Barbour's General Store

The Saint John Barbour's general Store ia an authentic nineteenth-century country general store, was restored by the G.E. Barbour Company in 1967 to mark the centennial year of both Canada and the G.E. Barbour Company. The store was originally located at Sheffield, New Brunswick, 60 miles up the St. John River. It was floated down the river by barge in two pieces and set up on King Street East in 1967. Operates: Mid-June to Mid-October 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Where to find Monkey Bars

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Hmmm. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, all three movies would definitely make the cut, snowplowing with my dad in the winter, and finally spending some good ole time at the playground. A lot of people ask me what they should do with their kids while in Saint John. My advice to them is usually to take them to the museum or to a one of the play areas in Saint John. Here is a list of all of the playgrounds in the Saint John area. So get out there and master those monkey bars.

Playgrounds
All playground maintenance and new construction at the 69 locations around Saint John is in accordance to CSA Standards for Play Spaces.

NORTH/SOUTH
Allison Grounds 2 Tilley Avenue
Cabot Court 13 Foulis Court
Cedar Point Trailer Park 149 Conifer Crescent
Celebrations Street 49 Celebration Street
Centennial School 201 Visart Street
Gorman Park 70 Woodhaven Road
Hazen White School 538 Sandy Point Road
M. Gerald Teed School 151 Black Street
Millidgeville North School 500 Woodward Avenue
Princess Elizabeth School 26 Sixth Street
Queen South 70 Queen Street
Rainbow Park 205 Sydney Street
Riverview Park 287 Douglas Avenue
Robertson Square 101 Bridge Street
Rockwood Park
Shamrock Park 200 Visart Street
Somerset 34 Taylor Avenue
St. John the Baptist 223 St. James Street
Taylor Park 106 MacLaren Blvd
Troop Park 21 Troop Street
Wellesley Avenue 16 Montgomery Crescent

EAST
Bayview School 37 Jean Street
Champlain Heights School 11 Champlain Drive
Glen Falls School 10 Princess Court
Karen Street 231 Karen Street
Lakewood Heights Reservoir 1800 Loch Lomond Road
Lakewood Heights School 56 Lensdale Crescent
Lakewood School 2626 Loch Lomond Road
Loch Lomond Community Centre 21 St. Martins Road
Belmont 105 Belmont
Boyanner 156 Boyanner Crescent
Courtenay Avenue 10 Courtenay Avenue
Dresden Avenue 105 Dresden Avenue
Eastmount 20 Rockwood Avenue
Ellerdale 285 Ellerdale Street
Forest Hills School 651 Westmorland Road
Glen Road 181 Glen Road (aka Morgan Road)
Grandview Avenue School 1123 Grandview Avenue
Latimore Lake Road 1250 Latimore Lake Road
Loch Lomond School 25 Evergreen Avenue
Midwood Avenue 83 Midwood Avenue
Mispec Park 3640 Red Head Road
Ocean Drive 145 Ocean Drive
Silver Crescent 3 Silver Crescent
Silver Falls 125 Cindy Lee Crescent
Swanton Street 11 Swanton Street
Woodside Park 239 Loch Lomond Road

WEST
Barnhill 750 Manawagonish Road
Beaconsfield 643 Fundy Drive
Carleton Community Centre 120 Market Place
Dahlia 13 Dahlia Court
Dominion Park 730 Dominion Park
Havelock 625 Havelock Street
Honeysuckle 65 Honeysuckle Drive
Island View Heights 496 Ridge Row
KBM Club 2452 Westfield Road
King Square 233 Duke Street West
Lorneville Community Centre
Lou Murphy Park 231 ½ Milford Road
Lowell Street 390 Lowell Street
Martinon Community Centre 3234 Westfield Road
Monte Cristo Elba Blvd
Quinton Heights Hillcrest Drive
Seaside Park 520 Fundy Drive
Seawood School 859 Sand Cove Road
St. Patrick's School ity Line
St. Rose School 700 Manawagonish Road

A busy weekend. From Sussex to St. Martins

View of the coast from a lookout point. Magnificent!


Fuller Falls


Me on the huge suspension bridge


Fundy Trail Parkway

This past weekend was of course the long weekend and I spent my time wisely. After attending an anniversary party in Cambridge Narrows (30-40 min from Saint John) I travelled to Sussex (45 min from Saint John) Most people know Sussex as a farming community however it has grown up over the past few years. It boasts a mall, a few great restaurants and a few don’t miss festivals in the summer. Cambridge narrows is a cottage community. The river water is so warm down in this area, it is like bath water most times.

