THE 16 BEST THINGS TO DO IN FREDERICTON, NB

Last Updated: July 22, 2024

Fredericton is the capital and third largest city by population of New Brunswick in eastern Canada. If you like a mix of history, culture, exploring green spaces, unique artistic vibes, and an exciting social life year-round, then Fredericton is the perfect place to visit!

While the city was founded by British loyalists in the 1780s, the Maliseet and Mi’kmaq people had lived in the area long before that. According to Fredericton Tourism, about 1.8 million visitors spend time in the Fredericton Capital Region every year.

I lived in Fredericton for five months, and got to know this city pretty well. So I’m psyched to share the 16 Best Things To Do in Fredericton with you! From the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, Boyce Farmers Market, Beaverbrook Art Gallery, to an amazing live music scene and festivals, it never gets boring here!

Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.

Wander around the Historic Garrison District

Let’s start with the Historic Garrison District in downtown, that has been a National Historic Site since 1964. Several Victorian buildings stand in this area, including City Hall (397 Queen St, Fredericton NB, E3B 1B5), which was completed in 1876.

It is the oldest city hall of the Maritime provinces that’s still in use today. Until 1952, there was a public farmers market on the square in front of the building.

A high mostly red Victorian brick building with a triangular roof tower and large clock in the centre. There are flags on both sides of the building, e.g. the British and French flag. The sign says "City Hall", and if you go down the stairs, there's a large round fountain with a statue at the top.

The Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Officers Square is quite a spectacle, when 20 City Guards of the New Brunswick regiment start marching and playing their bagpipes and drums. This happens daily in July and August. The Canadian Military was born here in 1883, and soon after, the Infantry School Corps (ISC), Company “A” was established in Fredericton as its Maritime location.

A military parade with most men dressed in a red jacket, white hats, and dark blue pants. They all carry a rifle on their shoulder and walk on grass. At the front, there's a man dressed in a Scottish artire (green kilt and jacket with a furry high black hat) playing bagpipes. The man next to him is wearing a red kilt and playing bagpipes as well. — The Changing of the Guards Ceremony. Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism.

If you keep on walking, you’ll find the Justice Building (427 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B7). First, it was constructed as a military hospital in 1827, later the Provincial Normal School (teacher’s college) took over until it burned down in 1929. In 1975, it was turned into the Justice Building.

Then there’s the Soldiers’ Barracks (463 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7) that the British Army built in 1827. More than 200 British soldiers lived here under sparse conditions. The rooms only had iron beds, shelves, a table, and wooden benches for 19 soldiers in each room. Unfortunately, this attraction is currently closed because of construction.

Want to get more insider information about Fredericton’s history? Then join a free Guided Heritage Walking tour around this area! Your guide will wear a historic costume, and will meet you daily in front of City Hall (June to October).

Beaverbrook Art Gallery

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery (703 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C4) has been around since 1959, and is one of Canada’s best art galleries. Its Permanent Collection has more than 5,000 objects from Maritime, Canadian, Indigenous, British, and international artists to look at.

The most famous piece displayed at Beaverbrook Art Gallery is “Santiago El Grande” by the Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, the second largest mural he ever painted. Besides, you can find paintings by Andy Warhol and the ‘Grandfather Akwiten’ Wolastoqiyik canoe, that was built in the 1820s. It’s the oldest birchbark canoe in the world!

A painting of a bald Afro American man with glasses, who's wearing a shirt of the Boston Bruins ice hockey team and holding a light brown hockey stick in his hand.

A group of ladies of the Muslim faith and a little girl who wear traditional hijab clothing. Each women is dressed in different colours and there are yellow, pink, orange, and red flowers next to and above them. At the very top is what looks the upper part of a big white heart.

A small selection of the artwork displayed at Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Beaverbrook Art Gallery also a small gift shop that sells unique items made by local artists and the Daily Espresso Café. The latter has locally made drinks and pastries, and is perfect for taking a break after your visit!

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is open from 10 to 5 pm (Mon-Wed, Fri and Sat), 12-5 on Sundays, and 10 to 9 pm on Thursdays.

Shop ’til You Drop at The Boyce Farmers Market & Summer Night Markets

Every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm, you can find tons of locally made goodies at The Boyce Farmers Market (665 George Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 1K4). It was named one of Canada’s Top 10 farmers markets and has been around for more than 70 years! It’s open year round.

