfoundland. See the locally-crafted replica of John Cabot's 15th century caravel, the Matthew, and walk along the many wharves and piers where contempory fishing boats tie up. These supply the Fishery Products International plant, one of the oldest seafood processing operations in North America.

At the Ryan Premises you can explore the grounds, view the interpretive exhibits inside the buildings and learn about the saltfish trade, the cornerstone of the Newfoundland economy for centuries. Return via Chapel Hill where the early St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (ca. 1815-1842) and Rectory (1900) overlook the Harbour.

Follow the laneways down the landwash at Mockbeggar where fishermen still gather. Visit the Mockbeggar Plantation Provincial Historic Site, one of Newfoundland's earliest fishing rooms, and take the boardwalk around Old Day's Pond. Along the shoreline you will encounter the occasional old fish flake, stage or twine loft left over from the days of the saltfish trade. Let the salt spray blow across your face, and along the way, you, like the earliest planters, will find that there is something compelling about the place.