New Brunswick

We’ve compiled the best of the best in New Brunswick - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Acadian Festival

    This two-week celebration of Acadian culture is held in Caraquet during the first two weeks of August. In the Tintamarre, costumed participants parade noisily through the streets; the Blessing of the Fleet, a colorful and moving ceremony that's usually held on the first Sunday of the festival, eloquently expresses the importance of fishing to the Acadian economy and way of life. Alongside these events is a schedule of concerts, theater, storytelling, poetry, and visual arts.

    Caraquet, New Brunswick, Canada
    506-727–2787
  • 2. Beaverbrook Art Gallery

    This already exceptional gallery continues to grow—following on from its 5,000 square-foot expansion in 2017, it is set to open another new building, the Harrison McCain Pavilion, in 2022. The Beaverbrook's international collection is a remarkably broad and important one that one might not expect to find in a relatively small provincial city. The foundation on which this has been built is the lasting gift of the late Lord Beaverbrook, born and raised in New Brunswick before building his U.K. media empire. It contains a significant collection of Canadian, American, British, and other European masterworks that rivals many major Canadian galleries. Salvador Dalí's gigantic painting Santiago el Grande has always been the star, but a rotation of avant-garde Canadian paintings now shares pride of place. The current McCain "gallery-within-a-gallery" is devoted to the finest Atlantic Canadian artists. Larger spaces employ the artful use of dividers to create an intimate exerience, and in the 2017 extension, the art is enhanced by a stunning view of the river. Various special events and an artist-in-residence program add to the enjoyment. There's a great café with a terrace on the lower level, and a sculpture garden outside links to the riverside path.

    703 Queen St., Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 1C4, Canada
    506-458–8545

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$10; by donation during last half-hour and 5–9 pm Thurs., Closed Mon. Oct.–Apr.
  • 3. Fundy National Park

    This incredible 206-square-km (80-square-mile) park---New Brunswick's first national park---is a microcosm of New Brunswick's inland and coastal climates, and has been designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The park has 100 km (60 miles) of hiking and mountain-biking trails, plus a playground, a heated saltwater pool, tennis courts, and a 9-hole golf course. Among the most scenic of the trails is Laverty Falls, a 2½-km (1½-mile) trail that ascends through hardwood forests to the beautiful Laverty waterfall. At Third Vault Falls, a 3.7-km (2.3-mile) trail from the Laverty Auto Trail Parking Lot, hikers can take a refreshing dip in the pool. On the way to the Coppermine Trail, visitors wind around a steep curve and through a bright-red covered bridge, a favorite spot for photographers. At a dozen scenic spots around the park, two or more red Adirondack chairs have been placed for visitors to sit and admire the view. Park naturalists offer daily programs, including beach walks and hikes that explore the forests (and even find and enjoy nature's edibles along the way). In the evening there are interactive programs in the amphitheater and campfires. Campsites range from full-service to wilderness, and yurts and "oTENTik" accommodations.

    Rte. 114, Alma, New Brunswick, E4H 1B4, Canada
    506-887–6000

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$6.44, Visitor Reception Centre closed Nov.–May; closure of campgrounds varies
  • 4. Historic Garrison District

    The restored buildings of this British and Canadian military post is a National Historic Site and one of New Brunswick's top attractions. It extends two blocks along Queen Street and includes soldiers' barracks, a guardhouse, and a cellblock. Local artisans operate studios in the casemates below the soldiers' barracks on Barracks Square. In July and August free guided tours run throughout the day, and there are regular outdoor concerts on Officers' Square. Redcoat soldiers have long stood guard on the square, and a formal changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place July and August at 11 am and 4 pm daily, with an additional ceremony at 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. It's even possible for children (ages 4 to 12) to live a soldier's life for a while: each summer at 1:15 (or 11:15 for the French version) at the Guardhouse, would-be Redcoats get their own uniforms, practice drilling, and take part in a "mission" (C$10 per child). The square hosts a number of festivals, there's nightly entertainment in summer, and on Sunday evenings in July and August, free classic movies are shown under the stars in Barracks Square at approximately 9 pm. A summertime Garrison Night Market features arts, crafts, local produce, live music, and more.

