Saint John, New Brunswick: 15 Tips on What to See and Do in Canada’s Oldest City

I’ll admit that Saint John, New Brunswick was never a city I dreamed of visiting. Honestly? I didn’t even know much about it. Whenever I looked at a map of Canada, my eyes were always drawn to the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver, or Quebec. But then my mum and I started planning a road trip through eastern Canada, and Saint John simply “snuck in” as a stop between Halifax and Québec City. And I’m so glad it did. 😊

Imagine a city that looks like it belongs in another century — Victorian brick buildings, narrow streets winding down to the harbour, fishing boats bobbing on the waves of the Bay of Fundy. And then there’s the famous fog that rolls in from the ocean and wraps the entire city in a mysterious haze, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a Nordic novel. Then the fog lifts and suddenly you’re gazing at the most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen. Saint John in Canada is simply a city of contrasts and surprises.

In this article, you’ll find 15 tips on what to see and do in Saint John, New Brunswick — from the iconic Reversing Falls and Canada’s oldest market to stunning nature parks, whales, craft beer, and seafood that will make your knees buckle. I’ll also advise you on the best time to visit, where to stay, and how much it all costs.

TL;DR

• Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada (since 1785) and sits on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick. Don’t confuse it with St. John’s in Newfoundland — that’s a completely different city!
• The best time to visit is June to September, when temperatures are pleasant and most outdoor activities are running, including whale watching.
• Reversing Falls is the main attraction — the Bay of Fundy’s tidal forces actually make the river flow backwards. It sounds insane, but it’s real.
• Saint John City Market is the oldest continuously operating market in Canada (since 1876) and a paradise for lovers of local food.
• Irving Nature Park offers 11 km of coastal trails — and it’s completely free.
• Whale watching in the Bay of Fundy is one of the best experiences on Canada’s entire east coast.
• 2–3 days make it an ideal stop on an eastern Canada road trip.
• Daily budget for two: approximately €120–210 (excluding accommodation), depending on activities.
• Craft beer and seafood — Saint John has a surprisingly vibrant food scene.

When to Visit Saint John and How to Get There

Before we dive into specific tips, let’s clarify two essential points — when to go and how to actually get to Saint John. Because timing really matters here, especially when it comes to weather and whales.

Best Time to Visit

Saint John, New Brunswick has a maritime climate, which in practice means: summer is short but beautiful, and fog is your constant companion. The best months to visit are June to September, when temperatures hover around 18–25 °C. July and August are the warmest but also the busiest.

If you want to see whales (and why wouldn’t you?), the ideal period is mid-June to October. You’ll spot the most whales in August and September, when humpbacks, fin whales, and North Atlantic right whales — one of the rarest whales on Earth — gather in the Bay of Fundy.

Be prepared for one thing: fog. Saint John is one of the foggiest cities in Canada. Locals say fog is like an uninvited guest — it arrives whenever it pleases and leaves when it feels like it. On our first day, we could barely see a thing, and the next day the sun was blazing like we were in Portugal. So pack layers and a waterproof jacket, even if you’re visiting in summer. 😅

Avoid the winter months (December–March) unless you love temperatures well below freezing and reduced opening hours. Many outdoor attractions are closed or significantly limited in winter.

How to Get to Saint John

By air: Saint John Airport (YSJ) has connections to Toronto, Montreal, and other Canadian cities. There are no direct flights from the UK — you’ll most likely fly via Toronto or Halifax. Search for affordable flights on Kiwi — it’s our favourite portal for finding multi-stop connections.

By car: If you’re doing a road trip through eastern Canada (which I highly recommend!), Saint John is strategically located along the route. It’s about 4 hours from Halifax, roughly 7 hours from Québec City, and around 9 hours from Montreal by car. We’ve had great long-term experience with RentalCars, which we use all over the world — you can compare offers and often find better prices than booking directly with rental companies.

By ferry: If you’re coming from Nova Scotia, you can take the Digby–Saint John ferry, which crosses the Bay of Fundy in about 2.5 hours. It’s a beautiful way to arrive in the city, and you might even spot dolphins along the way.

Getting around: Saint John is a surprisingly compact city. You can walk the entire Uptown (that’s what they call the centre here — no “downtown”) in half an hour. For more distant spots like Irving Nature Park, you’ll need a car.

