Grand Falls-Windsor
Around Grand Falls-Windsor
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Town and around · Newfoundland and Labrador · 13k people
Grand Falls-Windsor
Locals say Exploits Valley
Where the river runs deep and the welcome is warmer.
Deep Forest GreenRiver BlueGold
Welcome to the Exploits Valley! Whether you're here for the salmon fishing, the winter trails, or just to soak in the friendly vibe, you'll feel at home. Come say hi and share what you love about this corner of Newfoundland.
Clubs for Grand Falls-Windsor
No clubs for Grand Falls-Windsor yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Grand Falls-Windsor. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Grand Falls-Windsor. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Exploits River Famous for Atlantic salmon fishing and the town's namesake.
- Grand Falls The falls on the Exploits River that give the town its name.
- Bishop's Falls Another waterfall on the Exploits River, in the town of Bishop's Falls.
- Botwood Heritage Museum Local history, including the seaplane base era.
- Outdoors Salmon fishing on the Exploits River
- Outdoors Snowmobiling on groomed trails
- With kids Picnicking at Grand Falls
- With kids Berry picking (bakeapples) in season
- Evenings local pubs
- Evenings community dances
- Locals love salmon fishing spots
- Locals love snowmobile trails
Through the year
- Exploits Valley Salmon Festival July Celebrates the salmon run with food, music, and river activities.
- Grand Falls-Windsor Winter Carnival February Winter games, skating, and community gatherings.
Maritime climate with cool summers and snowy winters. Best time to be out is July and August. Best: July and August
Talk like a local
- “b'y”
- Term of address, like 'buddy' or 'pal'.
- “whadd'ya at?”
- Greeting meaning 'how are you?'
- “screech”
- Local rum, also used for something strong.
- “touton”
- Fried bread, a local food.
Getaways
- Gander Larger town with services and airport.
- Corner Brook West coast city with skiing and shopping.
- St. John's Capital with historic sites and nightlife.
- Twillingate Scenic outport known for icebergs and whales.
Local flavour
Rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Montreal Canadiens (NHL), St. John's Growlers (ECHL) – though the team is dormant, locals still follow hockey
Eat and drink
- Jiggs Dinner A traditional Newfoundland boiled dinner with salt beef, cabbage, potatoes, and pease pudding.
- Toutons Fried bread dough, often served with molasses or butter.
- Fish and Brewis Salt cod and hard bread, served with scrunchions (fried pork fat).
- Bakeapple (Cloudberry) Jam A local berry delicacy, often paired with desserts or breakfast.
- Screech A dark rum associated with Newfoundland, often used in a 'screech-in' ceremony.
- Mary Brown's Fried Chicken A Newfoundland-based fast-food chain with a loyal local following.
Where people go
- Salmon fishing rivers The Exploits River and its tributaries are world-renowned for Atlantic salmon angling.
- Outport communities Small coastal villages like Botwood, Springdale, and Baie Verte retain a traditional Newfoundland character.
- Snowmobile and ATV trails Extensive groomed trails through the forest are a winter staple.
- Paper mill town remnants The legacy of the pulp and paper industry is still visible in the town's layout and history.
Heritage and traditions
Grand Falls-Windsor is proud of its deep roots in Newfoundland's paper-making and logging industries, and its position as the heart of the Exploits Valley, where the mighty Exploits River draws anglers from around the world. Locals celebrate their resilience and strong community spirit, shaped by the mill's history and the natural beauty that surrounds them.
Say it like a local: “Scuff” — A small amount or a little bit.
Festivals
- Jiggs Dinner Sunday Several times a year, often at church halls A community dinner featuring the traditional Newfoundland boiled dinner with salt beef and pease pudding.
- Kitchen Party Nights Year-round, especially in winter Informal gatherings with accordion and fiddle music, often in community centres.
Landmarks with a story
- Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Museum Housed in a former railway station, it displays artifacts from the town's paper mill and railway era.
- Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd A historic church in Grand Falls-Windsor, reflecting the town's early religious community.
Food traditions
- Sunday Jiggs Dinner A boiled dinner with salt beef, cabbage, carrots, turnip, and pease pudding, often served with toutons or bread. A Sunday staple in many households.
- Fish and Brewis Salt cod and hard bread soaked and boiled, served with scruncheons (pork fat). A traditional meal that reflects the area's fishing heritage.
- Bakeapple picking and jam making In late summer, families head to the barrens to pick bakeapples (cloudberries) and make jam, which is prized for its tart flavour.
- Screech and a 'screech-in' A Newfoundland tradition where newcomers are initiated with a shot of Screech rum and a kiss of a cod. Often done at parties or on visits.
Music and arts
- Newfoundland traditional music Accordion and fiddle tunes are central to kitchen parties and community events, with a strong emphasis on storytelling through song.
A little history
- 1909 The Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company built a pulp and paper mill at Grand Falls, which became the town's economic backbone.
- Early 1900s The Newfoundland Railway passed through the area, connecting the mill town to the rest of the island.
- 2009 The mill closed in 2009, ending a century of paper-making and leading to economic diversification.
- 1991 The town of Grand Falls and the town of Windsor merged in 1991 to form Grand Falls-Windsor.
- Game day Hockey rivalries
- Outdoors Salmon fishing on the Exploits River
- Outdoors Snowmobiling on groomed trails
- With kids Skating on outdoor rinks in winter
- With kids Attending the Exploits Valley Salmon Festival
Locals speak Newfoundland English, with a distinct accent that drops 'h' sounds and uses unique vocabulary. You'll hear phrases like 'b'y' for friend and 'whadd'ya at?' for greeting. The speech is musical and often includes Irish and West Country English influences.
Only here
- The town's name is a merger of two communities, Grand Falls and Windsor, reflecting its dual heritage.
- The Exploits River is one of the best salmon rivers in North America, drawing anglers from around the world.
- The old paper mill's whistle used to mark the start and end of shifts, a sound locals remember fondly.
- The Exploits Valley Trail follows the old railway, offering a flat, scenic route through the wilderness.
New here? A few tips
- Winter is long and snowy—invest in good winter tires and a warm coat.
- Learn a few Newfoundland phrases like 'b'y' and 'whadd'ya at?' to fit in.
- Try the local foods: Jiggs Dinner, toutons, and fish and brewis.
- The Exploits River is a big deal—respect the salmon fishing regulations.
- The T'Railway is a great place to walk, bike, or snowmobile—it's the old railway bed.
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Nearby
Every areaCentral NewfoundlandNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the sea meets the rock and the people are warmGanderNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the runway meets the rockHumber ValleyNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the river runs wild and the woods are deepClarenville–BonavistaNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the ocean meets the rock, and tradition holds fast.Corner BrookNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the Humber runs to the sea.Burin PeninsulaNewfoundland and LabradorWhere the sea shapes the soul
Grand Falls-Windsor. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.