Saint John

Saint John is the second-largest city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, with 68,000 residents (2016). It is in the south of the province on the Bay of Fundy.

Saint John is a city whose population is composed almost entirely of the descendants of Irish immigrants and British loyalists. Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John's metro population is approximately 125,000 and it routinely plays host to cruise ships and individual tourists from all over North America. (To avoid confusion with St. John's (Newfoundland), Saint John is never spelled St. John - locals will be very quick to point this out.)

Until 2003, Saint John had a long history of shipbuilding at the city's dry dock, which is one of the largest in the world. Saint John now has fast growing research and information technology sectors, and it has a growing sector of tourism, with over 1.5 million visitors a year and 200,000 cruise ship visitors a year, creating a renaissance in the city's historic downtown (locally known as uptown).

Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Aboriginal peoples lived in the region for thousands of years, calling the river Wolastoq, before European settlement.

French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour on June 24, 1604 (the feast of St. John the Baptist). This is where the Saint John River gets its name. After over a century of ownership disputes over the land surrounding Saint John between the French and English, the English deported the French colonists in 1755 and constructed Fort Howe above the harbour in 1779.

Saint John, as a major settlement, was established by Loyalist refugees of the American Revolution when two fleets of vessels from Massachusetts, one in the spring and a second in the fall, arrived in the harbour. These refugees wished to remain living under Great Britain and were forced to leave their U.S. homes during the American Revolution.

In 1785, the City of Saint John was formed from the union of Parrtown and Carleton. Over the next century, waves of Irish immigration, namely during the Great Famine via Partridge Island, would fundamentally change the city's demographics and culture.

Temperatures in Saint John vary by season. In the summertime temperatures can reach a high of 22°C, and in the wintertime they can dip to -15°C. Rain is common in the spring and autumn, but it usually doesn't rain much in the summer. Fog is not uncommon during the summer months. There is the occasional heavy snowfall in the winter; however, snow is usually more abundant the more north you travel away from the Bay of Fundy.

• Fort Howe. A panoramic view of the city and harbour, and a historic attraction.
• City Market, 47 Charlotte St, (in the Uptown, with entrances on Charlotte and Germain Street. M-F 7:30AM–6PM, Sa 7:30AM–5PM. The oldest continuing farmer's market in Canada, with a charter dating from 1785. Local businesses, craft workers, artists, farmers, bakers and grocers sell a wide array of unique foods and crafts, native to New Brunswick or around the world. The building is a historic site with amazing period architecture.
• New Brunswick Museum, Market Square (city's Uptown. Sa 10AM–5PM; Su noon–5PM; Tu W, F 9AM–5PM; Th 9AM–9PM. A wide array of local historic information and artefacts, artwork, scientific exhibits and displays, and a Discovery Centre with many interactive and educational activities. Museum has a to-scale plaster of a mastodon skeleton and skeletons of whales. Adults $10, discounts available.
• Rockwood Park. A wide variety of walking, biking and horseback riding trails. Rockwood Park is landlocked but its paths weave around natural and man-made lakes (public swimming is free, but no lifeguard service is available.) Free.
• Irving Nature Park. A variety of walking trails lead travellers through woods, guide them into marshes, and bring them to beaches and lookout points on the sea. Free.
• King Square. Gardens, monuments, and the trademark bandstand and fountain at its centre. Adjacent to King Square is the Loyalist City Burial Ground, whose cobblestone paths lead past graves over two centuries old.
• Reversing Falls. As the Saint John River flows into the Bay of Fundy, whose tides are the highest in the world, strong rapids form as the tide rises and clashes with the flow of the river below the Reversing Falls bridge. During the summer months a Jet Boat offers tourists the thrill of tackling the rapids up close. A pulp and paper mill is located in the area near the bridge. Check the website for low-income and hight-tides, the best times to see the change.
• Carleton Martello Tower, 454 Whipple Street (if driving, follow the Beaver signs. For 2017, June 26-Sept 4: daily 10AM-5:30PM; Sept 5-Nov 1: M-F 9AM-4:30PM. The Carleton Martello Tower was built for the War of 1812. However by the time of its completion in 1815, the war was completed. It became used for military in 1866 and was used on and off by Canadian troops for nearly 80 years. It is now a Canadian National Historic Site. There will be no access to the 1812 tower or command post in 2017. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy and explore the Visitor Center, Exhibit Gallery, gift counter, and grounds.

Fort Howe. A panoramic view of the city and harbour, and a historic attraction.

City Market, 47 Charlotte St, (in the Uptown, with entrances on Charlotte and Germain Street. M-F 7:30AM–6PM, Sa 7:30AM–5PM. The oldest continuing farmer's market in Canada, with a charter dating from 1785. Local businesses, craft workers, artists, farmers, bakers and grocers sell a wide array of unique foods and crafts, native to New Brunswick or around the world. The building is a historic site with amazing period architecture.

