
Sponsored by Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism
Mar 3, 2020
Nature and culture meld in amazingly beautiful—and delicious—ways in this eastern Canadian province.
Paddling your kayak out on shimmering waters, you gaze up at dramatic rock formations, their slender stems giving them the appearance of flowerpots. You make a few trips around them, getting some perspective on the greenery growing from the rocks’ tops, before heading back to shore. But a few hours later, something amazing happens: The tide recedes enough that you can step out onto the sea floor and walk right up to those same rocks.
This is just one of the magical experiences you can have in New Brunswick, the province attached to Maine’s northeastern border that stretches out along Canada’s southeastern Atlantic coast. It’s a land full of gorgeous natural treasures and unique culture, all just waiting to be explored.
Here’s why to go.
Of course, New Brunswick also boasts amazing seafood restaurants, which highlight exquisite salmon, lobster, scallops, mussels, clams, and prized Beausoleil oysters. Topping the list for many visiting foodies are Little Louis’ Oyster Bar in Moncton, Savour in the Garden in St. Andrews, and Port City Royal in St. John. For more casual fare, the St. John Ale House, whose whopping lobster roll has been featured on The Food Network, should not be missed.
ADVERTISEMENT
That changing tide has resulted in some beautiful natural formations, and when the tide goes out, you can head down to the sea floor and get up close to them. One place to do that is Hopewell Rocks—a series of dramatic sandstone spindles and arches shaped over centuries by erosion. Or head to the St. Martins Sea Caves, a set of swooping, deep, red-tinged sandstone hollows off St. Martins that are magical to kayak through during high tide—or walk inside when the tide is out.
If your tastes veer more toward hops, New Brunswick has a bumper crop of hip craft beer breweries, especially in the hubs of Fredericton and Moncton. In fact, Fredericton—with a population of only about 60,000—boasts the highest concentration of breweries, meaderies, and cideries in Atlantic Canada. Some of these—like Picaroons Traditional Ales and Pump House Brewery—have been in business for decades; others, like CAVOK Brewing Co. and Tire Shack Brewing Co., are new on the scene.
You can also take in the music scene at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, held in Fredericton over six days in September, which brings together more than 400 world-class blues, jazz, funk, folk, and world music artists. Or come for the Area 506 event in Saint John, on the waterfront at the end of July. Enjoy three nights of amazing concerts and experience a unique shipping container village, where you’ll find all sorts of local music and culture.
Discover even more fun things to do and start planning your trip to New Brunswick!
Sign up for the Daily Wander newsletter for expert travel inspiration and tips
Please enter a valid email address.
Read our privacy policy
more from afar