Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, was once known as Pointe-Ste-Anne. In 1786, it was renamed Fredricstown after Frederic, second son of King George III. Today, Fredericton is home to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, which functions out of this fine building, inaugurated in 1882 and built in the Second Empire architectural style.

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Garrison District -

Fredericton is set along the Saint John River, where from 1784 to 1869 a British garrison was sited. This area today is known as the Garrison District, the oldest part of the city. In July and August, visitors can enjoy the colorful and traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place three times daily.

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Beaverbrook Art Gallery -

Fredericton's Garrison District is also where you'll find the Fredericton Region Museum and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Works on display at the gallery include those by Salvador Dali, J.M.W. Turner, Joshua Reynolds, and James Tissot, whose 'A Passing Storm,' painted in 1876, is pictured here.

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Boyce Farmers Market -

If you're in Fredericton on a Saturday morning, don't miss browsing Boyce Farmers Market. Bursting with community farming flavor, the market draws more than 250 local farmers, food producers, and artisans from along the Saint John River region and across New Brunswick. For an authentic and healthy snack, purchase a bag of dulce to go—crunchy red algae also known as sea lettuce flakes.

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Fundy National Park -

Fundy National Park is New Brunswick's premier wilderness destination. Comprising a vast stretch of undeveloped coastline fringed with pine forest, the park boasts 25 hiking and biking trails open year round, with cross-country skiing being the pastime of choice during the winter months.

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Following the Dobson Trail -

One of these hiking trails is the Dobson Trail, which takes hikers nearly 60 km (37 mi) to Riverview. Along the way, expect to be awed by natural wonders such as the beautiful Laverty Falls (pictured), situated near the town of Alma.

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Bridges to cross -

The Dobson Trail connects with the Fundy Footpath. At Point Wolfe, it passes an attractive, raspberry-hued covered bridge, the only one of its kind found in the park.

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Big Salmon River -

The Fundy Footpath takes you across the Big Salmon River—a shallow waterway which flows into the Bay of Fundy near St. Martins—by way of a narrow 84-m (275-ft) suspension foot bridge.

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Hopewell Cape -

The park is located on the Bay of Fundy, known and respected for its extremely high tidal range, in fact the highest in the world. The bay's most iconic natural feature is the Hopewell Rocks that mark the chin of Hopewell Cape and is best appreciated at high tide by joining a guided kayak expedition.

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Hopewell Rocks -

At low tide, these weird-looking sea stacks, also called the Flowerpots Rocks, can be admired on foot. Just be aware of tide times when you venture out onto the flats.

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Bay of Fundy -

The Bay of Fundy itself is a world-renowned whale-watching hotspot. These are prime summer feeding grounds for these gentle giants, of which 12 different species have been recorded, including humpback, finback, and minke.

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North Atlantic right whale -

The greatest reward, however, is catching a glimpse of a North Atlantic right whale (pictured). This elegant cetacean is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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St. Andrews-by-the-Sea -

If you intend to to explore the Bay of Fundy over several days, consider a stay at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. This venerable town is a national historic site of Canada, bearing many characteristics of a typical 18th-century British colonial settlement. Several highly commended whale-watching companies operate out of St. Andrews, offering ocean-bound experiences ranging from inflatable zodiac boats to fully-rigged sailing ships.

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Kingsbrae Garden -

St. Andrews nurtures New Brunswick's best botanical garden, Kingsbrae. Influenced by a climate tempered by the Bay of Fundy, these lush, verdant grounds support 50,000 perennials in a series of themed gardens. Patrolling this paradise are several white peacocks who very often show themselves off with a shimmering display of radiant splendor.

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The Algonquin Resort -

And where to stay in St. Andrews? Well, why not stopover in style at the Algonquin Resort. This iconic New Brunswick hotel property dates back to 1915 and is set over earlier 1889 foundations (the original hotel, built by Canadian railroad magnate William Cornelius Van Horne, was destroyed by fire in 1914).

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Fundy Trail Parkway -

An alternative to exploring the region on foot or under sail is to motor the Fundy Trail Parkway, a super scenic coastal drive that lies northeast of the city of Saint John. Plenty of lookout points along the way afford drivers and their passengers magnificent panoramas of the coast. The Fundy Trail Parkway is accessed from the village of St. Martins.

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St. Martins -

The quaint and colorful village of St. Martins dates back to 1783. Here you can stock up on provisions while absorbing local character like the Cronk House (pictured), built in 1869. St. Martins is also a good base from which to explore the nearby coastal cave network.

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Roosevelt Campobello International Park -

The summer retreat from 1905 to 1921 of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife and family, this historic property on Campobello Island is indelibly linked to the future 32nd President of the United States. Given as a wedding present to Franklin and Eleanor in 1908, from Franklin's mother Sara Roosevelt, many of the furnishings are original to the family. A favorite with tourists is "Eleanor's Tea" program, where visitors can enjoy tea and cookies while staff members impart anecdotes about the First Lady and her many activities and initiatives.

