St. John's Drive: How Long?

Saint John, New Brunswick, is a seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy in Canada. It is the oldest incorporated city in the country, established in 1785 during the reign of George III. The city has a rich history, dating back to the French colonial era, and played a crucial role in trade and defence for Acadia.

Today, Saint John is a vibrant and affordable place to live, with a diverse range of neighbourhoods, a dynamic arts scene, and plenty of natural attractions. The city is known for its stunning historical architecture, including the Saint John City Market, the oldest continuing farmers' market in Canada, and the Imperial Theatre, a National Historic Site.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as exploring the Reversing Falls Rapids, hiking in Rockwood Park, or spotting wildlife at Irving Nature Park. Whale watching is a popular activity in the area, and Saint John is a great base for exploring other parts of New Brunswick, including the famous Fundy National Park.

With a population of around 69,895 people, Saint John is the second-largest city in the province, after Moncton. The city is easily accessible by plane, bus, car, and ferry, making it a convenient destination for travellers.

Travel options from New Brunswick to St. John

The distance between New Brunswick and St. John is around 652 miles or 1,049 kilometres. Here are some options for travelling between the two locations:

• By plane: The flight time between Moncton and St. John is around 20 hours and 28 minutes, including an average layover time of around 17 hours and 50 minutes. The quickest flight takes 15 hours and 40 minutes and has one stopover.
• By bus and car ferry: This option takes around 29 hours and 45 minutes. First, take the bus from Moncton, NB, to Truro, NS, and then take another bus from Truro, NS, to North Sydney, NS. From North Sydney, take the car ferry to Port aux Basques, and then take a final bus to St. John.
• By bus and plane: Take the bus from Moncton Airport to Halifax Airport, and then fly from Halifax to St. John. This is the quickest way to get to St. John without a car, taking around 7 hours and 9 minutes.
• By car and car ferry: Drive from Moncton to North Sydney, NS, and take the car ferry to Port aux Basques. From there, drive to St. John. This option takes around 22 hours and 14 minutes.

Getting around St. John

Once you're in St. John, there are several ways to get around, including walking, driving, and taking the bus. Many of the city's most popular attractions are within walking distance of one another in the uptown area. However, if you want to visit sites outside of St. John, such as Fundy National Park, you will need a car. Car rental agencies can be found in the city and at St. John Airport. Alternatively, you can rely on the city's bus system, with Lines 1 and 3 passing through uptown and stopping at King's Square.

Things to do in St. John

St. John, New Brunswick, is a port city on the Bay of Fundy, known for its rich history and diverse urban experiences. Here are some things to do when visiting:

Explore Uptown Saint John

Uptown Saint John is home to unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. You can wander through the streets and admire the architecture, visit boutiques, pubs, and restaurants in the former warehouses of Market Square, or check out the shops on Germaine Street, including Obscurity Shop, Feel Good Store, and Backstreet Records.

Visit the Saint John City Market

The Saint John City Market, located in uptown Saint John, is the oldest continuing farmers market in Canada, dating back to the late 1700s. The market offers a variety of local produce, seafood, crafts, and international food options. The building's ceiling resembles an upturned ship, honouring the city's shipping industry.

Experience the Reversing Falls Rapids

The Reversing Falls Rapids, located just two miles southwest of uptown Saint John, is a natural wonder where the river reverses direction twice daily with the tides. Visitors can observe the rapids, whirlpools, and small waterfalls from several rooftop viewing areas in Fallsview and Wolastoq parks, or from the Reversing Falls Restaurant's observation deck.

Discover Irving Nature Park

Irving Nature Park, located five miles southwest of uptown Saint John, offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy. This 600-acre green space features a variety of habitats, including forests, salt marsh estuaries, beaches, and a bog. Visitors can explore the park's boardwalk and hiking trails, spot wildlife, and enjoy family-friendly activities such as building bee houses and stargazing tea parties.

Tour Historical Sites

Saint John is home to several historical sites, including the Carleton Martello Tower, a defensive fort built by the British during the War of 1812, and Loyalist House, a historic home offering tours led by knowledgeable docents.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities

For outdoor enthusiasts, Rockwood Park offers a variety of activities, including fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking trails. The park also features a zoo, a spa, horse stables, and a golf course.

Visit Museums

The New Brunswick Museum, located in Market Square, provides an introduction to the region's history, with exhibits on Saint John's industrial development and the province's natural landscape. The museum also features local artwork and the popular Hall of Great Whales exhibit.

Take a Bay of Fundy Tour

For a deeper exploration of the Bay of Fundy, consider taking a tour. Options include bus tours, cycling tours, and kayaking adventures.

Indulge in Local Cuisine

Saint John has a variety of dining options, including local favourites such as Lemongrass, SJ Ale House, Britts, East Coast Bistro, and Suwanna (Thai).

Go Whale Watching

St. John is a popular destination for whale watching tours, offering the opportunity to spot these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

History of St. John

The history of Saint John, New Brunswick, dates back thousands of years. The area was inhabited by the Maliseet and Miꞌkmaq First Nations before the arrival of European colonists. The Wolastoqiyik (also known as Maliseet) were the primary inhabitants of the Saint John area, with the Mi'kmaq to the east and the Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) to the west.

