Pete’s Historic Walking Tour

Saint John’s story is best found in its streets, old stone buildings, market halls, and waterfront corners. Pete Ferguson brings that story to life with rare photographs, local tales, and plenty of personal color from his years running Pete’s Pub. I like the tour’s broad sweep from 1783 to today and its easy pace through the uptown core. I also like the way Pete points out small details, such as carved stone faces and a mass of metal left by the Great Fire.

The main thing to consider is the amount of standing and listening. You cover plenty of ground, but the tour is talk-heavy, and some people may find two and a half hours long. A shorter option would suit anyone who wants only a quick orientation.

Key points to know before you book

• Local guide with strong personal ties: Pete Ferguson has lived in the area all his life and draws on his years owning Pete’s Pub.
• A full Saint John timeline: The tour connects the Loyalist arrival in 1783, the Great Fire, immigration, industry, entertainment, and the modern waterfront.
• Easy walking with practical route choices: The group can use pedways, escalators, and an elevator to avoid the steepest hills.
• Rare visual aids: Copies of old photographs help you compare Saint John’s past with the streets you see today.
• Small-group format: The tour accepts no more than 20 people, and smaller groups make it easier to hear Pete and ask questions.
• Good value for a city overview: At $33.80 per person, the price is modest for a 2.5-hour guided walk covering many major downtown sights.

Why Pete’s local voice matters in Saint John

A city tour can easily become a recital of dates and building names. This one has a more personal feel. Pete Ferguson is not simply pointing out streets on a map. He ties Saint John’s past to people he has known, places he has worked, and stories that still circulate around town.

His former pub, Pete’s Pub, gets its own stop near City Hall. That may sound like a detour, but it gives you a sense of the guide behind the presentation. Pete also knows many people around town, which adds a friendly, lived-in quality as you walk.

The strongest part of the tour is the mix of local lore and solid historical detail. You hear about Loyalist settlement, the Great Fire, the Irish Potato famine, old banks, theatre history, and the cruise industry. Then Pete may add a story about sports, entertainment, or a familiar Saint John character.

Pete speaks clearly and projects his voice well, so you should be able to follow even near the back of the group. He also leaves room for questions. If he does not know an answer, he has said he will research it and get back to you.

Starting at Water Street and the Loyalist Landing

The walk begins at Duke Street and Water Street. This is a practical starting point near the waterfront and the central historic district. From here, you head toward Market Square and stop at Furlongs liquor store on Water Street.

The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, but it sets up the city’s early story. Saint John’s history is not presented as a collection of disconnected buildings. Pete begins linking the waterfront to settlement, trade, immigration, and the city’s later growth.

You will want comfortable shoes, though this is not a strenuous hike. The route includes hills in Saint John, but the group can use the pedway system in places. That can mean an escalator or elevator does the hard work instead of your legs.

Market Square, the Great Fire, and a ship model

Market Square is one of the most useful stops for understanding Saint John. From the exterior area, Pete points out the site of the Loyalist Landing in 1783, when many Loyalists arrived after the American Revolution.

He also explains where the Great Fire began. That event reshaped much of the city, so knowing the starting point helps you read later streets and buildings with more care. The story is tied to the physical setting, not just delivered as an isolated fact.

Another local connection appears here: the place where Prince Charles and Lady Diana made a walkabout. It is a reminder that Saint John’s history includes royal visits and public events as well as disasters and economic change.

Inside Market Square, Pete shows you the Marco Polo sailing ship model. He explains the history of the ship, an important link to Saint John’s maritime identity. The model gives you something concrete to look at during the talk, and Pete also uses copies of rare photographs at points along the route.

You get a few extra minutes to shop at the City Market later in the tour, but do not expect a long browsing session here. The tour has many stops, and the focus remains on history.

City Hall and the Pete’s Pub story

At Saint John City Hall, Pete tells the story of Pete’s Pub, which he owned for 35 years. He also brings in sports and entertainment stories from that period.

This is one of the tour’s more personal sections. It does not offer a grand monument or dramatic view, but it helps explain why the guide’s perspective feels so rooted in the city. You are hearing about Saint John through someone who worked there, met local people, and watched the downtown area change.

Plan on about 15 minutes here. If you prefer a tour that moves constantly, this stop may feel long. If you enjoy personal stories and local characters, it gives the tour warmth and humor.

The City Market and a tucked-away mural

Saint John City Market is one of the main sights on the route. Pete explains the building’s architecture and its long history as the oldest continuously operating market in Canada.

This is a good stop for travelers who want to understand how the city functioned as a trading center. The market is not treated only as a place to buy food. Its structure, location, and continuing use connect Saint John’s past with daily life today.

You have a few minutes to shop, though one practical point matters: market hours can be limited, especially on Sundays. If browsing is important to you, check the opening hours and consider visiting again after the tour.

After leaving the market, the route turns toward Charlotte Street. Here, Pete points out large murals of famous Saint John people tucked down an alley. This is the kind of detail you could easily miss on your own, particularly if you are following the main street without looking into side passages.

King’s Square and the marks left by fire

King’s Square, established in 1785, brings together several important pieces of Saint John’s public history. Pete points out the William Young statue, the Charles Gorman statue, and the King Edward VII Bandstand.

The most striking detail may be the mass of molten metal left by the Great Fire. It gives the disaster a physical presence. Dates can feel distant, but a warped remnant of the fire is harder to ignore.

The square is also a useful place to pause. The tour includes frequent stops where you can sit or stand while Pete speaks. That helps keep the walk manageable, especially for anyone who prefers an easy pace.

