New Brunswick
List of New Brunswick's Attractions
I. National Land
National Parks
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Fundy National Park
Established in 1948, this 206 square kilometer (80 square mile) park sits on the Bay of Fundy and lets visitors see the highest tides in the world up close. More than 100 kilometers (60 miles) of trails lead through Acadian forest to waterfalls such as Dickson Falls and Laverty Falls, and the park also offers camping, a saltwater pool, golf and a Dark Sky Preserve designation. At low tide the red mud flats stretch far from shore, and the nearby village of Alma is known for its lobster boats and sticky buns.
Location: Near Alma, southeastern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site
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Kouchibouguac National Park
Created in 1969, this 238 square kilometer (92 square mile) park protects a long stretch of barrier islands, sand dunes, salt marsh, lagoons and bogs on the Northumberland Strait. It has some of the warmest saltwater beaches north of Virginia and one of the largest grey seal colonies in the region, plus nesting piping plovers and many other shorebirds. Cyclists, kayakers and walkers can explore more than 60 kilometers (37 miles) of trails and a boardwalk that crosses the dunes. The park sits on the traditional lands of the Mi'kmaq, and its name is a Mi'kmaw word usually translated as "river of the long tides."
Location: Kent County, eastern New Brunswick, near Richibucto
Website: Official Site
National Recreation Areas
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Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area
A federally protected area of salt marsh, bog, forest and shoreline at the New Brunswick end of the Confederation Bridge, with walking trails, a nature center and an observation tower. It is an important stop for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, and bridge views from the beach are striking.
Location: Cape Jourimain, near Bayfield, southeastern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site
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Shepody National Wildlife Area
A protected stretch of Fundy tidal mud flats, salt marsh and shoreline that forms part of one of the most important shorebird staging areas in the world. Each summer, hundreds of thousands of semipalmated sandpipers stop here to feed before their long flight south, and the best viewing is around high tide in late July and August.
Location: Near Mary's Point, Albert County
Website: Official Site
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Tintamarre National Wildlife Area
A network of marshes, dykes and ponds on the Tantramar Marshes near the Nova Scotia border, important for waterfowl, rails and migrating shorebirds. The surrounding dyked farmland was created by Acadian farmers and is still a landscape of hayfields, creeks and wide skies.
Location: Near Sackville, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site
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Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area
A large freshwater wetland and floodplain forest on the Saint John River, with creeks, marshes and a rich range of wildlife, including waterfowl, beavers and moose. Trails and paddling routes lead through the area, and it is a quiet nature escape within reach of Fredericton.
Location: Near Sunbury County, south of Fredericton
Website: Official Site
National Monuments
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Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site
A round stone defensive tower on a hill above Saint John Harbour, begun during the War of 1812 and used again in the Second World War. Visitors can climb to the roof for views over the harbour, tour restored barracks rooms and see exhibits on the tower's military history.
Location: West Side, Saint John
Website: Official Site
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Fort Howe National Historic Site
A restored 18th-century blockhouse on a rocky hilltop above Saint John, originally built in 1777 during the American Revolution. It is a short walk from the uptown area and has some of the best views of the city, the harbour and the Saint John River mouth.
Location: Magazine Street, Saint John
Website: Official Site
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Saint Andrews Blockhouse National Historic Site
A small wooden blockhouse built in 1812 to defend the town of St. Andrews during the War of 1812, and one of the few surviving examples of its type. It sits in a small park near the water, with picnic areas and views over Passamaquoddy Bay.
Location: St. Andrews, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site
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Ministers Island National Historic Site
The estate of Sir William Van Horne, the builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway, on a tidal island that is reached by a sandbar at low tide. Highlights include the 50-room Covenhoven mansion, a huge round barn and a bathhouse built into the shore, and visits are timed to the tides.
Location: Near St. Andrews, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site
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Monument-Lefebvre National Historic Site
A museum and monument in Memramcook that tells the story of Acadian history and the Acadian cultural revival of the 19th and 20th centuries. The site is a good place to learn about the return of the Acadians after the Deportation and the founding of Collège Saint-Joseph.
