Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- English
Listen to a tour guide through your smartphone as you explore historic downtown Saint John!
Take a walk through time in Canada’s oldest incorporated city, where you'll hear a captivating mix of stories, from heroic to quirky, as you explore historic streets and admire stunning architecture. Discover the city’s unique character, shaped by the Bay of Fundy, and peek behind the facades to uncover stories you won't find in the guidebooks.
Live GPS map shows where you are and where to go next. As you get close, tour guide commentary will automatically play.
Along the way, meet lively characters and special guests who bring Saint John's vibrant stories and hidden gems to life.
Skip crowded tour groups, tight schedules, and high prices — enjoy the freedom of your own pace and schedule.
It’s yours! Explore anytime, not just on your booking date. Stop & start anywhere along the route.
Trusted by over 75 tours & 25,000+ happy customers. Book today and start your Saint John’s adventure!
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The start of the tour is just south of the Cruise Ship Terminal on Water Street in Saint John. After downloading the app and tour, you'll start the tour here.
Itinerary
-
(Pass by)
Observe the bustling activity of the third-largest port in the Maritimes, where cargo ships and cruise liners pass through, and learn about how it has been shaped by centuries of trade and immigration.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Experience the unique and vibrant Area 506 Waterfront Container Village, where you can browse and shop at local businesses housed in repurposed shipping containers. You'll find unique art, crafts, and food, and you can also explore a "Graffiti Alley" showcasing murals by artists from around the world.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Furlong's Liquor Store. We have a special guest who shares his vision with us. Gaze upon the intricately carved marble columns and whimsical gargoyles, which he believed would hint at the "treasures within."
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Furlong's Liquor Store. We have a special guest who shares his vision with us. Gaze upon the intricately carved marble columns and whimsical gargoyles, which he believed would hint at the "treasures within."
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Step into this civic plaza, which has been a gathering place for thousands of years. You'll learn how it has been transformed from a commercial port and a parking lot into a community hub.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Beyond the modern patios and facades lies a deeper secret of this place. You'll glimpse the remnants of warehouses from the mid-1800s and discover a strange history of how the Bay of Fundy's tides once affected the ships that sought to moor here.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Learn about the pivotal moment in Saint John's history when thousands of Loyalist refugees arrived here in 1784 after fleeing persecution during the American Revolution.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Hear the harrowing story of Fort La Tour, once the home of Françoise Marie Jacqueline, also known as "The Lioness of La Tour." You'll hear her story in her own words, describing her brave defense of the fort and her ultimate sacrifice.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The Great Fire of 1877. You will be surrounded by brick and stone buildings that are monuments to the Great Fire. You'll hear the story of how the city rebuilt itself and created a more fire-resistant city.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk by the Chipman Hill Suites where you'll learn the remarkable story of one of its first residents, a woman who defied social norms.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See a beautiful example of French Beaux-Arts architecture at the Saint John Arts Centre, originally built as a public library. You'll admire its elegant design and learn how it has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the imposing Saint John's Anglican Church, the oldest surviving stone church in the city. You'll hear about its significance as a place of worship for the Loyalists and as a testament to the community's resilience and faith.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This remarkable Federalist-style home holds a secret from the American Revolution. You'll learn about the family who built it and the clever architectural choices that allowed it to stand for centuries, a hidden story on this quiet street.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover Canada's oldest continuously operated farmers' market and learn the secret of its unique inverted ship's hull roof from a special guest.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Step into King's Square, a historic green space with a past of public punishment and civic unrest. You'll discover monuments that hold secrets of sacrifice and honor.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Step into the tranquil Loyalist Burial Grounds, where you'll hear from one of its first residents, a Loyalist who fled the American Revolution. You'll hear his story and how his final resting place has been transformed into a peaceful park.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Saint John County Court House is an elegant building with a dark past. Hear about some of the city's most infamous trials. You can also see the Fire House Museum next door, which survived two of the city's worst fires.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the beautiful Imperial Theatre, which was built in 1912 and restored to its original glory after being nearly demolished. Hear about its history as a vaudeville and film house, and how it was saved by a local taxi driver.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the imposing Admiral Beatty Hotel, a building that was once a luxury hotel with suites reserved for royalty. You'll hear about the notable figures who stayed here during its heyday.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the Trinity Anglican Church, an Anglican Church that was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1877. Here, you'll hear the story of a salvaged artifact—a wooden Coat of Arms from the Boston State House—and how the city's church wardens gave a cheeky reply when Boston asked for its return.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
If you were standing here on June 21st, 1877, you'd be surrounded by the charred remains of a city flattened by the Great Fire.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Welcome to the grand entrance of Trinity Anglican Church, a magnificent Gothic Revival masterpiece.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Built in 1904, this imposing stone structure is one of three banks in the area featuring Greek architectural elements
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
You'll learn about the Domville Building, built in 1878 and then, you'll be greeted by a special guest from the 1890s who will share stories about what policing was like in his day. You can also visit the Police Museum next door.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
We have a special guest who will share her vision for this remarkable building.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See Saint John High School, the oldest publicly funded school in Canada. You'll hear how it evolved from segregated schools for boys and girls into a modern, inclusive, and academically excellent high school.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
STONELEIGH TERRACE: You'll see Stoneleigh Terrace, a row of homes that have stood for over 130 years, quietly watching the kinetic energy of the bay below.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
You'll learn how its lights once helped captains navigate the port and how the lamp now serves as a beloved monument.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please be advised that this tour of Saint John does contain some hills.
Show 1 more
Additional info
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please be advised that this tour of Saint John does contain some hills.
- **Recommended attractions may be closed/inaccessible due to season or circumstances beyond our control.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Top Searches
Get our app