Across from King’s Square, Pete explains the history of the Irving Oil headquarters and the Irving family in New Brunswick. The story begins with K.C. Irving in 1899. This section gives you a look at the business forces that shaped the province and the city.

The Imperial Theatre and Admiral Beatty

The Imperial Theatre began as a vaudeville theatre in 1913. Pete explains its history, including the chandeliers and other interior features.

The theatre stop works well for anyone interested in old entertainment venues and restoration. You are not simply told that the building is historic. You get details that help you look at the architecture, including the decorative features above eye level.

Next door, the Admiral Beatty building recalls a luxury hotel that opened in 1925. Pete points out famous visitors, including Amelia Earhart before her famous transatlantic flight.

These stops are close together, so the route does not waste time crossing town. Together, they show Saint John as a place of hotels, performances, public gatherings, and ambitious architecture. You spend about 10 minutes at each.

Trinity Church and the Loyalist past

Trinity Church is one of the tour’s most important historic buildings. Pete describes the church’s Loyalist background, its design features, and four main artifacts held inside.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. It is a chance to slow down and look closely rather than simply snap a photograph from the sidewalk. Ask questions here if you want more detail about Loyalist settlement or the objects connected with the church.

After leaving Trinity Church, the group continues along Germain Street. The street is named for Lord George Germain, whose story Pete explains. Across from the church is the Union Club, a business club dating from 1884.

This stretch is useful for understanding the social and commercial side of old Saint John. Churches, clubs, banks, theatres, and hotels all appear within a compact area. The city’s past becomes easier to picture when those institutions are seen together.

Princess Street and preservation in practice

At Germain and Princess Streets, the route turns toward Prince William Street. Pete points out a newer building designed to conform to preservation standards.

That detail is especially useful because it shows that heritage protection is not only about keeping old buildings untouched. New construction can also be shaped by the older streetscape. Next to it, Pete explains the historic Ritchie Building and its features.

This stop will appeal to anyone who likes architecture and city planning. It also gives you a way to judge later buildings for yourself. Look at the scale, materials, and street line rather than treating preservation as an abstract idea.

Prince William Street, once Canada’s Wall Street

The route heads downhill to Prince William Street, once known as the Wall Street of Canada. Pete points out the street’s main buildings and details, including Chubb’s Corner with its carved stone heads.

You also see old City Hall, the former post office, the Jarvis Building, the Bank of New Brunswick Palatine Building, and the Seamen’s Mission. The number of stops here makes this one of the densest parts of the tour.

The Seamen’s Mission connects the street to the waterfront and to the people who arrived by sea. Across from it, the Partridge Island mural tells the story of the island and immigration.

Pete gives special attention to quarantine and the Irish arrivals during the Potato famine. This is a valuable part of the tour because it broadens Saint John’s story beyond wealthy merchants and grand buildings. It also shows how the port affected ordinary people facing illness, poverty, and uncertain arrival.

The downhill route can be handled through the pedestrian system when needed. That matters if you have limited stamina or want to avoid steep streets. Still, tell the guide about your needs at the start so the route can be managed comfortably.

The Three Sisters Lamp and the waterfront finish

At the foot of Prince William Street, the tour reaches the Three Sisters Lamp in St. Patrick Park. Pete explains why it has that name and how the lamps helped save lives.

This is a short stop, about five minutes, but it ties the downtown streets to the waterfront. Saint John’s maritime history is not only about ships and commerce. Lights, navigation, and safety were part of daily survival around the harbor.

The tour finishes at the Marco Polo cruise terminal and Area 506 Waterfront Container Village. Pete explains how Saint John’s cruise industry began and how the port developed.

Ending here is convenient if you are visiting by cruise ship or want to continue along the waterfront. It is less convenient if you planned to return immediately to the City Market, so keep your schedule in mind. One person may want to shop longer at the market, while another may prefer to finish at the waterfront and eat nearby.

What the $33.80 price delivers

At $33.80 per person, this is a good-value tour for a visitor who wants a detailed introduction to Saint John. The walk lasts about two and a half hours and covers far more than a quick waterfront orientation.

You are paying for a local guide, not admission tickets. Every listed stop is free, and lunch is not included. The value comes from the explanation, route planning, visual aids, and access to small details you might miss alone.

The price is especially fair for a small group. The maximum is 20 people, and groups can be smaller. That makes it easier to hear Pete, ask questions, and keep the pace comfortable.

The tradeoff is time. Two and a half hours is long for a talk-heavy walk. If you like history, architecture, and local stories, the length lets the city’s details develop. If you mainly want photographs and a fast orientation, you may prefer to leave after a shorter self-guided visit.

Who should book Pete’s Historic Walking Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want context more than a checklist of sights. It suits history fans, first-time visitors, cruise passengers with enough time, and anyone who enjoys a guide with a strong personality.

It is also a good fit if steep hills worry you. The route can use pedways, escalators, and an elevator, and several people have found the walk easy. Service animals are allowed, pet dogs are welcome, and children with special needs are free.

Morning and afternoon departures make it easier to fit into a wider Saint John schedule. The tour requires decent weather, so keep your plans flexible. If poor weather cancels the walk, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Saint John walk?

Book it if you want a friendly, story-led introduction to Saint John and do not mind standing for several talks along the way. Pete’s strongest assets are his local experience, clear speaking voice, humor, and ability to connect major events with ordinary streets.

Skip it if you want a quick moving tour with little commentary or a long market-shopping stop. For most visitors, though, $33.80 buys a useful two-and-a-half-hour orientation, with the added benefit of seeing Saint John through someone who has spent his life there.

FAQ

How long is Pete’s Historic Walking Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $33.80 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Duke Street and Water Street in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at the Marco Polo cruise terminal and Area 506 Waterfront Container Village.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.