More than 200 vendors offer fresh produce, pastries, smoothies, flowers, pottery items, maple syrup, jam, quilts, jewelry, soaps, and so much more! There are also several food trucks for buying lunch, e.g. Dee’s Quiet Café, Kang’s Chinese food, Nada’s Lebanese Cuisine, and Milda’s Pizza!

I was positively surprised by the many vegan items I found at the Boyce Farmers Market 😀

A rainbow coloured piece of soap and a little container of a dairy-free dill pickle dip and spread, showing its ingredients and best before date.

A large vegetarian sandwich that features lettuce, tomato, and seitan fake meat.

Vegan spread from Scottage Cheeze and a Vegan Breakfast Sammy from Dee’s Quiet Café! 😛

If you’re visiting Fredericton during the summer months, don’t miss the Garrison Night Market (11 Carleton St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3T1) and the ReCap Night Market at the Tannery (375 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E4) on Thursday evenings! With more than 100 vendors, the Garrison Night Market is Atlantic Canada’s largest night market.

You can find tons of cool stuff at the Garrison Night Market, such as microbrews, maple candy stalls, cider, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, farm products, and food trucks with multicultural cuisine! The ReCap Night Market has up to 10 vendors, who sell thrift clothing, cosmetics, arts, and more!

Plenty of people walking around Garrison Night Market. There are lots of booths, and each one has a triangular roof. A street lantern is in the front of the picture.

A smaller market with people sitting at tables on the left, underneath a big tree. There are lots of light chains connecting the left and right side of the picture. There are a few stalls with triangular roofs as well.

Left: The Garrison Night Market (Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism). Right: The ReCap Night Market.

Walk or Bike Across the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge

The Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge is Fredericton’s prettiest landmark, in my opinion! It was a CN Railway Bridge from 1889, before it was turned into a walking/cycling trail in 1997. The 0.6 km (1,905 ft) long steel bridge links the north and south side of the city and stands above the Wolastoq (Saint John river).

With more than 600,000 people crossing it every year, this bridge is popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s also a great photo spot, thanks to its unique design! Last but not least, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge is a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. It spans all over Canada, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean.

The Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, which has large X designs on it, and it reflects in the water of the Wolastoq river. The sunset is pink/yellow/blue, which reflects on the water as well.

The Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge at sunset. Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism.

Explore Killarney Lake Park

Wanna spend some time in nature now? Then visiting Killarney Lake Park (1653 St. Mary’s Street, Fredericton, NB, E3G 8T6) is a great idea! It’s less than 10 minutes of a drive, or about 30 minutes by bus #12N from downtown Fredericton. This scenic park covers more than 645 hectares and has 30+ km (18 miles) of multi-use trails.

The supervised sandy beach next to Killarney Lake is perfect for playing and sunbathing, then jump into the lake to cool off! From June to early September, Second Nature Outdoors offers single kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rent, as well as SUP yoga on the lake! There’s also a playground behind the beach area.

Once winter hits, the trails around Killarney Lake are awesome for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing!

Blue Killarney Lake on a quiet day, with lots of trees on the left and right side. The sky is blue and there's a small beach on the left as well.

Lots of trees standing on a mulchy area next to the walking trail around the lake. The lake is in the background.

Walk along The Green, Odell Park & Carleton Park

Fredericton has more than 120 km (74 miles) of trails throughout the city. One of them is The Green, which goes from the Government House in downtown to Morell Park, along the banks of the Wolastoq river. It is 5 km (3 miles) long and is a popular cycling, running, and walking path with locals and visitors alike.

A great spot for a break on the way is the Lighthouse by 540 (615 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7), that has been a landmark since 1989. Many people enjoy their food (e.g. shrimp tacos, salads, chicken wings, and burgers) and drinks on the patio. Teddy’s Two Scoops Ice Cream Shack is right next door.

A nice gravel path with a large green tree on the left side. There are grassy areas on both sides of the path.

A large white lighthouse with red ornaments around the few windows and at the top. There's a blue sign "The Lighthouse by 540" and white stairs on the right hand side. On the bottom left side, there are lots of green plants and part of a red sunshade on a wooden patio.

Another local gem in the heart of the city is Odell Park (Waggoners Ln, Fredericton, NB E3B 3X5). It covers 333 acres with 16 km (9.94 miles) of trails that snake around a diverse forest. Some of the trees are more than 400 years old! So it’s a great spot for hiking, walking, and mountain biking.

