SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

OVERVIEW

Recognize the lasting influence of the British while taking an enlightening walk-through uptown Saint John, much of which had to be rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1877. As you meander through the Trinity Royal Preservation Area, you will see a collection of Victorian architecture that is among the finest in Canada. Most of the buildings were constructed within 10 years of the devastating fire, leaving the area with a wonderful uniformity of style that captures the beauty of this time period. Be sure to notice the streets names, most of which are British or royal in nature. To enhance your understanding of uptown’s architecture, you will tour the interior of the Trinity Anglican Church, which British Loyalists founded. You will have plenty to reflect on while partaking of a Canadian twist on a traditional afternoon tea, the quintessential British tradition. The venue will be the Union Club, an exclusive Victorian showplace in the heart of the preservation district.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through uptown’s preservation area while the guide describes its British heritage.
• Gain an understanding of how the area was totally rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1877.
• Notice the late Victorian architectural elements such as wrought iron and gargoyles.
• Browse the Trinity Anglican Church, a landmark that British Loyalists founded.
• Partake of High Tea in the members-only Union Club, a highlight of the preservation area.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the Bay of Fundy in a Zodiac boat and look for whales feasting on krill, squid and schools of fish. An extraordinarily scenic drive through the countryside will bring you to the town of Saint Andrews, where you will board a Zodiac and zip off toward the Bay of Fundy. Over the next few hours, you will watch for the abundant marine life that inhabits these waters such as seals, porpoises and whales, including humpbacks, minkes and finbacks. Humpbacks have huge appetites and are named for the way they arch their backs out of the water before diving to feed. Minke whales are much smaller and easy to identify by the white strip across each flipper. Finback whales are the second largest of all whales and have a distinct dorsal fin. Following this exhilarating adventure, you will enjoy free time in Saint Andrews to shop and perhaps enjoy lunch on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for various species of whales and other marine life in the Bay of Fundy.
• Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the whales that you may spot.
• Zip through the bay’s tidal waters in a speedy but stable Zodiac boat.
• Explore the town of Saint Andrews independently following the whale-watching adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample some of the delectable small-plate dishes and irresistible sweets that have elevated Saint John into a true foodie destination. Your culinary immersion will begin with dessert, an indication that you should expect the unexpected. The venue will be Wild Flours Sweets & Treats, which is next door to Gahan House, a brew pub that will offer you a few of its specialties. You will also visit the Old City Market, which opened in 1876 and is the oldest such setting in Canada. While browsing iconic shops such as Slocum & Ferris, you will be served unusual items such as dulse, a deep-purple sea vegetable that is dried and eaten by the handful like popcorn. Nearby Pomodori Pizza is known for its wood-fired pizza, and you will sample a slice with toppings that are favorites in Saint John. Another treat awaits you at Beavertails, a waterfront food truck revered for its artisanal pastries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through historical downtown Saint John and enjoy tastings at various venues.
• Browse Canada’s oldest farmers market and sample foods characteristic of Saint John.
• Savor a slice of pizza and unusual items such as a dried sea vegetable known as dulse.
• Leave room for dessert, as fresh-baked pastries will be offered.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Designed specifically for guests utilizing wheelchairs, this tour visits Saint John’s most accessible attractions via a mini coach equipped with a motorized wheelchair lift. Your first stop is at Rockwood Park with time to explore the lakeside pathway. Next, you'll stop to view the famous Reversing Falls Rapids at Fallsview Park, touted as the sight no one should miss on a visit to Saint John. From the bluffs, your guide will explain that twice daily the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy rise faster than the river can empty. When this happens, the mighty tides push the river water upstream, causing the rapids to run in the opposite direction and the St. John River to flow backwards. The bluffs of Fallsview Park will offer an excellent vantage point where you may witness this natural phenomenon. Returning to downtown, you will stop at the Old City Market, Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market. It narrowly escaped the Great Fire of 1877 that destroyed the majority of Saint John. Watching the residents browse the stands of diverse merchandise presents a genuine slice of daily life in Saint John.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Stunning Rockwood Park-A Stonehammer geopark site.
• Watch the Saint John River reverse its flow, if tidal conditions are favorable.
• Browse the diverse merchandise in the Old City Market, one of Saint John’s most historical gems.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See how hard cider is crafted from hand-picked New Brunswick apples and sample a flight of these tasty gluten-free vegan beverages. You will take a traditional cable ferry across the Saint John River to reach Yip Cider, a purpose-built facility run by the third generation of a legendary cider-maker simply known as Yip. All the apples are grown at the nearby Mackay Orchard and then fermented, matured, filtered and bottled at Yip Cider. After viewing the step-by-step process, you will sample a selection of ciders that best display the variety of flavors. You may be served the crisp flagship original blend, a dry cider with citrus notes made with golden russet apples and a light cider with a splash of raspberry. As you will discover, hard ciders can be as complex as many wines. Following the tasting, feel free to take in the views of the Saint John River from the outdoor patio.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a flight of hard ciders at a family-run cidery overlooking the Saint John River.
• See how the ciders are hand-crafted to bring out their distinctive flavors.
• Enjoy a roundtrip ride across the Saint John River on a traditional cable ferry.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse the bayside town of Saint Andrews on your own and with a knowledgeable guide that will describe the defining architecture of this National Historic Site. After an extraordinarily scenic and circuitous drive through the countryside and around the northern edge of Passamaquoddy Bay, you will reach Saint Andrews, which still bears many of the characteristics of an 18th-century British colonial town. While driving through the historical district, be sure to notice the original grid layout of the streets and the abundant classically inspired architecture. During free time, you can explore further independently and browse the delightful shops, if you wish. Later, you will stop at the Reversing Falls, a natural phenomenon created when the Bay of Fundy’s mighty waters rise 14 feet higher than the Saint John River, reversing its flow.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend free time in the town of Saint Andrews, a National Historic Site.
• Admire the various architectural styles while driving through the historical district.
• Explore the charming streets and historic landmarks of Saint Andrews.
• Watch the Saint John River flow backwards, if the tidal conditions are right.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Want to explore the delights of this charming harbor city? Climb aboard your authentic London double-decker and choose your own experience. Your all-day pass gives you access to a 90-minute loop, and all the best Saint John has to offer. This fully narrated tour takes you to many popular attractions and historic city landmarks including historic Uptown Saint John and the City Market where tasty treats and eye-catching crafts await you. Stop at Moosehead Brewery, Canada’s Oldest independent brewery & the last major brewery in Canada owned by Canadians. Witness the Reversing Falls Rapids to see the phenomenon that is reversing falls. The waters of the mighty Saint John River collide with the Bay of Fundy for a breathtaking spectacle you won’t soon forget. With flexibility, choice, and freedom this tour allows you to plan your time in Saint John shopping, sightseeing or just walking this harbor city at your own pace by hopping on and off.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the delights of the charming Saint John.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Guests are provided with city maps.

