St. John's Outdoor Adventures

Saint John, New Brunswick is a city with a difference. It's the only true city on the Bay of Fundy, with a thriving food and drink scene, fabulous architecture, fascinating maritime history, and an abundance of natural beauty.

Saint John is Canada's oldest city, dating back to 1604. It was founded by Samuel de Champlain, who proclaimed the name St. John. The city has been undergoing a renaissance in recent years, with millennials opening businesses and artists setting up shop.

- Reversing Falls Rapids: A natural wonder where the river reverses direction twice a day due to the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy.

- Irving Nature Park: A 600-acre park with breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy and various habitats, including forests, salt marshes, and beaches.

- Rockwood Park: One of the largest urban parks in Canada, offering a variety of outdoor activities like boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking.

- Saint John City Market: The oldest continuing farmers' market in Canada, with a wide range of local produce, crafts, and food options.

- Carleton Martello Tower: A defensive fort built during the War of 1812, offering panoramic views of the city, harbour, and Bay of Fundy.

- New Brunswick Museum: A museum showcasing the region's cultural heritage, natural history, and maritime history, including the Hall of Great Whales.

- Fundy National Park: A vast wilderness area with red boulders, crimson beaches, and wooden platform trails offering spectacular views.

Visit Rockwood Park, one of the largest urban parks in Canada

Rockwood Park is a nature park in the heart of Saint John, New Brunswick, and one of Canada's largest urban parks. It offers 2,200 acres of unspoiled natural beauty, including ten lakes, 55 trails and footpaths, and forested hills, caves, and freshwater lakes. The park was designed in the 19th century by Calvert Vaux, one of the designers of New York City's Central Park.

Rockwood Park is a year-round hub for outdoor activities and entertainment. Visitors can hike or bike the trails, go for a leisurely swim, or enjoy a picnic near the playground. The park also features a golf course, camping sites, stables, and a wellness spa. For those seeking more adventurous activities, there is rock climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and geocaching. In the winter, visitors can go snowshoeing or enjoy a sleigh ride.

Rockwood Park is also a Stonehammer Geopark site, known for its unique rock formations, caves, and waterfalls that showcase a billion years of history. The park's Interpretation Centre is a great resource for information on events, trail maps, and interpretive displays.

The park is open from dawn until dusk and offers free parking. Visitors can enter from Lake Drive at Lily Lake or Hawthorne Avenue Extension at Fisher Lakes. Paved pathways connect to amenities such as the Kiwanis Play Park, the Bark Park, and the Inside Out Nature Centre.

Rockwood Park truly offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for a relaxing day in nature or an adventurous outdoor experience.

Explore the historic Saint John City Market

The Saint John City Market, located at 47 Charlotte Street, is a must-visit destination in Saint John, New Brunswick. Operating since the late 1700s, it is the oldest continuously operated farmer's market in Canada, with a charter dating back to 1785. The market offers a unique shopping experience and is a great way to support local businesses and artists.

History

Before settling at its current location, the city of Saint John operated several public markets. The market has been housed in three different buildings, the first two of which were destroyed by fire. The current building, designed by architects J.T.C. McKean and G.E. Fairweather in the Second Empire style, was completed in 1876 and narrowly escaped the 1877 fire that destroyed 40% of the city's buildings. The market was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1986.

The market's interior roof structure is a unique feature, resembling an inverted ship's keel, built by unemployed ship carpenters of the day. The floor of the market also slopes with the natural grade of the land. Some of the businesses in the market have been operating continuously for over 100 years.

What to Expect

The Saint John City Market is open year-round, from Monday to Saturday. It offers a wide range of local and international products, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, and crafts. You can also find unique restaurants featuring local and international cuisines. The market is a vibrant and bustling place, filled with the sounds and aromas of fresh food and busy shoppers.

In addition to shopping and dining, the market also hosts various events and activities, such as pop-up exhibits, community events, art installations, children's activities, and workshops. It is a great place to interact with local vendors and learn about the city's history and culture.