Odell Park also has a botanic garden, picnic areas, a playground, waterfowl pond, and disc golfing spots. Lastly, the Odell Lodge stands here, that the Queen Mother opened in 1967. In winter, visitors can take advantage of the outdoor skating rink, sliding hill, and groomed cross-country ski trails.

A nice walking path with lots of trees and grassy areas in side Odell park.

Plenty of yellow/orange flowers blooming in the Botanic Garden.

Hiking path inside Odell Park, and beautiful flowers in the Botanic Garden!

After crossing the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, spend some time at Carleton Park. Even though it’s smaller than other parks in Fredericton, it’s an amazing spot to watch the Wolastoq river and downtown area, especially at sunset! It’s part of the North Riverfront Trail. You can launch a boat here, chill on one of the benches or in the grassy areas, or have a picnic.

Sunset at Carleton Park with a view of the Wolatoq river and downtown Fredericton. There are plants in the front and right side of the picture as well.

Rent equipment from Savage’s, Second Nature Outdoors & Cruze Scooters

Fredericton has three major places to rent equipment for getting around the city in a fast and/or eco-friendly way!

Savage’s Bicycle Centre (441 King Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 1E5) has been around since 1897, which makes it the longest established bicycle shop in Canada! So the experienced staff will be happy to help you choose the right bike to ride around the city!

Bike rentals are available hourly, 1/2 day, full day, or multiple days. They have well-known brands, including Norco, Haro, and Specialized. Besides, they sell bikes and bike gear and offer repair services all year.

During the summer months, you can rent kayaks, canoes, bikes, SUP’s, and e-bikes from Second Nature Outdoors (63 Brunswick St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7)! This is their main location, right next to the Wolastoq river, about 10 minutes from downtown. Equipment can be rented per hour, for two or four hours, or an entire day.

They also offer guided and self guided tours, e.g. a Sunrise Paddle Tour within the Hartt Island Resort and Sunset Paddle and Women’s Wednesdays, both in Oromocto, about 25 minutes outside of Fredericton.

Left: Rental bike from Savage’s. Right: Rental bike from Second Nature Outdoors.

A different, but equally fun idea is to grab an e-scooter from Cruze Scooters (150 Smythe Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 3C5)! They are New Brunswick’s first e-scooter experience. I didn’t try them out this time, but lots of people were riding them around the city, so they must be very popular!

Rock Out to Fredericton’s Vibrant Nightlife Scene

Once the sun goes down, Fredericton’s nightlife scene comes to life! There’s tons of cool options, from night clubs, pubs, sports bars, lounges, to live music venues. Examples are Dolan’s Pub, The CAP, Monarch Nightclub, Snooty Fox, and Pine Tree Bar & Grill.

There’s free live music at the Garrison Night Market and the ReCap Night Market during the summer months as well, with different artists playing every time.

Local band Crosscut (Blues/Swing/Rock’n’Roll) and Klarka (Pop/Garage Rock from Sackville) playing at the ReCap Night Market.

Fredericton’s major music festival is Harvest Music Festival in September. It’s the largest music festival in the Maritimes, with 400+ musicians (both domestic and international) playing on 27 stages across six days! From Blues, Jazz, Funk, Pop, to Rock, there’s something for everyone!

Our favourite venue is The Broken Record Bar & Music Room (422 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B6)! They host mostly local and domestic live bands several times a week, from Punk, Metal, Grunge, to Pop and Hip Hop music. Also, this is a great place to go if you like karaoke and open mic nights!

They also organize the Punkocalypse Festival in June and the Metalodon Fest in October!

Another awesome spot for live music (and a pint of Guinness!) is O’Hickey’s Irish Pub (514 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B9)! You can sit inside or outside on their patio. Besides, they show football and rugby games, and the Irish decorations (e.g. flags and license plates) are just great!

A bright red building that says "O'Hickey's Irish Pub" with two flags at the top (the one on the right is the Irish flag). There's a patio with table and sunshades in front of the building.

O’Hickey’s Irish Pub from the outside and Teenage Bottlerocket playing at the Punkocalypse Festival in 2023!

Check Out the Craft Beer Scene & The Taproom Trail

Fredericton is the perfect place for craft beer lovers. In fact, it has the most taprooms per capita in Canada, with one taproom per 5,400 people. So it’s no surprise that Fredericton is known as Atlantic Canada’s Craft Beer Capital! There are plenty of local distilleries, breweries and cideries all over the city.