OVERVIEW

Indulge in a tasting of whiskies and appetizers that perfectly complement their flavors at the Hopscotch Whisky Bar, a local favorite. A short walk will bring you to this historical venue in the Trinity Royal district, which was rebuilt in the late 19th-century following the Great Saint John Fire of 1877. Shortly after entering the intimate and atmospheric bar, you will retire to the Tartan Room, where a whisky ambassador will conduct the tasting and enlighten you on the finer points of Scottish Highland whiskies and the heritage of Scottish whisky-making. Each of the five half-ounce pours will be thoughtfully paired with an appetizer. They include potato pavé with garlic aioli, a seafood croquette, a meaty cocktail oyster, a steak and mushroom tart and shortbread with whisky chocolate. Whether you are a whisky connoisseur or a newcomer to the world of whisky, this tasting will enhance you appreciation for this iconic Scottish spirit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample five different Scottish whiskies at a bar in the historical Trinity Royal district.
• Appreciate how the thoughtfully paired appetizers complement the whiskies.
• Learn about the whisky-making process and the finer points of Scottish whiskies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in 19th-century Saint John, when new churches, markets and river traffic were shaping Canada’s first incorporated city. Visit historical attractions and architectural gems that tell the story of Saint John and reflect how it has changed over time. In 1785, Saint John became Canada’s first incorporated city, and a few decades later, the stunning Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built in Gothic Revival style, a significant landmark and place of worship in the city. The Great Fire of 1877 destroyed much of Saint John and the rebuilding took decades, the reason there are so many architectural styles downtown. After the fire, the Trinity Anglican Church’s current structure replaced an earlier church that had stood on the same site since the late 18th century. The City Market narrowly escaped that fire, and its Second Empire Loyalist design offers a glimpse into the building styles of the late 1800s. Enjoy free time here and explore its vibrant atmosphere and local offerings. Additionally, experience the natural wonder of Reversing Falls, where the Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides collide with the Saint John River, creating a breathtaking phenomenon —quiet time travel for the soul from old Saint John to the harbor city you see today.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the Saint John you wish you could have visited in the 19th century, through its cathedral, churches and historic market.
• Behold the facades of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Trinity Anglican Church, showcasing Saint John’s rich architectural heritage.
• Wander through the historic City Market enjoying free time to soak in its vibrant atmosphere and unique local offerings.
• Gain insight into how the Great Fire of 1877 changed the face of Saint John.
• Witness the awe-inspiring Reversing Falls, a natural phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy’s tides meet the Saint John River.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Drop by popular venues to sample a variety of dishes made with just-caught locally sourced seafood. The menu constantly changes with the seasons and to take advantage of the ingredients that are freshest, but you can be sure that the dishes will be prepared from scratch and will be characteristic of Saint John. Because of the city’s superb location on the Bay of Fundy, an abundance of seafood is readily available. Lobster, oysters and caviar are just a few of the items that reflect the bounty of the sea. The dishes will likely be influenced by French and British cuisine as both France and England formerly colonized this area. The tastings may include shellfish or mollusks autochthonous to the region. The recipes may be traditional or innovative. It all depends on the venue and the chef. Hop on and enjoy today!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a variety of fresh seafood dishes at popular dining venues.
• Learn about the history of the dishes and why they are so characteristic of Saint John.
• Recognize the French and British influences that make the dishes so delectable.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Saint John, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting, and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you ride through Saint John, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Wolastoq Park
• Reversing Falls lookout
• City Market

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Saint John.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Stand in front of the Reversing Falls, a highly visual tidal phenomenon.
• Browse the City Market, Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.