Saint John is the primary city of Canada's New Brunswick province; home to around 100,000 people, although really it seems smaller. Perhaps its main claim to fame is as the base of operations for any tourist looking to explore the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy.

Places to Drink

Night life is comparatively slow and about the only other alternative is to go to the movies. However, pool halls are plentiful, but whether seedy or clean they are usually either empty or filled with teenyboppers. A notable exception is Dooly's on the east side, which usually has a full parking lot. If you're just looking for a drink, then it really matters what day it is.

• The Aquarius Beverage Room on the west side of the city is the host of a student party every Thursday night, but there is a mix of all ages. Specials of cheap beer are served from 9 - 10.30pm, but nobody shows up till 11.30.

• The Well on the east side is usually packed. Be prepared for a long entrance queue followed by a long wait to get served a drink, but the place is usually happening and very hoopy - especially on Friday and Saturday.

• The city is dead Sunday to Wednesday. The only place that you will find anybody is the Three Mile Pub and Tavern on the east side, which always has hip people of varying ages, and sports both rock and country dance floors. The one other place that you might try is Ryker's Island.

Places to Eat

Saint John is well equipped with the standard fast food joints on every corner. For a little more money you must check out Market Square which has three of the best restaurants in town.

• Don Cherry's Grapevine is Endorsed by Canada's favourite hockey broadcaster and home of delicious seafood and steaks.

• Grannan's is similar but more expensive.

• Deluxe serves expensive fast food but their fish and chips are the best on the East coast.

Places to Stay

The Hilton and Delta cater for the upper end of the market, and the Park Place Motel and YMCA for the other.

Places to See and Things to Do

• The Reversing Falls is a waterfall that is pushed back up by the tide. Downfall is a pulp mill which stinks and a Tourist Information point which doesn't.

• The New Brunswick Museum and the Public Library are on Market Square.

• The University (UNBSJ) is situated on a beautiful campus.

• There are lots of walking tours of the uptown, just enquire at the Barbours General Store at the foot of King Street. The Irving Nature and Rockwood Parks both have beautiful scenery and there is a nice city park centred on Kings Square.

• If you enjoy shopping, then McAllister Place is the place to be.

• Cosmic Bowling is at the River Boat in Rothesay¹, and elsewhere in town you will find an Aquatic Centre (for swimming) and a Paintball outfit.

Getting Around

Taxis use some weird zoning system instead of meters, so you never know how much you're going to pay. However, since the buses are very inefficient and utterly frustrating, it is often better to take a cab despite the cost. The main pick up points are McAllister Place and Kings Square.

The Weather

Saint John has more than its fair share of rain and fog, so even though the summer temperature gets up to 25 - 30°C (depending on how close you are to the ocean), you can usually expect some fog.