People & Places
Discovering New Brunswick
Hanna Lindon discovers the tourism and lifestyle opportunities available in this beauty-blessed Maritime province
The beautiful Maritime province of New Brunswick is a treasure chest of opportunity for visitors, with diverse attractions ranging from the natural wonders of the world's highest tides to a calendar chock-a-block with exciting festivals and events. The geography of the province makes it a naturally attractive tourist destination; it has a substantial sea-coast with mile upon mile of beautiful beaches, a large interior offering plenty of scope for river-kayaking, mountain climbing and wildlife watching, and a mild continental climate. Added to this are a number of lively cities, such as Moncton and the provincial capital Fredricton, which can compare with metropolitan centres like Quebec City and Montreal in terms of the culture and entertainment on offer.
Will Hassett spent a three-week holiday in New Brunswick last year, and says that the visit was "simply not long enough." He continues: "New Brunswick may be one of Canada's smaller provinces, but there's certainly plenty to do. I didn't stop once the whole time that I was there – I was either hiking around superb beauty spots (the scenery in New Brunswick is unbelievable), whale watching down at the coast or checking out the nightlife in the cities." According to Will, the people of New Brunswick are also incredibly friendly to visitors. "There was never a time when I didn't feel welcome, even as a 'dreaded tourist'," he confirms. "That was one of things that I loved about the holiday – but to be honest the scenery in the state was the most amazing thing. It just took my breath away." If you're interested in finding out more about seeing New Brunswick, visit New Brunswick Tourism for a full list of attractions, events and accommodation.
Festivals and fun
Here's a list of some of the festivals that take place in New Brunswick every year.
Annual Elpsipogtog First Nation Pow Wow:
Aboriginal culture and heritage festival.
Burnt Church (Esgenoopetitj First Nation) Annual Pow Wow.
Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta: A hot-air balloon festival, with balloons launching twice every day.
HubCap Comedy Festival: A showcase of Canadian comedy talent.
Saint John Comedy Festival: 13 shows over three days.
Ice Carnival: A festival on the frozen waters of Shippagan Bay.
International Snowmobilers Festival: A three-day pass to the snow trails of northern New Brunswick and Maine.
Beautiful beaches
Being one of Canada's three Maritime provinces, it's not surprising that some of New Brunswick's most impressive tourist attractions are to be found on the coast. If your visit coincides with hot weather, then you'll be able to benefit from the warmest salt water north of Virginia. Bliss out in a beautiful hideaway such as the lagoon in Kouchibouguac National Park, or take a relaxing dip off one of New Brunswick's 19 freshwater beaches. The province's best known coastal sensations include Parlee Beach – pristine white sand with water temperatures up to 30 degrees centigrade – and Cape Enrage, voted 'the best view in Canada' by Frommer's Guide. But the weather doesn't need to be warm for you to enjoy some of New Brunswick's coastal sensations. There's plenty to do on the coast, including whale watching, bird-watching, and taking a tour of the seaside scenery by boat. You can also tour the coast by ferry, or galvanise your sense of adventure and hire a kayak for the day.
While enjoying your coastal tours, make sure you find time to drop in to one or two of the seaside restaurants. Here, you'll be served fresh fish straight off the boat – the epitomy of great Canadian cuisine. Other stop-off points should include new Brunswick's landmark lighthouses and the rocky island that lie just off the coast. If you want to spend a little longer on one of these secluded islets, than Campobello Island, Deer Island, Grand Manan Island, Lameque Island and Miscou Island all offer tours and overnight accommodation.
Natural highs
New Brunswick has an impressive list of natural attractions. One of the most extraordinary is the Bay of Fundy, a sheltered coastal cove where 100 billion tons of sea water rolls in and out daily. Spend the morning walking on the sea bed among the tree-tufted flower pot rocks, then wait for the tide to come in and swim or kayak above the same spot. There are also 15 species of whale that feast of the rich plankton in the Bay of Fundy, so don't be surprised if your swim is enlivened by a visit from the world's largest mammals.
Another coastal gem is Chaleur Bay, a recognised member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. It boasts stunning scenery, as well as a sprinkling of picturesque villages along its shores. However, the faint-hearted should be wary of viewing Chaleur Bay by night – there have been numerous reported sightings of a ghostly ship that haunts the spot, now known as the Chaleur Bay Phantom. Not far from Chaleur Bay is the Appalachian Range, a stunning area of mountains and forest. Some of the world's oldest mountains are located here – it is the site of the world's oldest intact shark fossil discovery – and thousands of wildlife species have made their home in the mountain wilderness. One of the best ways to see Canada's natural wonders is by river. New Brunswick is dominated by its undulating rivers and their lush plains, and a tour down the Saint John represents a stunning introduction to the province's best bits. Hiking is also popular in new Brunswick, and most of the trails can be reached by car.
Cultural treats
The culture of New Brunswick is incredibly diverse – a blend of native and incomer, maritime and land lubber. If your preferred entertainment focuses around the city, then you won't be disappointed. Fredricton and Moncton both have a wide range of art galleries, museums, theatres, zoos and shopping. Among the best places to visit for outstanding art are the Galerie d'art Louise-et-Reuben-Cohen in Moncton and the City Hall Gallery in Fredricton. There are also various smaller galleries showing local and native art, and these are particularly concentrated around Fundy. Hundreds of museums are based in New Brunswick, their exhibits ranging from social history to wildlife conservation. Must-sees include the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, and the Saint John Arts Centre. Every large urban centre in the province also boasts a theatre with its own character. There's the Imperial Theatre in Saint John, a focus of performing arts for local actors, the Live Bait Theatre in Sackville which runs consistently high-quality professional performances, the restored Capitol Theatre in Moncton and the renowned Playhouse in Fredricton. There are also a large number of performing arts festivals that take place in New Brunswick every year.
If you prefer to spend your leisure time in rural surroundings than in the big city, then there are plenty of opportunities to discover New Brunswick culture outside the province's urban areas. Acadie is particularly proud of its heritage, and the many tours of the area take in the beautiful scenery while acquainting tourists with the history of the area. For an authentic taste of Canada, try visiting one of the farmer's markets that take place in New Brunswick's towns and villages. Towns that host markets include Bathurst, Boutouche, Dieppe and Grand Falls. You can also enjoy Canadian wine direct from the source by dropping in on one of the state's many wineries.
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