Everything You Need to Know When You Travel to New Brunswick
This post is sponsored by Destination New Brunswick but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
There are so many reasons to travel to New Brunswick, Canada! I didn’t know much about the province before going there, but I was overwhelmed by the number of things to do, bites and brews to grab, and the beauty of the natural scenery. If you are looking for the ideal place to enjoy the outdoors and that kind, Canadian hospitality, then this is the spot for you.
What to see when you travel to New Brunswick
This guide has all the information you need to travel to New Brunswick!
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Map of New Brunswick
Where is New Brunswick?
New Brunswick is located north of the state of Maine and borders the other Canadian provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Places to go in New Brunswick
While you might not think of towering skyscrapers when it comes to cities in New Brunswick, there are a number of fun larger towns that you’re going to want to add to your New Brunswick road trip itinerary.
Here are some of the main places to visit in New Brunswick that all offer something unique and that you should take time out of your trip to stop by:
Moncton: Moncton has blossomed into a city with some great food and a younger vibe downtown. Have your mind blown at Magnetic Hill (you have to see it to believe it).
The Fundy Coast: The Fundy Coast makes up the southernmost part of New Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world and some pretty incredible views.
Fredericton: This historic, college town is built for those looking for craft beers and the opportunity to step back into the past.
Saint John: Known for its role as a harbor for cruise ships and its industrial past, Saint John has become a hipster’s paradise with delicious food and a walkable city center.
St. Andrews: Also known as St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, expect an adorable seaside village where you’ll catch your whale watching tour and dinner by the water.
Shediac: Giant lobster, anyone? You’ve got to make a quick stop here for seafood and a picture you’re going to want to share with friends and family.
Facts about New Brunswick
Facts about New BrunswickWhile it’s not one of the best-known provinces, it is one with a lot of extremes and rare natural phenomena that you won’t want to miss. Here are some facts you’ll want in your back pocket before visiting New Brunswick.
- New Brunswick is the only province that officially recognizes itself as bilingual (almost everyone speaks both French and English).
- The beaches in New Brunswick have the warmest saltwater north of Virginia.
- The province is home to one of two reversing falls in the world.
- The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world.
- 83% of the province is made up of forests.
- The Bay of Fundy attracts up to 12 species of whales at one time.
- The New Brunswick population of 2020 is estimated to be 776,000.
Flying into New Brunswick
I highly recommend flying into Moncton when traveling to New Brunswick. Not only are flights likely to be more reasonable, but it also puts you in a good spot to start your trip. The Greater Moncton Ròmeo LeBlanc International Airport has flights coming in from Air Canada, PAL Airlines, Porter Airlines, and WestJet as well as seasonal flights during the warmer months.
You can also fly into the Fredericton International Airport, as well.
How to get around New Brunswick
Driving is by far the best way to travel through New Brunswick. The province has an excellent and well-maintained highway system, and it’s easy to get around from one place to another. I do recommend checking out car rental options a few months in advance of your trip since lately there have been rental car shortages.
You can get a car for about $40 USD a day, though prices are likely to go up during the summer months.
Moncton
MonctonAs the biggest city in New Brunswick, Moncton is where you are likely to start your trip. Check out the downtown area for some awesome feed options and a fun vibe.
Things to do in Moncton
Some of the places to visit in Moncton mostly require you to get a little bit outside of the city. You’re definitely not going to want to miss Magnetic Hill when you travel to New Brunswick. It’s home to an optical illusion that will astound you and have you Googling to find out how it works. After you’ve given up, head to the nearby boardwalk or check out the butterfly garden, zoo, or go-kart track for some more of the available Moncton tourist attractions.
Other things to do in Moncton include checking out some of the awesome street art that has cropped up over the past few years. Think of it as a scavenger hunt as you explore the downtown area.
Moncton hotels
There are some great hotel options right near the best Moncton restaurants that I recommend you book for easy access to the downtown fun. Both the Delta Hotels by Marriott Beausejour and Chateau Moncton Hotel & Suites are ideal options if you’re looking for location and comfort.
Moncton restaurants
Right by the downtown Moncton hotels, you’ll find the Pump House, where you can get delicious burgers, an extensive selection of craft beer, and sides for days. Located just down the street is Gusto Italian Grill & Bar, which offers new takes on European cuisine with a can’t-miss rustic setting.
The Fundy Coast
The Fundy CoastWhen you travel to New Brunswick, much of your trip will be based around the Bay of Fundy and the uncountable amount of activities there are to do in the area. This gem of a coastline offers kayaking, hiking, a national park, and much more to satisfy any lover of the outdoors.
From Moncton, take the scenic route along the Fundy Trail Parkway, which winds along the cliff sides overlooking the Bay. With multiple scenic lookouts and picnic tables, it’s the ideal place to stop and have your lunch on your way to your next destination.
Hikers will want to take some time in this area and explore one of the many trails provided by the Parkway, or they’ll want to head to Alma–the gateway to Fundy National Park. One of two national parks in New Brunswick, you could spend your entire trip here bird watching, hitting the trail, or exploring the beach at low tide.
Fredericton
As the official New Brunswick capital, this college town brimming with history needs at least two days to explore. Here, you’ll find a mix of the old and the new as young people bring in new restaurants and attractions while housing them in buildings built hundreds of years ago.
Things to do in Fredericton
One of my favorite things to do in Fredericton was head to Kings Landing. As a living history museum, you can explore 300 acres of artifacts or chat with someone in period costume from the 19th century. I honestly had never seen anything like it before!
