The Best Places to Visit in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is an incredible destination with a rich culture, interesting traditions, and plenty of province to explore. While most people cut across the province in hopes of reaching PEI or Nova Scotia, New Brunswick is definitely worth taking the time to explore.

In this picturesque bilingual province, you’ll find everything from unbelievable nature experiences to romantic oceanside cities and towns. Along with some of the most spectacular tides in the world, New Brunswick offers amazing culinary options and historic sites as well.

In this post, we’re going to look at some of the best places to visit in New Brunswick that you definitely don’t want to miss. There’s something for everybody here and it’s part of the Maritimes that you want to add to your Bucket list.

So let’s jump in and take a look at some of New Brunswick’s top-rated tourist attractions.

Here’s a quick overview of the best places you’ll want to visit:
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  1. The Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park
  2. Whale Watching in Saint Andrews
  3. Hopewell Rocks
  4. The Historic Downtown of Saint John

1. The Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park

Most of the attractions in New Brunswick that make it a popular choice for tourists revolved around the Bay of Fundy. this unique natural phenomenon produces some of the highest tides in the world, which makes it appealing to visitors and locals alike.

It’s At the Bay of Fundy that you can watch tides Think and Grow Up to 19 metres. this happens twice a day and the motion of these Tides has carved a beautiful coastline right here in New Brunswick.

At the coast you’ll be able to admire dramatic Cliffs, unexplored sea caves, and Incredibly unique rock formations. This area is one of the most interesting to visit in Canada and definitely one of New Brunswick’s most well-known attractions.

The rising and falling of the tide leads to another one of the most interesting things to see in New Brunswick – the tidal bore in Moncton as well as the reversing falls in Saint John. These are just two more beautiful natural formations and features that you need to check out when you’re visiting the province.

While you’re exploring the coast, you’re bound to discover a number of lighthouses and picturesque fishing villages. It’s even possible to spend your day fishing or going on a New Brunswick whale watching tour, one of the highlights of the maritimes.

between Mountain and St John is where you’ll find the beautiful Fundy National Park. This is a properly preserved and undeveloped stretch of coastline where you’re able to enjoy a seemingly unspoiled Wilderness all year long.

There are countless options for hiking, bird watching, and cross-country skiing in the winter. It offers one of the best opportunities for truly experiencing the New Brunswick Coastline and the Bay of Fundy itself.

While you’re at it, you may as well check out some of the best waterfalls in New Brunswick. These would be Third Vault Falls, Dickson Falls, and Laverty Falls.

The waterfalls are easily accessible within the National Park. Along with the beautiful scenery and waterfalls, there are also options for camping, swimming, and even golfing if that’s your thing.

It’s hard to deny that one of the best aspects of the province is its vast natural beauty. Any time you spend here needs to have a focus on the forests, Coastline, and other natural highlights that New Brunswick has to offer.

2. Whale Watching in Saint Andrews

It’s impossible for us to talk about the Bay of Fundy without bringing up whale watching in New Brunswick. for many people, this is one of the main reasons to visit, to go admire the marine animals out on the Bay of Fundy.

The hub for whale watching in the province is the lovely small town of st. Andrews by-the-sea. this is where the whale watching tours usually leave from and it’s a great place to explore as well.

In the Bay of Fundy, you’ll find a few 12 different species of whales and other types of marine animals. This Marine Wildlife gathers here during the summer months to feed on the abundance of krill and small fish that the Fundy tides bring in.

Out on the boat it’s possible to see humpback whales, minke whales, finback whales, Harbour porpoises, and even white-sided dolphins. there’s also a good chance you’re going to see a bald eagle and, if you’re lucky, the North Atlantic right whale, which is a rare sight.

The whale watching season in New Brunswick runs between June and October, with the best options for sighting in August. Generally, it’s almost guaranteed that you’re going to see a number of different whales while enjoying the beautiful Coastal scenery.

In St Andrews there are three main companies offering whale watching tours:

  • Fundy Tide Runners (website)
  • Island Quest Marine Whale and Wildlife Cruises (website)
  • Jolly Breeze Tall Ship (website)

These companies offer a range of different whale watching experiences. It’s possible to head out on the water on a zodiac to get up close or a larger boat for a more bird’s eye view.

All of the whale watching tour companies are easily accessible from downtown. If you’re visiting during the peak summer months, make sure to book ahead to guarantee a spot on the boat.

3. Hopewell Rocks

Another must-see attraction in New Brunswick is the Hopewell rocks. This is yet one more natural feature that’s greatly affected and defined by the Bay of Fundy and its tides.

When The Tide is High, the Hopewell rocks look like small Islands covered in trees. it’s possible to view them from the park or kayak among them as an Excursion.

When the tide is low, the Rocks become deeply eroded and picturesque monuments towering above the beach. At this time you can walk among them and admire their size and unique natural formation.

These rocks are generally contained within the Hopewell Rocks park. There are a number of walking trails, interpretive signs, and a very informative Visitor Center which explains the formation of these Cliffs and pillars.

Park rangers are also available to answer any questions you may have and to ensure nobody gets stuck in the tide. As we mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to experience this natural phenomenon is on a guided kayak Excursion.

4. The Historic Downtown of Saint John

St John is probably the most well-known city in New Brunswick. There are also a number of different things to do in Saint John, with the historic downtown being one of the most impressive and interesting.

Right in the Heart of the City Center is Prince William Street. This street was actually designated a National Historic Site of Canada, because of the unique concentration well-preserved and historic buildings.

Saint John is where you’ll be able to find the best examples of Canada’s Victorian architecture. Many of these buildings were built after the Great Fire of 1877, which definitely contributed to the overall Victorian and historic feeling of the town.

Many people are reminded of Boston when they’re walking through the blocks of Townhouses. It’s definitely a unique part of Canada and being in New Brunswick makes it especially special.

There are a number of walking tours that you can download to your smartphone that will bring you through the various historic neighbourhoods. These walking tours include the Prince William walk, the Victorian stroll, and the Loyalist Trail.

Keep an eye out for the St John’s Anglican Church, built in 1825, when you’re walking around. This church actually escaped the fire and is designated a National Historic Site.

Another building that escaped was the city market. This is the oldest continuing farmers market in Canada and has been operating since 1824.

It’s definitely worth spending a few days in Saint John to really get a feel for the city. There are also a number of day trips from Saint John to choose from if you’re looking for other things to do during your visit.

 

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Author: newbrunswick

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