    Queen St. at Carleton St., Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 1B7, Canada
    506-460–2041

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 5. Hopewell Rocks

    These famous "giant flowerpots" have been carved by the Bay of Fundy tides, and though a major rockfall in 2016 robbed the one they call 'the elephant' of its distinctive profile, walking among them at low tide remains a remarkable experience. At high tide, all you see is the very top, crowned with vegetation and appearing as tiny islands. There are also trails, an interactive visitor center, a café-restaurant, a gift shop, and a children's play area. Guided tours are available. It's about a 15-minute walk from the visitor center to the rocks, but there's also a shuttle service (C$2 each way). The tide comes in very quickly, so check tide tables, keep an eye on your watch, and exit the beach with time to spare.

    131 Discovery Rd., Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, E4H 4Z5, Canada
    877-734–3429

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$14 (valid for 2 consecutive days), Closed mid-Oct.–mid-May
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  • 6. Kings Landing Historical Settlement

    When the Mactaquac Dam was created in the 1960s, a number of historically important buildings were saved and moved to a new shore, later to be joined by more rescued buildings from elsewhere in New Brunswick. Restored and furnished, they created a living-history museum in the form of a typical Loyalist settlement of 1790 to 1900. The winding country lanes and meticulously restored homes reflect the society and lifestyles of the era. It's interesting to compare the life of the wealthy owner of the sawmill to that of an immigrant farmer. Hearty meals and heritage ales are served at the Kings Head Inn.

    5804 Rte. 102, Prince William, New Brunswick, E6K 0A5, Canada
    506-363–4999

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$24, Closed early Oct.–early June except for special events
  • 7. Kingsbrae Garden

    Horticulture and art combine in this spectacular public garden. Nearly 2,500 varieties of trees, shrubs, and plants cover the 27 acres, with woodland trails and many theme gardens, including one specially designed for touch and smell, a rose garden, a bird and butterfly garden, and a gravel garden. A children's fantasy garden offers child-centered activities, and there are daily programs for kids under 12 (1:30 pm in July and August). One of the oldest and rarest trees in the world, a Wollemi pine, named Pericles, is a big attraction, as is the opportunity to participate in a ladybug release program every morning at 10:30. The Sculpture Garden features works by Don Pell, exhibits on loan from the Beaverbrook collection, and many other established and emerging artists, including winners of the annual Kingsbrae Garden Canadian Sculpture Competition. Kingsbrae also has an art gallery, an artists-in-residence series, a café (with live music on Wednesday evenings in July and August), and the superb Savour in the Garden restaurant.

    220 King St., St. Andrews, New Brunswick, E5B 1Y8, Canada
    506-529–3335

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: From C$16
  • 8. Kouchibouguac National Park

    The word Kouchibouguac (Kou-she-boo-gwack) means "river of the long tides" in the Mi'Kmaq language, and this natural wilderness park consists of sandy beaches, dunes, bogs, salt marshes, lagoons, and freshwater, and is home to an abundance of birds. It is also a Dark Sky Preserve, so when the bird-watching is over for the day, stargazing can take over. The visitor center (open mid-May–mid-October) features information and interpretive exhibits. Kellys Beach is supervised and has facilities. There are more than 60 km (37 miles) of trails for biking and hiking in summer and for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow walking, and kick sledding in winter. The forests and peat bogs can be explored along 10 nature trails, each of which has a parking lot. There are lots of nature-interpretation programs, and you can canoe, kayak, and picnic or rent bikes and boats. In summer there are Voyageur Canoe trips, paddling to a seal colony while your interpreter recounts tales of Mi'Kmaq and Acadian culture. Other programs include storytelling, Mi'Kmaq dances, and outdoor theater. Reserve ahead for one of the 311 campsites.

