Saint John is the second-largest city in the New Brunswick. Canada's oldest incorporated city, Saint John's population is approximately 70,000 (2021). It routinely plays host to cruise ships and individual tourists from all over North America.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Saint John sits on the Bay of Fundy in the south of the province. Its population is composed almost entirely of the descendants of Irish immigrants and British loyalists. (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 Transit, ☏ +1 506-658-4455. Operates from approximately 6AM to midnight for public transport within the city. Schedules are available on the buses, in information booths throughout the city and in the Saint John Transit site. Bus tickets may be purchased through the SJTRides app. Fare is $3.00 for adult passengers; first 3 children under 5 free ($2 each after). (updated Sep 2022) There are several companies available in Saint John for this service. Coastal Taxi, ☏ +1 506 635-1144. Diamond Taxi, ☏ +1 506 648-8888. Royal Taxi:, ☏ +1 506 652-5050. Simonds Taxi (often found parked outside McAllister Mall), ☏ +1 506 696-8294. Sunrise Taxi, ☏ +1 506 638-8888.
1 Fort Howe (Located in the city's North End). A panoramic view of the city and harbour, and a historic attraction. 2 City Market, 47 Charlotte St, (in the Uptown, with entrances on Charlotte and Germain Street). Mon-Fri 7:30AM–6PM, Sat 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. (updated May 2018) 3 Rockwood Park (in the North End). A wide variety of walking, biking and horseback riding trails.
1 The Imperial Theatre, 12 King Square South, ☏ +1 506 674-4100. Mon-Fri noon-5PM. A historic theatre features everything from plays to rock concerts. Does tours in the summer and on cruise ship days. (updated Jan 2023) 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.
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. 1 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). 2 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.
1 Saint John Ale House, 1 Market Square, ☏ +1 506 657-2337, admin@sjah.ca. 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. (updated Apr 2016) 2 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.
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Nov, Saint John typically sees ~7°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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