Tips

• Plan your visit during market hours, Monday to Saturday, to experience the market's lively atmosphere and ensure that all vendors are open.
• Take time to look up and appreciate the unique architecture and design of the market building, especially the inverted ship's keel roof structure.
• Indulge in the variety of food options available, from fresh produce to delicious meals at the restaurants.
• Check out the market's website or social media pages to stay updated on any upcoming events or activities during your visit.
• Consider visiting other nearby attractions, such as King's Square, the New Brunswick Museum, and Market Square, all located within walking distance of the market.

Exploring the historic Saint John City Market is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, support local businesses, and learn about the city's rich history. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the charm and uniqueness of Saint John, New Brunswick.

Check out the Reversing Falls Rapids

The Reversing Falls Rapids are a must-see destination in Saint John, New Brunswick. Here's what makes this natural site such an anomaly: its gurgling whirlpools, impressive rapids and small waterfalls flow one way with the incoming tide and another with the outgoing tide.

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, where the river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The powerful semidiurnal tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high. This creates a unique phenomenon, with rapids forming again, peaking at high tide.

You can watch the churning water from one of several rooftop viewing areas in Fallsview and Wolastoq parks. There is also a viewing platform near the bridge in Fallsview Park, and a bird’s-eye-view from Wolastoq Park.

If you want to get even closer to the action, you can pay for a zip-lining excursion with Saint John Adventures. Or, for an even bigger adrenaline rush, you could try whitewater kayaking in the vicinity of the falls – a relatively recent development, made unique by the changes in formation of the rapids during incoming or outgoing tides.

The Reversing Falls have also been an important industrial site for over a century. On the east side of the gorge, there is a foundry and other light industrial operations, while a large pulp mill lies on the west side. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway.

Discover the New Brunswick Museum

The New Brunswick Museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Saint John, New Brunswick. Located in Market Square, it is Canada's oldest continuously running museum. The museum houses a variety of artefacts that showcase the province's rich cultural history and diverse natural environment. With three floors of creative exhibitions and fun events, visitors will discover the stories of New Brunswick's past and present.

The New Brunswick Museum is currently undergoing revitalisation to become a more vibrant and sustainable provincial museum. The exhibition centre is temporarily closed due to building repairs, but the NBM Boutique remains open, offering a unique shopping experience with products made by local craftspeople. Visitors can also explore the museum's online boutique from the comfort of their homes.

The museum's collections and research centre, located on Douglas Avenue, is open to the public by appointment only. Here, visitors can explore the historical photograph database, as well as the archival and library databases. The knowledgeable staff are available for research inquiries and can provide additional insights into the museum's artefacts.

The New Brunswick Museum is highly regarded by travellers, especially for its interactive displays that make it a great family-friendly destination. Visitors can learn about Saint John's industrial development, explore New Brunswick's maritime history, admire local artwork, and discover the ever-popular Hall of Great Whales. The museum also offers discounts for groups, Canadian Automobile Association members, and AAA members.

Whether you're a history buff, art enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun and educational activity, a visit to the New Brunswick Museum is a great way to discover the cultural and natural treasures of Saint John, New Brunswick.

Admire the view from the Carleton Martello Tower

One of the nine surviving Martello Towers in Canada, the Carleton Martello Tower is a must-see for anyone visiting Saint John. Located on a rocky cliff overlooking the city, the tower dates back to the War of 1812 and was used as a defensive structure until World War II. While the tower's interior is currently closed for renovations, there is still plenty to see and do at this National Historic Site of Canada.

Start your visit by exploring the interactive exhibits at the Visitor Reception Centre, where you can learn about the tower's history and the role it played in conflicts up until World War II. Then, take a short walk up the hill to the tower itself, where you can admire the stunning views of Saint John and its harbour from the roof. Keep in mind that the tower's main door has very low headroom, so watch your head!

The tower is also surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, including the Bay of Fundy, which is known for having the world's highest tides. If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, Irving Nature Park is just a short drive from the tower and offers excellent views of the bay, as well as a variety of habitats such as forests, salt marshes, and beaches.

Whether you're interested in history, nature, or just looking for a great view, a visit to the Carleton Martello Tower is definitely worth your time when exploring Saint John, New Brunswick.

Frequently asked questions