One special thing about the craft beer culture is the Fredericton Taproom Trail. Beer and cider enthusiasts can pick up a passport-style map from either of the 11 taprooms, and will get a stamp for each taproom that they had a drink at!

Once you collected 8 stamps, you’ll get a tap trail t-shirt, and for all 11 stamps, you’ll be entered into a craftcation getaway contest by Fredericton Tourism!

We tried a few local ciders and craft beers from Graystone Brewing (221 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E1) and Gahan House (426 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B6), and they were very tasty!

A red cider drink (left) and a dark brown craft beer (right). It says Graystone Brewing on both glasses.

A selection of four cider drinks with different colours (light red, dark red, yellow, and pink) standing next to each other on a table.

Left: Cider and craft beer from Graystone Brewing. Right: Cider selection by York County Cider (Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism).

Try Out some Local Restaurants

Before you’re partying the night away in Fredericton, it’s a good idea to put some food into your tummy! Similar to other Canadian cities, Fredericton is very multicultural, which shows in the variety of restaurants to choose from. Here are some of my favourites:

J’s Asian Kitchen is perfect if you’re craving Asian food and they have two locations in Fredericton. Their menu features amazing Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese dishes, e.g. Okonomiyaki, Chow Mein, sushi, Pad Thai, Vermicelli noodles, and Bibimbap.

Pad Thai and Veggie Inari Sushi Rolls. 😛

Although Fredericton is a smaller city, there’s a good selection of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants! The best one, in my opinion, is The Abbey Café & Gallery (546 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B9). You can choose from their Lentil meatball panini, Seitan Gyros wrap, Coconut Curry, Caesar Salad, and more!

Another bonus are the yummy desserts and rotating art pieces displayed all over the walls.

Seitan Gyros Wrap and some of the paintings at The Abbey Café & Gallery.

Only a few minutes of a walk away, you’ll find Cinnamon Café (469 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5). This family-owned restaurant is happy to serve vegan food with a Persian/Arabic twist!

A few examples are the Falafel Platter, Tabbouleh Salad, Shawarma Wrap, Lentil Rice, and Gheymeh Stew. Their vegan cakes are supposed to be amazing, and I loved the unique décor inside the restaurant!

Shawarma Wrap and awesome décor inside Cinnamon Café.

Isaac’s Way (649 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C3) is a great choice for (mostly) North American comfort food! Everything is made from scratch, and customers appreciate sitting on the outside patio when it’s warm out!

They serve Maritime Seafood Chowder, Philly Sandwich, Chickpea Burger (vegan), Lamb Burger, Fish’n’Chips, Smoked Tofu Carbonara, and more! Lastly, there are lots of rotating artworks displayed on their walls as well!

Haddock Fish’n’Chips and Chickpea Crunch Burger.

Fredericton also has plenty of cool locally owned coffee shops! We liked Mill Town Roasters (461 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5) and Coffee and Friends (415 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5). Be sure to try their smoothies and sandwiches!

While not a “real” coffee shop, Tobe Milk Tea (608 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C2) offers the best cold tea and coffee options (e.g. Matcha, Oolong, Iced Cloud Coffee, and fruit sodas) in the city.

Snuggle with Kitties at the Purrfect Cup – A Cat Café

Although many of Fredericton’s attractions are within or close to the downtown area, there’s a unique one in the north of the city: The Purrfect Cup – A Cat Café (580 Two Nations Crossing, Unit 9 Fredericton, NB E3A 0X9)! It was opened in 2018 and is the first cat café of the Maritimes.

They offer locally made coffee, tea, and pastries, but of course, the main attraction are the adorable kitties in the separate Cat Lounge! They are rescues from all over New Brunswick and they look forward to meeting their new human friends who’ll hopefully adopt them!

Besides, you can buy some kitty-themed goodies (like earrings and cat toys) and join one of their regular events! For example, they have Yoga with Kitties, Baby Mornings, and Gift Wrapping. There are also games, books, a table, and comfy chairs and couches to sit inside the Cat Lounge.

A white/calico cat is laying in the sun. There are two black cats snuggled up together on a cat pillow at the left.

A small brown/black/white tabby cat laying on a beige fuzzy rug.

A white/brown/black small cat laying inside a scratching post pillow. Its eyes are closed.

A grey/black/white cat sitting next to its sleeping black cat friend laying in a light blue cat bed.

The Cat Lounge can get very busy, so it’s recommended to make a reservation through their website. From downtown, take bus #14N, that takes only 11 minutes (or seven minutes by car) to the Purrfect Cup.