New Brunswick Museum, Market Square (city's Uptown. Sa 10AM–5PM; Su noon–5PM; Tu W, F 9AM–5PM; Th 9AM–9PM. A wide array of local historic information and artefacts, artwork, scientific exhibits and displays, and a Discovery Centre with many interactive and educational activities. Museum has a to-scale plaster of a mastodon skeleton and skeletons of whales. Adults $10, discounts available.

Rockwood Park. A wide variety of walking, biking and horseback riding trails. Rockwood Park is landlocked but its paths weave around natural and man-made lakes (public swimming is free, but no lifeguard service is available.) Free.

Irving Nature Park. A variety of walking trails lead travellers through woods, guide them into marshes, and bring them to beaches and lookout points on the sea. Free.

King Square. Gardens, monuments, and the trademark bandstand and fountain at its centre. Adjacent to King Square is the Loyalist City Burial Ground, whose cobblestone paths lead past graves over two centuries old.

Reversing Falls. As the Saint John River flows into the [[Bay of Fundy]], whose tides are the highest in the world, strong rapids form as the tide rises and clashes with the flow of the river below the Reversing Falls bridge. During the summer months a Jet Boat offers tourists the thrill of tackling the rapids up close. A pulp and paper mill is located in the area near the bridge. Check the website for low-income and hight-tides, the best times to see the change.

Carleton Martello Tower, 454 Whipple Street (if driving, follow the Beaver signs. For 2017, June 26-Sept 4: daily 10AM-5:30PM; Sept 5-Nov 1: M-F 9AM-4:30PM. The Carleton Martello Tower was built for the War of 1812. However by the time of its completion in 1815, the war was completed. It became used for military in 1866 and was used on and off by Canadian troops for nearly 80 years. It is now a Canadian National Historic Site. There will be no access to the 1812 tower or command post in 2017. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy and explore the Visitor Center, Exhibit Gallery, gift counter, and grounds.

• Cherry Brook Zoo. Home to numerous endangered species and other exotic animals. Lovely natural setting. Great area for interesting walking. Open 364 days per year until dusk. Included is Vanished Kingdom Park featuring life-sized statues of extinct species. Tiger Claws Miniature Gold also located on site along with gift shop and canteen.
• The Imperial Theatre. A historic theatre features everything from plays to rock concerts.
• Harbour Passage. Harbour Passage is a red paved walking path that runs from the Boardwalk Uptown to the Old Museum on Douglas Avenue. It's a great walking, biking or skating path in the summertime. While it is well-lit at night, the occasional mugging has been known to happen. Stay in groups at night and you will be fine. Also a great way to make it from Uptown to the North End of the city. Very close to the Holiday Inn Express.

Cherry Brook Zoo. Home to numerous endangered species and other exotic animals. Lovely natural setting. Great area for interesting walking. Open 364 days per year until dusk. Included is Vanished Kingdom Park featuring life-sized statues of extinct species. Tiger Claws Miniature Gold also located on site along with gift shop and canteen.

The Imperial Theatre. A historic theatre features everything from plays to rock concerts.

Harbour Passage. Harbour Passage is a red paved walking path that runs from the Boardwalk Uptown to the Old Museum on Douglas Avenue. It's a great walking, biking or skating path in the summertime. While it is well-lit at night, the occasional mugging has been known to happen. Stay in groups at night and you will be fine. Also a great way to make it from Uptown to the North End of the city. Very close to the Holiday Inn Express.

The City Market uptown is the oldest operating farmers market in Canada, with fruits, vegetables, fresh seafood, Java Moose (a local brewed coffee house with good take-home coffee beans), and on Saturdays, various vendors with foods from around the world. Uptown is also home to hundreds of independent shops with a wide variety of food and merchandise. A stroll down King Street finds stores selling local arts and crafts, while across the street the Brunswick Square Mall offers commercial stores (clothes, shoes, cards, books, music, Laura Secord chocolates). On Germain and Canterbury Streets (both off King Street) independent merchants offer used books, records and international cuisine.

There are eight local shopping centres of varying quality; a few are mere strip malls or have fallen into the "dead maĺl" pattern of discount stores, vacancies or non-retail uses such as telephone call centres. The largest local malls are McAllister Place and East Point Shopping Centre in the east end, or Brunswick Square and Market Square uptown. The city's east side is also home to numerous big-box stores, mostly chains ranging from clothing to hardware to electronics.

