New Brunswick’s capital, Fredericton is actually the smallest of the province’s main cities (St. John and Moncton), but it packs a plethora of diversions into its vibrant downtown and scenic riverfront setting. Fredericton has a friendly small-town vibe, combined with sophisticated shops, restaurants and galleries, plus plenty of parks and trails.
The “Cheap Thrills” Save List
Go Artsy
Spend the day exploring the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
In 1994, the Beaverbrook was officially designated the provincial art gallery of New Brunswick. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery and a significant art collection were given to the people of New Brunswick by Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Max Aitken, in 1959. The original collection included works by J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough and Salvador Dali. Famous Canadian artists such as Cornelius Krieghoff, Emily Carr, and members of the Group of Seven were also included in the collection. The Beaverbrook is located in the central downtown area.
If you stop by the Fredericton Visitor Information Centre (494 Queen St.), you can get a three-day free parking pass for vehicles with out-of-province license plates.
Garrison Night Market
Carleton Street in the historic Garrison District is the place to be on Thursday nights from June to September. Locally grown farm products, gourmet coffee, arts and crafts share space with food stalls dishing out all sorts of ethnic and Canadian cuisine. Where else will you find a poet who will write you a sonnet in ten minutes for $10 (or pay what you can)?
Cider at the Garrison Night Market in Fredericton. Photo: Anita Draycott©
Trail Blazing
Fredericton has a 125-kilometre trail system for hiking, jogging and cycling through the many parks and along the St. John River.
Mingle at the Market
Mingle with locals at the Saturday Boyce Market. The outside area has plenty of food trucks and local farm produce to satisfy your cravings. Inside, you’ll find a fantastic variety of temptations–from gourmet cheeses and charcuterie to decadent sweets.
Mingle with locals at the Saturday Boyce Market. Photo: Fredericton Tourism©
Boyce Market. in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Photo: Anita Draycott©
The “You Only Live Once” Splurge List
Picture Your Face in Foam
Barista Brian is a celebrated latte artist. Yes, that’s correct, he draws portraits in milk foam. He’s spent time at the Hollywood Oscars, creating the likes of Meryl Streep, John Lithgow and Demi Moore on the top of their latte cups. Brian’s Fredericton walking tour visits four independent coffee shops that roast their own beans. You’ll learn how to taste various brews, about coffee’s history, and be wildly entertained by Brian’s celebrity anecdotes. Meryl Streep called him a “genius.” At the end of the tour, Brian creates your face in foam.
Barista Brian creates foamed milk portraits after his Fredericton New Brunswick walking tour. Photo: Anita Draycott©
Shaken not Stirred
Southside Shake boasts Fredericton’s first gin bar and the largest gin collection in New Brunswick. Located on the ground level of the Hilton Garden Inn, the cocktail/tapas menu intrigues with concoctions such as gin, fresh lime juice, honey lavender and fresh mint in the signature cocktail and dill pickle poutine.
Atlantic Canada Treasures
Consider a unique souvenir from The Artisan District, a craft and gift store on Queen Street in downtown. The shop is filled with one-of-a-kind pottery, painting, textile art, jewelry, glassware, woodwork and more from Maritime artisans.
Milk & Cookies for Grown-ups
I had a delicious meal at 540 Kitchen & Bar (540 Queen Street). The rock crab cakes arrived with a rich lobster bisque sauce, chives, and gremolata garnish. Save room for the Milk & Cookies dessert—house-made Lindt triple chocolate cookies paired with a cocktail of rum, hazelnut liqueur, brown sugar, and cream.
540 Kitchen & Bar serves rock crab cakes with a rich lobster bisque sauce. Photo: Anita Draycott©
Starlight Paddle
Wolastoq Adventures now offers a nighttime kayaking or paddle boarding experience on the Wolastoq River (also known as the St. John River). A first in Atlantic Canada, paddle your illuminated, transparent kayak outfitted with waterproof Bluetooth speakers while enjoying a unique vantage point of Fredericton’s shoreline. Kayak rental costs $35 per hour.
Wolastoq Adventures now offers a nighttime kayaking or paddle boarding experience on the Wolastoq River, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Photo: Fredericton Tourism.
Where to stay in Fredericton
Room with a View
Fredericton’s Delta Hotel won Hotel of the Year for the Marriott group in 2023. Ideally situated on the St. John River, the outdoor patio, restaurant and pool areas offer the ideal spots to enjoy the sunset. Their STMR36 restaurant specializes in barbeque. Come hungry and order the “Experience.” For two or more people, the chef whips up a variety of appetizers, mains and desserts served family-style ($70 per person). The Delta is pet-friendly.
Discover other incredible travel destinations:
Explore Nova Scotia Travel Guide for all your trip planning needs, Discover 23 of the best waterfalls in BC, and the best of British Columbia.
We hope this information is helpful. Subscribe below to be alerted to the next article as soon as it’s published. We pride ourselves on writing informative articles with interesting tips. If you found this article informative, please share it and leave any comments, questions, or suggestions below.
Planning a trip? Search for accommodation using Booking.Com or book a sightseeing tour using Viator. Any commissions earned will help keep this website running.
Anita Draycott was a guest of Tourism New Brunswick which did not preview this story.
Work with us:
If you are a destination, PR agency or brand and would like us to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send us an email wnordvikcarr@gmail.com
Have you been here? Want to go or have other tips or comments. We'd love to hear from you.