New Brunswick Holidays

You’ll find endless things to do on a holiday to New Brunswick. You can marvel at the dynamic geological features around the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy, or sail across the waters in search of pods of whales. These waters are home to an incredible 12 different species of whale.

For some culture, you can wander the Victorian Streets of Saint John, browse King Street’s art galleries, and see John Hooper’s colourful sculptures among the sidewalk cafes of Market Square.

Explore Beaverbook Art Gallery, or step back in time when you visit the living historical villages of Kings Landing and Village Historique Acadien. Spend a day in the life of a soldier at Fredericton’s Garrison District, and watch the Changing of the Guard.

Elsewhere, from the peak of Mount Carleton, you can look down on 10 million trees across the vast wilderness. And, at the end of an action-packed day, you can taste the world-famous oysters of Caraquet, the lobster of Shediac, and the fresh salmon of the Miramichi River.

New Brunswick beats to the rhythm of the Bay of Fundy’s epic 19-metre tides – the highest in the world – as they continually reveal and re-cover the dramatic coastal landscape. At high-tide, Hopewell Rocks are tree-topped islands waiting to be discovered by kayak tours. But at low-tide they become towering rock structures, casting huge shadows across hidden beaches.

For unrivalled views of the flowing waters, cross Reversing Falls Bridge and step out onto the glass Skywalk Saint John. Take the Fundy Trail Parkway from St Martins – either by car or bike – to explore miles of cliffs, hidden beaches and sea caves, interspersed with craft shops and cafés. And don’t miss the 84-metre suspension footbridge over Big Salmon River.

Want to see some wildlife? Sail out to Grand Manan Island. As well as being one of the best bird-watching spots in North America, this place is home to tuna, whales and dolphins.

Vibrant Moncton is within a short drive of both the Bay of Fundy and the Acadian Coast, making it the ideal base from which to explore New Brunswick. The city itself thrives with restaurants, cocktail bars and a colourful street-art scene, while acres of country trails can be found in Centennial Park and Jonathan Creek on the edges of town.

Less than an hour’s drive south, Cape Enrage serves up kayaking, rock-climbing and zip-lining. On the low-tide Barn Marsh Island Beach, 320-million-year-old fossils tumble from exposed cliffs onto the sands. Or you could head north to the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill. Visit the zoo, follow the giant lobster to Shediac, or spend an afternoon paddling in the waters of Parlee Beach. Or stroll along the Dunes Boardwalk in the beautiful fishing village of Bouctouche, to reach the stunning beaches beyond.

Outdoorsy New Brunswick attracts explorers from April, when the snows melt, through to November, when they return. Between June and early September, you can expect dry days and high temperatures of 20°C. This is when New Brunswick is at its busiest, especially popular areas like the Bay of Fundy and the Acadian Coast above Moncton. But, with such a vast range of places to see, it’s easy to escape to somewhere quieter, if you wish.

April to May or September to October is the best time to visit New Brunswick. Temperatures are still mild and there are fewer crowds. You might still need to pack a jumper or two, but there shouldn’t be any restrictions on the activities you can enjoy. Winter is cold – often below freezing – and heavy snowfall is common in many areas. That said, it’s perfect for snow-lovers and cross-country skiers.