A variety of locations for dining in are available in Market Square. For the more thrifty traveller an eatery is located in Brunswick Square, or try the side aisles of the City Market for fresh salads, sandwiches, and other local fare.

• Billy's Seafood. Seafood of all kinds is what you can find at Billy's. Locally owned and operated by Billy. Offers up great seafood dishes with a reasonable price. Look to spend $15-20 per person for supper. This restaurant is a favourite of both locals and cruise tourists, some of whom make the trek from the United States each year to come and sample the tastes!
• Alley Gria, 126 Prince William Street. Spanish tapas bar. Serves up all kinds of delicious plates for you to share with your friends. Best if more than two people go, that way everyone can order something different. Open in the afternoons and evenings.
• Thandi's, 33 Canterbury Street, +1 506-648-2377. Thandi's is great for Thai and Indian cuisine. It's a little on the pricier side so expect to spend $25-30 per person for a well-rounded meal (including drinks).
• Big Tide Brewing Co., 53 Princess Street. Nice little brew pub with some great microbrewed beer. Everything from IPAs to Hemp Ale. Big Tide offers up some pub favourites. Not too expensive. Expect to spend around $30-40 per couple. Great mixed drinks too! $10-15.
• Lemongrass/Pepper's Pub, Brunswick Square. The Lemongrass Restaurant is a great Thai place offering upscale food at a reasonable price. Very good pad thai and "money bags" (appetizer). Pepper's Pub, which is located in the same venue offers up unique pub fare for just about anybody. Thursdays is wing night, offering 1lb of wings for $4. Great sauce selections. Service can be a little slow on this night, but only because the place is jam packed with regulars who flock to Pepper's. They often host "IPN- Indie Pop Night". Great selection of live bands and a heated patio make Lemongrass/Pepper's Pub a great place to eat and drink.
• Cora's Breakfast & Lunch. Great breakfast, à la Cora! Cora, a Quebec native, began a chain of breakfast restaurants which are now popular all over Atlantic Canada. Impressive fruit plates, delicious crepes and huge portions. Inexpensive. Expect to spend around $30-40 for two, including drinks. Try the crepes of any kind. They're all delicious!
• Vito's. With three locations in the greater Saint John area, this locally owned family restaurant was founded in 1972 by four Greek immigrant brothers and is very popular for pizza and spaghetti. Locations: Rothesay Ave (East) 324 Rothesay Avenue, Saint John, +1 506 634-1300; Hazen Avenue (Uptown) 1 Hazen Avenue Saint John, +1 506 634-3900; Hampton Road (KV) 111 Hampton Road Rothesay, +1 506 847-4400
• Urban Deli/Italian By Night, King's St.. Urban Deli has fantastic lunches, $10-15. Pulled Piggy and Slaw is highly recommended, as is the Cordon Blu (not on the menu). At night, for expensive, but good Italian eats, Italian By Night is great.
• Vegas Bar and Grill, 10 Portland Street, +1 506 674-5287. In the Canada's Best Value Inn Fort Howe Plaza. Try the B-Eat the House burger, which is 35 oz of ground beef and trimmings. Eat the whole thing in 45 minutes and it's free. Your photo also goes on their wall.

Billy's Seafood. Seafood of all kinds is what you can find at Billy's. Locally owned and operated by Billy. Offers up great seafood dishes with a reasonable price. Look to spend $15-20 per person for supper. This restaurant is a favourite of both locals and cruise tourists, some of whom make the trek from the United States each year to come and sample the tastes!

Alley Gria, 126 Prince William Street. Spanish tapas bar. Serves up all kinds of delicious plates for you to share with your friends. Best if more than two people go, that way everyone can order something different. Open in the afternoons and evenings.

Thandi's, 33 Canterbury Street, +1 506-648-2377. Thandi's is great for Thai and Indian cuisine. It's a little on the pricier side so expect to spend $25-30 per person for a well-rounded meal (including drinks).

Big Tide Brewing Co., 53 Princess Street. Nice little brew pub with some great microbrewed beer. Everything from IPAs to Hemp Ale. Big Tide offers up some pub favourites. Not too expensive. Expect to spend around $30-40 per couple. Great mixed drinks too! $10-15.

Lemongrass/Pepper's Pub, Brunswick Square. The Lemongrass Restaurant is a great Thai place offering upscale food at a reasonable price. Very good pad thai and "money bags" (appetizer). Pepper's Pub, which is located in the same venue offers up unique pub fare for just about anybody. Thursdays is wing night, offering 1lb of wings for $4. Great sauce selections. Service can be a little slow on this night, but only because the place is jam packed with regulars who flock to Pepper's. They often host "IPN- Indie Pop Night". Great selection of live bands and a heated patio make Lemongrass/Pepper's Pub a great place to eat and drink.

