A Bay-cation Gift Guide 🎁

December 13, 2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but we know it can also be the most hectic! Still making your way through your holiday shopping list, but stuck on ideas? Can't figure out what to get for the loved one who seems to have everything? We're here to help!

From date night plans to activities the whole family can enjoy, you're sure to find the perfect gift for everyone you're shopping for in this Bay-cation Gift Guide:

Saint John and the Towns by the Bay for the Holidays

December 10, 2024

Searching for the perfect holiday escape? Saint John and the Towns by the Bay have everything you need to capture the magic of the season. Imagine sparkling lights, charming window displays, unique boutique shopping, heartwarming theatre productions, cozy rural markets, festive food and drink, and of course, visits with Santa—all wrapped up in a warm embrace of holiday cheer.

Stroll through Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park’s breathtaking Holiday Dreamland, aglow with over 50,000 twinkling lights. Share a magical moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the storybook setting of an outdoor European-style Christmas Market at Belding Hill Farms. Or find yourself stepping into a Hallmark-worthy scene during Hampton’s enchanting Winter Wonderland celebrations. Add a gentle dusting of snow, and you have a destination brimming with the kind of seasonal magic that lingers in your heart.

There’s truly “snow” place like Saint John and the Towns by the Bay for the holidays to discover all the ways to make this season unforgettable.

Read the full blog on Maritimes Maven's website here.

Stories of the Saint John Region's Cemeteries

November 08, 2024

A few weeks ago, my sister and I were in Fernhill Cemetery looking for our grandparent’s gravesite. As we wandered around trying to locate our family plot, I was first taken by how beautiful and calm a spot this was with the stately old trees and ornate grave markers. And as I read some of the inscriptions on the grave markers, I realized that cemeteries are a very tangible evidence of our history - the remains of the people that created the stories that are important to us are buried under these headstones. And with a city as old as Saint John, there are a lot of stories to tell.

Gravel Riding in #SJTownsByTheBay

September 25, 2024

I have been reading some very interesting research about both the physical and mental health benefits of simply being in nature. In fact there is a Japanese phrase, Shinrin-Yoku, which loosely means forest bathing and refers to the health benefits of spending time in natural settings. Although I imagine most of the research has been done on walking and hiking, I don’t know why gravel cyclists wouldn’t also see similar benefits since a lot of the gravel routes are through the woods. I know I feel a lot more relaxed after a ride along some of the back roads and trails in the Saint John Region. Here are a few of my favourites:

Fall Fishing in the Saint John Region

September 04, 2024

The Full Moon is here! This marks a change, not only in the season, but fish behaviour! Stronger tides signal fish to migrate and feed up in preparation for the change in seasons. With nights starting to cool off, the fishing is just starting to heat up and it's time to book your trip to the Saint John Region, cast your line and set your hook into the fish of a lifetime.

Discover Museums in the Saint John Region

September 11, 2024

Recently, as I walked through uptown Saint John admiring the architecture and enjoying the serenity of the Loyalist Burial Grounds, I realized I didn’t know as much about the history of the area as I would like.

As a native Saint Johner, I am familiar with the basics of our story: things like the landing of the Loyalists in the 1770’s and 80’s, the influx of Irish during the potato famine, the devastation of the great Saint John fire in 1877 and the tragedy of Fort La Tour but I certainly didn’t know the details. As the first incorporated city in Canada, there must be some great stories. So I decided to spend a couple of days visiting the museums in the area - I was not disappointed. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the tour guides and the sophisticated displays in the museums made for a fun and educational couple of days. For anybody interested in the history of the area, here is a possible two-day itinerary.