Where to Stay in Saint John + How Much It Costs

Compared to western Canadian cities, Saint John is significantly more affordable, which is great news for every traveller. You’ll find accommodation across a wide price range — from cosy B&Bs in historic houses to modern hotels with harbour views.

Approximate accommodation prices per night (for two):

• Budget (hostel/motel): from 80 CAD / approx. €55
• Mid-range (hotel/Airbnb): 120–200 CAD / approx. €80–135
• Luxury (boutique hotel): 200–350 CAD / approx. €135–235

Where to stay:

I recommend staying in Uptown Saint John — you’ll be within walking distance of City Market, restaurants, the historic centre, and the harbour. If you prefer being closer to nature, you could stay towards the West Side, which is nearer to Irving Nature Park and Reversing Falls. You can compare the best deals on Booking.com.

One of the top-rated places in the centre is the Hilton Saint John, which has lovely harbour views. For lovers of historic atmosphere, I recommend Chipman Hill Suites — boutique apartments in renovated Victorian houses where you feel like you’re living in a museum. In the best possible way. 😊

If you’re looking for something more affordable, there are solid motels in the surrounding area, and on Airbnb you can find entire flats in the centre from around 100 CAD per night.

How much does a holiday in Saint John cost?

Saint John is significantly cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver. Here’s an approximate daily budget for two:

• Accommodation: 150 CAD / €100 (mid-range)
• Food (3 meals, restaurants + café): 80–120 CAD / €55–80
• Activities (whale watching, admissions): 100–200 CAD / €70–135
• Transport (petrol/parking): 20–30 CAD / €14–20

In total, expect around 350–500 CAD per day for two (approx. €235–335), including accommodation. For 3 days, Saint John will cost you roughly €700–1,000 for two, which is very reasonable for Canada. Compare that to Banff, where accommodation alone costs more. 😅

Saint John Uptown and Surroundings: 8 Must-Visit Places

Let’s get to the most important part — specific tips on what to see and do in Saint John. We’ll start with Uptown, the historic city centre where most of the action happens. Uptown Saint John is compact, wonderfully walkable, and packed with Victorian architecture you wouldn’t expect to find in Canada.

1. Reversing Falls — A Natural Phenomenon That Defies Logic

This is Saint John’s main attraction and one of the most bizarre things you’ll see in Canada. Reversing Falls is the spot where the Saint John River flows into the Bay of Fundy. And here’s the mind-blowing part: the Bay of Fundy has the highest tides on the planet — the tidal range here reaches up to 8.5 metres. When the tide comes in, it’s so powerful that it literally reverses the river’s flow. The river starts flowing backwards.

It looks like science fiction, but it’s reality. One moment the water is surging in one direction over rocky rapids, and a few hours later the same spot looks completely different — the water is flowing the opposite way and the surface is several metres higher.

Practical tip: To see the full effect, you need to come twice — once at low tide and once at high tide. Ideally about 5–6 hours apart. You can find tide tables online or at the Reversing Falls Visitor Centre, which stands right above the gorge. Entry to the centre and the lookout is free.

If you’re after a more adrenaline-fuelled experience, local operators offer jet boat rides right through the rapids. We watched from below and even that was enough — the power of the water is incredible.

2. Saint John City Market — Canada’s Oldest Market

If there’s one place where you’ll feel the soul of Saint John, it’s City Market. It has been operating continuously since 1876 and is the oldest continuously running indoor market in all of Canada. The building itself is gorgeous — the wooden ceiling resembles an inverted ship’s hull and the entire space exudes history.

Inside, you’ll find dozens of stalls selling fresh seafood, local cheeses, homemade baked goods, artisan crafts, and the best coffee in town. You absolutely must try dulse — dried seaweed that’s a Bay of Fundy specialty. It sounds suspicious, but it tastes like salty crisps and is completely addictive. 😁

The great thing about the market is that you can find breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks — from fresh lobster to homemade pies to craft coffee. We spent nearly two hours here and left with full stomachs and a bag brimming with local goodies.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday 7:30–18:00, Saturday 7:30–17:00. Closed on Sundays. Come in the morning when the atmosphere is most authentic and the selection is at its best.

3. Uptown Saint John — A Stroll Through Victorian Streets

Uptown is the heart of the city, and the best way to discover it is simply to get lost. Seriously — put the map away (or at least tuck it into your pocket) and let the streets guide you. You’ll stumble upon beautiful brick facades, historic churches, galleries, cafés, and harbour views you didn’t know existed.

