New Brunswick Travel Guide – Fantastic Things to Do + Eat!

Discover the unique beauty of New Brunswick, a province that offers a diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, and captivating experiences. This guide is designed to assist you in planning your trip to New Brunswick, highlighting must-see attractions, and recommending delicious food.

New Brunswick at a Glance

• Official Name: Province of New Brunswick
• Capital: Fredericton
• Official Languages: English and French
• Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Visa-Free Entry: Available for citizens of many countries for up to 6 months. Check visa requirements based on your nationality here.
• Getting There:
  • By Air: Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) is the main airport
  • By Car: Via Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 2) from Quebec or Nova Scotia.
  • By Ferry: From Saint John, NB, to Digby, NS (MV Fundy Rose). Check the ferry schedule here.
• Getting Around:
  • Private Car Rentals (my recommendation): Essential for exploring the province. Tips on car rentals here.
    • Tip: When driving in New Brunswick, keep an eye out for wildlife, especially moose. It’s best to avoid driving in the dark, and just after sunrise. Moose can cause serious damage to a car when hit. Also be prepared for varying weather conditions, particularly in the northern regions.
  • Public Transportation: Limited outside of major cities. It’s best to rent a car if you plan on leaving major cities.
  • Taxis/Ride-Sharing: Available in cities like Moncton and Fredericton, but less common in smaller towns.
  • Tours: Organized tours are available, especially for specific regions like the Bay of Fundy.
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit depends on your interests, but I recommend summer. There are a lot of points of interest that are only open in the summer.
  • Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, ideal for outdoor activities. This is the busiest time and most expensive, but the best time to visit.
  • Fall (September-October): Pleasant temperatures, fall foliage, fewer crowds.
  • Spring (April-May): Blooming wildflowers, fewer tourists.
  • Winter (November-March): Cold, snowy, and best for winter sports. New Brunswick can have some serious snowfalls. I only recommend visiting in winter if you plan on partaking in winter sports.

Must-See & Do in New Brunswick

Explore Vibrant Cities & Cute Towns

• Moncton: Visit Magnetic Hill, Centennial Park, and the Riverfront.
• Fredericton: Explore the historic capital city with its charming downtown and cultural attractions. Visit the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, tour the Legislative Assembly Building, and stroll along the Saint John River.
• Saint John: Discover the unique Reversing Falls Rapids and explore the historic City Market.
• Alma: This is the closest town to the Hopewell Rocks. Great place to stop for lunch while waiting for the tides to change.
• Caissie Cape: Spend a night at a cottage on the coast. Visit the 1872 lighthouse, and the historic Tony’s Store for post-beach ice cream.

Experience Stunning Nature

• Hopewell Rocks at Bay of Fundy: Witness the world’s highest tides. I recommend arriving early morning for low tide, go to Alma for lunch, and then head back to the rocks to compare it at high tide (you can see the difference in the tides in my YouTube Video). Make sure you check the tide schedule before you go. It’s common to walk the ocean floor at low tide, and kayak around the “flowerpot” rock formations at high tide.
• Fundy National Park: Hike Dickson Falls, explore sea caves at Herring Cove Beach, cross the iconic Point Wolfe Covered Bridge, and enjoy the rugged coastline.
• Mount Carleton Provincial Park: Climb the highest peak in the Maritimes for panoramic views.

Delve into Culture & History

• Village Historique Acadien: Step back in time at this living history museum depicting Acadian life in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Kings Landing Historical Settlement: Experience 19th-century rural life in New Brunswick in this living village.
• New Brunswick Museum: Explore the natural, and cultural history of the province.
• Sawmill Creek Covered Bridge: Picturesque covered bridge from 1908
• Lobster Boil: If you are fortunate enough to know a local, I recommend attending a lobster boil!

Savour New Brunswick Flavours

• Lobster Rolls: These are a must when visiting the maritimes. Perhaps head to the Alma Lobster shop
• Seafood generally: Enjoy fresh lobster, scallops, and other seafood dishes. The seafood in New Brunswick is very fresh.
• Fiddleheads: A local delicacy harvested in the spring.
• Dulse: A type of seaweed that is dried and eaten as a snack harvested from the Bay of Fundy
• Ployes: Buckwheat pancakes traditionally served with maple syrup or cretons.
• Covered Bridge Potato Chips: These are excellent. If you can, try the Storm Chips. This is a seasonal mix of BBQ, salt & vinegar, ketchup, and sour cream & onion chips! The factory also offers tours. Make sure you grab a bag for your road trip!

Essential Information for Your New Brunswick Trip

• Currency: The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency. ATMs are available in major cities. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments, but cash may be useful in smaller towns and rural areas.
• Language: English and French are both official languages in New Brunswick.
• Visa: Visa requirements are based on nationality. You can find out if you need a visa to visit Canada here.
• Weather: New Brunswick has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Pack accordingly, depending on the season.
  • Summer (June-August): 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), occasionally higher
  • Fall (September-October): 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F)
  • Spring (April-May): 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
  • Winter (November-March): -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F)
• Safety: New Brunswick is generally a safe province for tourists.
• Cultural Considerations & Etiquette: When visiting New Brunswick, here are a few cultural considerations. Canadians are quite friendly, and polite. New Brunswick is a bilingual province (English & French). Tipping in restaurants standard is 15-20% for good service. Respect indigenous, and Acadian culture.
• eSim: I always get an eSim while travelling. I highly recommend using Airalo (if you follow this link, you will get a discount upon sign up). Keep in mind there are regions where you may lose service, so you will want to plan your activities ahead, and download any maps you need ahead of time. Google Maps works great in Canada.
• Read: For historical fiction novels, I recommend checking out Fayne by Anne-Marie MacDonald, Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richards, or Pélagie: The Return to Acadie by Antonine Maille. For non-fiction, check-out The Acadian Saga: A People’s Story of Exile and Triumph by Dean Jobb.

Ready to uncover the wonders of New Brunswick? Start your adventure today!