Visiting L’Anse Aux Meadows

While on our East Coast adventure this summer we decided to visit L’anse Aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland.  This location is where vikings were first known to have set foot on the island and discovered this new land. Having just been to Iceland, this was a very neat connection for us as we saw lots of Norse history there which connects to Newfoundland, our home province.

On this location there was an archaeological dig where they discovered the remnants of the viking huts and houses.  Parks Canada then created the Viking village where staff are dressed as viking characters who wander inside and around this village. This provides visitors with an interactive experience of what it was like to be a viking living in this village.

Hayden was excited about being able to go inside the buildings and to try on some viking gear, which included a helmet, sword and shield.  This lead to both my boys acting out a viking fight inside their main house.  All this is exactly what the park exudes as the viking experience. 

As we wandered around we saw axe throwing, multiple pelts from different animals that we could touch, and viking characters weaving fur into blankets.

As we headed back to the main building my eyes kept wandering to the fields where bake apples were flourishing.  However, since this was a Parks Canada site, no picking was permitted! booooo!!!!

Near the entrance there is a statue that represents the viking world meeting up with the western world.  It is difficult to get a really good picture since it is best seen from all angles.

With our visit  just about completed, the last stop was at the top of a rocky ledge that overlooked the entire area.  At the top was an iron statue of different explorers that came here many years ago.

When visiting Newfoundland it is well worth the drive up the west coast to the northern peninsula. Not only will the drive go past Gros Morne National Park, where we had hiked Gros Morne, but the views and sites are absolutely amazing.