Fredericton has also developed a Taproom Trail, which is pretty much any craft brewery lover’s dream. You can bike along one of their many paths or even rent an electric scooter to get from brewery to brewery. Once you have finished trying some of the many taps on offer, head to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery reopening in 2022 and featuring works from Dalí, Reynolds, and more.
Don’t forget to walk over to the Garrison District in July and August to see the changing of the guard every day at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. There are also additional ceremonies at 7:00 PM.
Fredericton hotels
When you visit New Brunswick, you can be assured that you will more than receive that Canadian hospitality you’ve likely heard about. Most Fredericton hotels are right downtown and are ideal for your visit. I recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Fredericton and the Crowne Plaza Fredericton in order to get to all the main attractions.
Fredericton restaurants
Another thing that this town is good at? Some amazing Fredericton restaurants! While you can’t go wrong with any of the choices downtown, I would recommend the 11th Mile for curated, shareable plates and Isaac’s Way for home cooking that donates proceeds from the displayed artwork to charity.
Saint John
Saint JohnWhen it comes to travel to New Brunswick, many visitors tend to see it after getting off a cruise ship in Saint John. This industrial city has been revitalized by a number of young people moving in and starting new businesses–combining an old city feel with new creativity.
Things to do in Saint John
New Brunswick cities have a strong maritime tradition, and you won’t find this more than in this city. Because it is located on the harbor, most of the things to do in Saint John are a short walk from the waterfront.
The Saint John City Market can’t be missed when visiting New Brunswick, especially if you plan on picking up some thoughtful souvenirs from local artisans. You’re also likely to see the new “Container City” being built in the harbor soon. Imagine brews, music, local shops, and more!
A quick drive to Reversing Falls Rapids is also worth checking out. Only one of two such phenomena in the world, a viewing platform allows you to watch wildlife navigate the tumultuous waters coming both from the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River.
Saint John hotels
The location of these hotels in Saint John make it super easy to explore this delightful city–and enjoy some of the pub life here too! The Hilton Saint John offers waterside views and comfortable beds while Delta Hotels by Marriott Saint John is placed right around the corner.
Saint John restaurants
Expect some awesome pub fare and unique spots in this harbor town. Cask and Kettle is a local staple offering Irish gastropub favorites with clever names like the Luke Skywhopper. For something on the vegetarian side, Vegolution has you covered with items that you wouldn’t guess were veggie-friendly when you taste them.
St. Andrews
St. AndrewsThe official name of St. Andrews is St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, and it’s easy to see why after a quick stroll down its quaint downtown. Out of all the places to go in New Brunswick, this spot might be the most representative of the province’s maritime history.
Things to do in St. Andrews
Home to over 50,000 types of perennials, Kingsbrae Garden started as a local vision and has now become one of the most acclaimed gardens in Canada–and unmissable when it comes to things to do in St. Andrews, NB. After you have perused its 27 acres, head down to the ocean and pop on a whale watching tour with Island Quest. They run daily and give you the chance to spot ten different types of whales and countless other wildlife species.
St. Andrews hotels
You should expect charming bed and breakfasts when it comes to hotels in St. Andrews, NB, as well as the historic Algonquin Resort. A legend in New Brunswick, it’s perfect for those who want to live the good life on their trip up north. For something a bit more cozy and with access to the water, check in to the New Brunswick Bed & Breakfast.
St. Andrews restaurants
You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants lining the harbor, but Char and Chowder makes a name for itself with delicious burgers and signature pickled onion sauce. Want a bit of history with your meal? The Lumberjacks Cafe is a good bet with plenty of forestry tools on display to view while you eat.
Shediac
ShediacKnown for its giant lobster (which you should make an effort to visit), there’s a lot more to this seaside town than you might initially think. Plan to spend at least an afternoon enjoying the shops and delicious restaurants in the area when you travel to New Brunswick.
Things to do in Shediac
It’s not every day that you can get your picture taken with a giant lobster–or pick up some fresh lobster tails while you’re at it! Once you’ve grabbed your snap, head to the Shediac Lobster Shop and pick up a tail or two for your next meal.
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is home to one of the finest beaches in North America and is one of the best New Brunswick beaches. It also has the warmest ocean water on the East Coast north of Virginia. With over 210 campsites and plenty of shops and restaurants, you have a place to hang out the entire summer if you would like.
Shediac hotels
Hôtel Shédiac offers a short jaunt to Parlee Beach, as well as a pool and fitness room ideal for your vacation by the sea. The Auberge Gabriele Inn also provides a homey feel with antique furniture and a quick walk to the shops and restaurants Shediac is known for.
Shediac restaurants
While it’s hard to go wrong with any Shediac restaurant, Le Moque-Tortue is one that you aren’t going to want to miss for its Alice and Wonderland theme and staggering collection of board games. For some of that famous lobster, head to La Coast for seafood and burgers for reasonable prices.
Parks in New Brunswick
New Brunswick is home to 12 parks–nine are provincial parks and two are national parks. It’s also home to an international park shared with the United States, Roosevelt-Campobello International Park. The parks are some of the main tourist attractions in New Brunswick, and you should absolutely make time to visit several of these if you can on your trip.
Here is a list of parks to discover when you’re looking to travel in New Brunswick:
Provincial Parks in New Brunswick
- Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
- The Anchorage Provincial Park
- Sugarloaf Provincial Park
- Parlee Beach Provincial Park
- République Provincial Park
- New River Beach Provincial Park
- Murray Beach Provincial Park
- Mount Carleton Provincial Park
- Mactaquac Provincial Park
National Parks in New Brunswick
International Parks in New Brunswick
Do you have any questions about when you are planning to travel to New Brunswick? Need more information for your New Brunswick travel guide? Let me know in the comments!
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