Writer: Lola Augustine Brown

For the past four years, master glassblower Curtis Dionne and glass artist Charlotte MacLeod have been thrilling visitors at their downtown Saint John studio Glass Roots. This warm and welcoming couple are entertaining, fun, and super talented. You can watch the magic happen from upcycled church pews in the studio, as Dionne carefully draws molten glass from his furnace “El Diablow” and shapes it into ethereal creations. Next door is their impressive gallery, filled with unique souvenirs to take home. There you’ll find everything from maple leaf tree ornaments and crystal polar bears to one-of-a-kind vases and ocean-inspired spun glass platters.

Explore the Indigenous history of Saint John

Though a lot of New Brunswick history suggests that there was nothing going on here before the French explorer Jacques Cartier landed in Saint John back in 1534, there’s plenty of evidence that First Nations people thrived here for thousands of years. Dave Smith of First Nations Storytellers runs two-hour walking tours of the city and three-hour paddling tours that end with bannock baked over a beach bonfire, as well as storytelling workshops. Smith is authentically himself, sharing stories from his life and the Metepenagiag First Nation ancestors that he is still learning about, and he’s the perfect guide for those looking for a better understanding of the First Nations history surrounding Saint John.

Kayak to Partridge Island

For more than 70 years, Partridge Island in Saint John’s outer harbor served as a quarantine station built in 1830 to prevent the spread of cholera and typhus from the many ships bringing immigrants to New Brunswick. Now a Parks Canada National Historic Site, you can paddle over with River Bay Adventures to explore the remains of the doctors’ residence, hospitals, and a graveyard, mostly full of Irish immigrants who perished while trying to escape the Great Hunger back home. Tours run three hours and the crossing takes about 25 minutes in a stable tandem sea kayak. (Beginners are welcome, and the tour includes an intro to kayaking and helpful paddling techniques.) Despite the sad stories that define Partridge Island, it’s a lovely place to visit, offering wonderful views out over the bay and Saint John. It’s also a great picnicking spot; swing by Jeremiah’s Deli at Saint John City Market to grab a stacked Rueben or other sandwich before setting out.