After an evening spent at a campground, I headed back home to do a little sightseeing myself. Off to the Fundy Trail I went with my backpack and some granola stuffed in it. A friend and I attempt to hike at least half every year but usually quit around the 15 km mark. Hey, that’s almost 30 km’s there and back. Give me a break!

This year we drove in and parked at our starting point. The trail is so beautiful. It truly is breathtaking. The coast line is epic and the hills and mountainous terrain looks as though it rolls on forever. My friend made a comment to me which really struck a chord as someone who took this site for granted. She said: “Imagine never seeing the ocean. Imagine never seeing this view we are looking at right now.” I never realized how magnificent the Fundy shoreline was until that moment. During our hike, we were able to see the Captain's burial ground, walk the suspension bridge over Big Salmon River, walk up the hanging cable stairs, see a waterfalls and ofcourse gaze at the fundy shorline on a beautiful beach. Could life get any better?

Saint Martin’s was packed that day. There were people all over. Restaurants were full; the streets were full of people sightseeing everywhere. It was a great sight to see for someone in the tourism industry. Saint Martin’s is about a hour drive from the city. It is a small community at the base of the Fundy Trail.

Aaron Pritchett, Tara Oram, Wintersleep and Stereos to headline Reunion 2010

Reunion 2010 is the fourth of five summer festivals hosted by Saint John 225 in celebration of the City of Saint John's 225th anniversary as Canada's Original City. The music festival features performances from a variety of genres including jazz, singer/songwriters, pop/rock, country and classical.

Country stars Aaron Pritchett and Tara Oram, pop idols Stereos and indie favourite Wintersleep will headline Reunion 2010, Saint John 225's four-day music festival happening August 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th on the city's historic waterfront.
They will share the stage with over 25 Saint John performers including songwriter Jessica Rhaye, Acadian rockers Tradition, jazz stylist Debbie Adshade and cellist Benjamin Marmen.

Tickets for each of these stages are $15 or any 2 for $25 and available through the Imperial Theatre box office and online at www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca.
Saint John's historic Fort LaTour and popular Harbour Passage will play host to the special 'Harbour Rocks!' Festival Stage on Friday August 6th and Saturday August 7th.

The Passage will reopen between Long Wharf and Fort LaTour for these concerts, which include a special anniversary fireworks show on Saturday night.
Reunion 2010 opens on Thursday August 5th with an intimate double bill.
The Saint John Theatre Company Rehearsal Hall will be transformed into a jazz club for 'Jazz on Princess' while the Saint John Arts Centre will become a coffee house for 'Songwriters on Hazen'.

The festival concludes on Sunday August 8th at the Imperial Theatre with 'Classical Saint John'.

The Alpine Stage at Market Square will play host to free music throughout the weekend, including the CTV Children's Stage on Saturday afternoon, the Country 94 Country Idol Reunion concert Sunday afternoon and the Alpine After Party on Friday and Saturday nights, beginning at 11 p.m.

Also included during the Reunion 2010 festival weekend is On the Edge, a celebration of the city's original performers, and a partnership with the 16th annual Tim Hortons Marathon by the Sea that will see Saint John 225 provide music along the marathon route as it winds through the city, ending at the Lily Lake Pavilion in Rockwood Park.

Thursday August 5th, 2010
Doors open at 7 p.m.; Shows starts at 7:30 p.m.

Jazz on Princess
Saint John Theatre Company Rehearsal Hall
$15 or any 2 for $25
Jake Langley Trio
Sylvio Pupo Quartet
Debbie Adshade/Kindred Brothers

Songwriters on Hazen
Saint John Arts Centre
$15 or any 2 for $25
Ken Tobias
Chris Fudge
Babette Haward
Grant Heckman
Wes Jagoe
Jen Jewett
Brent Mason

Friday August 6th, 2010
Harbour Rocks!
Fort LaTour
Gate opens at 3:30 p.m.; Show starts at 4:30 p.m.
$15 or any 2 for $25
Wintersleep
Stereos
Radio Radio
Rich Aucoin
December Fall Out

Alpine Late Night
Market Square Boardwalk
11:30 p.m.
FREE
Wooden Wives
Girls Would Kill

