The Best Things to Do in Saint John, New Brunswick
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Saint John. The Greatest Little City in the East. The Port City. My hometown. I grew up just outside of Saint John and I’ve seen a big transformation over the past few years. Uptown (Saint John has no downtown) is thriving with people moving to the city centre to enjoy the great restaurants and growing nightlife that the city has to offer.
Saint John is a great place to spend a few days during your Atlantic Canada vacation. It makes for easy day trips to places like St. Andrews and Fundy National Park. But there are also a ton of great things to do right in the city itself.
Take a look through this hand-picked guide and let me know which things make it to your Saint John bucket list.
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Sample dulse at the Saint John City Market
The Saint John City Market is the oldest continuously operated farmer’s market in Canada, with a charter dating from 1785. You can find all manner of stalls but we recommend trying some pulse. Dulse is a healthy, dried seaweed that some Maritimers love to snack on.
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See a show at the Imperial Theatre
The Imperial Theatre was designed and built in 1912 and is one of the grandest places to see a live show. It has even been called the most beautifully restored theatre in Canada. When you visit be sure to pay extra attention to the impressive chandelier.
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Watch the river flow upstream at the Reversing Falls Rapids
Want to see a river flow upstream? At low tide the St. John River empties into the bay causing a series of rapids and whirlpools. As tides rise they slow the river current for a brief period called slack tide. As tides continue to rise, gradually reversing the flow of the river; rapids form again, peaking at high tide.
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Climb a tree at Timbertop Adventures
Outdoor play isn’t just for kids. Make your way through some of the most epic obstacle courses around as you conquer challenge after challenge high up in the treetops.… keep that adrenaline pumping at Timbertop’s high ropes course. Choose from 11 different courses that will test your physical limits.
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Have a picnic in the Public Gardens
Maintained by the Saint John Horticultural Association, the public garden is a beautifully manicured public area to enjoy a picnic or find some tranquility in the middle of the City.
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Catch a show on the Boardwalk
The boardwalk in Saint John is home to a couple beach volleyball courts, a permanent stage with nightly music in the summer, and a handful of great decks where you can grab a meal and sample of local New Brunswick brews.
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Learn the importance of the Three Sisters Lamp
The Three Sisters Lamp were used by sea captains to navigate their way safely into Saint John Harbour at night. If the three red lamps appeared individually, sailors would know they were heading straight into the harbour.
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Hang out with some John Hooper statues
John Hooper was a Canadian sculptor known for his colourful polychromed wood carvings. Saint John is lucky to be home to more than a few of them in and around Market Square. Bonus: look for his ouroboros clock and see if you can tell the time.
*Note: the statues in this photo are now indoors.
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See a comedy show at Punch Lines Comedy Club
Punch Lines brings in the highest Caliber Comedians from all over the world. Two-hour shows showcase both headliners and local talent from around the Maritimes and beyond.
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Look for seals at the Irving Nature Park
Just minutes outside Saint John sits 600 acres of preserved nature for you to enjoy. Stroll along the trails and boardwalk, go bird watching, or have a picnic.
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Cheer for the Saint John Sea Dogs
Cheer on the local QMJHL team at TD Station as they take on nearby rivals the Moncton Rivals or a team from Quebec. Make your bets on who’s a future NHLer. Snap a selfie with Fleaburn. Sea Dogs hockey is a fun night out for any hockey fan.
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Go street art hunting Uptown
Whether it’s an Uber500 colourful mural, Deanna Musgrave’s pedway overhead scene, or one of Hula’s waterfront masterpieces Saint John is becoming a hotspot for public art. Stroll the streets and see how many different artists you can find.
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Find a hidden gem at Backstreet Records
This just might be one of the best record stores in Canada. Backstreet Records has been selling new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes and DVDs since 1980 so you’re sure to find a treasure in this quirky, creative shop.
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Get a taste of Saint John with Uncorked Tours
Food tours are hot and Saint John’s got ’em! Sample beer, wine, cider, spirits, seafood and charcuterie while learning about the cultural history of Canada’s first incorporated city.
