What to Do in St. John ?

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Will be in St. John for only one day until 3 p.m. I really wanted to go and see hopewll rocks but the tide is going to be high while I am there, so I see no point in doing it. What else is interesting? Where can I get some great pictures and enjoy some scenery? Or anything else that might be fun !

[Acey]

Will be in St. John for only one day until 3 p.m. I really wanted to go and see hopewll rocks but the tide is going to be high while I am there, so I see no point in doing it. What else is interesting? Where can I get some great pictures and enjoy some scenery? Or anything else that might be fun !

 

For fun, try zip lining at Reversing Falls www.saintjohnadventures.ca or a jet boat ride through the falls www.jetboatrides.com (season ends Oct 3)

St. Martin's is a popular excursion - go with www.freedomtours.com

Uptown Saint John has a lot of historic buildings. The Old City Market is a popular stop. I don't recommend going to Reversing Falls unless you are doing a thrill ride mentioned above; nor do I recommend the hop on hop off double decker bus as I fail to see the value in the price they charge.

[JPCruising]

My small group of six did a private van tour to St. Martins and back. Here are a couple of photos, the rest can be viewed at: http://www.jprimages.com/travel/2010/canada

 

Jet Boat ride at Reversing Falls

 

 

Stop on the way to St. Martins

[Host Caroline]

Also lots of wonderful restaurants downtown in market area for lunch at reasonable prices..

[FreshOffTheBoat]

For fun, try zip lining at Reversing Falls www.saintjohnadventures.ca or a jet boat ride through the falls www.jetboatrides.com (season ends Oct 3)

St. Martin's is a popular excursion - go with www.freedomtours.com

Uptown Saint John has a lot of historic buildings. The Old City Market is a popular stop. I don't recommend going to Reversing Falls unless you are doing a thrill ride mentioned above; nor do I recommend the hop on hop off double decker bus as I fail to see the value in the price they charge.

 

probably doing the zip line, they still run it mid october right? Also how far is it from the port? How much is a taxi to the zip line?

[Acey]

probably doing the zip line, they still run it mid october right? Also how far is it from the port? How much is a taxi to the zip line?

 

I don't know when their season ends. It is a 5 minute cab ride to Fallsview Park where the attraction is located. Expect to pay $7-8 for a cab.

[nmg222]

Will be in St. John for only one day until 3 p.m. I really wanted to go and see hopewll rocks but the tide is going to be high while I am there, so I see no point in doing it. What else is interesting? Where can I get some great pictures and enjoy some scenery? Or anything else that might be fun !

 

Check your itinereary, 2 of the October sailings have changed the departure time from Saint John to 1:45.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

Check your itinereary, 2 of the October sailings have changed the departure time from Saint John to 1:45.

 

Yeah, I noticed that yesterday that they changed mine. I figured the zip-line will be great then since it will only take 2 hours. Go to the zip-line for te 10 a.m. tour and be back on the ship for around 1.

[Acey]

Yeah, I noticed that yesterday that they changed mine. I figured the zip-line will be great then since it will only take 2 hours. Go to the zip-line for te 10 a.m. tour and be back on the ship for around 1.

 

I would book it in advance - their phone number is on their website.

[FreshOffTheBoat]

I would book it in advance - their phone number is on their website.

 

I plan on doing that, thanks.

[ksheart]

We just had the most fantastic time in Saint John, NB. We did the Reversing Falls "thrill" jetboat ride. Boy, was it a thrill! This was the most awesome experience we have ever had. From the time of my first inquiry by email until the end of the ride we felt like we were the top priority to this company. They did an excellent job communicating and answering my many questions. (At ages 50/62 I wanted to be confident that it was not too much for us.) The crews enthusiasm was beyond compare. The office was proficient, the instruction professional and enjoyable and the guide- well you just have to be a part of a ride to understand how funny, unique and crazy he is. Had it not been that we were on time constraints we would have signed up to do this again the next day too! The price is very reasonable. You will definitely get wet-regardless of what precautions you take! lol This company made sure that safety came first. My pictures are priceless. We will never forget this excursion and how much fun we had. I highly recommend taking the "plunge". You won't regret it.

[sha88]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like fun. Do they provide transportation to and from pier? If not, how did you get there? Thanks so much.

[eh2zed]

It is a great trip. Loved it

[Ann262]

If we ever call in Saint John again, maybe we will do that. There isn't much else to do in Saint John. Nice people, good beer, but not much to do.