Walk Around The Old Burial Ground

If you need some peace and quiet after touring Fredericton’s downtown district, walk around The Old Burial Ground (500 Brunswick Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 1H5) for a bit. This is the final resting place of many of the Loyalist families who founded the City of Fredericton and New Brunswick.

The province’s first clergy, judges, and government workers are buried here, too. The oldest graves are from 1787, so it’s one of the most historically significant cemeteries in New Brunswick.

Entrance to the burial ground. The grey sign says "Old Burial Ground 1784".

A nice green space with large trees and gravestones standing around all over the place. There are some power poles as well.

Browse Through some Independent Shops

When you walk around downtown Fredericton, there are quite a few cool independent shops to visit.

For example, Westminster Books (88 York St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3N5) has an awesome selection of all kinds of books! They’ve been around for more than 40 years and the store has a cozy vibe, which encourages customers to hang out for a while!

BackTrails by The Radical Edge (386 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3L4) is perfect if you’re looking for outdoor clothes and equipment (e.g. backpacks, camping gear, hiking shoes, and canoes)!

Rocker Chic Boutique (59 York St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3N4) is the best place to go for alternative clothing! Whether your inner rebel desires Goth, Glam Rock, Punk, or Rockabilly clothes, you’ll find what you’re looking for here! They also have band shirts in all sizes!

You can find a list of all downtown Fredericton shops here.

Please keep in mind that most of these shops are closed on Sundays.

Look at Fredericton’s Street Art

As an artsy city, it’s not surprising that there’s lots of cool street art in Fredericton!

I stumbled upon these while walking around downtown.

A painting of a steam locomotive train on a house wall, red background.

A colourful corner painting of a purple octopus, fish in the sea, stars, planets, and an astronaut.

Visit a Local Festival

Fredericton is proud to host tons of events and festivals throughout the year! Here are just a few coming up this summer:

The Fredericton Pride Week from July 12-21, 2024. During this period, you can visit the Pride parade, drag shows, flag raisings, nature walks, and so much more! Check out Fredericton Pride’s Facebook page for more details.
Celebrate Scottish and Celtic heritage at The New Brunswick Highland Games Festival from July 26-28, 2024. This event takes place at the historic Government house grounds. There will be music, piping and drumming, highland dances, traditional Scottish athletics, and more!
The Trail Folk Music Festival from August 16-18, 2024. If you like nature activities and folk music, don’t miss this festival in Minto, only 40 minutes from Fredericton.

Here are a few festivals I visited during my time in Fredericton:

The Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) Annual Powwow (510 Union Street, Fredericton, NB E3A 3N2) happens on two days in June. The best part are the many dances by indigenous performers, and everyone is welcome to join! There are also booths with Native clothing, arts and crafts, and food trucks.
Animaritime is the premier anime convention in the Maritimes. It occurs in June as well at the Fredericton Convention Centre (670 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C2). For three days, anime fans and cosplayers can play video games, buy anime and cosplay merch, and meet famous cosplayers.

Indigenous performers dancing in their traditional clothing.

A crowd of people walking by City Hall, with lots of large confetti pieces in the air. One person is holding a large rainbow flag.

The Sitansisk Annual Powwow and the Fredericton Pride Parade. Both photo credit of Fredericton Tourism.

Stay at a Historic Bed & Breakfast

By now, you may be wondering what’s the best place to stay in town? If you’re looking for a historic accommodation with genuine maritime hospitality, I recommend the Carriage House Inn (230 University Ave, Fredericton, NB E3B 4H7).

It’s only minutes from downtown, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, The Green, and other attractions. Besides, it’s Fredericton’s largest bed and breakfast.

This Victorian house was completed in 1875, and Harry Beckwick, Fredericton’s Mayor, lived here with his family in the late 1800s! Some original doors, a staircase, and flooring throughout the home are still used for today’s guests.

They have a nice selection of cozy and historic rooms. The hostesses, Emily and Angie, go above and beyond to make guests feel right at home! The house is in a quiet neighbourhood, so it’s perfect to relax after a long day of exploring Fredericton.

Many guests have been raving about their homemade blueberry banana pancakes for breakfast, which are served in their elegant dining room, so don’t forget to try them!

A pretty bed room with pink /flower covered walls and two beds with high corners on the left. On the right, there's a high dark brown closet.

An elegant dining room with a couch, chairs, armchair, paintings on the wall, small coffee table, and a rug, and a wood stove.

