St. John - Irving Nature Park Tour

[Lisa63]

We're considering the Irving Nature Park tour for our July cruise. We've been to St. John numerous times, so wanted to try something new. Might anyone who has done this tour provide some feedback? How much time is actually spent in the Park? I see the tour also has stops in the Old City Market (a place we love) and Fallsview Park.

 

I searched CC and found a few posts that mentioned mosquitoes, so I'll be sure to bring along the repellant. Anything else we should know?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Nicki_p100]

I am not sure of the experience you are looking for at The Irving Nature Park. It is possible to drive through the park or to stop and picnic, hike, bird watch... the list goes on.

You may want to consider taking a taxi. Really, most people (maybe it's only locals:) drive through and make a "pit stop" & park the car to walk on a trail for a few minutes. The area is very hilly and while it does not take long to drive, walking the whole park would be a challenge. Look here for more info http://www.ifdn.com/ click on Irving Nature Parks at the bottom of the screen.

 

Depending on where you are docked, you may be able to walk to the City Market. If you dock "Uptown", the Market is a short walk from the dock. You could take a taxi from the dock to the Park and stop at the Falls View Park, and the Reversing Falls Observation deck on your way. I would ask to be dropped off at the Market, and spend the rest of the time in port there and uptown until it was time to walk back to the ship.

 

If you dock on the "west side" you will be even closer to the Irving Nature Park.

 

For something new or different...

 

I do recommend the walking tours if you are interested in local culture, history and lore. The city produces guides available here:

http://www.tourismsaintjohn.com/files/fuse.cfm?section=14&screen=228

Or, there were guided tours available, which I would highly recommend. Ask the tourism bureau for info on the coming season.

 

One of my all time faves is to tour Mooshead Brewery. If you like beer, the tour is excellent. And they produce some that are only available in the Atlantic provinces- ask for an "Alpine"! For this you must contact the Mooshead Store, and you must book in advance- as tours are always fully booked in advance. Sorry it's been a few years so I don't know the price but look at http://www.moosehead.com

 

And one last tip. If you are doing an internet search the city name is always spelled out "Saint John" and never "St. John"- you'll get better search results.

This is my "hometown" so please let me know if you need more information.

[McDebbie]

Thanks for the link to the tourist site, I just ordered some brochures. I saw in the Halifax brochure that there are many things not open when we go in October. :confused: I'm thinking the brewery will still be open though. :D

[Lisa63]

Thank you for the response. Since I posted, the price of the tour went up $20 per person, so we've decided to do something else. I actually found the same Web site on the walking tours and printed out all four for our travel folder. We'll decide which ones to do when we get there.

 

As a local, are there any restaurants you can recommend that are close to the City Market area or along the Loyalist Trail walking tour? We prefer to avoid the more tourist-oriented places. We'll also have a child with us.

 

Thanks again!

[whale-watcher]

We rented a car from avis (very short walk from the ship) and drove to Irving Nature park on our own. This gave us the chance to visit reversing falls twice (on the way there, and on the way back), and also to make other stops as well. The drive itself was easy and short -- perhaps 15 minutes at most. The park is a wonderful destination for the nature lover...lots of short walks and longer hikes, as well as tidepools and seals and birds to enjoy...we ended up spending 4 hours here, on a rainy and foggy day! There are no facilities to speak of, but it is a great spot to watch the tide roll out (or in). the kids loved climbing on the rocks and poking around the tidepools.

Renting a car is a very economical alternative as well...total cost for our family of 5: $50!

 

There are other interesting day trips that the folks at avis suggested as well, and if the weather had been better, we might have considered a longer drive.

[VicKen]

Is there bus transportation from pier to Irving Nature Trail? Would like to hike a couple of miles along to coastal road and then back to town to do the history walks

[Acey]

Is there bus transportation from pier to Irving Nature Trail? Would like to hike a couple of miles along to coastal road and then back to town to do the history walks

 

Taking the bus involves transfering buses onto a less frequent route and then an approx 1.5 mile walk to park entry. I would just cab it. Based on what you said - I would recommend hiking the Harbour Passage Trail to the reversing falls (40 min walk) and back to the downtown.

[Acey]

Thank you for the response. Since I posted, the price of the tour went up $20 per person, so we've decided to do something else. I actually found the same Web site on the walking tours and printed out all four for our travel folder. We'll decide which ones to do when we get there.

 

As a local, are there any restaurants you can recommend that are close to the City Market area or along the Loyalist Trail walking tour? We prefer to avoid the more tourist-oriented places. We'll also have a child with us.

