Saint John New Brunswick simply is perhaps essentially the most underrated metropolis in Canada. And throughout our two visits, we discovered loads of issues to do in Saint John, that can utterly shock you. With historic buildings transformed to stylish espresso outlets and micro brewpubs, native artists organising store downtown, and nature at your fingertips, Saint John has rapidly changed into one in all Canada’s coolest cities to go to.
Things to do in Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, NB is one in all Canada’s oldest cities courting again to 1604. Discovered by Samuel de Champlain, it grew to become a serious hub due to its inviting harbour. The metropolis has been having a renaissance this previous decade with Millenials opening companies and artists organising store. If you’re planning an East Coast highway journey, be certain to put Saint John, New Brunswick in your checklist. Fundy National Park, positioned in southern New Brunswick, is well accessible from Saint John and affords wilderness areas, wildlife, and scenic landscapes. These are the highest sights in Saint John and the most effective day journeys from the town.
While the rugged coast of New Brunswick is a serious draw highway tripper, there are many issues to do in Saint John positioned in the guts of the town. We counsel spending not less than two nights to take in the power of the city and to discover the nightlife.
1. Reversing Falls
As one native mentioned to us, “The Reversing Falls of Saint John is probably the most overrated attraction in the city, but the science behind it is interesting.” And when you perceive that the Bay of Fundy is so highly effective that it reverses the move of the Saint John River twice a day, it’s fairly cool.
We checked it out from two totally different viewpoints. I extremely suggest going to the Reversing Falls Skywalk and Bridge to see it from above.
Saint John itself s positioned on the Bay of Fundy creating a singular phenomenon because the Bay of Fundy’s excessive tide collides with the Saint John River. As the tides rise, it overpowers the river reversing the move. It’s a cool factor to see the river flowing a technique after which smashing in opposition to the tide creating rapids and whirlpools.
2. Market Square
This cool road has saved its historic really feel with eateries and bars inside constructing facades courting again to the 1800s. It has that previous world attraction with a hip trendy vibe.
Stroll alongside North Market Wharf’s waterfront boardwalk the place you’ll occur upon festivals and music occasions on the out of doors stage. Pop right into a pub or restaurant and do some procuring. At evening, issues actually kick off with folks bar hopping and out of doors leisure happening on the waterfront.
Cool reality: The New Brunswick Museum can also be positioned at Market Square. It’s Canada’s oldest continuous-running museum!
3. Saint John City Market
City Market is an indoor market in downtown Saint John and it’s excellent to stroll via to purchase some snacks in your highway journey or for a picnic in the park. Grab some bread and cheese on the pretty market and have a picnic in King’s Square, a vibrant park with a singular design that resembles the British flag and is shut to native sights just like the Saint John City Market. This is a good place to finish your stroll after shopping the Saint John Galleries.
4. Kings Square
Established in 1734, King’s Square was named after King George III. There are statues and monuments devoted to nice Canadians and struggle heroes. And it’s located in a beautiful setting with park benches and greenery surrounding the principle pavilion, making it the right spot for a day picnic.
5. Barbour’s General Store
Barbour’s General Store is a really cool museum and store that dates again to the 1800s. This is a good place to begin your tour of Saint John. It was initially constructed in Northern New Brunswick and introduced to Saint John in 29167.
The Saint John customer’s centre is positioned inside the place you may e book excursions and decide up info on the world. And get info on touring downtown for the historic walks of Saint John.
6. Historic Walks of Saint John New Brunswick
Saint John is Canada oldest metropolis and the one metropolis positioned on the Bay of Fundy. It is full of historical past from the early settlers and a captivating maritime previous.
It is value taking one in all its historic walks to study extra a couple of metropolis that dates again to 1604 when Samuel de Champlain proclaimed the title St. John. It was one other 25 years earlier than a buying and selling submit was constructed right here.
The space noticed many historic occasions together with the American Revolution the place 14,000 Loyalists settled alongside the St. John River. Today you may hint that historical past alongside the Loyalist Trail, Victorian Stroll, and Prince William Walk.
Each self-guided strolling tour takes about 1.5 hours and is an attention-grabbing manner to discover the structure and streets of Saint John.
