An Indoor Grown-Up Getaway in #SJTownsByTheBay

January 17, 2024


The outdoors aren’t for everyone – especially in the winter! Sometimes you just need an escape that offers you warmth and comfort, and a chance to forget about the cold. Luckily, you can find all that and more right here down by the bay!

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

Day One

Morning

Start your day off browsing through the streets of uptown Saint John. Enjoy speciality boutiques like Urban Shoe Myth, Obscurity, or the New Brunswick Museum Boutique; browse records at Backstreet Records; peruse books at Scherezade Bookstore; shop ‘til you drop at Lordon, In Pursuit, and Pristine; and take in beautiful artwork at galleries like Mitote Gallery, Trinity Galleries, the Saint John Arts Centre, or Cobalt Art Gallery. With all of these shops within short walking distance, you’ll fill your whole morning browsing and taking in everything unique about our city.

 

Getting chilly as you shop? Stop in at Catapult Coffee or the Art Warehouse for a coffee or tea, and a snack to keep you going.

 

Lunch

For lunch, head over to the Saint John City Market and enjoy your choice of meal from a variety of vendors. Grab sandwiches from Slocum & Ferris, BiBimBap from Kim’s Korean Food, or lobster rolls from Billy’s Seafood. Then, sit in the indoor atrium or at Uncorked Tours to enjoy your meal.

Afternoon

After lunch, head over to Woodchucks Axe Throwing for an afternoon adventure (depending on the day of your visit, check their hours ahead of time to be sure they are open!). Coaches will show you the ropes when you arrive and have you comfortable in no time! Bookings and walk-ins are available; just be sure to remember your closed-toe shoes.

 

To celebrate your axe-throwing success, head to Uncorked Tours for a private uptown walking tour, designed with various food and beverage interests in mind. Sip and sample the flavours of New Brunswick one glass at a time, while learning more about the history of our city.

 

Dinner

To cap off the afternoon, head out for supper at one of the bars or restaurants uptown. Treat yourselves to something fancy off the rotating menu at Port City Royal; enjoy brews and bites at Peppers Pub or Saint John Ale House; eat all the pasta you could image at Italian By Night; or enjoy authentic Indian cuisine at Thandi.

 

Evening

There are plenty of options to fill your evening down by the bay. Check out the list of upcoming shows at the Imperial Theatre and take in a live performance, or stop into any of the bars uptown, like the Five and Dime or O'Leary's, to see what live music they have for the evening.

 

Looking for some extra fun? Head to Eighty Three Bar Arcade for classic arcade games, hit up Crave Lounge to dance the night away, or enjoy a show at Punch Lines Comedy Club.

Day Two

Morning

Treat yourself to some pampering at any one of our spas. Nakai Spa, Refresh Wellness Studio, or Element5 Spa are just a few places where you can sit back and relax. If you want to make it a full morning, enjoy some pampering at At the Lake Spa & Studio at Rockwood Park, then head to Lily’s Café for a mid-morning brunch.

 

Want a more active start to your day? Head to Top Shots Golf Simulator to golf on some of the best courses globally – all without ever stepping foot outside. Their fun and relaxing environment is perfect for the seasoned pro, a weekend warrior, or first-time golfer. Or, hit up the Bowlarama or Fairview Bowling Lanes and enjoy a game or two of bowling to fill your morning.

 

Lunch

Try something new at a local favourite for lunch – Mimimi, Sampan Restaurant, Taste of Egypt, or Turkish Big Bite are all great unique options.

Afternoon

Spend the first part of your afternoon letting out any pent-up anger at Broken Pieces Rage Room. Bring your own items to smash or see what they have available – book ahead for the best experience, and don’t forget your closed-toe shoes. Looking for something to test your skills instead? Check out Breakout Escape Rooms for an afternoon of challenging puzzles and tests - will you escape before time runs out?

 

After, fill the rest of your afternoon with games in the Heroes Beacon game room or the Offline Board Game Café.

 

Evening

Head uptown and enjoy a pint (or two) at Picaroons, Wasted Day, or the Five and Dime, or sample whiskey or wine at Happinez Wine Bar or Hopscotch Whiskey Bar. Then, head out for supper. Gahan House, East Coast Bistro, Britt’s Pub, or Churchill’s Steakhouse, are all great options, and the perfect way to wrap up your bay-cation.

 

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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.