Don’t miss Prince William Street — Uptown’s main thoroughfare, lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Then head down to the harbour along King Street and admire the Victorian architecture that survived the Great Fire of 1877 (which destroyed nearly the entire city, but what remains is stunning).

Fun fact: Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada — it received its city charter in 1785, before either Toronto or Montreal. Today, Saint John has a population of around 70,000 (over 130,000 in the metropolitan area), making it a pleasantly compact yet lively city where everyone greets you on the street.

If you’re into street art, wander through the side streets — in recent years, a number of murals have appeared, bringing the otherwise conservative brick facades to life. And don’t forget to check out Loyalist Burial Ground — a historic cemetery in the middle of the city dating back to 1784, where the first settlers rest.

4. New Brunswick Museum — Culture and Nature Under One Roof

If the weather isn’t cooperating (and in Saint John, that happens surprisingly often 😅), the New Brunswick Museum is the perfect rescue plan. It’s the oldest museum in Canada (yes, there are a lot of “oldest” things here) and offers a fascinating mix of natural sciences, history, and art.

What impressed us most was the Bay of Fundy exhibition — an interactive display where you learn everything about tides, marine life, and the bay’s geology. There’s even a life-size whale skeleton that will leave you standing there with your mouth open. Kids will love it, but honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult too.

Admission: approx. 12 CAD / €8 per adult. Open daily except Mondays.

5. Harbour Passage — A Waterfront Promenade

Harbour Passage is a trail and promenade along the harbour that connects the city centre with other parts of town. It’s ideal for a morning walk, a jog, or simply sitting on a bench with a coffee and watching the boats. The entire route is about 4 km and leads through parks, past historic buildings, and offers gorgeous views of the bay.

Along the way, you’ll come across Market Slip — a small harbour where Loyalists fleeing the USA after the American Revolution landed in 1783 and founded the city. Today, yachts are moored here, and in summer it hosts concerts and festivals.

6. Carleton Martello Tower — Views Over the Entire City

This round stone fort from 1813 stands on a hill on the West Side and offers one of the best views of Saint John and its surroundings. It was built to defend against the Americans (who ultimately never attacked, but better safe than sorry) and during World War II served as an anti-aircraft command bunker.

Inside, you’ll find a small exhibition on military history, and on the roof there’s a viewing platform. On a clear day, you can see the entire harbour, Uptown, the Bay of Fundy, and the hills towards Irving Nature Park on the other side. Admission is minimal, and the place is pleasantly uncrowded even in peak season.

Tip: Come before sunset — the views are magical. If you’re lucky with clear skies (that fog, you know), you’re in for an unforgettable sunset over the bay.

7. Loyalist House — A Leap Back to the 18th Century

If you’re curious about what life was like in Saint John in its earliest days, visit Loyalist House on Union Street. It’s the oldest unaltered building in the city, built in 1817 for the Merritt family — Loyalists who fled the USA. The interior is beautifully preserved, including original furniture and decorations.

The tour takes about 30 minutes, and the guides are local enthusiasts who lovingly share stories about the first residents. It’s a small, intimate place — no crowds, no queues. A refreshing change from the overcrowded attractions of bigger cities.

8. Fort Howe Lookout — A Secret Viewpoint Almost Nobody Knows About

I say “secret” even though it’s technically open to the public — it’s just that hardly anyone comes here because it’s not in any major guidebook. Fort Howe is a replica of a wooden fort perched on a rocky outcrop above the city, offering a 360° panoramic view of Saint John. You can see the harbour, Reversing Falls, Uptown, and the surrounding hills.

You can drive right to the top (free parking) and be at the viewpoint in 5 minutes. It’s ideal for a quick stop, some photos, and getting your bearings — especially if you’ve just arrived and want to get the lay of the land.

Nature Around Saint John: 4 Day Trips

One of Saint John’s greatest strengths is its proximity to stunning nature. The Bay of Fundy, forests, and rocky coastline are literally just around the corner. Here are places you shouldn’t skip, even if you only have two days in the city.

9. Irving Nature Park — The Best Free Attraction

Irving Nature Park is probably the best thing you’ll do for free in Saint John. And possibly the best thing you’ll do in Saint John, full stop. It sits on a peninsula on the city’s western edge and offers 11 km of trails leading through forests, along rocky coastline, around quiet coves, and across mudflats that reveal incredible natural scenery at low tide.

