3 Best Sights in The Acadian Coast, New Brunswick

The National Wildlife Area here covers 1,800 acres of salt and brackish marshes, and large numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species can be seen. The outstanding interpretive center includes a museum and exhibit hall with displays on natural and human history, a restaurant specializing in local fare, and a boutique with nature art and fine crafts. You will also find a viewing tower, 11 km (6.8 miles) of trails (come prepared to deal with insects, and wear long pants and enclosed footwear), and daily guided tours in July and August. This is the best location to photograph the striking architecture of the 13-km (8-mile) Confederation Bridge that links New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island.

The center preserves a superb example of a coastal ecosystem that protects the exceptionally fertile oyster beds in Bouctouche Bay, a salt marsh, and an important 12-km (7½-mile) sand dune. Hiking trails and an 800-meter (½-mile) boardwalk with ramps and stairs to the beach make it possible to explore sensitive areas without disrupting the environment of one of the few remaining great dunes on the northwest coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and electric vehicles provide tours for visitors with mobility issues. An outstanding interpretive center puts the ecosystem in perspective with nature exhibits, a film presentation, a saltwater aquarium, and seasonal special events. The staff regularly conducts guided walks. Swimming is allowed.

Home to some 160 species of birds and 200 species of plants, this park has more than 3½ km (2 miles) of boardwalk and trails through 55 acres of wetlands. Throughout the marsh, viewing areas and interpretive signs reveal the rare waterfowl species that nest here. There's an interpretive center, and guided tours (C$6, including info kit and a snack at the end) are available in French and English mid-May through late August. A self-guided tour is also available at the visitor center and some stores in downtown Sackville.