7. Loyalist Trail
Walk the Loyalist Trail all through the downtown core to observe in the footsteps of early settlers. There are indicators all through the town that includes plaques and buildings showcasing the historical past of the Americans who settled the world after the American Revolution. Here you’ll see the loyalist cemetery and picturesque gardens.
Stops on the Loyalist Trail Include:
County Court, King’s Square
City Market
The Old Burial Ground at Sydney Street
Stone Church on Carlton Street
Loyalist House on Union Street
Barbour’s General Store.
8. Historic Imperial Theatre
The Imperial Theatre is a beautiful historic theatre with a connection to Hollywood. Louis B. Mayer (MGM Studios fame) grew up in Saint John and mentored a neighborhood businessman by the title of Walter Golding.
Golding opened the vaudeville theatre attracting the likes of Ethel Barrymore and Harry Houdini. It has not too long ago been renovated and the historic decor will knock you off your toes. You can take a tour of the theatre, or see a present!
9. Grannan and Germain
This is the best nook in Saint John. Here you’ll discover quirky outlets, artist galleries, and loads of selections for meals, bars, and pubs. Grab dinner at Italian by Night that serves scrumptious genuine Italian meals after which end off on the cozy sofas of Port City Royal for cocktails.
10. Downtown Art Galleries
There are loads of artists which have arrange store in Saint John and you’ll take a gallery tour to see all of them. The folks of Saint John are welcoming and can fortunately invite you in for a chat to discuss in regards to the artists and artwork of show.
If you proceed strolling to Princess Street from Grannan, you’ll come to many galleries and workshops. Pop into the historic warehouses and also you’ll discover artists studios showcasing distinctive artworks.
11. Cape Spencer Lighthouse
Just a brief drive out of the town is the Cape Spencer Lighthouse. The lighthouse itself isn’t spectacular, however the view is phenomenal. High cliffs overlook the Bay of Fundy with the lighthouse standing proud on a steep hill reaching 200 toes above the bay.
It’s positioned close to Bayshore Beach, if you end up there, head down to the water for a bit little bit of seaside time.
12. Hiking Trails Irving Nature Park
If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Saint John outside, there are many issues to do close to the town. Irving Nature Park has loads of mountaineering trails with lookouts to spectacular views of The Bay of Fundy. With 6 totally different ecosystems, it’s an attention-grabbing hike. We stumbled upon an extended sandy seaside that we walked hand in hand in solitude and it’s a great spot for chicken watching and watching the Bay of Fundy.
13. Sunset at Fort Howe
The finest place in Saint John for sundown is Fort Howe. Climb to the highest of the hill and watch the solar go down over the town with the Trinity Church Steeple entrance and centre.
14. Carlton Martello Tower
Martello Tower dates again to the struggle of 1812. It is only one of 9 remaining Martello Towers in Canada that have been vital forts for protecting watch over the port. It is a nationwide historic website and price a go to. The construction has been restored with military barracks, jail, and gun powder rooms courting again to 1865.
15. Rockwood Park
Rockwood Park is a sprawling 2,200-acre oasis in the guts of Saint John, New Brunswick. This pure gem affords a various array of landscapes, from dense forests and serene lakes to lush wetlands. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a biking fanatic, or somebody who loves to paddle, Rockwood Park has one thing for everybody.
Families will discover loads of picnic areas and playgrounds, making it a perfect spot for a day trip. Wildlife fanatics can preserve an eye fixed out for deer, numerous chicken species, and fish in the park’s waters. Open year-round, Rockwood Park affords guided excursions and academic packages that cater to guests of all ages, making it a unbelievable vacation spot for nature pictures and birdwatching.
One of the park’s highlights is the 1.5 km Rockwood Park Trail, excellent for a leisurely stroll to soak in the pure fantastic thing about Saint John. Whether you’re trying to calm down or embark on an outside journey, Rockwood Park is a must-visit vacation spot in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Saint John Day Trips
When travelling wherever in Canada, we suggest having your personal automobile. We booked a automobile rental for our highway journey giving us lots of flexibility. And with low cost parking throughout the road, we set out every day to discover the sights in and across the metropolis. Most sights are wherever from 10 minutes to 2-hours away.