    Rte. 117, New Brunswick, Canada
    506-876–2443

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$7.90 mid-June–early Sept.; C$3.90 Apr.–late June and early Sept.–Nov.
  • 9. Magnetic Hill

    A bizarre optical illusion has been attracting visitors since the days of horse-drawn wagons. If you park your car in neutral at the designated spot, you seem to be coasting uphill without power. Don't be tempted to turn the vehicle around; the effect is most pronounced when you are going backward. Get out and try it on foot and it seems harder to walk downhill than up. There are shops and a restaurant within the attached Wharf Village, designed to resemble a traditional coastal village ( www.magnetichillwharfvillage.ca).

    Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 9Z3, Canada
    506-384–9527

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$6 per car
  • 10. New Brunswick Museum

    Imaginative and engaging in its approach, the provincial museum has fascinating displays covering the history, geology, and culture of New Brunswick and a large and outstanding collection of art in the galleries. The popular whale exhibit includes Delilah, a full-size young right whale skeleton, suspended from the ceiling. You can also watch the phenomenal Bay of Fundy tides rise and fall in a glass tidal tube connected to the harbor and find out why the nearby Stonehammer Geopark has global importance. The Family Discovery Gallery has fun and educational games for all ages. Admission is free on certain holidays and notable dates.

    1 Market Sq., Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 4Z6, Canada
    506-643–2300

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$10, Closed Mon., Nov.–mid-May
  • 11. Parlee Beach Provincial Park

    The warmest salt water in Canada and a 3-km (2-mile) stretch of glistening sand has earned Parlee Beach the title of the best beach in Canada by several surveys, and it has a Blue Flag international eco-certification. It is a popular vacation spot for families, with a campground, and plays host to beach-volleyball and touch-football tournaments; an annual sand-sculpture contest and a triathlon are among a schedule of summer events. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee 9 am–5 pm); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

    Shediac, New Brunswick, E4B 5A2, Canada
    506-533–3363
  • 12. Resurgo Place

    In a bright modern building, this imaginative and highly engaging museum relates the history of Moncton from its earliest settlement, through its various ups and downs (Resurgo, the city's motto, means "I rise again"), to the present day. Rather than just a collection of old stuff in glass cases, the museum seeks to conjure up a feeling of the age, and technology is used to involve visitors in their discoveries—in one of the Transportation Discovery Centre galleries, push-carts fitted with iPads connect with various points on the floor, allowing you to explore each subject on the screen before rolling along to the next. The museum also has a great area for kids, where learning through fun activities is taken to a new level to help develop their thought processes. The historic Free Meeting House, next door to the museum, can be visited by request at the museum's admissions desk. But before you leave the museum, ask if you can try the "Backward Brain Bicycle"---good luck!

    20 Mountain Rd., Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 2J8, Canada
    506-856–4383

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$10 (C$5 Thurs. 5–8 pm), Closed Mon.
  • 13. Reversing Falls Rapids and Skywalk

    The strong Fundy tides rise higher than the water level of the river, so twice daily, at the Reversing Falls Rapids, the tidewater pushes the river water some 90 km (56 miles) back upstream and the rapids appear to reverse themselves. When the tide ebbs, the river once again flows downstream over the rock ledges and on into the bay. You can see the rapids from Fallsview Park, or get an overhead view from the cliff top on Bridge Road. Here, you can also venture out onto the Skywalk, featuring five glass panels for a straight-down view. An excellent introductory film details the fascinating geology and uniqueness of the phenomenon, and docents are on hand to answer questions and offer further insights. It takes time to fully appreciate the Reversing Falls Rapids; you need to visit at high, slack, and low tides—the website, or any visitor information office, has tide times—and to allow for this, Skywalk tickets are valid for the whole day.