Location: Memramcook, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site
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Boishébert and Beaubears Island National Historic Site
An island in the Miramichi River that was a refuge for Acadians during the Deportation and later a busy shipbuilding center. Guided tours and a visitor program tell both stories, and the island is reached by boat.
Location: Beaubears Island, near Miramichi
Website: Official Site
National Historic Parks
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Fort Beauséjour-Fort Cumberland National Historic Site
A star-shaped fort built by the French in 1751, captured by the British in 1755 and renamed Fort Cumberland. It overlooks the Isthmus of Chignecto and the Tantramar Marshes, and visitors can walk the earthworks, tour the museum and see the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which was a frontier of two empires.
Location: Aulac, Westmorland County, near Sackville
Website: Official Site
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Roosevelt Campobello International Park
A park jointly run by Canada and the United States, preserving the 34-room summer home where Franklin D. Roosevelt spent his boyhood summers and later returned as an adult. The grounds also include walking trails, beaches and rugged coastal scenery, and the park is reached by bridge from Lubec, Maine.
Location: Campobello Island, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site
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Fort Folly National Historic Site
A small site near the Mi'kmaq community of Fort Folly that marks the history of the Mi'kmaq and Acadians along the Petitcodiac River. Check current visiting arrangements before planning a trip.
Location: Dorchester area, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site
National Scenic Area
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Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark
The first geopark in North America, covering a large area around Saint John with a remarkable 1.2 billion years of earth history. Highlights include the Reversing Falls, the Fundy Trail, ancient fossil beds at Fossil Beach and the Hampstead rock formations.
Location: Saint John region
Website: Official Site
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Fundy Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve along the Bay of Fundy that includes Fundy National Park, the Fundy Trail Parkway and the surrounding rivers, forests and tidal flats. It is a model for balancing conservation with the needs of the communities that live here.
Location: Fundy coast, southern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site
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Bay of Fundy Tides
The highest tides in the world, with a range of up to about 16 meters (53 feet), twice a day. The best places to see them in New Brunswick are Hopewell Rocks, Alma, Fundy National Park and Saint John's Reversing Falls.
Location: Bay of Fundy coast, southern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site
II. Provincial Land
Provincial Parks
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Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Home to the famous "flowerpot rocks," tall sea stacks carved by the Fundy tides and topped with spruce trees. At low tide visitors can walk on the ocean floor among the rocks, and at high tide, up to about 14 meters (46 feet) of water covers the same spot. It is the most visited natural attraction in the province, so it is best to go early in the day and check the tide tables.
Location: Hopewell Cape, Albert County
Website: Official Site
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Mount Carleton Provincial Park
The largest provincial park in New Brunswick, covering about 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of wild forest, lakes and highlands. It holds the highest point in the Maritimes, Mount Carleton at 820 meters (2,690 feet), and is a designated Dark Sky Preserve with exceptional stargazing. Hiking, canoeing, camping and wildlife watching are the main draws, and moose, black bears and peregrine falcons live here.
Location: Northern New Brunswick, near Saint-Quentin
Website: Official Site
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Sugarloaf Provincial Park
A year-round park on the edge of Campbellton, centered on a 305 meter (1,000 foot) mountain with a summit view of the Restigouche River and Chaleur Bay. It offers hiking, mountain biking, alpine slides and a ski hill in winter, and is the most popular park in the north of the province.
Location: Campbellton, Restigouche County
Website: Official Site
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Mactaquac Provincial Park
A large resort park on the headpond of the Mactaquac Dam, with two beaches, a golf course, a campground, boating, hiking trails and a marina. It is a popular family retreat only about 20 minutes from Fredericton.
Location: Mactaquac, near Fredericton, York County
Website: Official Site
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Anchorage Provincial Park
A seaside park on Grand Manan Island, with a campground, a sandy beach and hiking trails that lead to Fundy shoreline views. It is a good base for exploring the island, whale watching and birding.
