Saint John Night Tour: Fort La Tour & Reversing Falls

Watch the Bay of Fundy's tides reverse the Saint John River at night

A small-group night tour of Saint John, New Brunswick with a local guide covers the city's illuminated landmarks, Fort La Tour (a 17th-century National Historic Site), Carleton Martello Tower (built 1812), and the Reversing Falls Rapids where the river's flow reverses with the tide. The tour includes guided driving through downtown, admission to both historic sites, SkyWalk access, and hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere downtown.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Saint John City Market15m
2. Reversing Falls15m · entry included

Evening tour of Saint John landmarks

• Narrated city drive at night
• Visit Reversing Falls Rapids
• Explore Fort La Tour historic site
• Tour Carleton Martello Tower
• Return to Downtown Saint John hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a narrated drive through downtown Saint John, passing the historic City Market and Saint John Public Gardens lit up at night, then moves to Kings Square. Your guide points out the dazzling points of interest as you move through the city, setting the context for the stops ahead.

The Reversing Falls Rapids is the centerpiece: a series of rapids on the Saint John River that runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The monstrously high tide here reverses the river's flow (nature's tug-of-war, as locals call it), and seeing it at night adds another dimension to the sight. From there, you move to Fort La Tour, a National Historic Site of Canada with the remains of a 17th-century fortification, where your guide walks you through the archaeological site and its role in the city's past.

The final stop is Carleton Martello Tower, one of only nine surviving Martello Towers in Canada, built in 1812 as a defensive fortification to protect the harbour. The tower sits on a hill and now serves as a museum. Admission is included. After the tour, your guide returns you to your downtown hotel. The whole experience runs two hours.

What’s included

• Guided driving tour led by a local English-speaking guide.
• admission to Fort La Tour and Carleton Martello Tower.
• SkyWalk access.
• views of the Reversing Falls Rapids.
• complimentary pickup and drop-off anywhere downtown Saint John.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendly

Operated by See Sight Tours

Is this one for you?Most of the evening is spent driving and standing at viewpoints rather than hiking, so the pace suits anyone who wants to see the city's history and natural sights without a lot of walking. The two-hour length fits easily into an evening without cutting into the rest of your plans.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Reversing Falls Rapids and why does the river flow backward?

The Reversing Falls Rapids is a series of rapids on the Saint John River where the river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy has one of the highest tides in the world, and when the tide comes in, it's so powerful that it reverses the river's normal flow: pushing water backward upstream. The tour lets you see this natural phenomenon at night.

Do I need to walk a lot on this tour, or is it mostly driving?

Most of the tour is narrated driving through the city, but you do get out to explore Fort La Tour and Carleton Martello Tower on foot. Both sites are accessible, and the pace is leisurely. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible throughout.

What's included in the admission to these historic sites?

Fort La Tour admission, Carleton Martello Tower admission, and SkyWalk access are all included in the tour price. Your guide leads you through each site and explains the history as you go.

How does the pickup work if I'm staying at a hotel downtown?

The tour includes complimentary pickup and drop-off anywhere downtown Saint John, so your guide will collect you from your hotel and return you there at the end of the evening.

Is this tour only at night, or can I do it during the day?

This is a night tour specifically. The city landmarks are lit up at night, which is the whole point of the experience. The narrated drive and the sites themselves are designed to be seen after dark.