Hotels in Saint John

Budget travelers should head for Manawagonish Road, where many of the city's lower-priced motels congregate. A bonus: Unlike most other motel strips, this one's actually reasonably attractive as it winds along a high ridge of residential homes west of town, providing views out to the Bay of Fundy. It's about a 10-minute ride back to town. Nightly rates at many of the mom-and-pop motels on the strip are unbelievably low, sometimes as low as the C$60 range even during peak summer season. The chain property Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, 1441 Manawagonish Rd. (tel. 800/55-ECONO [553-2666] or 506/635-8700), is somewhat more expensive but a bit more comfortable, and the rooms have those sweeping views.

In-town camping is available summers at Rockwood Park (tel. 506/652-4050), though it's a lot more like car camping than in-the-wild camping. Eighty or so sites are spread across a rocky hill; unfortunately, many overlook downtown, the highway, and a railyard (expect nighttime noise). RVs requiring full hookups are directed to an area resembling a parking lot. Other sites vary widely in privacy and scenery. Rates start at around C$18 for a tent site and around C$24 for hookups. Follow signs to the park from either exit 122 or exit 125 off Route 1.