Location: Grand Manan Island, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site
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Herring Cove Provincial Park
A park on Campobello Island with a long sandy beach, a campground, a golf course and walking trails along the Fundy shore. It sits close to Roosevelt Campobello International Park and the East Quoddy (Head Harbour) Lighthouse.
Location: Campobello Island, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site
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Pokeshaw Rock Provincial Park
A small coastal park on Chaleur Bay, built around a tall, tree-topped sea stack called Pokeshaw Rock that was cut off from the cliff by the sea. Seabirds nest here, and the view from the viewing area is one of the most photographed on the northeast coast.
Location: Pokeshaw, near Grande-Anse, Gloucester County
Website: Official Site
Provincial Wildlife Areas
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Grand Lake Meadows Protected Natural Area
One of the largest freshwater wetlands in the Maritimes, with marshes, wet meadows and shallow channels at the head of Grand Lake. It is excellent for birdwatching and canoeing, with waterfowl, herons, osprey and bald eagles.
Location: Grand Lake area, Queens and Sunbury Counties
Website: Official Site -
Caledonia Gorge Protected Natural Area
A scenic gorge in the Caledonia Highlands, with steep cliffs, a rushing river and old-growth Acadian forest. It lies along the Fundy coast and has rare plants and good hiking.
Location: Near Fundy National Park, Albert County
Website: Official Site -
Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area
The first marine protected area on the Bay of Fundy, covering an unspoiled estuary of salt marsh, mud flats and kelp beds. It is a rich feeding ground for shorebirds and fish, and it is a popular place for kayaking and birdwatching.
Location: Musquash, near Saint John
Website: Official Site -
Sackville Waterfowl Park
About 55 acres of restored marsh and ponds right beside downtown Sackville, with a boardwalk and trails where visitors can see waterfowl, muskrats and many other animals. It is a good example of how wetlands can be enjoyed in the middle of a town.
Location: Sackville, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
Irving Nature Park
A coastal nature park at the edge of Saint John, with about 10 kilometers (6 miles) of trails through forest and salt marsh and along the shore. It is a good place to see seals, shorebirds and sweeping views of the Bay of Fundy.
Location: Sand Cove Road, Saint John
Website: Official Site
Provincial Beaches
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Parlee Beach Provincial Park
A long sandy beach on the Northumberland Strait, famous for having some of the warmest saltwater north of Virginia. It is the most popular beach in the province, with lifeguards, a boardwalk, a changing area and food services nearby, and the nearby town of Shediac is known as the Lobster Capital of the World.
Location: Pointe-du-Chêne, near Shediac, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
Murray Beach Provincial Park
A quieter, shaded beach park on the Northumberland Strait, with a long sandy shore, a campground and picnic areas. It is a short drive from the Confederation Bridge and a good option for travelers who want a calmer beach.
Location: Near Cape Tormentine, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
New River Beach Provincial Park
A rugged Fundy coast park with beaches, tidal pools, a campground and hiking trails along the shore. Cooler water and fog are common here, and the area is a good place for beachcombing and seabird watching.
Location: New River, Charlotte County, southwest of Saint John
Website: Official Site -
La Dune de Bouctouche
A 12 kilometer (7.5 mile) natural sand dune on the Northumberland Strait, with a boardwalk that lets visitors walk along the dune without damaging it. The Irving Eco-Centre here is a nature center that protects the dune and the nesting shorebirds that rely on it.
Location: Bouctouche, Kent County
Website: Official Site -
Plage Aboiteau Beach
A warm, sandy beach in the Acadian community of Cap-Pelé, with shallow water and long views across the strait. It is a favorite spot for families in summer and is close to the fish markets where visitors can pick up smoked fish and fresh seafood.
