New Brunswick, Canada, features tons of unusual attractions. From natural phenomena to out-of-this-world exhibits, this province has it all.
Before you embark on your journey, take a peek into some of its most fantastic destinations.
Today, we’re highlighting seven budget-friendly travel spots you won’t want to miss in New Brunswick.
Let’s dive in!
About New Brunswick, Canada
New Brunswick is the largest of Canada’s Maritime provinces. Nestled between Nova Scotia, Quebec, and the US state of Maine, this coastal hub offers countless opportunities for adventure.
While it was originally inhabited by First Nations, such as Mi’kmaq and Maliseet peoples, it fell under both French and British rule at different times in its history. New Brunswick was instrumental in the Canadian Confederation, establishing their sovereignty from the British Monarchy.
These days, it’s renowned for its picturesque seaside villages, dense Acadian forests, and delectably fresh seafood.
Winters here can be harsh. However, the province also has the country’s warmest saltwater beaches, where you can spot up to 15 different whale species.
If it sounds like this destination is calling your name, just wait. Here are seven weird and wonderful attractions to enchant you.
#1 Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
The Bay of Fundy is home to the most extreme tides on the planet. Twice a day, the swells fluctuate up to 60 feet!
These staggering movements have had a great effect on local geological formations. The sea stacks, also called the flowerpots for their crowns of vegetation, come in all shapes and sizes. Imaginative guests have given them names like the Elephant, ET, and the Mother-in-Law. Millions of years of erosion have chiseled many bases into mere spindles.
You’ll find multiple ways to enjoy this natural phenomenon, but you’ll need to time your pursuit accordingly.
Kayaking around the structures is a popular choice during high tide. And when the water pours out of the bay, you can explore the ocean floor on foot. Several staircases lead down to the sandy bottom. On North Beach, a wheelchair-accessible ramp will take you to the shore. However, it can be hard to navigate the mucky terrain on wheels.
We suggest spending the better part of a day here to see the seascape in all its glory. You can stroll the walking trails between tides, explore the interpretive center, and hit the gift shop for some swag.
Know Before You Go: Visit the official New Brunswick Parks website for daily tidal schedules.
#2 Saint Martins Sea Caves
The Saint Martins Sea Caves are another unusual spectacle on the Bay of Fundy. These sandstone grottos are exposed twice a day during low tide. The rest of the time, they’re partially or fully submerged.
While these caverns are relatively shallow, the looming walls serve as an exceptional example of the region’s stratigraphy. There are two official cavities, but the two younger indentations are worth checking out as well.
Summer is the best time to visit the caves, as the trek is less treacherous. But if you choose to go in colder months, you might find them filled with countless sparkling icicles. This makes for a unique opportunity for photographers.
Whenever you visit, remember that the tide changes every six hours or so. When you get to the site, you’ll notice an interpretive sign, as well as a placard warning of dangerous conditions. We should mention that dangers do exist here, especially if you haven’t checked the tidal schedule. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and watch your step.
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#3 Reversing Falls in Saint John
We promise New Brunswick offers more than water-based natural phenomena, but we can’t leave the Saint John River’s Reversing Falls off our list.
Once again, you can thank the extreme tides for this occurrence.
Over the course of about an hour, you can watch as the water reverses its course over the shallow rapids. The riverbed’s geography features a series of underwater ledges that work in tandem with the tidal flow to create this experience.
In the past, tour boats carried visitors around the epicenter of the falls. But as far as we know, they no longer run.
Fallsview Park is a great place to observe the spectacle. However, folks who’d rather get hands-on can try whitewater kayaking. If you choose this route, use extreme caution and don’t get too close to the maelstrom. After all, most captains avoid boating around this obstacle for good reason.
Note that springtime snowmelt can overpower the tidal forces that make this spot special. You may want to visit during other times of the year.
#4 Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market
Since 1951, New Brunswick’s capital city has hosted one of Canada’s top community events. The Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market takes place every Saturday and features hundreds of local farmers, artisans, and crafters.
You can buy ultra-fresh seasonal produce like fiddleheads and berries, seafood right off the boat, and warm baked bread. Cheeses, jellies and jams, and regional wines and ciders are other frequent finds. Additionally, chefs whip up scrumptious treats with international flavors. Shoppers can fill their bellies with Indian samosas, Chinese buns, and Lebanese grape leaves as they peruse the goods.
While the market is undeniably food-centric, you can also score jewelry, pottery, paintings, and other works of art. You might find hand-carved serving spoons and other kitchenware, too.
Of course, you don’t have to spend a dime to enjoy the sights and smells of this Fredericton institution. It’s a great New Brunswick travel stop for anyone on a budget.
#5 Fredericton Region Museum
Explore the history of the province at the Fredericton Region Museum. Here, you can learn all about the area’s early inhabitants, Pointe Sainte-Anne’s Acadian settlement, and the story of the Black Loyalists who arrived in the 1700s.
You’ll even see the taxidermied remains of the Coleman Frog. According to legend, the amphibian jumped into Fred Coleman’s boat when he was fishing on Killarney Lake. He took it home and fed it a diet of baked beans, June bugs, and whiskey. It topped the scales at a whopping 42 pounds before its death.
Another exhibit we suggest checking out is all about renowned nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman. Considered the Father of Roswell, he set out to prove the existence of unidentified flying objects, or UFOs. Although he never published definitive evidence, the museum now houses tons of his research.
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#6 Moncton’s Magnetic Hill
The mysterious Magnetic Hill in Moncton has baffled drivers since the 1930s when cars became commonplace. If you stop your vehicle at the bottom of the knoll and put it in neutral, it’ll cruise uphill against the pull of gravity.
Of course, we now know that it’s simply an optical illusion. In fact, the hill is part of a steeper incline, skewing your perception of the landscape. However, if you suspend your disbelief and imagine you’re an early Monctonian, it’s easy to see how baffling the occurrence could be.
In the past, Magnetic Hill was the country’s third-largest tourist attraction. It’s worth visiting to see what all the fuss was about.
#7 Kingsbrae Garden
Folks looking to relax in the serenity of nature will want to visit New Brunswick’s Kingsbrae Garden. The 27-acre site features over 2,500 perennial species among the themed plots. You can stroll the hiking trail through the old-growth Acadian forest, walk the labyrinth, or get lost in the cedar maze.
Mass plantings of unusual species make this garden a sight to behold. Your eyes and nose will feast on the sensations of blossoming botanicals and lush greenery. You’ll also encounter many of the property’s residents, like alpacas, peacocks, and pygmy goats.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, nosh on lunch or dinner at the Garden Cafe. And save room for one of their giant ice cream sandwiches for dessert.
Explore more with Fodor’s Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada: With New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Newfoundland.
New Brunswick Has It All!
New Brunswick’s many attractions offer something for everyone. Whether you want to test the limits of your perception, travel back in time, or explore theories behind extraterrestrial visitations, you can do it in this Canadian destination.
Be sure to bring your childlike sense of wonder along for the journey. You never know what new ideas you might stumble upon in the Picture Province!
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