For me, New Brunswick will always be home. It’s where I was born, grew up, went to school, and worked for a few years before moving to Canada’s North. The province, located on Canada’s East Coast, borders Maine in the United States and has so much to offer. There are so many great locations to visit and things to do. In New Brunswick, you’ll enjoy fantastic farmers’ markets, parks, restaurants, great coastal sightseeing and the highest tides in the world!
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Things to Do in New Brunswick by Region
Moncton and Dieppe
Credit: Tourism NB/Daniel St Louis
The cities of Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe make up Greater Moncton. I went to university and spent my early twenties in Moncton. Today, I always make sure to visit the city when in New Brunswick as I still have family and close friends that live there.
Experience Exotic Flavours
Moncton welcomes many international students every year, which adds to the city’s diversity and culture. Tremendous cultural and food experiences have surfaced in the city over the years, such as the beautiful Blue Olive Restaurant.
Moncton and Dieppe Farmers Markets
Both the Moncton Market and the Dieppe Market are excellent and open year-round on Saturdays. I have gone to both markets on many Saturdays as it is only a short drive between the two! The markets are my favourite place to grab breakfast.
Magnetic Hill Zoo
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of Moncton. The zoo is home to over 400 animals. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the zoo, or participate in one of many educational programs. The zoo also offers a wide variety of entertainment options, such as a petting zoo and a pirate-themed play area.
Where to eat and where to stay in Moncton
Some of my favourite spots to wine and dine in Moncton are: Tide and Boar, Gusto Italian Grill & Bar, Les Brumes du Coude, and Third Glass.
Credit: Tourism New Brunswick/Jessica Emin
Perfectly located, the Delta Hotel Beausejour is a great downtown hotel and never disappoints. The hotel is also just a short walk to the Moncton Farmers Market.
Fundy Coastal Region
Hopewell Rocks
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism.
A trip to New Brunswick is incomplete without a visit to Hopewell Rocks. For a unique North American experience just a short 30-minute drive from Moncton, iconic Hopewell Rocks is the perfect day trip. In the summer months, you can witness the Bay of Fundy’s highest tides in the world at this site.
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism
With its 2 kilometres of beaches, walking on the ocean floor is a pretty neat experience in periods of low tide. During high tide, you can canoe or kayak around the Hopewell Rocks.
Fundy National Park
If you continue along the Bay of Fundy, you’ll find Fundy National Park, which offers over 120 kilometres (75 miles) of trails as well as beautiful waterfalls, such as the Third Vault Falls.
Credit: Tourism New Brunswick/Dennis Minty
St. Martins Sea Caves
Credit: Tourism New Brunswick
Another great location to witness the highest tides in the world is in the village of St Martins. The main attractions here are the Sea Caves. You can walk inside the caves during low tide, and during high tide, you can kayak inside the caves.
Fundy Trail Parkway
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism/Nick Hawkins
Just past the St. Martins Sea Caves, you’ll find the Fundy Trail Parkway, which offers outstanding views. Its 30 kilometre (18 mile) scenic route can be explored by car or by bike. Fundy Trail also offers tons of hiking options and waterfalls.
Cape Enrage
If you’re looking for adventure, Cape Enrage is the place for you. You can zipline or take part in their obstacle course. The onsite Cape House Restaurant is celebrated for its great views of the Bay of Fundy.
The Acadian Peninsula
The Acadian Peninsula includes Neguac, Tracadie, Caraquet, Shippagan and Miscou (and so many other tiny villages). It offers great beaches, trails, dining experiences and coastal views.
Miscou Island
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism
In the fall season, head over to Miscou Island, where vast peat bogs turn scarlet red. You’ll also find great white sandy beaches on the Island.
Hay Island Provincial Park
In my hometown of Neguac, make sure to pay a visit to Hay Island Provincial Park. I love that place so much! It offers a great boardwalk and great views of Miramichi Bay and Neguac.
Where to eat and where to stay in the Acadian Peninsula
My favourite places to eat in the Peninsula are Pinokkio pizzeria-resto-bar in Shippagan, Mitchan Sushi in Caraquet, and Chez Raymond in Neguac. Dairy Bar Neguac and Sheila Dairy Bar have great ice cream.
For places to stay, in the Tracadie area, consider this cozy house at the heart of the Acadian Peninsula.