    200 Bridge Rd., Saint John, New Brunswick, E2K 1B8, Canada
    506-642--4400

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free; Skywalk and film C$15
  • 14. Roosevelt Campobello International Park

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family spent summers at this estate, which is now an international park with neatly manicured lawns that stretch out to the beach. Guided tours of the 34-room Roosevelt Cottage run every 15 minutes. Presented to Eleanor and Franklin as a wedding gift, the wicker-filled structure looks essentially as it did when the family was in residence. A visitor center has displays about the Roosevelts and Canadian-American relations. In the neighboring Wells-Shober Cottage, Eleanor's Tea is held at 11 am (10 am EST) and 3 pm (2 pm EST) daily. A joint project of the American and Canadian governments, this park is crisscrossed with interesting hiking trails. Groomed dirt roads attract bikers. Eagle Hill Bog has a wooden walkway and signs identifying rare plants.

    459 Rte. 774, Welshpool, New Brunswick, E5E 1G3, Canada
    506-752–2922

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Roosevelt Cottage closed late Oct.–late May, Islands are on Atlantic Time, which is an hour later than Eastern Standard Time
  • 15. Aberdeen Cultural Centre

    The halls of the Aberdeen Cultural Centre ring with music and chatter. The converted schoolhouse is now home to theater and dance companies, a framing shop, artists' ateliers, and several galleries, and concerts and artist talks are also hosted here. Galerie 12 represents leading contemporary Acadian artists. Galerie Sans Nom is an artist-run co-op supporting avant-garde artists from throughout Canada. The artist-run IMAGO Inc. is the only print-production shop in the province. Guided tours are available by appointment.

    140 Botsford St., Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 4X5, Canada
    506-857–9597

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 16. Acadian Historical Village

    More than 40 restored buildings here re-create Acadian communities between 1770 and 1949. There are modest homes, a church, a school, and a village shop, as well as an industrial area with a lobster hatchery, a cooper, and a tinsmith shop. The bilingual staff tells fascinating stories and provides demonstrations; visitors are invited to take part. You can also enjoy dinner and entertainment during the evening and stay overnight in the grand Hôtel Château Albert, an authentic re-creation of a 1907 hotel.

    5 rue du Pont, Bertrand, Rivière-du-Nord, New Brunswick, E1W 0E1, Canada
    506-726–2600

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$22, Closed early Oct.–early June
  • 17. Acadian Museum

    On the campus of the University of Moncton, this museum has one of the world's largest collection of Acadian artifacts reflecting 400 years of Acadian life in the Maritimes and covering culture and beliefs, domestic life, politics, and more. Additionally, a fine art gallery showcases contemporary works by local and national artists. The university is also home to several pieces of public art, so look out for these as you drive through

    405 University Ave., Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
    506-858–4088

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$7
  • 18. Alma

    The small seaside village of Alma services Fundy National Park with restaurants that serve good lobster, a bakery that sells sublime sticky buns, and motels. There's plenty to do around here—from bird-watching and kayaking to horseback riding. Around Canada Day, events may include performances at the Alma Activity Centre and a (plastic) duck race on the Salmon River. In 2021 a new Connector Road opened, linking Alma directly with the Fundy Trail Parkway and reducing the driving time to get there by about an hour.

    Alma, New Brunswick, Canada
  • 19. Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery

    This lively gallery hosts an eclectic series of exhibitions each year, showcasing Atlantic Canadian artists working in traditional and experimental media, as well as art and craft workshops, seasonal festivals, and children's events.

    8 McCain St., Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick, E7L 3H6, Canada
    506-392–6769

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon., by appointment Tues.
  • 20. Aquarium NB

    This wonderful aquarium has a serious side and a fun side, with labs that are the backbone of marine research in the province and more than 1,000 specimens to see in more than 31 indoor exhibition areas, outdoor touch tanks, and the harbor seal pool. Feeding time for the seals (at 11 and 4) is always popular, as are the touch tanks, containing such species as sea stars, clams, sea cucumbers, and rare blue lobsters. Another exhibit illustrates the underwater world of the Acadian Peninsula and how fishing is carried out there, and there are various educational activities and a documentary film to see.

    100 rue de l'Aquarium, Shippagan, New Brunswick, E8S 1H9, Canada
    506-336–3013

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: C$9.15, Late Sept.–late May

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