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Adrenaline rush on the Skywalk
Think glass floors are just for the big cities? Think again. At Skywalk Saint John you can step out over the largest whirlpool of the Reversing Rapids. Have no fear, it can hold the weight of at least 200 people.
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Shop for treasures at the Night Market
Unique food, produce and craft vendors, a stellar lineup of weekly entertainment, this is a market not to be missed! Come for a meal, to do some shopping, and relax with family and friends under the lights. 5-10PM every Thursday night on South Market Street.
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Dive into history at Fort Howe
Fort Howe was British fort built during the American Revolution. It was erected shortly after the American siege in 1777 to protect the city from further American raids. It has the distinction of being the first historic site in the national park system. Today you can visit a full-size replica of one of the blockhouses.
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Throw axes at Woodchucks
Axe throwing is a sport (game? hobby? pastime?) that many people are surprised to find is not only real, but available outside of hipster enclaves like Austin, Portland, or Brooklyn. Saint John has a local axe throwing joint, and they also serve great beer. They run a league but you can also just drop in and give it a try. Plaid shirt not required.
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Swim a few laps at the Aquatic Centre
Built for the 1984 Canada Games the Aquatic Centre is Saint John’s main aquatic facility. Swim a few laps, splash around in the shallow pools, try one of the water slides or relax in the sauna. It’s the perfect thing to do on a cold winter or cool rainy day.
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Go urban camping at Rockwood Park
Go tenting inside the city limits at one of Rockwood Park’s 200+ campsites. With over 55 trails and footpaths, swimming, playgrounds, a zoo, golf, and more, there’s lots to explore all within a few minutes of the Uptown core.
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Rock out at the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark
Southern New Brunswick was one of the first places in Canada to be explored by geologists and the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark incorporates more than 60 significant geological and fossil locales, with more than 12 publicly accessible sites. The geology of Stonehammer is complex, but reasonably well understood and provides ample opportunity for geological investigation and education at all levels.
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Carleton Martello Tower
Carleton Martello Tower is one of the nine surviving Martello Towers in Canada. The tower dates from the War of 1812 and played a significant role in conflicts until the Second World War. The site now features a restored powder magazine, a restored barracks room, and exhibits in the tower and in the visitor centre.
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Run the Marathon by the Sea
Take part in one of New Brunswick’s premier road race events and the region’s most challenging Boston qualifier. If you’re not up for a full marathon you can also sign up for the 5k, 10k, or half-marathon.
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Become a pinball wizard at Eighty3 Bar Arcade
Relive the 80s and 90s with a never ending video dance party and arcade games along with a good selection of local beers.
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Wander through the Loyalist Burial Ground
This area was set aside in the original city plan and from 1783 until 1848 acted as a burial ground. Today it’s been revitalized as a city park.
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Look for ghosts at Loyalist House
It was the home of the prosperous Merritt family, who occupied from its completion in 1817 until 1958 and is now the rumoured home of a few ghosts.
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Stroll the Harbour Passage
Take a stroll along Harbour Passage’s cranberry-coloured trail, a series of interconnected walkways, lookouts and heritage sites linking the Reversing Falls Rapids to uptown Saint John. Ideal for walking, running and biking.
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Cruise the St. John River
The Saint John Marina offers narrated sightseeing cruises on the Saint John and Kennebecasis rivers aboard a Mississippi-style river boat where you can see lighthouses, covered bridges, wildlife, and more.
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Tour the Moosehead Brewery
Tour the historic Moosehead brewery where they brew their beer today and learn how art, science, and passion come together to create award-winning beers.
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Pick up some treats at the Queen Square Farmer’s Market
Queen Square Farmers Market is an open air market in the south end of the beautiful Port City, a place where local farmers, food vendors and artists can showcase their offerings. See how an outdoor market can transform a community for a day!
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Get your learning on with a New Brunswick Museum Walking Tour
Museum interpreters offer a fun and engaging experience taking you through the city on a two-hour tour. Walk alongside the harbour, listen to its colourful history; take in the sights and sounds, stop for a photo-op beside the full-size moose. Head uptown where you’ll get an up close look at our distinctive streetscape, a display of fine period architecture and outstanding craftsmanship.
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