New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province — a land where the world's highest tides carve surreal landscapes, Acadian culture has thrived for four centuries, and legendary salmon rivers attract anglers from around the globe. With its Hopewell Rocks shaped by the Bay of Fundy, 58 historic covered bridges, Loyalist and Acadian villages, and spectacular coastlines, New Brunswick offers unique Maritime experiences found nowhere else in the country. Here are the 20 must-do experiences.
To explore further, see our provinces and territories guide and our Discover New Brunswick article. The unique landscapes of this region are also covered in our Canadian geography guide. Canada's wildlife and wilderness is equally remarkable here. You can also explore Top 20 — nouvelle ecosse.html and Top 20 — ile prince edouard.html.
The most photographed rock formations in Atlantic Canada. More than twenty sandstone sea stacks carved by tidal erosion, standing 12 to 21 metres tall, topped with trees and vegetation. At low tide, you walk on the ocean floor among these stone giants. At high tide, the same rocks become small islands you can paddle around by kayak. The Bay of Fundy tides — the highest in the world — rise 13 metres in 6 hours, moving 100 billion tonnes of water twice daily.
An outdoor paradise spanning 207 km² with over 120 km of trails through mountains, valleys, forests and spectacular waterfalls. The park protects a unique coastal ecosystem along the Bay of Fundy. At low tide, the ocean floor transforms into an exploration ground with tide pools teeming with marine life. Dickson Falls (15 m) and Third Vault Falls are among the park's most beautiful. Camping, a heated saltwater pool and golf are available.
Ranked among the top 50 hiking trails on the planet, the Fundy Trail follows what is considered the last stretch of wild coastal wilderness between Labrador and Florida. The 30 km scenic drive offers spectacular lookouts over the Bay of Fundy, accessible waterfalls and secluded beaches. The Fundy Footpath (41 km) is an advanced-level hiking challenge along towering cliffs.
Did you know?
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, with a tidal range reaching 16 metres in some areas. Over 100 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the bay twice daily — that's more than the combined flow of all the world's freshwater rivers. The bay was a finalist in the "New 7 Wonders of Nature" competition.
Spectacular sea caves carved into red sandstone cliffs by the Bay of Fundy tides. At low tide, you can explore these impressive caverns on foot and walk the red pebble beach. At high tide, discover them by sea kayak. St. Martins was once a major shipbuilding centre — the twin covered bridges at the village entrance are an iconic New Brunswick landmark.
A 239 km² national park protecting a remarkable coastal ecosystem with barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons and salt marshes. The name comes from the Mi'kmaq word meaning "river of long tides." The warm lagoon waters offer the best swimming beaches in the Maritimes. You can spot harbour and grey seals on the sandbanks, and thousands of migratory birds. The 60 km cycling trail is among the finest in the Parks Canada network.
A living historical reconstruction of over 40 buildings depicting Acadian life from 1770 to 1949. Costumed interpreters bring ancestral customs and traditional trades to life. Inaugurated in 1977, the village tells the story of the Acadian people after the Great Upheaval (1755-1763) — the mass deportation ordered by the British. An immersive and moving experience at the heart of New Brunswick's Acadian identity.
The largest Acadian festival in the world, celebrated every August since 1963. Two weeks of music, dance, food and Acadian pride culminating on August 15 — National Acadian Day — with the traditional tintamarre, a noisy parade where everyone makes as much noise as possible with pots, bells and whistles. The Acadian flag (French tricolour with a yellow star) flies everywhere across the peninsula.
A living history museum with over 70 historic buildings depicting life in 19th-century New Brunswick. Costumed interpreters bring to life the trades and daily routine of the Loyalists — colonists who fled the United States after the American Revolution to remain loyal to the British Crown. New Brunswick was founded in 1784 largely to accommodate these Loyalist refugees.
Did you know?
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, since 1969. About one-third of the population is French-speaking, mainly in the north and east. The Acadians are descendants of French colonists who settled in the Maritimes starting in 1604. Between 1755 and 1763, two-thirds of the Acadians were deported in the "Great Upheaval" — one of the most tragic events in Canadian history.
The longest covered bridge in the world at 390.75 metres, spanning the Saint John River. Built in 1901 and covered in 1922, it is a National Historic Site of Canada. New Brunswick has approximately 58 covered bridges, earning it the nickname "covered bridge province." These wooden structures, once called "kissing bridges," are iconic features of the New Brunswick countryside.