Saturday August 7th, 2010
Harbour Rocks Country!
Fort LaTour
Gates open at 3:30 p.m.; Show starts at 4:30 p.m.
$15 or any 2 for $25
Aaron Pritchett
Tara Oram
Tradition
Jessica Rhaye
Clinton Charlton and the Formers
Kevin Chase
Phil Kennedy

Alpine Late Night
Market Square Boardwalk
11:30 p.m.
FREE
Shanklin Road
Mike Biggar Band
Minoli & the Sacred Hearts

Sunday August 8th, 2010
Classical Saint John
Imperial Theatre
7:30 p.m.
$15 or any 2 for $25
Richard Kidd
New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music stars
Kelly An
Ben Marmen
Owen McCausland

Diva on a Dime

I am posting things to do on the cheap. When you haven't work a whole lot and you need to watch what you spend, this will be a good reference point as to what you can and cannot spend. Here are some ideas:

Saint John City Market- Oldest continuing farmers market in Canada

Self guided walking tours- brochure takes you on a tour around the historical points of Saint John

Loyalist House- Museum

New Brunswick Museum- Provincial Museum

King’s Square & Loyalist Burial Grounds- Park

Saint John Boardwalk- Restaurants, entertainment

Market Square & Brunswick Square- shopping

Rockwood Park- largest municipal park in Canada (hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, geo-caching)

Reversing Falls- natural phenomenon

Reversing Falls Jet Boat ride, tour & Zip Line

Irving Nature Park- Large nature sanctuary (15 minutes from port)

Carleton Martello Tower- Historical site (15-20 min from port)

Forte Howe- Historical site (10 min from port)

Historical Jewish Museum- Museum

On a Night like Tonight

Today I think I would like to talk about they city at night because I think it's quite worthy of mention. Saint John is such a historic city. When the night falls it's history sheds anew with flashy restaurants and cool bars. If there is nothing going on at the boardwalk stage then a good idea would be chcek out the many establishments along the boardwalk.

My personal favorite is Grannans on Friday night. The place is packed with a maritime vibe that is so unique to this city. Afterwards I usually check out the Alehouse and then head over to Cougars and Boilerworks then finish up at Pepper Pub. I go from patio to patio in hopes of hearing my favorite song. I usually always do.

If it's not a bumpin' boardwalk night then I usually hit up Taco Pica for some salsa dancing or grab some food and drinks at one of the many bars on Prince William, Water, and King Street. All are filled with many to choose from.

When in town, be sure to get in some nightlife. From live music, concerts, theatre, and some great food in drink, you are sure to have a good time

-Saint John Suzy

Saint John Buskers Festival

This festival runs from July 22 to Jul 25. I can remember my grandparents taking me to see the shows when I was just a little girl. There were men breathing fire and women contorting their bodies in different ways.

The Saint John Buskers Festival includes an variety of street buskers, singing, dancing and participating in other forms of performing arts. Busking events are held in various locations around the city of Saint John and also include amusement rides, games, children's activities and much more.

This year the event will be held at Market Square Boardwalk and if it rains will be moved into the atrium.

I would encourage everyone to come out to these amazing events. They are virtually free, although these buskers’s livelihood depends on the tips they receive from their performances.

Rockwood Park Stables

I’m not one for horses. When I was a kid my mother put me in an Equestrian club. She bought me the special riding chaps, velvet helmet, riding boots and the awkward jacket to match it all. I looked like I’d been doing the sport for years because she had spent a fortune on my outer appearance. I can only imagine how bad she felt when I told her I was quitting two weeks later because the smell of the barn was gross. I was a bit of a fussy child.

Now that we’ve taken a walk down memory lane, I’d like to have a quick chat about the Rockwood Park Stables. Now I’ve posted about Rockwood Park before but I never really went into the detail about the stables. At a recent event held at the park, I was able to snap some photos of the horses that are kept there. They truly are beautiful and if you are an animal lover, coming to visit these horses is a must. These are the same horses used in the trolley tours sometimes seen around town.

Another thing I like about this Suzy spot is that there is a small petting zoo. I love petting zoos. I think it’s because I’m a fan of goats and there were at least two Billy goats I got to feed. This is a great spot for the kids and for any horse lover. Hey I even loved it!

This is another Saint John Suzy- Over and out!

