33 Best Things to Do in Saint John, New Brunswick

Outdoor play isn’t just for kids. Make your way through some of the most epic obstacle courses around as you conquer challenge after challenge high up in the treetops.… keep that adrenaline pumping at Timbertop’s high ropes course. Choose from 11 different courses that will test your physical limits.

Maintained by the Saint John Horticultural Association, the public garden is a beautifully manicured public area to enjoy a picnic or find some tranquility in the middle of the City.

The boardwalk in Saint John is home to a couple beach volleyball courts, a permanent stage with nightly music in the summer, and a handful of great decks where you can grab a meal and sample of local New Brunswick brews.

This just might be one of the best record stores in Canada. Backstreet Records has been selling new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes and DVDs since 1980 so you’re sure to find a treasure in this quirky, creative shop.

John Hooper was a Canadian sculptor known for his colourful polychromed wood carvings. Saint John is lucky to be home to more than a few of them in and around Market Square. Bonus: look for his ouroboros clock and see if you can tell the time.

Punch Lines brings in the highest Caliber Comedians from all over the world. Two-hour shows showcase both headliners and local talent from around the Maritimes and beyond.

Just minutes outside Saint John sits 600 acres of preserved nature for you to enjoy. Stroll along the trails and boardwalk, go bird watching, or have a picnic.

Axe throwing is a sport (game? hobby? pastime?) that many people are surprised to find is not only real, but available outside of hipster enclaves like Austin, Portland, or Brooklyn. Saint John has a local axe throwing joint, and they also serve great beer. They run a league but you can also just drop in and give it a try. Plaid shirt not required.

The Imperial Theatre was designed and built in 1912 and is one of the grandest places to see a live show. It has even been called the most beautifully restored theatre in Canada. When you visit be sure to pay extra attention to the impressive chandelier.

Cheer on the local QMJHL team at TD Station as they take on nearby rivals the Moncton Rivals or a team from Quebec. Make your bets on who’s a future NHLer. Snap a selfie with Fleaburn. Sea Dogs hockey is a fun night out for any hockey fan.

Food tours are hot and Saint John’s got ’em! Sample beer, wine, cider, spirits, seafood and charcuterie while learning about the cultural history of Canada’s first incorporated city.

Unique food, produce and craft vendors, a stellar lineup of weekly entertainment, this is a market not to be missed! Come for a meal, to do some shopping, and relax with family and friends under the lights. 5-10PM every Thursday night on South Market Street.

What started in 2018 as a hostel has quickly turned into a community hotspot. Check out the many events happening at the Uptowner Cafe that fronts the Bunkhaus Hostel. Strike up a conversation at the bar and make some new friends.

Think glass floors are just for the big cities? Think again. At Skywalk Saint John you can step out over the largest whirlpool of the Reversing Rapids. Have no fear, it can hold the weight of at least 200 people.

Built for the 1984 Canada Games the Aquatic Centre is Saint John’s main aquatic facility. Swim a few laps, splash around in the shallow pools, try one of the water slides or relax in the sauna. It’s the perfect thing to do on a cold winter or cool rainy day.

Fort Howe was British fort built during the American Revolution. It was erected shortly after the American siege in 1777 to protect the city from further American raids. It has the distinction of being the first historic site in the national park system. Today you can visit a full-size replica of one of the blockhouses.

Go tenting inside the city limits at one of Rockwood Park’s 200+ campsites. With over 55 trails and footpaths, swimming, playgrounds, a zoo, golf, and more, there’s lots to explore all within a few minutes of the Uptown core.

Southern New Brunswick was one of the first places in Canada to be explored by geologists and the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark incorporates more than 60 significant geological and fossil locales, with more than 12 publicly accessible sites. The geology of Stonehammer is complex, but reasonably well understood and provides ample opportunity for geological investigation and education at all levels.

Carleton Martello Tower is one of the nine surviving Martello Towers in Canada. The tower dates from the War of 1812 and played a significant role in conflicts until the Second World War. The site now features a restored powder magazine, a restored barracks room, and exhibits in the tower and in the visitor centre.

Take part in one of New Brunswick’s premier road race events and the region’s most challenging Boston qualifier. If you’re not up for a full marathon you can also sign up for the 5k, 10k, or half-marathon.

This area was set aside in the original city plan and from 1783 until 1848 acted as a burial ground. Today it’s been revitalized as a city park.

The Three Sisters Lamp were used by sea captains to navigate their way safely into Saint John Harbour at night. If the three red lamps appeared individually, sailors would know they were heading straight into the harbour.

It was the home of the prosperous Merritt family, who occupied from its completion in 1817 until 1958 and is now the rumoured home of a few ghosts.

Relive the 80s and 90s with a never ending video dance party and arcade games along with a good selection of local beers.

Get yourself a latte at one of the city’s hippest coffee shops, which happens to also be in the most Instagrammable alley with some seriously cool neighbours. If the weather is nice, enjoy your coffee outdoors and maybe play a tune on the piano.

Take a stroll along Harbour Passage’s cranberry-coloured trail, a series of interconnected walkways, lookouts and heritage sites linking the Reversing Falls Rapids to uptown Saint John. Ideal for walking, running and biking.

The Saint John Marina offers narrated sightseeing cruises on the Saint John and Kennebecasis rivers aboard a Mississippi-style river boat where you can see lighthouses, covered bridges, wildlife, and more.

Tour the historic Moosehead brewery where they brew their beer today and learn how art, science, and passion come together to create award-winning beers.

Queen Square Farmers Market is an open air market in the south end of the beautiful Port City, a place where local farmers, food vendors and artists can showcase their offerings. See how an outdoor market can transform a community for a day!

Museum interpreters offer a fun and engaging experience taking  you through the city on a two-hour tour. Walk alongside the harbour, listen to its colourful history; take in the sights and sounds, stop for a photo-op beside the full-size moose. Head uptown where you’ll get an up close look at our distinctive streetscape, a display of fine period architecture and outstanding craftsmanship.

Whether it’s an Uber500 colourful mural, Deanna Musgrave’s pedway overhead scene, or one of Hula’s waterfront masterpieces Saint John is becoming a hotspot for public art. Stroll the streets and see how many different artists you can find.