Fundy National Park, positioned in southern New Brunswick, affords gorgeous wilderness areas, various wildlife, and scenic landscapes, making it a must-visit vacation spot.
If you go to Saint John, New Brunswick, listed below are the principle sights you can’t miss.
16. Hopewell Rocks
The Hopewell Rocks are in all probability essentially the most well-known attraction on all of New Brunswick and with good purpose. Located 2 hours from Saint John, they make for a superb day journey from the town.
These flower pot rocks grace the covers of magazines and journey guides at any time when one searches for Canadian East Coast Attractions. Every day 100 million tons of water drain from the Bay of Fundy revealing the ocean flooring. This is your probability to witness the world’s highest tides.
Visitors can stroll for hours alongside the Bay of Fundy taking in the large rock formation uncovered by the tides. Keep an eye fixed on tidal instances to plan your go to. You can stroll across the rocks 3 hours earlier than and three hours after low tide.
We suggest visiting round sundown. Once the solar goes down, most individuals go away and you’ve got all of it to yourselves. There are firms that supply kayaking round Hopewell Rocks at excessive tide and that is extremely really useful. We kayaked the Three Sisters on the opposite facet of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia and it was a spotlight of our journey!
17. Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park is one in all Canada’s Premier National Parks Located between Hopewell Rocks and Saint John, it’s only a 1-hour drive from the town. Spend not less than a day exploring the gorgeous surroundings and mountaineering trails of the park. Trails vary from brief 100 metre walks to 8 km treks. Read extra at: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Canada
18. Waterfalls
It’s a ravishing drive, however please do get out of the automobile to take in the stunning waterfalls, bogs, beaver ponds and boardwalks. If you resolve to in a single day in the park, there are a number of choices from tenting to cabin leases, yurts and oTENTiks.
You also can e book guided walks on the park headquarters to discover the Medicinal forests, seaside explorations and indigenous experiences.
19. Cape Enrage
Cape Enrage is just not solely a beautiful scenic cease on the coast, however additionally it is a ravishing drive. Driving via the winding roads, we stopped frequently to take in the views earlier than popping out at a rocky seaside full of Inukshuks.
When the tide is out, the rock led to an enormous sandbar the place you may stroll out 200 metres alongside the ocean flooring.
Just a bit farther alongside is the Cape Enrage lighthouse sitting atop a towering cliff. Bring a picnic to benefit from the view or have a espresso and snack on the restaurant.
There are additionally some adventures to be had together with a zipper line and 46-metre (150 foot) rappelling wall. We didn’t know in regards to the mountaineering wall, or we’d have positively equipped for a climb.
20. St. Martins Covered Bridges
St. Martins is a ravishing historic city that’s not removed from Saint John. While we suggest staying an evening right here, it may simply be completed as a day journey to see it’s superb surroundings together with its 2 lined bridges. New Brunswick is thought for its historic lined bridges. You can discover them scattered all through the province. But there are two positioned very shut to Saint John in the city of St. Martins.
If you time it proper, you may expertise the most effective of the Bay of Fundy at low tide. We went early in the morning to keep away from crowds and site visitors and explored at low tide. The city was quiet and fishing boats sat on dry land ready for the tides to come in. The ocean flooring was uncovered and we walked alongside the rocky seaside spying eagles perched on the pier on the lookout for their prey. Be positive to take a stroll on the paths close to the lighthouse for higher views of the river and bridges.
21. Caves of St Martins
The Caves of St. Martin are additionally not to be missed! St. Martin Caves nearly disappear at excessive tide, however when the water goes out, you may stroll all the best way out to discover inside. These caves are huge and spectacular.
The crimson cliffs appeal to photographers from world wide to seize these iconic Instagram pictures. Don’t overlook to go across the nook to discover much more caves and cliffs.
And be sure that come again later in the day to see the caves at excessive tide. You’ll be amazed to see how a lot water covers the bottom that you simply walked on hours earlier. You also can e book kayaking journeys in St. Martins to exit and discover the Bay of Fundy.
22. Fundy Trail Parkway
St. Martins is the gateway to the Fundy Trail. The Fundy Trail Parkway is a 30km (19mile) drive alongside the coast of New Brunswick. At one time, guests might solely see this scenic stretch of shoreline by mountaineering the Fundy Footpath (68 km lengthy). But right now anybody can discover the coast by automobile with the choice to get out and hike a number of km to see seashores, gorges and waterfalls.