 

Thanks again!

 

The annual local survey of locals for the best eating spots in Saint John has been released by HERE Magazine. All listed are in the vicinity of the cruise terminals.

 

BEST BEER SELECTION ON TAP - Saint John Alehouse

http://www.saintjohnalehouse.com/

 

BEST SIGNATURE COCKTAIL - Sebastian

 

BEST WINE LIST - Happinez Wine Bar

http://www.happinezwinebar.com/happinez/

 

BEST COFFEE - Jave Moose

http://www.javamoose.com/

 

BEST STEAK, BEST BURGER, BEST RIBS - Churhill's Pub / Church Street Steakhouse

http://www.grannanhospitalitygroup.com/churchst/

 

BEST WINGS, BEST PUB FOOD, BEST FISH AND CHIPS - Saint John Alehouse

http://www.saintjohnalehouse.com/

 

BEST SERVICE WITH A SMILE - Slocum and Ferris

http://www.slocumandferris.com/

 

BEST BATHROOM - Lemongrass

http://www.lemongrassthaifare.com/Lemongrasssite.swf

 

BEST APPETIZERS - Boilerworks

http://www.boilerworks.ca/

 

BEST SALAD - Wild Carrot

http://www.wildcarrotcafe.com/

 

BEST LUNCH MENU - Lanie's

 

BEST MARKET - City Market

http://www.sjcitymarket.ca/

 

BEST DONAIR - Mother Nature's

http://www.mothernatures.ca/

 

BEST SANDWICH, BEST MEAL UNDER $10 - Sagrati's

http://www.sjcitymarket.ca/merchants/sagratis.html

 

BEST BREAKFAST - Cora's

http://www.chezcora.com/

 

BEST PIZZA, BEST PASTA - Vito's

http://www.vitos.ca/

 

BEST KID'S MENU - Jungle Jim's

http://www.junglejims.ca/

 

BEST SEAFOOD - Billy's

http://www.billysseafood.com/

 

BEST NEW RESTAURANT - Boilerworks

http://www.boilerworks.ca/

 

BEST ETHNIC RESTAURANT - Thandi

http://www.singhdining.com/Thandi/Tabout_page.htm

[ricks2047]

We were thinking about taking a cab to the park and spend some hours hiking. Is it difficult getting a cab back out of the park to the ship or do cabs frequent this area?

[Acey]

We were thinking about taking a cab to the park and spend some hours hiking. Is it difficult getting a cab back out of the park to the ship or do cabs frequent this area?

 

There is a pay phone at the park and the larger cab companies (Diamond and Royal) have toll free numbers so you don't have to worry about change. Having said that it's not normally a place cabbies would cruise for a fare - but you might luck out.

[sapper1]

There is a pay phone at the park and the larger cab companies (Diamond and Royal) have toll free numbers so you don't have to worry about change. Having said that it's not normally a place cabbies would cruise for a fare - but you might luck out.

Don't forget to take water and some munchies as there are no concession places in or near the park.

[old bag]

Hey Sapper,

 

Firstly, I'm sorry I called you Sappy on another post ... I'm sure you are neither a sapper nor sappy, you are however helpful, hence my post.

 

I also posted this else where ... how easy is it to rent a car and drive to Irving National Park. My husband is concerned about being stranded without a cab, but he's also concerned about getting lost. I figure, I'd give us plenty of time to get back, just in case ... but I thought I'd check with you and Acey for your insight.

 

Thank you,

[sapper1]

Hey Sapper,

 

Firstly, I'm sorry I called you Sappy on another post ... I'm sure you are neither a sapper nor sappy, you are however helpful, hence my post.

 

I also posted this else where ... how easy is it to rent a car and drive to Irving National Park. My husband is concerned about being stranded without a cab, but he's also concerned about getting lost. I figure, I'd give us plenty of time to get back, just in case ... but I thought I'd check with you and Acey for your insight.

 

Thank you,

There are two car rental agencies near the area where the ship docks. I am going to refer you to Google maps here so bear with me. Avis (506-634-7750) is located at 4 Water Street which is just along from Puglsley Wharf if you are docking there. Enterprise (506-693-8688) is located at 132 Station Street which is a 10 minute walk from Long Wharf if you are docking there. In Saint John there is a wonderful volunteer group which greets every cruise ship and provides direction and and assistance to passengers as they disembark. One of the volunteers will be happy to point you in the right direction to the car rental agencies.