Location: Cap-Pelé, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site
Provincial Scenic Areas
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Fundy Trail Parkway
A scenic coastal drive of about 30 kilometers (19 miles) along the rugged Fundy shore east of St. Martins, with lookouts, hiking trails, waterfalls, a suspension footbridge and a beach with a Fundy Footpath link. It is run by a nonprofit and charges an entry fee in season.
Location: St. Martins, Saint John County
Website: Official Site -
Reversing Falls Rapids
A set of tidal rapids at the mouth of the Saint John River, where the rising Fundy tide pushes against the river and makes the water flow upstream for part of each day. The best views are from the lookout and the nearby Fallsview Park, and visitors can also take a jet boat ride on the rapids.
Location: Saint John
Website: Official Site -
Cape Enrage
A rocky headland on the Fundy coast with a lighthouse first built in 1838, and a popular spot for zip lines, rappelling and fossil hunting on the beach below. A seasonal cafe and guided adventures run in summer.
Location: Waterside, Albert County
Website: Official Site -
Hartland Covered Bridge
At 391 meters (1,282 feet), the longest covered bridge in the world. It was built in 1901 and given its roof in the 1920s, and it crosses the Saint John River in the town of Hartland. It is a National Historic Site of Canada and a great photo stop.
Location: Hartland, Carleton County
Website: Official Site -
Grand Falls Gorge
A deep gorge on the Saint John River below the town's waterfall, with walking trails, a suspension bridge and a viewing platform. The falls are one of the largest in the region, especially in spring when the river is high.
Location: Grand Falls, Victoria County
Website: Official Site -
Fundy Coastal Drive
A scenic route along the Bay of Fundy from St. Stephen to Sackville, passing St. Andrews, Saint John, St. Martins, Fundy National Park and Hopewell Rocks. It is the main tourist route for visiting the Fundy shore.
Location: Southern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site -
Acadian Coastal Drive
A scenic route along the eastern and northeastern shores, from Cap-Pelé through Shediac, Bouctouche, Miramichi and Caraquet. It features beaches, fishing harbours, Acadian culture and some of the best seafood in the region.
Location: Eastern and northeastern New Brunswick
Website: Official Site
III. Private Attractions
Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums
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Magnetic Hill Zoo
The largest zoo in Atlantic Canada, with more than 400 animals from around the world, including Siberian tigers, lions, giraffes and lemurs. The grounds are right next to the famous Magnetic Hill, and the zoo is a favorite for families.
Location: Moncton, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
Kingsbrae Garden
About 27 acres of themed gardens, woodland trails and fields, with a collection of rare plants, an alpaca and sheep pasture, a sculpture collection and a cafe. It is considered one of the best gardens in Atlantic Canada.
Location: St. Andrews, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site -
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
A marine science and education center with an aquarium and touch tanks holding cold-water species from the Bay of Fundy, including lobsters, sea stars and seals. It is a good stop for families in St. Andrews.
Location: St. Andrews, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site -
Aquarium and Marine Centre of New Brunswick
An aquarium on the Acadian Peninsula, with tanks of local fish and marine life, a seal feeding show and displays on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a good stop for families.
Location: Shippagan, Gloucester County
Website: Official Site -
Fredericton Botanic Garden
A garden in Odell Park with native plants and trees, a forest trail and a small collection of animals nearby. The surrounding park is one of the oldest in the city.
Location: Odell Park, Fredericton
Website: Official Site
Major Museums
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New Brunswick Museum
The oldest continuously operating museum in Canada, founded in 1842, with exhibits on art, natural history and the story of the province. It includes a gallery of the Fundy tides and a large collection of whale skeletons.
Location: Market Square, Saint John
Website: Official Site -
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
A major art gallery on the Saint John River, founded by Lord Beaverbrook, with a large collection of British and Canadian art, including works by Dalí, Turner and the Group of Seven. It is the top art museum in the province.
