When looking for the best things to do in New Brunswick, look no further, because this guide has you covered. Home to the world’s highest tides, known for its amazing whale watching excursions, gorgeous rugged coastal scenery, and historic city centres, New Brunswick has everything a traveler could want.
When planning a road trip to the East Coast of Canada, this gorgeous province should not be missed. New Brunswickers have a reputation of being friendly and welcoming, and we felt the hospitality wherever we went. It’s not only the people that make New Brunswick special; we could not believe the number of amazing attractions scattered throughout the province.
Let us take you on a photographic journey through New Brunswick. By the time you finish, we hope you will fall in love with this amazing East Coast province as we did.
Things to Do in New Brunswick
There is a lot more to New Brunswick than just the Hopewell Rocks. From the vibrant city of Saint John to the wonders of the Fundy Trail, there are natural wonders and maritime history to explore, making it a top destination in Canada.
1. Hopewell Rocks
The Hopewell Rocks may be the most famous tourist attraction in all of Eastern Canada, and it is definitely one of the best things to do in New Brunswick.
This set of flowerpot rock formations located on the Bay of Fundy is a natural wonder where visitors can walk on the ocean floor for three hours on either side of low tide to witness the immense movement of these legendary waters. We have experienced the high tides of the Bay of Fundy on several adventures, watch our video here.
2. Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is massive, and there are plenty more places to experience it than the Hopewell Rocks. Home to the highest tides in the world, it is an amazing wonder to see at both high and low tides. The tides shift twice daily, moving 100 billion tons of water 15 meters (52 feet) in and out of the bay.
At low tide, visitors can walk for miles exploring the rock formations, sea caves, and arches up close. When visiting New Brunswick, it is up there as the number one thing to do.
3. St. Martins Sea Caves
While the Hopewell Rocks may be the most famous place to experience the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, our favorite place to walk on the ocean floor was at the Sea Caves at St. Martins. When the tides are high, the St. Martins sea caves are filled with water and nearly disappear under the sea. When the tide is low, visitors can walk right into the caves and explore the massive caverns from the inside out.
Make sure to go at both high tide and low tide. The town and the caves take on a completely different view. The St. Martin’s Sea Caves are truly an incredible sight and not to be missed.
4. St. Martins
St. Martins itself is worth spending a day or two to explore. You can enjoy kayak tours to paddle on the Bay of Fundy and explore the sea caves at high tide. Trust me, kayaking the Bay of Fundy is one of the coolest things to do. Here, you can see the famous fishing boats sitting on the ocean floor at low tide while they wait for high tide to come in.
You truly see the power of the tides when spending a full day in St. Martins. Plus, it has not one, but two historic covered bridges. It is truly a hidden gem of Canada.
5. Historic Covered Bridges
New Brunswick has 58 covered bridges in the province. It can take weeks to see them all, and it is a lot of fun to set out for a day to find them. As previously mentioned, two bridges can be found in Saint Martin, located just 45 minutes north of Saint John.
Dating back to the 1800s, the land was once filled with these covered bridges, known as Kissing Bridges. Today, the remaining 58 have been designated heritage buildings.
6. World’s Longest Covered Bridge
The star of all the covered bridges of New Brunswick is the World’s longest covered bridge in Hartland. Located 90 minutes north of Fredericton, the Hartland covered bridge dates back to 1901. It was covered in 1021 and holds the record as the longest covered bridge in the world at 391 m (1,282 feet) long.
7. Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park offers picturesque drives along the coast of the Bay of Fundy. Located between Moncton and Saint John, this is an excellent route to take when traveling from one city to another.
This small national park, spanning only 12 km along the coast, features hiking trails through the Acadian forest, waterfalls, and breathtaking lookouts over the Bay of Fundy. The scenery is spectacular, showcasing rolling hills and green forests. It is truly a highlight of traveling through the province.
8. Alma
We entered Fundy NP from the north after spending the night at the Hopewell Rocks. Alma is a great place to make a base for spending a couple of days in the park, offering campgrounds, hotels and BnBs, as well as restaurants and opportunities for kayaking and hiking. This is also another place to see the fishing boats sitting on the ocean floor at low tide.
9. Fundy Trail Parkway
We highly recommend visiting the Fundy Trail Parkway. The Alma connector road linking Sussex to Alma is now open, allowing access to this scenic route. Now, tourists and locals can drive straight through.
This 30 km stretch of road boasts some of the most dramatic views in Canada, including high sea cliffs, hiking trails, old-growth forests, and secluded beaches. Seely Beach is one of the prime locations to experience the Bay of Fundy at low tide, where you can walk for miles along the ocean floor.
10. Fundy Footpath
One of the best things to do in New Brunswick is to hike the famous Fundy Footpath. This challenging multi-day hike has been rated as one of the top 50 hikes in the world. However, you don’t have to hike the entire Fundy Footpath, as plenty of trails in the Fundy Trail Parkway offer wonderful outdoor experiences, including visiting New Brunswick at low tide.
11. Cape Enrage
Cape Enrage is another natural wonder located in New Brunswick. Just south of the Hopewell Rocks, Cape Enrage features towering cliffs overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The highlight is a lighthouse dating back to 1838.
12. Chill out in Saint John
Saint John New Brunswick is possibly one of the most underrated cities in Canada. Moreover, this city is evolving into one of the trendiest locations in the country. With old warehouses being restored into microbrew pubs, chic bistros, and artisan workshops, Saint John offers plenty for days of exploration.