Miramichi
Just 25 minutes from my hometown of Neguac, you’ll find Miramichi. A place I spent a lot of time growing up.
Ritchie Wharf Park
The Ritchie Wharf Park is a great place for strolling on a beautiful waterfront boardwalk.
Where to eat and where to stay in Miramichi
Just 25 minutes from my hometown of Neguac, you’ll find Miramichi, a place I spent a lot of time while growing up.
Charlotte County and the Fundy Isles
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism
Saint Andrews
If you’re looking for the perfect quiet weekend getaway, Saint Andrews is the place for you. The Algonquin Resort and Spa is breathtaking and the place to stay during your visit. The resort also offers a state of the art golf course with great water views.
While you’re in St Andrews, make sure to visit beautiful Kingsbrea Garden.
Campobello Island
From St Andrews, take a ferry to Campobello Island. It’s a great place to go whale watching and another excellent day trip destination. The Island has much to offer and visit, such as lighthouses, galleries, and the Roosevelt-Campobello International Park, which used to be President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s summer home. The park offers tons of walking and hiking trails.
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism
Grand Manan Island
Grand Manan Island is a beautiful place to visit. It is the largest island in the Bay of Fundy and home to a variety of wildlife. You can see whales, seals, puffins, and eagles all in their natural habitat. The island also has some of the best hiking trails in New Brunswick. The views from the top of the cliffs are breathtaking. If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, Grand Manan Island is the perfect destination.
Fredericton
After living in Prince Edward Island for four years, I moved to Fredericton, the capital of my home province, for four years.
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism/Simond Desmond
Fredericton is a government town, but it also caters to a young crowd with its two universities. It has a small city feel and lots of green spaces and trails. It’s also just a 90 minutes drive to the Maine, US border.
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Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival
The best time to visit Fredericton is in September when the city hosts the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival. The weather is always glorious, and the vibe and energy from the locals during that festival week are contagious.
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism/Barry Calhoun
Where to eat and where to stay in Fredericton
Some of my favourite places to eat in Fredericton are Claudine’s Eatery for brunch, 540 Kitchen & Bar and Brewbakers for dinner, and Chess Piece Patisserie for dessert. On Saturdays, make sure to check out the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market.
Just a short drive from Fredericton’s downtown is the beautiful Delta Fredericton Hotel. This hotel offers beautiful views of the Saint John River and has a great restaurant and patio that is a must in the summer months.
Saint John
Next, we have the seaport city of Saint John. This Bay of Fundy city has lost to offer, including excellent dining options.. Saint John is located between Moncton and Fredericton.
Saint John City Market
The Saint John City Market is open Monday through Saturday, year-round and offers excellent local and international options.
In August, the city hosts a popular music festival called Area 506.
Reversing Falls
Witness the Reversing Falls from the Wolastoq Park or at Reversing Falls Rapids Lookout Point, where the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River meet. The Bay of Fundy, known for having the highest tides in the world, has such a strong current that as the tide rises, it reverses the flow of the river, creating what is called the Reversing Falls.
Irving Nature Park
The Irving Nature Park is a beautiful spot located in Saint John, New Brunswick. The park offers stunning views of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River and various hiking trails and open spaces to explore. Its several picnic areas and playgrounds also make it a great spot for a family outing.
Where to eat and where to stay in Saint John
Italian by Night is my favourite restaurant in the city and -dare I say it – in New Brunswick. I’ve made many road trips to the city just to grab dinner at this restaurant. I love to sit at the bar eating fabulous pasta (with a glass of red wine, of course). The staff is always inviting and friendly.
Located in uptown, the Delta Saint John is a great hotel located in the heart of the city.
Upper Saint John River Valley
Hartland Covered Bridge
Hartland‘s national historic site is the world’s longest covered bridge. Just a 75 minutes drive from Fredericton, Hartland’s bridge was inaugurated in 1901. This one-way bridge offers a pedestrian walkway.
Northern New Brunswick
Mount Carleton Provincial Park
Mount Carleton Provincial Park is home to the province’s highest peak, Mount Carleton, as well as several other mountains. Carleton Mountain is a popular destination for hiking and camping, and the park also offers canoeing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.
If you’re planning a visit to neighbouring provinces, make sure to check out things to do in PEI (Prince Edward Island) and things to do in NS (Nova Scotia).
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