Rockwood Park

Here are a few pictures I took of Rockwood Park while at culture fest. Rockwood Park is an amazing park. It is actually the largest municipal park in all of Canada. With a fantastic trail system and a waterway to swim, kayak and simply have fun.. you cannot go wrong with visiting this park.

Culture Fest 2010

My Day At CultureFest 2010 was more than an intiguing experience. The folks at Saint John 225 really had their heads in the game with this event. I was very surprised to see the cultural diversity which I never knew existed in Saint John. Faces of all different origins came together to make this event a success. The one thing that really stuck with me during my time at the event was that we were all together celebrating this amazing day and we did it in peace.

a picture of dancer preforming a rare native dance.
a picture of ole Suzy Q, trying out some ethnic foods. Yummm....

Locals Know

The CTC (Canada Tourism Commission) has launched their campaign "Locals Know" featuring people who post things to do off the beaten path. Well I think we should do a Suzy and Friends know. I feel confident we know whats fun to do in the Saint John and surrounding area. This week, I've asked my good friend and co-workers Sally what her favorite things to do in Saint John are:

Sally’s favourite things in Saint John:
1.Wind in my hair and sun on my back, sailing and racing on the Saint John and Kennebecasis Rivers

2.Imagining I am a tourist off a cruise ship , sightseeing along the boardwalk at Market Slip

3.Listening to the monkeys and letting my mind go, as I mountain bike or cross country ski through Rockwood Park. A twelve km work out that’s absolutely beautiful, calming and exhilarating at the same time.

4.Warm goat cheese salad with blue berries, and piping hot chicken curry soup out of a big mug at Opera Bistro. Mmmmmmm

5.Having lunch with a friend on the patio over looking Lily lake – relaxing

6.Dipping my toes in the river and going in for a cool swim.

7.Riding the cable ferries on a Sunday drive discovering out of the way places in Gagetown and the Evandale Inn

Wow I might have a busy weekend trying to fit this all in! Stay tunes to more favorite picks!

-Saint John Suzy

Volleyball on the Boardwalk

I play in a league every Thursday on the boardwalk on Market Slip. This is beach volleyball folks. I'm talking sand beneath the toes, a good ole fashion hose to wash the sand from your toes.. truly a good time. So one thing I noticed about myself this time around is my timidness to the ball. I would hit it but most of the time I found myself crouching like a baby. I need some work. The point I'm trying to make here is that you don't have to be in a league to play. When the courts are not being use, one can use them as they wish. Start your own volleyball game and then afterwards grab some drinks and some food on the boardwalk where you will find some great restaurants and even some clubs. This is a Saint John Suzy must do experience.

What to do on a rainy day?

In honour of the rain today, I have decided to post my favorite things to do in Saint John when it's raining out.

In no particular order:

1)Reading at a café. I love Java Moose on Prince William Street. If you're lucky, grab a seat by the window and enjoy the sights

2)Great Hall of Whales. New Brunswick Museum is a fantastic place to take the kids when it's raining out. Not only educational and informative, the museum is full of fun with hands on activities and fantastic exhibitions.

3)Shopping. Start with a little shopping uptown at Market and Brunswick Square. Work you way down to Eastpoint where you will be sure to find some great bargains. McAllister Place Mall follows and is sure to deliver an amazing shopping experience.

4)Create your own gallery hop. You might need a umbrella if you plan on hopping to each art gallery, but this is a great activity to do.

5)Paint a mug. At the Paint Your Own Pottery boutique in Rothesay you are able to pick which piece you would like to paint and then put your vision to work. I had a great time painting a mug that i know will be a household favorite for a long time to come.

I hope I've given you a few ideas on how to entertain yourself until the sun come out. This is Saint John Suzy... til' next time! ;)

Saint John Reading Spots

I've been reading since I could talk! I like reading. I like reading so much that by taking my book with me on the bus I've managed to read my way into a deep sleep missing my stop. That of course is annoying but none the less it was a chapter well read and a funny story to tell at the office the next day. The reason why i bring up reading is because I want to share my five favorite spots to read in Saint John.. and no none of them are in the comforts of my own home.

1) The Bus. I love reading on the bus. You all know this from my falling asleep story. The bus is so tranquil sometimes despite all of the traffic and tooting horns you may find in the city.

2) Loyalist Burial Ground. When it is just too hot out, and you need a break from the sun, this is the best place for you to go. With the trees to shade you and the surroundings of a beautiful park, how could you go wrong with this perfect reading spot.

