Things To Do In Saint John, NB Without A Car
Saint John, New Brunswick is home to approximately 73,000 people and located on the Bay Of Fundy which is where some of the highest tides in the world happen. It’s a great city to spend some time in and explore this region of Atlantic Canada. Whether you’re looking for awesome Saint John markets, street art, historic buildings, friendly locals, craft beer bars, and unique outdoor adventures, Saint John has it all. Here are my recommendations for things to do in Saint John, NB without a car.
Waterfront Boardwalk
Saint John has a beautiful waterfront boardwalk to enjoy. You can see the cargo ships across the bay, watch for cruise ships docking, or simply sit and enjoy this newly developed public space.
They have unique seats spread out along the boardwalk and much to my surprise have music playing from speakers along the walkway. It was a nice touch!
The boardwalk is also home to some unique public art displays which make great spots for Instagram pictures in Saint John.
Area 506 Waterfront Container Village
As you walk along the boardwalk, you’ll eventually make it to Area 506 Waterfront Container Village – a must-visit spot in Saint John.
From the vibrant and colourfully painted shipping containers, to the the unique local shops, the string lights, the family friendly games, food trucks, lots of places to sit, and the general good vibe, this place is a great addition to Saint John’s city core.
Historic Walking Tour
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Saint John from a local, I definitely recommend a historic walking tour. It’s apparent the city is full of history right when you arrive and start to admire the architecture of the old buildings downtown and the beautiful houses along tree-lined streets. The details of the brickwork is incredible and constantly has me looking up to appreciate it.
Live Music In Market Square
I was lucky enough to visit Market Square at the right time because there just happened to be live music under the main stage. It was such a great afternoon! You can sit on one of the many restaurant patios and listen to the music or grab a coffee and sit in the park area. The main stage hosts lots of events throughout the year so make sure you check their events page.
Art Galleries & Boutique Shopping
There are so many incredible art galleries and local shops in Saint John and especially in the Uptown area. You’ll notice the street poles have ‘Shop Local’ reminders throughout and the encouragement to support local shops is evident – which I obviously think is great!
Enjoy an Ice Cream Cone
Cruisin Cones has a great selection of ice cream flavours from our personal favourite Canadian ice cream brand, Chapman’s Ice Cream. Their scoop sizes are HUGE. It’s the perfect spot to grab a cone and then continue wandering throughout downtown or head across the street to Area 506.
Visit Local Markets
The Saint John City Market
The Saint John City Market is a great indoor market that features many food vendors along with a few gift shops, artists and clothing vendors. The market is located in an incredible building that opened its doors in 1876. Make sure you look up when you’re inside this building and notice the inverted ship hull ceiling.
Queen Square Farmer’s Market
If you happen to be in Saint John on a Sunday between May and October, check out the Queen Square Farmer’s Market. This is a great market to truly get a local experience. It’s also a great place to meet and chat with local vendors. This outdoor market has everything from fresh flower bouquets to food, crafts and gift ideas.
Check Out The Public Street Art & Sculptures
When I first arrived in Saint John, NB it didn’t take long to start noticing a variety of street art around the city. Discover New Brunswick has actually put together a map with locations of public art around the city. I enjoyed using the map to find some unique murals and sculptures.
Go To An Imperial Theatre Performance
The Imperial Theatre is another building in Saint John with incredible history. It first opened its doors in 1913 and went through a number of changes over the years from becoming a movie theatre, a church and then in 1994 it opened back up as a theatre for performing arts.
Visit Saint John Gardens & Parks
Saint John has a number of beautiful gardens and parks to explore. Saint John is lucky to have the Horticultural Association that maintains the stunning public garden that is full of colourful blooms and grassed areas. Perfect for wandering around or sitting with a good book and relaxing. There are also a number of parks to enjoy. You can find out more about them here.
Line Dancing At The Country Club
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a Thursday evening throughout the summer, check out The Country Club for some line dancing. They’re offering this at 7pm on Thursdays. Make sure you check their Instagram account (@thecountryclubsj) first just in case they’ve changed the date or time.
Enjoy A Craft Beer Bar Tasting
Enjoy a pint or tasting at one of the many craft beer bars in Saint John.
Have you ever been to Saint John, NB? I’d love to hear if you have anything you’d add to this list of things to do in Saint John without a car. Happy travels!
