New Brunswick is a beautiful province and is home to some pretty incredible attractions. You can enjoy the warmest saltwater beach north of Virginia or check out the highest and wildest tides in the world.
No matter what it is you want to experience, you'll find tons of reasons to plan a vacation in New Brunswick.
To help you out, we've put together a list of five of the top tourist destinations in New Brunswick. Let's take a look at these amazing activities and get you inspired for your next trip away.
Dichotomy of New Brunswick
New Brunswick is a mosaic of environmental ecosystems. You can find all kinds of different types of plants, animals, and geology in the area which is one of the many reasons it's such a special place to visit.
One thing that makes New Brunswick special is that it has some of the cleanest air in Canada. The government of this province takes extra care to preserve the high quality of the air and to limit the pollution.
Aside from its air quality, New Brunswick has an interesting land environment, too. The area is characterized by seven unique ecoregion: the Fundy Coast, the Valley Lowlands, the Eastern Lowlands, the Highlands, the Central Uplands, the Northern Uplands, and the Grand Lake.
The uplands and the grand lake area are hilly and have poor soils. The coastal plains, in contrast, have much richer soil and are better for growing crops. These areas are situated atop bedrock.
Finally, the inland parts of the area are covered by expansive forests. The soil is acidic and the highlands consist of igneous bedrock that isn't conducive to agricultural purposes.
New Brunswick tends to be warmer during the winter months and cooler during the summer. The winters, though mild, are quite long, however.
History
Now that you understand the land and geology of New Brunswick, let's talk about the history. This province has a rich history that's quite unique.
New Brunswick was one of the first provinces to join together to form the Dominion of Canada. However, it's history dates back to many years before this occurred in 1867.
The area was first settled in the 1600s by French explorers. The explorers conducted a lot of trade with indigenous peoples who already occupied the area.
After seeing the success that the French were having trading in the area, the British moved in, creating conflict in the province. Between the late 1600s and the early 1700s, the area was passed back and forth between the French and the British.
By 1755, however, the French had fully moved out of the area. From then on, New Brunswick became a haven for English loyalists. Groups of Germans, Dutch, freed slaves, Scottish, Irish, and other settlers made their way to the area to escape political issues and famine.
Today, the area continues to be a multicultural hub. You'll find communities with unique origins in New Brunswick thanks to the wide range of people groups who came to settle in the area.
In fact, New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada! The official languages are English and French.
Getting Around New Brunswick
If you're planning to visit New Brunswick, you'll need to know a thing or two about where it's located and how to get around. The good news is that there are tons of transportation options around the province.
Whether you're looking to drive, fly, or take a train to the area, there are plenty of avenues for making your way around New Brunswick. Here's what you need to know about transportation and the location of this province.
Location
New Brunswick is Canada's biggest maritime province. It's situated beneath the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec and is located next to the US state of Maine.
New Brunswick's location on the Eastern seaboard means that it borders the Atlantic Ocean. This province connects the rest of mainland Canada to Nova Scotia.
Transportation
It's not hard to get around New Brunswick thanks to the numerous modes of transportation available. To get there by air, you can fly into one of the province's six airports.
The Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton airports are all international airports in the province. In addition, the St. Léonard, Charlo, and Bathurst airports offer regional services throughout Canada.
Apart from air travel, there are plenty of ways to get around by ground transportation. The province has an extensive network of highways that connect local areas and other provinces to this one.
The VIA Rail services offer transportation throughout the province to those wanting to get around by rail. There are also freight trains that run through New Brunswick.
Finally, there are numerous ferries that transport passengers between mainland New Brunswick and the many surrounding islands. Plus, public buses are available in the cities in this province.
1. Fundy National Park
You really can't visit New Brunswick without going to Fundy National Park. This national park is the province's claim to fame since it's home to the highest tidal waves in the world.
At low tide, you can head down to the seashore and clamber around the rocks. Or you can take one of the ranger-led tours through the park to learn about the history of the area and what makes it unique.
Other fun activities to check out in the park include:
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Lookouts
- Paddling
- A playground
- Tobogganing
- A beach
- Canoeing
- Geocaching
- Interpretive trails
- Mountain biking
- Photography opportunities
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Bird watching
- Golf
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Tennis
No matter what it is that you love to do, there's something for everyone at Fundy National Park. Perhaps that's why it's such a popular destination!
Fundy National Park Camping
If you love sleeping under the stars then Fundy National Park is a great place to do so. There are backcountry campsites as well as campgrounds with running water and RV hookups.
You can also choose to stay in some of the unique accommodations. The park has yurts, oTENTiks which are a cross between a tent and a cabin, rustic cabins, and hanging orbs.
2. Hopewell Rocks
The Hopewell Rocks are another worthwhile place to visit while in New Brunswick. These beautiful rock formations were caused by tidal erosion and today stand proudly along the shores of the Fundy coast.