Start with the Saints Rest Beach Trail — an easy path along a sandy beach where at low tide you can walk hundreds of metres across the ocean floor (thanks to those insane Fundy tides). Then continue to the Sheldon Point Trail, which has views over the bay and islands, and with a bit of luck, you might spot seals.

The park is also an important birdwatching site — in autumn, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds migrate through. Even if you’re not ornithologists, the spectacle will blow you away.

Practical info: Free entry. The park is open from May to November. Drive there — parking is available at the main entrance. Allow 2–3 hours for a walk, more if you want to tackle all the trails.

10. Rockwood Park — An Urban Park with Lakes and Caves

Rockwood Park is an enormous urban park (for comparison — it’s 10 times larger than Central Park in New York) right in Saint John. You’ll find lakes for swimming and paddleboarding, kilometres of hiking trails, a golf course, playgrounds, and even a zoo.

If you only have time for one lake, head to Fisher Lakes — a tranquil body of water surrounded by forest where you can hire a kayak or paddleboard. In summer, locals swim here and the atmosphere is wonderfully laid-back.

For the adventurous: the park contains Rockwood Park Caves, small limestone caves you can explore on your own (it’s more scrambling than walking, but nothing dangerous). And Cherry Brook Zoo on the park’s edge is small but children love it.

11. Whale Watching — Whales in the Bay of Fundy

This is a must-do experience if you’re in Saint John between June and October. The Bay of Fundy is one of the best places in the world for whale watching — those extreme tides bring in enormous amounts of food, and with it, whales.

What will you see? Humpback whales are the most common — they surface, slap their fins, and occasionally breach entirely out of the water, leaving your jaw on the deck. You’ll also encounter fin whales, minke whales, and with tremendous luck, North Atlantic right whales, of which only around 350 remain in the entire world.

Trips depart from Saint John’s harbour or from nearby St. Andrews by-the-Sea (about an hour’s drive). Prices are around 60–90 CAD / €40–60 per person for a 2–3 hour excursion. Book ahead, especially in July and August — tours sell out fast.

Seasickness tip: Take motion sickness tablets BEFORE boarding the boat. The Bay of Fundy can be rough, and even “I never get seasick on boats” won’t help when you find yourself on two-metre waves. Speaking from personal experience. 😅

12. Fundy Trail Parkway — A Coastal Road Straight Out of a Film

About 40 minutes’ drive east of Saint John, you’ll find the Fundy Trail Parkway — one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Canada. This 30 km route runs along the cliff edge above the Bay of Fundy and features viewpoints that will take your breath away.

Along the way, there are dozens of lookout points and trails of varying lengths. Don’t miss Big Salmon River at the end of the parkway — a lovely waterfall and a historic fishing village. And Fuller Falls — a short trail (10 minutes) to a gorgeous waterfall hidden in the forest.

Admission: approx. 12 CAD per car. The road is open from May to October. Allow at least half a day, ideally a full day if you want to include hiking trails.

Where to Eat and Drink in Saint John: A Foodie’s Guide

Saint John has a surprisingly vibrant food scene that has evolved significantly in recent years. The combination of fresh seafood from the Bay of Fundy, local farm produce, and a wave of craft breweries makes it an unexpected paradise for food lovers. Here are our tips.

13. Seafood — The Best of the Bay of Fundy

In Saint John, you simply must try lobster. Here on Canada’s east coast, it’s actually everyday food, not a luxury — prices are significantly lower than in Europe. A fresh lobster roll (lobster in a bun) starts from 15 CAD / around €10, and it’s probably the tastiest sandwich you’ll ever eat.

Where to go:

• Billy’s Seafood — a legendary restaurant at City Market. Fresh oysters, lobster, mussels, and fish straight from local fishermen. It’s not the cheapest, but the quality matches. Their lobster chowder is divine.
• East Coast Bistro — one of the best restaurants in town. Modern cuisine with local ingredients, creative menus, and excellent wine. Ideal for dinner.
• Reversing Falls Restaurant — if you want to dine with a view of the Reversing Falls. The food is solid, but you’re really going for the scenery.

Beyond lobster, try the scallops — from the Bay of Fundy, they’re sweet and buttery soft. And if you’re feeling brave, go for dulse — those dried seaweed snacks from City Market that I mentioned earlier.

