Saint John, Seaport city in New Brunswick, Canada.
Description
Saint John sits on the northern shore of the Bay of Fundy where the Saint John River enters the Atlantic, making it the largest city in New Brunswick with roughly 70,000 residents. The old town climbs hills above the harbor, with streets arranged in terraces and narrow lanes running between Victorian buildings.
History
Samuel de Champlain first stepped ashore at this harbor on June 24, 1604, naming the river after Saint John the Baptist, whose feast day falls on that date. Loyalists from the American colonies established the present settlement in 1783, bringing British administrative structures that remained until the province joined confederation in 1867.
Culture
The waterfront shows preserved Victorian warehouses built from red brick, now home to shops and restaurants. Old signs and wrought-iron details in the streets near the harbor recall the era when timber export and shipbuilding shaped the local economy.
Practical
The harbor sits at the eastern edge of town and can be reached on foot from the historic center. Fog from the Atlantic may reduce visibility in spring and autumn, while weather along the coast often stays cooler than inland.
Did you know?
Bay of Fundy tides push the river backward twice each day, creating upstream currents at the mouth. At low tide, river water flows outward over rock ledges, while at high tide seawater follows the same path back in.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Saint John County).
Reversing Falls
3 km
Partridge Island
4.6 km
TD Station
403 m
Carleton Martello Tower
3.2 km
Fort Howe
867 m
Saint John City Market
719 m
Imperial Theatre
864 m
Reversing Falls Bridge
2.9 km
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
504 m
Loyalist House
567 m
Saint John Harbour Bridge
1.7 kmIrving Nature Park
8.1 km
Fort Menagoueche
1.9 km
Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
0 m
Reversing Falls Railway Bridge
2.9 km
Fort Boishebert
16.8 km
Cape Spencer Light
15.2 km
Fort La Tour
1.1 km
John Thomson Residence
1.1 kmThe Riverside Country Club
11 kmTucker Park Beach
4.4 km
St. John's Anglican Church
410 mMusquash Head Lighthouse
20.4 kmRenforth Beach
9.8 kmMusquash Head Lighthouse
20.4 km
Domville Building
772 m
Barrack Green Armoury
1.7 kmCheeseman Beach
17.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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