Uptown Saint John isn’t just where history happened, it’s where it still lives, right alongside your favourite coffee shop and weekend market stall. Every brick, every bench, every breathtaking view has a story behind it. From shipbuilding roots to generations of local legends, these streets hold the heart of our city.
Here’s your self-guided tour to just some of our most captivating historical landmarks that you can tour around. So lace up, slow down, and fall in love with your city all over again, one historic stop at a time.
Still Buzzing with Life: Historic Spaces You Can Shop & Stroll Today
Saint John City Market, 47 Charlotte Street
Step into the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in Canada and look up! The vaulted ceiling resembles an inverted ship’s keel, a nod to our shipbuilding roots. Built between 1874 and 1876, the Market narrowly escaped the Great Fire of 1877. Today, it’s a bustling hub of permanent vendors along the edges, pop-ups on Saturdays, and a little slice of history at Impressions of Saint John, featuring vintage maps and Brenda Peters McDermott’s deep-dive book Historic City Blocks.
King’s Square, Across from City Market
This iconic uptown green space is more than just a pretty park, it’s a monument to Loyalist history and civic pride. Designed in the pattern of the British Union Jack, it’s filled with historical plaques and a charming two-story bandstand (donated in 1909!). Many of the trees were planted to mark the 100th anniversary of the Loyalists’ arrival in 1783. Find a bench, enjoy lunch, and soak in the layers of local legacy.
Guiding Lights and Harbour Highlights
Three Sisters Lamp, End of Prince William Street
A nautical landmark here has been guiding ships into Saint John Harbour since 1842. Sailors would line up the light with the steeple of Trinity Church, if all three red lamps were visible, they were on course. Miss one, and it was time to adjust. Today, this Three Sisters Lamp stands near the cruise terminal, a beacon of our harbour’s rich maritime history.
Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space, Market Square Boardwalk
This beautiful waterfront space is where stories, cultures, and community come together. The themes of water, rock, and people, it’s a hub of interpretation, art, and seasonal activity from tidal steps and water features to winter skating. Take time to read the interpretive panels to learn about this area’s deeper history.
Step Inside the Past: Museum Stops & Must-Sees
New Brunswick Black History Heritage Centre, Brunswick Square, Level 2
Explore powerful, often untold stories of Black New Brunswickers, early settlers, freedom seekers, and modern-day trailblazers. The exhibits are immersive, moving, and a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the full story of our province and its people.
Loyalist House Museum, 120 Union Street
Built in 1817, this preserved Georgian-style home is one of the few structures that survived the Great Fire of 1877. It’s the oldest wooden building in the city that hasn’t been structurally altered, and walking inside feels like stepping back in time. Operated by the New Brunswick Historical Society, the Loyalist House is open seasonally for tours.
Saint John Police Museum, 56 Prince William Street
Discover the evolution of the city’s police force, founded in 1849, through artifacts like vintage uniforms, handcuffs, and even a replica of the original 1965 VW police car. It’s quirky, fascinating, and gives a whole new appreciation for the officers who’ve served our city.
Historical Churches
Stone Church (St. John’s Church), 87 Carleton Street
Nicknamed for its stone ballast origins, materials brought from England in cargo ships, this chapel was completed in 1825 to serve the growing Anglican community. The stonework is beautiful, and the history runs deep. While not always open for tours, it’s a cornerstone of Uptown’s religious and architectural fabric.
Trinity Anglican Church, 115 Charlotte Street
Established in 1783, this towering landmark features a 210-foot steeple topped with a six-foot gold fish weathervane. The ceiling? Shaped like the hull of a ship. If you’re nearby, listen for the bells, they ring every 15 minutes. Tours are available during cruise ship visits.
Note: even if you can’t step inside, these churches are worth admiring from the outside. The craftsmanship and scale are simply stunning.
History with a Creative Twist
Saint John Arts Centre, 20 Peel Plaza
Housed in the old 1904 Carnegie Library (the only one in Eastern Canada!), this beaux-arts gem is now a vibrant art hub. Wander through vaulted galleries, admire the mosaic floor and stained-glass dome, and enjoy a space where history and creativity coexist.
Happy To See You Here
The Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association (BIA) is a not-for-profit that supports over 500 businesses located within a defined Uptown boundary. Membership is automatic and is based on location as seen on our map linked below. With 82% of our Uptown businesses independently owned, supporting local here means backing real people and a thriving community. Ready to explore?