14. Craft Beer — A Brewing Revolution

Saint John has undergone a craft beer revolution in recent years, and today you’ll find several excellent breweries here. Whether you’re a beer lover (or even if you’re not — this might convert you), here are our tips:

• Picaroons General Store — the best-known brewery in New Brunswick. Their Blonde Ale is a perfect summer beer, and the taproom on German Street is cosy and relaxed.
• Big Tide Brewing Company — the first brewpub in New Brunswick, right in Uptown. They have a rotating beer menu and solid food to go with it.
• Moosehead Brewery — an iconic Canadian brewery based right in Saint John. They offer brewery tours with tastings. Moosehead isn’t craft beer in the strictest sense, but it’s a tradition, and the tour is well worth it.

Tip: If you have time, do a self-guided beer trail through Uptown — distances are short and the atmosphere at the bar is always friendly. The locals are incredibly welcoming and happy to advise you on what to try.

15. Cafés and Breakfast — Mornings Like a Local

For lovers of great coffee, I have good news — Saint John has several excellent cafés:

• Java Moose — the most popular local café, with several branches around the city. Excellent espresso and homemade pastries.
• Hopscotch Coffee — a smaller, hipster café with specialty coffee. If you’re a coffee snob (like me 😁), this is your spot.
• Port City Royal — a combination of café and brunch bistro. Their avocado toast is absolutely top-notch and portions are generous.

For breakfast, I recommend either City Market (fresh baked goods and coffee straight from the vendors) or Regis & Ruby — a laid-back brunch spot with a creative menu and brilliant eggs Benedict.

Practical Tips for Visiting Saint John

A few things that will come in handy and that I learned the hard way.

Parking and Getting Around

In Uptown, there are parking meters that operate until 18:00 — after six and on weekends, parking is free. All-day street parking costs around 10 CAD. There are also car parks for about 12–15 CAD per day.

As I mentioned, Uptown is small and walkable — you don’t need a car to explore the centre. For Irving Nature Park, Rockwood Park, or Fundy Trail Parkway, however, you’ll need one.

What to Pack

• Waterproof jacket — even in summer. The fog is real.
• Layers — mornings can be 12 °C and afternoons 25 °C.
• Good hiking shoes — trails in Irving Nature Park and along the Fundy Trail can be slippery in places. If you don’t have any and need suggestions, check out our article on the best hiking boots.
• Motion sickness tablets — if you’re planning whale watching.

eSIM and Mobile Data

Mobile data in Canada is notoriously expensive. I recommend getting an eSIM before you fly — we last used Holafly and were happy with it. You can find a detailed review in our Holafly eSIM article.

Travel Insurance

Don’t underestimate travel insurance for a trip to Canada — healthcare here is extremely expensive. For shorter trips, we use AXA, and for longer journeys, we’ve had excellent experience with SafetyWing.

How Many Days in Saint John?

For Saint John itself, 2–3 days is enough. If you also want to do the Fundy Trail Parkway and a whale watching trip, plan for 3–4 days. Ideally, combine Saint John with other spots in New Brunswick — such as St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Hopewell Rocks, or Fundy National Park.

And if you’re planning a bigger road trip across Canada, Saint John fits beautifully into an east coast route. If the west coast tempts you too, check out our western Canada road trip itinerary — and if you’d like to add Niagara Falls along the way, we also have an article on what to see at Niagara Falls.

Day Trips from Saint John: What to Visit Nearby

If you have more time in Saint John or are doing a road trip through New Brunswick, here are some day trip ideas that are well worth it:

St. Andrews by-the-Sea (1 hour by car) — a picturesque seaside town with colourful houses, an excellent food scene, and one of the best whale watching spots in the region. Ideal for a day trip.

Hopewell Rocks (1.5 hours by car) — the iconic “flowerpot rocks,” giant rock formations sculpted by the tides. At low tide, you can walk on the ocean floor between them — an utterly surreal experience.

Fundy National Park (2 hours by car) — dozens of kilometres of trails, waterfalls, coastal scenery, and camping options. If you love hiking, this is paradise.

Alma (2 hours by car) — a tiny fishing village near Fundy National Park, famous for its homemade pies (the sticky buns in Alma are legendary). Worth a stop for lunch.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions About Saint John, Canada