To find out which dock you will be using, go to www.cruisesaintjohn.com and click on "media" . The drop down menu will have a cruise schedule with docking areas. Having said that, there is currently a new cruise terminal under construction at Pugsley Terminal which may cause some ships to be sent to another dock from time to time. It is supposed to be finished in September.

Now to the google maps-----From the port area, you can clearly see Water and Station Streets. The car rental agencies will give you directions on how to get onto Highway # 1 going West. Following along on the google map you will cross the Harbour Bridge (50 cents each way---US or Canadian coin--the machine doesn't care. Both currencies are used interchangeably here at the coin level). There is an exit immediately after the bridge which you will ignore. Go to the next exit and pass under the underpass to 119A and circle around onto Bleury Street. Follow Bleury Steet for a little bit to Sand Cove Road. Turn right onto Sand Cove Road and follow it to the very end. When you come to the end, switch to satellite view and you will clearly be able to see the park with the road looping around it. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the park from the car rental agency.

Park in the parking lot and the trail circles the park at the water's edge. If, at any point you find you are worn out you can exit onto the road and have an easier walk back to the parking lot.

 

One warning----If you reserve a car using an Avis or Enterprise 1-800 number, make sure the person taking your reservation understands you will be in Saint John, New Brunswick, and NOT St. John's, Newfoundland or you will be here and your car will be waiting 700 miles away. Situations similar to that happen all the time, which is the reason we spell out the "Saint"---always!!!!

 

Re the "Sappy"---I've probably been called worse!!:)

[old bag]

Thank you, Sapper .... I appreciate your detailed instructions and your understanding!

[Loann]

Thank you for the response. Since I posted, the price of the tour went up $20 per person, so we've decided to do something else. I actually found the same Web site on the walking tours and printed out all four for our travel folder. We'll decide which ones to do when we get there.

 

As a local, are there any restaurants you can recommend that are close to the City Market area or along the Loyalist Trail walking tour? We prefer to avoid the more tourist-oriented places. We'll also have a child with us.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

I work in uptown Saint John and would recommend the Ale House in lower level of Market Square as a good restaurant for lunch and it is kid friendly. Also, there are lots of options in the City Market if you want sandwich/sub/salad/pasta type fare. The problem on "cruise ship days" is that the Market is very crowded and getting a place to sit may be difficult. Since you have a child, if weather is rainy and you decide against a walking tour, you may want to visit the NB Museum in Market Square. My kids really like it. Hope you enjoy your stay:)

[bandtaxi]

We will be visiting on a cruise ship and like the sound of the Harbour passage trail, Irving Nature Park and the Market. Is it possible to do all of these in one day without too much problem? If I understand correctly we can walk to the Harbour passage and Market, but what about the Irving nature park?

 

Thanks!

[Acey]

We will be visiting on a cruise ship and like the sound of the Harbour passage trail, Irving Nature Park and the Market. Is it possible to do all of these in one day without too much problem? If I understand correctly we can walk to the Harbour passage and Market, but what about the Irving nature park?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, you can do it easily in one day.

I recommend getting off the ship and walking harbour passage to the Reversing Falls - then from reversing falls take a cab to Irving Nature Park and then cab back to downtown - explore the market downtown (located in same vicinity as cruise ships). Or you could do the market first if you wanted to time when you wanted to be at Reversing Falls due to tide schedules. Taxi fare for the falls to Irving Nature Park and park to downtown is going to run you roughly a total of $20.00 - there is a payphone at the park entrance to call an (800) number for the cab if you do not see one there. Another suggestion is to buy your lunch to go from the market and have a picnic in the Irving Nature Park as there are no concessions - but nice picnic areas overlooking the water. The highlight of this park are the trailways snaking along the coastline and nature. If you are not a hiker, I would reconsider whether this excursion is for you as alternatively there are only inland dirt roads cars drive on with access to a few lookout points.

[bandtaxi]

How much of a hiker do you need to be to do the trails at Irving Nature Park? We are in pretty good shape with walking and biking at home, but not the heavy duty stuff. Thanks for all your information!

[Acey]

How much of a hiker do you need to be to do the trails at Irving Nature Park? We are in pretty good shape with walking and biking at home, but not the heavy duty stuff. Thanks for all your information!

 

Sounds like you will be fine. The trailways are on the forest floor - so walking over pine needles, rocks, uneven terrain but only slight inclines. You don't need to be a "hiker hiker" to do this and wearing sneakers are sufficient. There are points along the trailways that you can exit to a dirt road that will lead you to the park entrance. To complete the entire trail which begins and terminates at the entrance it is probably 2 to 2.5 hours. You will need to bring water and snacks + recommend camera.