[scotian1]

There is a great video from a CBC television programme on the jet boat ride. Watch the first 7 minutes to see it all. Also towards the end of the show there is great section on whale watching in the Bay of Fundy. It is the Oct. 25 show.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/

[Tweedy]

scotian1... thanks for posting the video. It looks like a ride at Disneyland.

[scotian1]

If you are more into culture and history, Saint John has a lot to offer as well.

The New Brunswick Museum is just a short walk from the terminal.

http://www.nbm-mnb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=121&Itemid=316

They have a great art gallery at the museum as well.

Other art galleries within walking distance of the terminal include:

Peter Buckland Gallery- http://www.peterbucklandgallery.ca/

 

Trinity Art Gallery- http://www.trinitygalleries.ca/

Saint John Arts Centre- http://www.saintjohnartscentre.com/home/

 

 

There are several other galleries which are a little further than a short walk but doable without a cab or bus.

 

Another spot of historical interest is Loyalist House.

http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/host/loyalisthouse/

This is located just a few minutes walk from the terminal as well.

And of course the Saint John City Market is itself a historic treasure having opened in 1876.

http://www.sjcitymarket.ca/

 

A visit to the other side of the harbour to take in Martello Tower would also be of interest to history buffs.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nb/carleton/visit.aspx

 

Whatever your interests, there is lots to do in Canada's Oldest Incorporated City! Hope you enjoy your visit in 2012 and for those you have already visited hope we will see you again!

[scotian1]

Thought I would add one other possibility of something to do while in Saint John. A visit to Rockwood Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in North America. Actually this venue opens possibilities to numerous activities from horseback riding, bike rentals, canoeing, paddle boats, geo caching, rock climbing, a zoo visit, swimming, a labour museum and golf. Also it has a great little restaurant called Lilly's Cafe. It is certainly worth some consideration.

http://rockwoodpark.ca/

http://www.lilylake.ca/main.html

http://www.rockwoodparkgolf.com/

http://www.horsesinsaintjohn.com/

http://www.lilylake.ca/lilyscafe.html

http://www.daytrippingnb.com/home.html

http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/rockwood/rockwood.html

 

All of these activities are available within Rockwood Park which is located right in the centre of the city.

[kmp70]

I am taking my son (3) and husband to St. John in June next year,

would the Zoo be the best place to take my 3 year old?

[mon1ca]

Hi Kmp70,

 

A visit to Cherry Brook Zoo is definitely a good choice while in Saint John. Other options for experiences that you may want to consider while on your trip to Saint John that would be suitable with a small child, would include:

Rockwood Park - Day Tripping offers pedal boat rentals on Lily Lake, and bicycle rentals with trailers to haul kids. Pony and Carriage rides are available at Rockwood Stables.

The Reversing Falls Jet Boat Rides and the Falls Restaurant both offer interpretive sightseeing boat tours that take you along the Saint John Harbour and the Reversing Rapids.

The New Brunswick Museum houses 3 levels of galleries, with hands on activities that are fun for every age group.

At the Qplex in Quispamsis, a 15 minute drive east of Saint John, you’ll find a junior Olympic outdoor swimming pool with a Tot Pool, Leisure Pool, Vortex, two waterslides and water spray features.

 

I hope some of these suggestions will help you with your planning, and I wish you and your family a great stay in Saint John!

 

Monica

[kmp70]

Thank you Monica, this is great!!! :)

[CDNsongbird]

My husband grew up in Saint John. There is actually more to do than one might think. The museum is wonderful. The market is a lot of fun although it is not as open air as it was when hubby was a child. There is a wonderful old loyalist graveyard that has graves from before either of our countries was officially a nation. If you like pubs, you can't do much better than Saint John for good food, good beer and friendly service. :) You just need to find people who actually know the area and skip the tourism books. ;)

[Aplmac]

... nor do I recommend the hop on hop off double decker bus as I fail to see the value in the price they charge.

I'm thinking you refer to the pink double-decker buses?

We enquired but declined when we heard it was $42 a person!!

 

 

We walked around the town a bit

until we heard there was a city bus tour that leaves around 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

We were in time for the 1 p.m. ride, and it cost us just $20 each.

 

 

He spun us around the town area and out to Reversing Falls, and back.

Admittedly, not much was happening at the time of tide/day we were there..

but you could see that things would/could get a lot more interesting at the right time of tide/day!

 

 

Not a bad tour around town for $20.

His commentary was excellent and informative, full of local history.

Most everybody tipped him a lil something at the end.

 

There are local tourism people paced at popular junctions, handing out flyers, giving advice!

Locate one of them, and ask away! We found them very helpful in getting our $20 ride!! ;)

.