Hikes vary from 300 (984 toes) metres lengthy to 4.4 km. (2.73 miles) It is without doubt one of the most scenic drives in Canada with unbelievable views of huge sea cliffs. What we love about this drive is that the velocity restrict is just 40 km (24mph) and there are a number of pull-offs to take in the view.
23. Split Rock at Duck Pond Beach
We by no means would have recognized of this spot have been it not for Ingrid at Bunkhaus Hostel. We have been looking for a spot to spend dawn and she or he steered Duck Pond Road, simply 40 minutes exterior the town.
While crowds gathered on the cliffs of St. Martins, we had the view of the Cliffs of Simonds all to ourselves. They are simply as spectacular as St. Martins with crimson cliffs stretching out to the ocean. The cliffs are positioned on a seaside the place you may unfold out a blanket to take in the view.
24. Alma
Alma is a city positioned on the entrance to Fundy National Park and is an enthralling fishing village that’s value spending a while in. It has lots of totally different choices for eating and some locations for lodging.
There are present outlets and bookstores reminding me a little bit of the small cities positioned alongside Route 66. In {the summertime}, this place is buzzing. It is right here that you would be able to seize one other a kind of iconic pictures of fishing boats tied to the pier sitting on dry land ready for the tide to come in.
25. Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy, nestled between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is a pure marvel that boasts a few of the highest tides in the world. This gorgeous bay is a haven for out of doors fanatics, providing actions like kayaking, whale watching, and mountaineering. The bay’s wealthy biodiversity consists of whales, dolphins, and quite a lot of seabirds, making it a first-rate spot for wildlife commentary.
Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Bay of Fundy is widely known for its distinctive pure and cultural heritage. Visitors can discover the bay via guided excursions that delve into its fascinating historical past, geology, and wildlife. With quite a few seashores and coves, the Bay of Fundy is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and boating. Whether you’re in search of journey or tranquility, the Bay of Fundy affords an unforgettable expertise in New Brunswick.
Where to Eat in Saint John
Lemongrass & Peppers Pub – Lemongrass had genuine Thai Cuisine that was very satisfying. Located at Market Square you may eat on the patio or inside.
East Coast Bistro – East Coast Bistro is an upscale restaurant that’s excellent for a romantic evening out. We strolled alongside Prince William Street to the inviting diner the place we ate wine and cheese whereas ready for our major course. I’ll positively be consuming there once more.
Saint John Ale House – Located close to Lemongrass at Market Square, Saint John Ale House is one other great spot to eat. Its upscale pub fare affords lots of selection with a rotating menu. Like Lemongrass, it has a patio the place you may take in the motion on the boardwalk.
Italian by Night – This was our favorite meal in Saint John. The genuine Italian cuisines made us really feel as if we had stepped into a bit nook of Italy.
Port City Royal – Port City Royal has an inviting environment with uncovered brick and a comfortable leather-based sofa that invitations patrons to combine and mingle. Great for a cocktail after your meal, or you may order meals right here too.
Where to Stay in Saint John
The Hilton Saint John is an efficient central location on the water that’s inside strolling distance to all of the downtown sights. Plus, you may by no means go incorrect with a Hilton. Check out charges and Availability on TripAdvisor / Booking.com
Delta Hotels by Marriott is one other nice location downtown. Just 25 minutes from Saint John Airport in the guts of downtown. The indoor pedway system connects it to Saint John City Market, Brunswick Square Shopping Complex, City Hall, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Harbour Station. View it on TripAdvisor / Booking.com
Saint John, New Brunswick will certainly shock you. Many folks overlook journey to New Brunswick when visiting the East Coast, however there are numerous issues to do in Saint John and the encircling space.
If you add it to your itinerary, you gained’t be dissatisfied.
If you ask somebody from Saint John what makes it so particular, the unanimous reply would be the folks. And we agree! The folks of Saint John are the friendliest in Canada and are completely happy to lend a serving to hand, provide recommendation and simply say howdy in the morning if you are out in your espresso. If you journey to Saint John New Brunswick, you’ll make recollections to final a lifetime.