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East Quoddy Lighthouse -

After touring the Roosevelt summer retreat, head for the East Quoddy Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island. Built in 1829, the lighthouse is distinguished for its wooden octagonal tower with a large red cross painted on the eastern side.

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Saint John -

Established in 1785, Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada. A huge fire in 1877 destroyed much of it, but what rose up out of the ashes is today regarded as some of the country's most visually stunning Victorian architecture. Begin your sightseeing outside the Old Post Office building on Princess Street between Prince William Street and Water Street in downtown Saint John, an area designated a National Historic Site of Canada for its outstanding concentration of period architecture.

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Historic Saint John -

Other buildings of note include City Market, Loyalist House, and Old No 1 Engine House. Some of these now serve as museums.

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Fort Howe -

Fort Howe is the site of an 18th- and 19th-century British Army fortification on a hill overlooking Saint John. All that remains today is a replica blockhouse that still manages to convey a strong sense of history and purpose.

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Reversing Falls Bridge -

The strength of the extreme tidal flow that visits the Bay of Fundy is such that when the tide rises, it forces water back into the mouth of the St. John River, causing it to flow backward. This remarkable natural phenomenon can be witnessed from the suitably named Reversing Falls Bridge in Saint John.

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Stonehammer Geopark -

This is the raging torrent near Reversing Falls Bridge seen at full flood from Stonehammer Geopark, the only UNESCO-listed global geopark in North America.

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Skywalk Saint John -

The views from Skywalk Saint John, a rooftop observation platform that extends nearly 10 m (32 ft) beyond the edge of the cliff over the falls, affords an uninterrupted view of the churning eddies and whirlpools 30 m (98 ft) below, created as a result of this intense rush of water.

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Magnetic Hill Zoo -

Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton is named for Magnetic Hill where, apparently, any automobile shifted into neutral with brakes released will mysteriously move uphill. Far more plausible is the wildlife waiting to greet you at Magnetic Hill Zoo, among which is the rare Przewalski's horse.

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Grand Manan Island -

Anchored in the Bay of Fundy is Grand Manan Island. Accessible only by ferry from the village of Blacks Harbor, this is a preferred destination for birders—ornithologists who converge on this speck of land to observe the more than 250 species found here, including Atlantic puffin. In fact, the island's diversity is such that none other than famed artist and ornithologist John James Audubon came to Grand Manan and its outlying islands to capture what he described as its "unique majesty."

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Kings Landing -

Step back in time at Kings Landing, a living history museum located at Prince William with original buildings from the period of 1820–1920. This is the history of rural New Brunswick at its most engaging and informative, and will appeal to all ages.

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Village Historique Acadien -

Another must-see museum village is this site at Riviere du Nord, an historical reconstruction that portrays the way of life of Acadians between 1770 and 1949. Acadia was a colony of New France in northeastern North America.

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Kouchibouguac National Park -

Unveiling itself on New Brunswick’s Acadian Coast, Kouchibouguac National Park is a fragile habitat of barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes, and forests. The illusive forest-dwelling fisher marten is among the wildlife found here, along with bobcats, moose, and timber wolves.

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Shediac -

Next, enjoy some rest and relaxation in the nearby Acadian community of Shediac. This delightful destination is known as the "lobster capital of the world" for its exceptional lobster harvest. The town even hosts an annual festival in July which promotes its ties to lobster fishing.

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Cape Enrage -

How about rounding off your New Brunswick tour by chilling out at Cape Enrage, near Waterside? A dot of a lighthouse landmarks the southern tip of Barn Marsh Island, which is named for the large reef that extends south into Chignecto Bay. The reef causes the water currents off the point to become extremely erratic, unpredictable, and totally mesmerizing, hence the cape's description.

Sources: (Parks Canada) (National Ocean Service) (Bay of Fundy) (IUCN Red List) (UNESCO)

The best of New Brunswick

Discover Canada's "Picture Province"

07/08/23 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Canada

One of Canada's Maritime provinces, in New Brunswick you'll find the world's highest tides and extreme ranges of water that have helped shape and sculpt a dramatic coastline over thousands of years. Landmarking the shoreline are towns and villages inextricably linked to the sea, many set under the shadow of historic lighthouses. Some of the best whale-watching anywhere is found in this region, the warm summer waters attracting no less than 12 different species of these majestic creatures. Inland a more rustic veneer greets visitors, a landscape of mountains and valleys embroidered with forest and woodland nourished by rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. After you've explored outdoors, head for the cities—Saint John, Moncton, and the provincial capital Fredericton—for downtime discovering museums and galleries, gardens and parks, and the warm and inviting Arcadian character.

So, ready to meet the locals? Then click through and get the best out of New Brunswick.