The Bay of Fundy is home to a dozen whale species, including humpback, fin, minke and the North Atlantic right whale — one of the most endangered species on Earth (fewer than 350 individuals). The giant tides churn enormous quantities of plankton and krill, creating a feast for cetaceans. St. Andrews-by-the-Sea and Grand Manan Island are the most popular departure points.
The Miramichi River is a legendary Atlantic salmon fishing destination, with one of the largest salmon runs on the east coast. The fly-fishing season spans six months (April to October) — the longest in the world for Atlantic salmon. Outfitters and experienced guides welcome anglers from around the world in a setting of forests and rivers of exceptional beauty.
The largest of the Fundy Islands, accessible by ferry from Blacks Harbour. Grand Manan is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 360 bird species observed, including the famous Atlantic puffins on Machias Seal Island. Spectacular cliffs, picturesque lighthouses and fishing villages offer a total escape. The island is also known for its dulse, an edible dried seaweed that locals have harvested for generations.
Shediac proclaims itself the "Lobster Capital of the World" — and an 11-metre giant lobster sculpture at the town entrance proves it. The Shediac Lobster Festival (July) draws thousands of visitors for seafood feasts. You can board with lobster fishers to learn traditional fishing techniques. Nearby Parlee Beach offers the warmest waters north of Virginia.
A fascinating natural phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy tides are so powerful they reverse the flow of the Saint John River. Twice daily, bay water surges up the rocky gorge, creating spectacular rapids that change direction. You need to observe the phenomenon three times — at low tide, high tide and slack tide — to fully understand it. The Skywalk Saint John offers a bird's-eye view of the rapids from a glass-floored platform.
One of North America's oldest public markets, in operation since 1876. The building, with its roof shaped like an inverted ship's hull, houses over 250 local vendors selling fresh produce, artisan cheeses, dried dulse, fiddleheads and fresh lobster. Saint John, founded in 1785, is Canada's oldest incorporated city and a major Loyalist port.
One of Canada's most famous natural optical illusions. Since the early 1800s, visitors have been amazed to see their car "roll uphill" with the engine off — an effect created by surrounding terrain that tricks your perception. The attraction is part of a complex including a zoo, a water park and an outdoor concert amphitheatre that has hosted international artists.
Did you know?
Saint John (no "e" at the end) is Canada's oldest incorporated city, founded in 1785. Don't confuse it with St. John's in Newfoundland (with an apostrophe and an "s"). New Brunswick takes its name from the House of Brunswick (Hanover), the British ruling dynasty at the time. The province became one of the four founding provinces of Confederation in 1867.
The charming capital of New Brunswick, nestled on the banks of the Saint John River. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery houses one of the finest art collections in the Maritimes, including works by Salvador Dali. The Legislative Assembly (1882) offers free guided tours. The Historic Garrison District, with its changing of the guard in summer, speaks to the British military past. The riverfront walkway is ideal for cycling and walking.
The only international park jointly managed by Canada and the United States. Campobello Island is home to the 34-room cottage where President Franklin D. Roosevelt spent his summers since childhood. It was here that he was struck by polio in 1921. The 1,134-hectare park offers spectacular coastal trails, pebble beaches and manicured gardens. The island, accessible by bridge from Maine (USA), draws approximately 150,000 visitors per year.
Mount Carleton, at 820 metres, is the highest peak in the Maritimes. The 17,000-hectare provincial park offers pristine wilderness with 11 hiking trails for all skill levels, backcountry camping and abundant wildlife including moose and black bears. Far from any light pollution, it's an exceptional spot for stargazing and northern lights viewing. A little-known gem of New Brunswick.
One of Canada's most charming seaside villages, founded by Loyalists in 1783. The period architecture is so well preserved that more than half the buildings date from before 1880. Kingsbrae Garden, an 11-hectare horticultural garden, is among the finest in the country. The Algonquin Resort (1889), a historic Tudor-style hotel, overlooks the town. An ideal starting point for whale watching and visiting Ministers Island.
For the citizenship test: New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province (since 1969). It is one of the four founding provinces of Confederation in 1867 (with Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia). The province was founded in 1784 to welcome Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. Fredericton is the capital. The Acadians, descendants of French colonists who settled from 1604, suffered the Great Upheaval (1755-1763). Saint John is Canada's oldest incorporated city. Check our provinces and territories guide to review the essential facts.