To see the rocks, you'll pay a $14 admission fee for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $8 for kids ages 5-18. Kids ages four and under can see the rocks for free.
At the rocks, you can check out the interpretive centre to learn more about the local history, go kayaking, or head down to the ocean floor to take a dip in the ocean!
At night, you can still hang out at the park. There is no staff there, however, so while it's free, it can be pretty dangerous as the tides get high and the waves can be dangerous.
3. Kouchibouguac National Park
Kouchhibouguac National Park is a hidden gem in New Brunswick that you won't want to miss. The area is located surrounding a natural saltwater lagoon and offers an abundance of activities.
While in the area you'll be able to enjoy tons of things to do, including:
- Animal watching
- A beach
- Canoe camping
- Cross country skiing
- Fishing
- An interpretive trail
- Fat biking
- Paddling
- Tobogganing
- Winter camping
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
- Cycling
- Geocaching
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Photography
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Clam fishing
- Dog walking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- An outdoor theatre
- Windsurfing
Aside from these activities, you'll love being able to go hiking. The area has nine easy trails with picnics and activities along the way as well as one moderate trail for more advanced hikers.
The area also offers many programs. These programs include history talks about indigenous peoples, cultural exhibitions, and tours that teach you more about the natural environment.
Kouchibouguac National Park Camping
If you love camping there are plenty of opportunities to do so in this national park. Enjoy backcountry camping for a more rustic feel or opt for sites with RV hookups and running water.
You can also stay in one of the park's oTENTiks. As mentioned before, these cozy abodes are a cross between canvas tents and wood cabins, making for a unique family getaway.
4. Fundy Trail Parkway
The Fundy Trail Parkway is a coastal access parkway that you can visit to learn more about the beautiful Fundy coastline. You'll need to buy a pass to get on the parkway.
Admission costs $11 for adults, $9 for seniors, or $6 for youth. Kids under age 5 are free and don't have to pay to enter the parkway. You can also pay for family packages for just $34.
There are several points of interest in the park, including an old lumber mill where you can learn about forestry back in the day and an interpretive centre where you can discover more about the history of the area.
Other points of interest include the Sea Captains' Burial Ground and the James Catt monument. Plus you can head to iconic spots such as Flowerpot Rock, a suspension footbridge, and a picnic green.
The real draw to the Fundy Trail Parkway, however, is the hiking trails. There are nineteen hiking trails in the park with various difficulty levels:
- Walton Glen Gorge Shortcut: easy to moderate
- Multi-Use Trail: easy to moderate
- Sea Captains' Burial Ground Footpath: easy
- Flowerpot Rock Scenic Footpath: moderate
- Bradshaw Scenic Footpath: moderate to strenuous
- Pioneer Loop Trail: easy
- Suspension Bridge Trail: easy
- Hearst Lodge Scenic Footpath: moderate to strenuous
- Cranberry Brook Loop: strenuous
- Big Salmon to Long Beach Footpath: strenuous
- Fundy Footpath: strenuous
- Low Tide Loop: moderate
- Big Salmon River Cemetery Footpath: moderate to strenuous
- Long Beach Brook Falls Loop: moderate to strenuous
- Footpath to Sealy Beach: moderate
- McCumber Brook Wetlands Trail: easy
- Link to Fundy Footpath: easy to moderate
- McLeod Brook Falls Loop: strenuous
- Walton Glen Gorge Trail: easy
How Long is the Fundy Trail Parkway?
The Fundy Trail Parkway spans 30km that are available to cars, hikers, and motor coaches. There is also 10km of trails that you can hike on throughout the park, adding to the beauty of the area.
5. Irving Nature Park
One fascinating spot to check out in New Brunswick is Irving Nature Park. This park is a 600-acre area located along the Fundy coastline, near the town of St. John.
While visiting the park, you'll have the chance to check out some pretty cool activities. The Children's Forest is near the entrance to the park and is an area with giant mazes, barbecues, and a playground.
Once you make it into the park itself you'll be treated to a beautiful boardwalk with lookout points along the way. The boardwalk is a hiking trail that spans 11km of the coastline and takes you through six different ecosystems.
Park rangers frequently organize educational programs such as geological history talks, moonlight snowshoeing excursions, and story sessions. These educational programs are fully interactive and are great ways for you to learn about New Brunswick.
While you can't drive through the park, you can certainly get out and explore what the area has to offer. There are viewing points for you to check out the many migratory birds that roost in the area.
Pack Your Bags and Head to New Brunswick Today!
New Brunswick is a beautiful province, with tons of unique things to see. The abundance of tourist destinations in New Brunswick is one of the reasons why so many people pay a visit to this Canadian Province.
If you want to go on a vacation to New Brunswick, make sure to take out a travel insurance policy first. Get in touch with Insurdinary and we'll get you set up with a quote today.
