Day Tripping St Andrews By The Sea
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Day Tripping St Andrews By the Sea
St-Andrews-by-the-sea is a picturesque, small town located on Passamaquoddy Bay, an inlet of the Bay of Fundy that shares shoreline with both Canada and the United States.
I love coastal retreats and, as I grew up steps away from Saint Andrews, I knew I wanted to share a guide for visiting this seaside haven. For a small town, this place has no shortage of beauty, history and entertainment.
There’s something for everyone.
Kids will love learning about marine life and leave dreaming of their futures as budding marine biologists. Adults will find plenty of laid back places to hang out, relax, and take it slow. It’s easy to craft a perfect day.
I’m happy to share my recommendations for day tripping St-Andrews-by-the-sea.
Quick tips for visiting St Andrews-by-the-sea
Wander and shop along Water Street
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Get out on the water on a whale watch tour
Stroll through the beautifully designed Kingsbrae Garden
Have a craft beer at St Andrews Brewing Company
Visit the touch tanks at Huntsman Marine Science Centre
When to visit Saint Andrews
Summer is by far the best time to visit any maritime coastal town. In Saint Andrews, the Farmers’ Market runs May through September, ONLY on Thursdays. Whale watching shares the same summer season, with whale activity peaking around August in recent years.
Getting to Saint Andrews
Saint Andrews is easily accessible off Highway 1 in Southern New Brunswick. Two exits, exit 39 through Bocabec and exit 25 through Bayside, will lead you to this destination.
Where to stay in Saint Andrews
Saint Andrews is home to the well known, Tudor-style Algonquin Resort. While it has been recently renovated, it still retains its 18th century charm, which draws in many, many visitors each year.
Things to do in Saint Andrews
Wander along Water Street
Start your day with a stroll through downtown. Specifically, the one place where the majority of the shopping and dining happens, Water Street.
I won’t sugarcoat this… parking can be a bit of an issue in Saint Andrews, as it is mostly on-street. Recently, the town has turned a portion of Water Street into a one lane road, though you are still welcome to park on both sides. You may need to park up a side street, or even on the street running parallel, Queen Street.
Once you’ve secured your parking spot, walk along Water Street, past Market wharf, where most whale watch cruises can be found. Pop in a few shops and browse for local handmade gifts. Have a coffee at Honeybeans or McGuire Chocolate Company, a place that smells like a dream.
Water Street wraps around town. When you are finished wandering here, I highly recommend driving the length of it. It will lead you past the Kiwanis Campground and its ocean views, past the entry to Kingsbrae Garden (see more below), and underneath the Algonquin Hotel’s overpass.
Visit the St Andrews Farmers’ Market
As mentioned above, the St Andrews Farmer’s Market is open on Thursday mornings only, throughout the summer, from 830am to 1pm.
This is an excellent place to pick up locally-made crafts, photographs, veggies, snacks and more. Don’t miss Tall Tom’s, a lemonade shop tucked back by the wharf, whose coconut kettle corn is to die for.
Pop into St Andrews Brewing Company
This small, craft brewing company houses a beautiful sundeck overlooking the Farmers’ Market. From the deck, you can watch the beer being brewed through a side door. Inside, order a cold drink from the bar. I recommend the Peach Basket, a tasty, light wheat beer.
Go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy
Multiple whale watching tour companies operate from Market Wharf. I recently toured with Cruisin’ with the Whales on the Island Quest, and had a fantastic sail while spotting seals, porpoises and a few minke whales.
Whales are most commonly found in the deep, open ocean of the Bay of Fundy, so tour boats will normally power out of shallow Passamaquoddy Bay. There is beautiful scenery here amongst many small islands. You’ll see weirs, wharves and other fishing gear that provide for families in the area.
Pack snacks and dress warmly, no matter the weather forecast. You’ll be glad you did!
Visit Pendlebury Lighthouse
If you choose to go on a whale watch tour, you’ll see Pendlebury Lighthouse from the water. If not, as you leave Water Street, hang a right down Patrick Street and check it out up close and personal.
Stroll through Kingsbrae Gardens
Continuing your drive along Water Street will lead you back through town to Kingsbrae Garden, an absolutely stunning public garden. There is a fee to enter, but it is well worth it.
The garden houses many local varieties of flowers, several thought-provoking art pieces (including an entire sculpture garden), and a petting zoo area with bunnies, goats and alpacas that kids are sure to love.
I also loved taking our little one to the children’s playhouses. They are fully functional with tiny table and chairs and, of course, completely decorated with flowers in window boxes. They are very cute!
Visit Huntsman Marine Science Centre
For the last stop on your way out of town, swing by Huntsman Marine Science Centre. Be sure to give yourself some time here as there is so much to see and learn! Huntsman Marine is both a research centre and an aquarium. It is well-loved in the area for its touch-tanks filled with local marine life. Kids love holding sea creatures and learning fascinating facts about them.
Bonus! Ministers Island
If you’re looking to add some history to your day in Saint Andrews, visit Ministers Island. This one will take some more specific planning. The island is accessible only at low tide by way of a road along the ocean floor.
Ministers Island is the estate of a railway owner and the property dates back to the late 1800s.
Never, ever attempt to visit a tide-dependent attraction like this during off hours as tides can turn quickly and become dangerous.
Places to eat in Saint Andrews
I recently ate at a new place on Water Street called Char and Chowder and I was incredibly impressed by the atmosphere! This eatery is designed in the style of a rustic, open-air barn. There was a laid back vibe, with patrons ordering at a window, take-out style. There was also a fully equipped bar, with lots of offerings from New Brunswick.
The veggie burger I had was fantastic and, while I didn’t order any lobster, I consider myself a lobster roll connoisseur (joking… kind of!). The rolls going by me looked acceptably chunky and lightly dressed. I can’t wait to return and try them.
Other excellent places to eat in the area include; the Clam Digger (a take out in Chamcook), Seasons by the Sea Bistro, and the Red Herring Pub. None of the restaurants will let you down!
I hope this guide helps you spend the perfect day in Saint Andrews. Should you find yourself left with some spare time after visiting, consider combining this with a trip to the islands, including Campobello Island. Together, these itineraries make the perfect Bay of Fundy weekend!
Enjoy!
Hill XO
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