Cora's Breakfast & Lunch. Great breakfast, à la Cora! Cora, a Quebec native, began a chain of breakfast restaurants which are now popular all over Atlantic Canada. Impressive fruit plates, delicious crepes and huge portions. Inexpensive. Expect to spend around $30-40 for two, including drinks. Try the crepes of any kind. They're all delicious!

Vito's. With three locations in the greater Saint John area, this locally owned family restaurant was founded in 1972 by four Greek immigrant brothers and is very popular for pizza and spaghetti. Locations: Rothesay Ave (East) 324 Rothesay Avenue, Saint John, +1 506 634-1300; Hazen Avenue (Uptown) 1 Hazen Avenue Saint John, +1 506 634-3900; Hampton Road (KV) 111 Hampton Road Rothesay, +1 506 847-4400

Urban Deli/Italian By Night, King's St.. Urban Deli has fantastic lunches, $10-15. Pulled Piggy and Slaw is highly recommended, as is the Cordon Blu (not on the menu). At night, for expensive, but good Italian eats, Italian By Night is great.

Vegas Bar and Grill, 10 Portland Street, +1 506 674-5287. In the Canada's Best Value Inn Fort Howe Plaza. Try the B-Eat the House burger, which is 35 oz of ground beef and trimmings. Eat the whole thing in 45 minutes and it's free. Your photo also goes on their wall.

• Saint John Ale House, 1 Market Square, +1 506 657-2337. On the Boardwalk, inside Market Square. Great selection of beer both local and international. Good eats! You can get the ale-sized fish and chips which is practically a whole side of haddock! Good value for the money. Expect to spend around $10-20 at lunch and a little bit more in the evenings. Has a bar downstairs and a fine dining establishment upstairs.
• 3 Mile Entertainment Complex, Located on Saint John's East side. Home of Tonic, a spacious dance club, for patrons 21+. The largest dance club east of Montreal. Music by "DJ506" You can call ahead and ask to be put on the list, if you are under 21. The 3 Mile Steak & Rib House offers steaks, ribs and wings (with over 36 different sauces). At Legends Bar & Grille casino style meets delicious food and a good place to drink.
• O'Leary's, 46 Princess Street, +1 506 634-7135. A popular Irish pub in Uptown, it has live music on Friday and Saturday nights, usually rock and country cover bands. O'Leary's has broken away from the live bands on the weekends and often plays the hottest dance hits.
• Callahan's, 2 Princess Street, +1 506 634-0366. Tu-Sa 2PM. Friendly pub at the foot of Princess Street, near cruise terminal. Establishment has unusual vaulted ceiling having once served as the mail room in Canada's oldest post office. Free Wi-Fi, ATM.

Saint John Ale House, 1 Market Square, +1 506 657-2337. On the Boardwalk, inside Market Square. Great selection of beer both local and international. Good eats! You can get the ale-sized fish and chips which is practically a whole side of haddock! Good value for the money. Expect to spend around $10-20 at lunch and a little bit more in the evenings. Has a bar downstairs and a fine dining establishment upstairs.

3 Mile Entertainment Complex, Located on Saint John's East side. Home of Tonic, a spacious dance club, for patrons 21+. The largest dance club east of Montreal. Music by "DJ506" You can call ahead and ask to be put on the list, if you are under 21. The 3 Mile Steak & Rib House offers steaks, ribs and wings (with over 36 different sauces). At Legends Bar & Grille casino style meets delicious food and a good place to drink.

O'Leary's, 46 Princess Street, +1 506 634-7135. A popular Irish pub in Uptown, it has live music on Friday and Saturday nights, usually rock and country cover bands. O'Leary's has broken away from the live bands on the weekends and often plays the hottest dance hits.

Callahan's, 2 Princess Street, +1 506 634-0366. Tu-Sa 2PM. Friendly pub at the foot of Princess Street, near cruise terminal. Establishment has unusual vaulted ceiling having once served as the mail room in Canada's oldest post office. Free Wi-Fi, ATM.

Internet access is available in several areas within the "Inside Connection", including a convenience store in Market Square and an Internet Cafe located en route between Market Square and Brunswick Square. In addition, many coffee places also offer free wi-fi. Any Java Moose or Starbucks locations will offer this. Also, on King Street in the uptown area, there is UZone which is an internet cafe. They also offer by-the-hour video gaming and LAN gaming.

Saint John is safe compared to most cities; however, it is a good idea to walk on well-lit busy streets after dark and not on darker side streets. Street crime is rare but not unheard of. You are relatively safe in the commercial/retail area of Uptown, where the hotels are located. The South End, also known as, "uptown", can be dangerous in certain areas as well as the north end.