Indoor Family Adventures in #SJTownsByTheBay

January 17, 2024


The weather is cooler, the days are darker, and all you want to do is stay cozy inside while also keeping your family entertained – we get it! Outdoor fun isn’t for everyone in the winter. Luckily, Saint John and the Towns by the Bay have a variety of options that will keep you out of the cold but still near all the action.

Follow this sample two-day itinerary for the perfect indoor family bay-cation, or use our trip planner to create your own.

Day One

Morning

Start your day of indoor adventures at Oasis Trampoline Park! Watch the kids burn off some energy as they climb, swing, flip, spin, and jump throughout the entertainment centre. Test their skills with rope ladders, climbing walls, dodgeball, slam dunk nets, agility challenges, and more. Bringing little jumpers with you? They can enjoy a designated soft play area.

 

Lunch

For lunch, head to the Saint John City Market, where you can enjoy your choice of lunch options – maybe you’ll grab sandwiches from Jeremiah’s, or sushi from Katsubi, or a salad from the Wild Carrot. Have diverse tastes and levels of pickiness in your family? Mix and match your meals from all of the vendors, then sit down together in the indoor atrium to enjoy your meal. After you’ve eaten, spend time browsing the unique vendors and market offerings. T-shirts, candles, jewelry, artwork, soaps, and more – find something special to bring home with you!

Afternoon

Once you’re done browsing, stay indoors and follow the Inside Connection Pedway to the Canada Games Aquatic Centre for their afternoon Fun Swim (weekends only - check ahead of your visit to see pool hours and offerings during your stay)! The water slides, diving boards, and tarzan rope are all available for you and your kids to enjoy. There is also a toddler pool for littles just learning to swim, and a sauna and lane swimming for the adults. There is something for everyone here!

 

After drying off, hit the streets of uptown to browse the shops and boutiques. Check out the Freak Lunchbox for some crazy candy finds (sure to be a hit with your kids); head to Paddington Station and Heroes Beacon for unique toys, books, and games; browse through shops like Heartbreak Boutique, In Pursuit, and Pristine for new clothes and gift items.

 

Dinner

All that activity is sure to leave you hungry so head out to one of the many family-friendly restaurants uptown. Maybe you’ll order fish and chips from Cask and Kettle’s Little Lads & Lasses menu (with great food and drink options for the adults, too), split a family pizza and gelato at Pomodori Pizza, or feast on a variety of pastas and treats at Vitos.

 

Evening

If you’re looking for evening entertainment, there are lots of great options! Head to TD Station and catch a Saint John Sea Dogs game (check their schedule ahead of time to buy your tickets in advance). Or, head over the Family Entertainment Centre for an evening of bowling, bumper cars, and arcade games.  

Day Two

Morning

After a busy first day, start day two of your adventures at a more leisurely pace.

 

If your family is feeling artsy, head to DIY Studio or Dynamic Ceramics for a morning of creativity! Select from a variety of ceramic items to paint and design however you’d like. (Be sure to note that all painted items will take a few days to cook and cure before they can be picked up – if you won’t be back to Saint John and the Towns by the Bay for a while, this may not be the best adventure for you.)

 

If you’d prefer to tap into your competitive side, head to the Offline Board Game Café where you can play as many games as your heart desires! Enjoy mid-morning snacks and hot drinks, a nerf gun room, and spend quality family time together, unplugged.

 

Lunch

Grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants – East Side Marios, Boston Pizza, Taste of Egypt, and Taco Boyz are great family options, and all close by!

Afternoon

To finish off your bay-cation before heading home, head to Fit Rocks Climbing Gym to test your skills. This bouldering gym caters to climbers of all ages and abilities.

 

Looking for something a little less intense to cap off your visit? Head to the newly opened Carny Island arcade instead. Enjoy classic arcade games – fun for the whole family.

 

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This sample itinerary captures only a small selection of the family fun waiting for you down by the bay! Curious what else we have to offer?

 

Click HERE to view a list of retailers throughout our region.

Click HERE to see our restaurants.

Click HERE to find outdoor adventures.

Click HERE for more indoor recreation options.

Click HERE for a place to stay.

 

Want to time your visit with an upcoming event? Click HERE to head to our events calendar, and see what’s happening throughout our region.

Land acknowledgement

The Saint John Region is situated on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati Nations. This territory is covered by Peace and Friendship Treaties signed with the British Crown in the 1700s. The treaties recognized the significant and meaningful role of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati in this province and the country with the intent to establish a relationship of trust and friendship.

Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency pays respect to the elders, past and present, and descendants of this land, and is committed to moving forward in the spirit of truth, collaboration, and reconciliation.