3)Market Slip. Sometimes I just sit on the stairs or if I'm lucky enough to grab a table i will read while intermittently watching volley ball. Especially when I get bored with my book, I am able to switch gears from read mode to super interested sports mode. A real game changer.

4)Harbour Passage. Harbour Passage may be one of my favorite places in the city. I love grabbing a bench and getting lost in the latest series of the epic Twilight... Hey now, don't make fun!

5) Finally the best place to read a book in the City of Saint John is.... drum roll please...for me would have to be on a nice blanket in King Square. You have the best of both worlds, sun and shade. There are flowers and historical monuments surrounding you, you are virtually close to everything and best of all, you get to see all of the people as they pass by. You could spend hours here just reading away, or simply enjoying the sights.

Well now that I have opened your eyes to reading spots in this great city, I hope you are encouraged to pick up a book and try one out. You won't be disappointed. Til next week, this is Saint John Suzy!

Saint John Boardwalk

They are here. The new visitor guides have been delivered and are ready to be read! They are full of amazing activities, restaurants and accommodations, parks, beaches and interesting facts about Saint John - our culture- our people. Come get yours today!

Saturday plus 18

I don't know about you but I really like my weekends to be hot hot hot or snow snow snow. Luckily Saint John is an area that can accomidate both my need for the heat and my need for the snow. I hear Saturday will be plus 18. I think everyone should get outdoors for this special occassion!

Saint John Transit

There's nothing I love more than putting my ipod on and catching a ride on the bus. Now you may find that taking the bus weird activity to enjoy but taking the bus in Saint John is kind of like taking a tour around the city minus the tour guide. Saint John City Transit is very user friendly and allows for one to use public transportation easily. Where Saint John isn't a massive city, you can get from one location to another fairly quickly and hassle free.

City Transit even allows for you to take a bus out to the neighboring communities such as Rothesay, Quispamsis and Grand Bay-Westfield. This is their new Comex bus line. Often tourists will want to go to the Brundage River Centre in Grand-Bay or the Quispamsis Arts and Culture Park (just some examples) when there are certain events being held outside of the city. With this bus line, one is able to make the short commute.

Saint John City Transit even offers up a bus tour. I will include the information below.

Saint John Transit City Bus Tours
Saint John Transit offers guided tours of historic Saint John from mid-June through late September, twice daily. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. Tickets are available from the driver on a first come-first serve basis. Dates of operation are June - October.

Tour 1
Departures:
Reversing Falls9:30 am
Barbour's General Store9:45 am
Rockwood Park Campsite 10:00 am

Tour 2
Departures:
Rockwood Park Campsite: 12:30 pm
Barbour's General Store: 12:45 pm
Reversing Falls: 1:00 pm

For more information:
Tel: (506) 658-4700
www.saintjohntransit.com

New Saint John Visitor Guide!

It's done folks! Completed and ready for the stands! (MONDAY) The new Saint John Visitor Guide hit the printer on Saturday and is due to be in visitor's hands by Monday, May 3. With some new colors and some great additions, it's sure to be a great guide for all of your tourist needs.

I think there are so many unique experiences you can do in Saint John and this guide will point you in the right direction as to where to find these unique experiences.

You can attain a copy of the new guide by simply stopping by one of Tourism Saint John's Visitor Information Centres or by calling 1-866-GO FUNDY and request to have one sent. I will list the Centres below. You can also get it online:

http://www.turnit.ca/index.php/ci_id/49477
Be sure to get yours- coming soon to a visitor information centre near you!

Visitor Information Centres

City Hall - Open year round
Shoppes of City Hall
15 Market Square
Tel: (506) 658-2855
Toll Free: (866) 463-8639
visitsj@saintjohn.ca

Barbour's General Store (Open June - October)
10 Market Square
Tel: (506) 658- 2939

Highway #1 West (Open May - October)
1509 Saint John Throughway West (East bound)
Tel: (506) 658-2940

Reversing Falls (Open May - October)
200 Bridge Road
Tel: (506) 658-2937

Grand Bay-Westfield (June - October)
Brundage Point River Centre
4 Ferry Road
Grand Bay-Westfield, NB
Tel: (506) 738-3258 (seasonal)
Tel: (506) 738-6406 (off season)

St. Martins Visitor Information Centre (May - October)
424 Main Street
St. Martins, NB
Tel: (506) 833-2006


-Saint John Suzy