Yes, there really is a place called Dildo. But this community on the coast of Canada’s easternmost province is more than just a funny name. It stands to reason that there are also a lot of fun things to do in Dildo Newfoundland and Labrador.
Canadians have long chuckled at the name. Newfoundland is known for its wacky monikers. Not far from Dildo, you’ll find Spread Eagle Island. There’s also Tickle Bay, Come By Chance and Blow Me Down.
Although Dildo has been around since 1755, it was recently discovered by U.S. talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel. He’s been poking fun at the name and has recently been named Dildo’s honorary mayor.
Now, the town is gaining international attention, and the 1200 Dildodians who live there are, well, abuzz with excitement. Suddenly, Dildo is hot.
The answer is that no one knows for sure.
The name shows up in the record books as early as 1711, but there’s no clear connection to a sex toy. ”I feel sure that we’ve been here a lot longer than artificial penises have been around,” Dildo’s assistant postmistress Stella White told a reporter in 1995.
It’s believed that the word “dildo” was used for any cylindrical object. Some think the town may have been named after a bush called a “dildo-tree” or an oblong peg to secure an oar on a rowboat.
The townsfolk rejected a proposal to change the name a few decades ago. The name has been a driving force (so to speak) to help build tourism after the collapse of the fishery.
That was when local resident John Reid wrote “The Dildo Song” and he sang it on Jimmy Kimmel’s show (see Kimmel’s interview with Dildo residents below). “D stands for our dignity, our name will never change. I stands for the innocent child who should never feel ashamed. L is for liberty, D for days of old, and O spells out the loving word that we all call Dildo, ” sang Reid. Now, that’s priceless television!
Dildo is actually a picturesque community on the shores of Trinity Bay on the Atlantic ocean.
You need a car to get there. It’s a little over an hour’s drive from St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland. From St. John’s, you go west on the TransCanada Highway, and then north on Trinity Road South (NL-80). You should always check the weather before heading out in Newfoundland, where fog is a common occurrence.
Once you’re there, you should relax and enjoy the best things Dildo has to offer:
Many people just pop by Dildo to get a selfie with the the road signs on NL-80, or at the post office. But you really should plan to spend some time in the community to get the full Dildo experience (and the T-Shirt too!). You’ll find one of the most friendly places you could ever visit. Fortunately, they’re also well-known for having an exceptional sense of humour.
When you arrive, park your car and walk along Front Road, the main drag in Dildo. You’ll find most of Dildo’s shops and attractions along this oceanside route – – even pretty little houses, with proverbial white picket fences.
If you want to get some sweets or souvenirs, Dildo Cove Coffee and Krafts is the place to be. Here, you can get a “Love Dildo” T-Shirt.
Given all of the new found attention, shop owner Karine McDonald (who appears in the Kimmel video) is sure to be adding more souvenirs to the mix. Kimmel proposed a T-Shirt that says “There’s a little Dildo in everyone”, along with Dildonuts for a snack.
You’ll definitely want to stop in at the Dildo Brewing Co. & Museum on the waterfront at 1 Front Road. Along with a beer-inspired menu, they serve craft beer on tap (and yes, their bottles of beer say “Dildo Brewing Co” on them). Try their new beer, the Jimmy Kimm-ale.
In the summer, you can tour the brewery and the Dildo Outport Heritage Museum inside. The museum presents the “rich and diverse history of Dildo.”
Since Dildo was originally established as a fishing village, you may also want to take a walk around the harbour, and see the fishing boats and lobster traps that are still in operation today.
To fuel the growth in tourism, several Dildodian businesses offer sightseeing boat tours in the Bay where you could see a variety of wildlife, including nesting eagles, dolphins, seals, puffins, northern Gannets and cormorants. In season, you may also see icebergs (May, June) or whales (summer).
Tours can also be arranged to visit Dildo Island, an officially designated place of historical significance. Archeological records show it was home to four Indigenous groups as well as the world’s first cod fish hatchery.
For tours, check out Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures at 89 Front Rd and Dildo Boat Tours (located nearby in Broad Cove).
In addition to boat tours, Dildo Cove Outdoor Adventures at 126 Front Road offers guided adventure tours, as well as the opportunity to go rowing (or be rowed) in a traditional Newfoundland dory. Owner Dean Reid (also in the video) can also provide a picnic package and refreshments to make it a romantic Dildo experience at sunset.
Traditional Newfoundland dory.
At the end of July, the town holds its “Dildo Days” festival. As part of the festival, a flotilla of boats circles the bay in a parade of sorts. The parade is led by a wooden statue of an old fishing boat skipper called Captain Dildo. The event provides another opportunity to get a commemorative T-Shirt, but note that the “I Survived Dildo Days” T-Shirts sell our fast.
The festival climaxes with a fireworks display.
With Dildo Cove Outdoor Adventures, you can also becoming an honorary Newfoundlander in a traditional “Screech-In” ceremony, one of the best things to do in Dildo.
To participate in the ceremony. visitors will usually wear a yellow sailing hat, a Sou’Wester like Captain Dildo’s. To become an honorary Newfoundlander, they must eat a chunk of “Newfoundland Steak” (bologna), kiss a cod fish on the lips, and drink a shot of Screech (a strong alcoholic drink something like rum). Before drinking the Screech, participants must repeat “Long may your big jib draw!”. It’s a good wish for the future, that means “let’s hope the sail on your ship blows freely”.
Ceremony ‘survivors’ receive a “Screech In” certificate as honorary Newfoundlanders, the friendliest people anywhere.
Naturally, you can expect to have fresh seafood in Dildo. Fish and chips, seafood chowder, mussels and lobster are among the specialties.
If you’re looking for places to eat in Dildo, popular spots include the casual pub-style Dildo Dory Grill on the waterfront (9 Front Road), Tara’s Kitchen and Cafe (112 Main Road) and the Sea Level Dining Room at the Inn by the Bay (80 Front Road)
I spent a glorious summer day in Dildo, but didn’t stay there overnight. However, here are some Dildo accommodations you may wish to explore:
Make your reservations early. The owner of the Inn By the Bay says that bookings have increased by 40% since Kimmel’s segments on Dildo aired.
There are also a number of Airbnb listings for Dildo. Click here to get a $45 discount on your first Airbnb booking.
Kimmel says he’s going to visit Dildo, but so far he’s only sent his sidekick Guillermo to “do Dildo”.
The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has officially invited Kimmel to the province. His new position as honorary mayor is conditional on a visit and getting screeched in.
After all, a visit to this whimsical community is truly the only way to get the good vibes of the Dildo experience.
More Information:
Tourism Information: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Suggested Reading: Fodor’s Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada: with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland (Travel Guide)
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