Location: Fredericton
Website: Official Site -
Village Historique Acadien
A living history museum of more than 40 restored buildings, showing how Acadians lived between 1770 and 1949. Costumed interpreters work the farms, craft shops and the printing house, and visitors can taste traditional foods such as poutine râpée.
Location: Caraquet, Gloucester County
Website: Official Site -
Kings Landing Historical Settlement
A living history village of about 70 historic buildings, many moved from the flooded Saint John River valley, showing life in a Loyalist farming community from 1783 to 1900. Costumed interpreters, working craftspeople and a farm bring the community to life.
Location: Prince William, near Fredericton, York County
Website: Official Site -
Ganong Chocolate Museum
A museum in the town where Ganong, Canada's oldest candy company, began making sweets in 1873. It tells the story of the family firm, the invention of the chocolate bar and the heart-shaped box of chocolates, and there is a chance to taste the product.
Location: St. Stephen, Charlotte County
Website: Official Site -
Acadian Museum of the University of Moncton
The oldest Acadian museum in the Maritimes, holding thousands of artifacts and works of art that trace Acadian history and culture.
Location: University of Moncton, Moncton
Website: Official Site -
Fredericton Region Museum
A museum in the historic Garrison District, with exhibits on the people, industries and history of the Fredericton region, from Indigenous peoples and Loyalists to the military and local industry.
Location: Queen Street, Fredericton
Website: Official Site -
Atlantic Salmon Museum
A museum on the Miramichi River dedicated to the history and science of the Atlantic salmon and the sport of fly fishing. Its collection and displays are a good introduction to the river that made this region famous.
Location: Doaktown, Northumberland County
Website: Official Site -
Science East
A hands-on science center in the former Fredericton jail, with interactive exhibits for children and families. Its housed in a historic stone building that adds to the experience.
Location: Fredericton
Website: Official Site
Amusement and Water Parks
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Magnetic Hill
A famous gravity hill where cars put in neutral appear to roll uphill, a long-standing attraction and optical illusion that has drawn visitors since the 1930s. A tourist area, a mini golf course, a farmers' market and a zoo are nearby.
Location: Moncton, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
Magnetic Hill Winter Park
A winter recreation area near Magnetic Hill, with tubing and other cold-season activities. Check current operating status and seasons before planning a visit.
Location: Moncton, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site
IV. Major Shopping Centers
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Champlain Place
The largest shopping mall in New Brunswick and one of the biggest in Atlantic Canada, with department stores, fashion shops, electronics and a food court. It is a major shopping destination for the Moncton and Dieppe region.
Location: Dieppe, Westmorland County
Website: Official Site -
Regent Mall
A large enclosed mall with national retailers, restaurants and services, one of the main shopping areas in the capital region.
Location: Regent Street, Fredericton
Website: Official Site -
Brunswick Square
A downtown shopping and office complex with shops, services and restaurants, connected by walkways to the rest of uptown Saint John.
Location: Germain Street, Saint John
Website: Official Site -
Market Square
A waterfront complex with shops, restaurants, the New Brunswick Museum and a public library, overlooking Saint John Harbour. It is a good place to eat and shop in the city center.
Location: Saint John waterfront
Website: Official Site -
Kings Place
A downtown mall in Fredericton, with a range of shops, services and restaurants.
Location: King Street, Fredericton
Website: Official Site -
Saint John City Market
The oldest continuing farmers' market in Canada, open since 1876, with a distinctive roof built like an upside-down ship's hull. Vendors sell local produce, seafood, baked goods, crafts and dulse, and it is a good spot for lunch.
Location: Charlotte Street, Saint John
Website: Official Site -
Boyce Farmers Market
A busy Saturday market in Fredericton with local produce, baked goods, crafts, prepared foods and live music. It has been running for generations and is a favorite with locals and visitors.
Location: Brunswick Street, Fredericton
Website: Official Site -
Moncton Market
A year-round indoor market in Moncton, with local produce, baked goods, crafts and Acadian specialties. It is a good place to try local foods.
Location: Moncton
Website: Official Site