13. Reversing Falls
The most famous place in Saint John is the Reversing Falls. Even if it doesn’t seem overwhelming, visiting the Reversing Falls is truly one of the top things to do in New Brunswick. They represent a natural phenomenon where the St. John River collides with the Bay of Fundy tides as it recedes, overpowering the river and reversing its flow twice daily.
Be sure to go up to the observation deck and restaurant to view the reversing falls rapids from above for the best experience.
14. Tidal Bore Wave in Moncton
A fascinating phenomenon similar to the Reversing Falls is the Tidal Bore Wave in Moncton. When the waters of the Bay of Fundy flow up the Petitcodiac River at low tide, they reverse the current, creating a tidal bore rapid in the center of the river.
15. Magnetic Hill
One of the most unique tourist attractions in New Brunswick is Magnetic Hill located in Moncton. Magnetic Hill is a natural optical illusion; your vehicle rolls uphill when you take your foot off the brake. Although it sounds unbelievable, the experience is quite vibrant!
16. Kouchibouguac National Park
While Fundy National Park and the Hopewell Rocks often overshadow the rest of New Brunswick, there are other amazing places to visit. Kouchibouguac National Park, located on New Brunswick’s Acadian Coast north of Moncton, is a hidden gem.
This 238 square km national park features vast marshlands and beautiful sand dunes along its beaches. Make sure to walk up to the high lookout over the bog trail to capture endless views and stroll along the boardwalk to Kelly’s Beach.
17. Mount Carleton Provincial Park
Another must-see in New Brunswick is Mount Carleton Provincial Park. Located four hours north of Moncton, this park offers nature enthusiasts a true getaway. Birdwatchers will find over 100 species, and hikers can explore 11 trails, including an accessible trail at Williams Falls. Additionally, the park serves as a designated dark sky preserve, perfect for stargazing.
18. St. Andrews by the Sea
Visiting St. Andrews by the Sea is among the most popular activities in New Brunswick. This town, located close to the border with Maine, serves as the first stop for many entering Canada. Its historic district has played a significant role in the community for over 200 years, with many original buildings still in place.
Spend a day or two at The Algonquin Resort, located just outside of St. Andrews, to experience the rich history and culture of the Maritimes. St. Andrews has ties to the War of 1812 and is also known for whale watching opportunities.
19. Kingsbrae Garden
One of the star attractions is Kingsbrae Garden, home to 50,000 perennials and rated as one of Canada’s top gardens. Featuring a sculpture garden, tea room, ponds, and streams, this sprawling destination covers 27 acres of the old-growth Acadian forest.
20. Go Whale Watching
One of New Brunswick’s main attractions is undoubtedly the opportunity to go whale watching. The East Coast of Canada hosts a migratory population of whales. Participating in a whale-watching tour can yield chances to see Minke whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and the northern right whale.
21. St. Stephen’s
Not far from St. Andrews lies the town of St. Stephen, located near the US border and known for its tourist appeal. St. Stephen is home to Canada’s oldest candy company, Ganong Bros. Ltd, and has branded itself as Canada’s chocolate town. Don’t miss the chance to pick up some chocolatey delights while you are there!
22. Saint George Gorge
A lesser-known destination in New Brunswick is the Saint George Gorge. The route to this picturesque location features covered bridges. Enjoy a lovely photo stop near the mill and waterfall, which is popular for capturing beautiful moments.
23. Roosevelt Summer Estate at Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Did you know that American President Franklin Roosevelt spent his summers in New Brunswick? The Roosevelt family owned property on Campobello Island, situated between New Brunswick and Maine on the Bay of Fundy. Their summer home has since become an international park.
The Roosevelt Campobello International Park is rated as one of the top attractions in New Brunswick. Accessible by bridge from Maine or ferry from New Brunswick, this International Park is jointly operated, funded, and administered by both the United States and Canada—a remarkable collaboration!
24. Grand Manan Island
Another popular island to visit in New Brunswick is Grand Manan Island. Enjoy a boat tour of the Bay of Fundy while searching for puffins, whales, and other migrating seabirds and marine life. Grand Manan is recognized as one of the best locations in Canada for birdwatching.
25. Village Historique Acadien
Acadian history is rich along the East Coast. The Acadians are descendants of the French who settled in the region. When driving from Moncton to the Village, you’ll pass through one of the dominant Acadian towns, Shediac. The Village Historique Acadien houses 40 preserved buildings from the 1600s and 1700s, providing insight into this unique culture.
26. Shediac
Consider a lobster tour in Shediac, known as the lobster capital of the world. Located along the Acadian Coast, this town complements the Village Historique Acadien and is a wonderful stop on your trip. It’s also home to the world’s largest lobster!
27. Confederation Bridge
Chances are, if you are on a road trip through the East Coast, you’ll be crossing the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island from New Brunswick. This engineering marvel spans 12.9 kilometers (8 miles), making it the longest bridge in Canada. It is also recognized as the longest bridge in the world to span over ice-covered waters. Even if you don’t cross into Prince Edward Island, it’s worthwhile to stop and admire this incredible structure.
We can’t wait to return to the East Coast of Canada to explore more of New Brunswick. We still haven’t visited Fredericton! We love roadside attractions and want to see the world’s largest axe in Nackawic during our next journey. That needs to change soon.
These are the best things to do in New Brunswick. Have you been to New Brunswick? What should we add to our next adventure?