In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived at Saint John Harbour, naming the river after Saint John the Baptist, whose feast day it was. The river was originally known as Wolastoq by the Wolastoqiyik. The first permanent colonial settlement was established in 1631 when Charles de la Tour constructed Fort La Tour at the site of present-day Saint John.

During the 17th century, a French settlement was established in Saint John, which served as the seat of administration under Charles de Saint-Étienne de la Tour during the Acadian Civil War. The French position was abandoned in 1755, and the British took over the area, renaming Fort La Tour to Fort Frederick.

In 1783, refugees loyal to the British Crown, including German, Dutch, and Black Loyalists, began settling in the area after the American Revolution. The settlement expanded with the establishment of Parr Town and Carleton around the harbour. In 1785, these two communities amalgamated and were incorporated as Saint John, becoming Canada's first incorporated city.

During the 19th century, Saint John experienced an influx of Irish migrants escaping the hardships of the Potato Famine. It became the third-largest city in British North America by 1851. However, a great fire in 1877 ravaged the city, and the declining lumber trade further challenged its economic growth.

In the 20th century, Saint John played a role in the Maritime Rights Movement during the 1920s and underwent significant urban renewal projects in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite facing population decline for several decades, Saint John has recently seen a modest increase in population, largely due to immigration from various countries.

Climate and geography of St. John

Saint John is a seaport city located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. The city is split by the south-flowing Saint John River, which meets the Kennebecasis River at Grand Bay. The city's land area is 315.96 km2 (121.99 sq mi), and its metropolitan area covers 3,509.62 km2 (1,355.07 sq mi).

The topography surrounding Saint John is hilly due to the influence of two coastal mountain ranges that run along the Bay of Fundy: the St. Croix Highlands and the Caledonia Highlands. The soil throughout the region is rocky with frequent granite outcrops, and the coastal plain hosts numerous freshwater lakes in the eastern, western, and northern parts of the city.

The climate of Saint John is humid continental. The Bay of Fundy never fully freezes, moderating the winter temperatures compared to inland locations. The average January temperature is about −8.2 °C (17.2 °F). Summers are usually warm to hot, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 25 °C (77 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Saint John was 34.4 °C (94 °F). Precipitation in Saint John totals about 1,295 mm (51.0 in) annually and is well-distributed throughout the year, although late autumn and early winter are typically the wettest seasons. Snowfalls can be heavy, but rain is as common as snow in winter, and it is not unusual for the ground to be snow-free in mid-winter.

Stonehammer UNESCO Geopark, the first Geopark in North America, is centred around Saint John. The park has exceptional geological significance, with rock formations dating back to the Precambrian era, some of which may be a billion years old.

The Reversing Falls in Saint John is an area of strong rapids where the diurnal tides of the Bay of Fundy reverse the water flow of the Saint John River for several kilometres. A series of underwater ledges create a series of rapids at the narrowest point of the gorge.

Arts and culture in St. John

Saint John, New Brunswick, is a cultural hub, recognised for its vibrant history of visual arts, theatrical performances, galleries, public art, live music, dance, and festivals. The city was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2010 and Cultureville in 2011.

Saint John is home to many professional artists and community-based arts and educational organisations. The city's arts scene includes the Saint John Arts Centre, which offers a range of workshops for all ages, such as pottery, drawing, and needle felting. The centre also hosts performing arts events and film nights. The Third Space Gallery and Third Shift are other art galleries in the city.

For theatre, there's the Imperial Theatre, the Kent Theatre, and the Mary Oland Theatre. The Phoenix Dinner Theatre and the Water Street Dinner Theatre offer a unique combination of dining and theatrical performances. The InterAction School of Performing Arts and the Symphony also call Saint John home.

Music lovers can enjoy the Buskers on the Bay Festival, held in the Market Square, and free outdoor concerts at the King Edward VII Memorial Bandstand in King's Square.

Saint John also has a variety of dance companies and studios, such as Bollywood Dance Studio Inc., Connection Dance Works, and Rondos Dance Company.

For those interested in literature, the Fog Lit Festival and the Early Music Festival are held in the city, and there are several libraries, including the Free Public Libraries and the Jewish Museum Library.

In addition to its performing and literary arts, Saint John boasts several visual art galleries and museums. The New Brunswick Museum, located in Market Square, provides an introduction to the region's history, maritime heritage, and natural landscape. The museum also features local artwork, including the ever-popular Hall of Great Whales exhibit. Other galleries include Trinity Galleries, Tuck Studio, and the Citadel Gallery.

Saint John's cultural offerings extend beyond traditional arts to include culinary delights. The Saint John City Market, Canada's oldest continuing farmers' market, offers a variety of mouthwatering treats, from homemade doughnuts to fresh seafood and authentic Korean cuisine. The market's ceiling, resembling the upturned hull of a ship, pays tribute to the city's shipping industry.

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