Morning: Breakfast and uptown Saint John
Start your winter weekend in uptown Saint John, the city’s historic core known for its handsome heritage buildings, walkable streets, and vibrant shopping and food scene. Warm up with a morning coffee at Catapult Coffee, The Bubbly Cup, or Java Moose, then head to the Saint John City Market – Canada’s oldest continuing farmers’ market – for a bite to eat. Browse local makers, snap a few shots of the iconic roof and stalls, and pick up a breakfast sandwich from Jeremiah’s Deli to fuel your day.
Late Morning: Explore Our Arts and Culture
There is no shortage of art and history to be found in uptown Saint John! If you’re feeling chilly, spend your morning browsing the incredible art galleries uptown, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. Stops at Mitote Art Gallery, Handworks Gallery, and Trinity Galleries are a must – and be sure to stop in at Glass Roots for one of their live glass blowing demonstrations. To enhance your gallery experience, be sure to check the Glass Roots website when planning your visit to see if your trip aligns with one of their glass-blowing workshops!
Want to keep exploring the uptown streets? We don’t blame you! Take in a self-guided Art in Public Places tour (which also highlights all the galleries you can stop in along the way), or a self-guided Historic Walking tour, which will showcase the incredible history of our city, and over 100 years of architectural styles.
Lunch: Saint John Comfort Food
Lunch in uptown is where the city shines – think soups, seafood, Maritime pub classics, seasonal menus, and cozy heated patios to keep you warm but still in the sun on cold winter days. Grab the soup of the day from East Coast Bistro, a pizza from Beer Bread, or burgers from Union House by Trailway. If you’re looking for a waterfront view, check out the all-season patios on the boardwalk – the Saint John Ale House, Lemongrass Thai Fare, Peppers Pub, or The Country Club are all great lunch options.
Afternoon: Reversing Falls Rapids
No visit to Saint John is complete without a visit to Reversing Falls Rapids, one of the most famous Bay of Fundy attractions. Bundle up and walk along the Harbour Passage Trail to make your way to the falls. Watch the powerful tidal action from the trail lookout or Fallsview Park, or head up the Skywalk and capture stunning winter views from above. We promise this is an experience you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
To have the best experience possible, be sure to plan ahead! The Reversing Falls phenomenon is best viewed at high or low tide, when more activity is taking place in the water, including, rapids, whirlpools, and white water. Check out our Tide Tables to find the best times to visit during your stay.
Evening: Dinner and Drinks
After a long day of exploring, settle in for a relaxed evening with dinner and drinks. Restaurants like Port City Royal, Italian by Night, and Thandi offer the perfect atmosphere to unwind and treat yourself. For nightcaps, consider stopping at Hopscotch Whisky Bar, Happinez Too Wine Bar, or Kakuteru before calling it a night.
Other Evening Activities
Not ready for day one to end just yet? Even in the winter, nightlife in Saint John is second to none! Catch live music at O’Leary’s Pub, dance the night away at the Five and Dime, try your hand at axe throwing at Woodchucks, try for a high score at the Eighty-Three Bar Arcade, cheer on the Saint John Sea Dogs at TD Station, or see what shows are on at the Imperial Theatre.
Pro tip – if you’re planning to catch a performance at the Imperial Theatre, it’s best to book your tickets as far in advance as possible to ensure they don’t sell out!