One of the bedrooms and the impressive dining room!

Conclusion

Whichever time of year you decide to visit Fredericton, there’s always something fun going on! It’s a great place to visit with friends, family, as a couple, or solo traveler. I hope this detailed guide of The 16 Best Things to Do in Fredericton gave you lots of inspiration, no matter what the weather does! I recommend spending at least two or three days in Fredericton.

Even though it’s smaller than Toronto, Halifax, or Montreal, Fredericton doesn’t need to hide at all. Instead of high skyscrapers, you’ll find Victorian buildings and many tree-lined streets, which is much better! There are daily flights from Fredericton International Airport to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Thanks to the many university and college students living here, Fredericton has quite a young and fresh vibe. It’s also known for its small town feel and cleanliness, and the locals are very down to earth. Besides, Fredericton is one of the safest cities in Canada and the Atlantic Ocean is only a few hours away!

It’s quite easy to get around the city by car and local buses go pretty much everywhere. Maritime Bus goes daily to Saint John and Moncton as well.

I had a blast during my time in Fredericton! My favourite things to do are Odell Park, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, Killarney Lake Park, Garrison Night Market, and hanging with the cats at the Purrfect Cup!

If you have any insider tips, feel free to share them in the comments. Cheers 😀

Spending time in the Maritimes for a bit longer? Then check out these posts:

3 Days on Grand Manan Island Itinerary

Is Halifax, Nova Scotia Worth Visiting in 2024? (Guest Post for Veggies Abroad)

October 7, 2023 6

3 DAYS ON GRAND MANAN ISLAND ITINERARY: THE BEST THINGS TO DO

Last updated: August 7, 2024

It’s a beautiful summer day, so we decide to spend some time on Grand Manan Island, in New Brunswick, Canada. It’s the largest island in the Bay of Fundy, where the tides rise and fall more than 16 meters (52 feet) each day, higher than anywhere else in the world!

The island’s size is 655 km² (253 sq miles), and 2,595 residents lived here in 2021. In addition, Reader’s Digest Canada voted Grand Manan Island as one of World’s 7 Best Small Islands in 2018.

Grand Manan Island has a lot of great things to do for everyone! From watching the sunset at a cliff, hiking, looking for sea glass, visiting museums and art galleries, and so much more, it never gets boring here! So here’s the Ultimate Itinerary for Three Days on Grand Manan Island 😀

Day 1: Ferry ride, Anchorage Provincial Park, and a Cliff Sunset

We take the ferry from Blacks Harbour to Grand Manan Island, and hope to see some wildlife, so we walk right up to the deck. Some animals who call this area home are puffins and other seabirds, porpoises, minkes, humpbacks, and the rare North Atlantic Right Whale. Although we don’t see any nearby, we love the picturesque ocean scenery and even spot a bunch of little islands.

So our trip is off to a great start! Suddenly, some fishing weirs and a lighthouse, the gateways to Grand Manan Island’s North Head village, appear in the distance.

Our first stop is the Surfside Motel (123 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1A4), where we’re staying tonight. It’s been around for more than 40 years and has 22 nice, standard rooms, with one or two beds.

I love hanging out on the lawn with picnic chairs in the back of the building! It’s also a great spot to admire the view of Stanley’s Beach, Long Island, and Flagg’s Cove.

Then we relax at Anchorage Provincial Park (136 Anchorage Road, Grand Manan, NB E5G 2H4) for a bit. This spot has a scenic sand beach and offers tons of hiking and cycling trails, picnic areas, and is home to the Grand Manan Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

It’s also a popular camping spot that provides picturesque vistas.

Soon the brisk and clean marine air makes us hungry, so we head to the Compass Rose Heritage Inn (65 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1A2) for dinner. It was established in the early 20th century as a post and telegraph office. Their dining room is equipped with antique furniture, and guests can watch the Bay of Fundy and the buzzing North Head fishing harbour from their table.

Like many restaurants on the Canadian east coast, their specialty dish is lobster. But tonight my travel buddies are in the mood for haddock and I order a vegetarian curry pasta dish. Everything’s super yummy and we’re very happy with the service!

Unfortunately, the Compass Rose Heritage Inn restaurant will not be open in summer 2024.

It’s getting late now, but that doesn’t stop us from driving to Southwest Head Lighthouse (2571 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 4H4) on the opposite end of the island. It’s supposed to be the best sunset spot for Instagrammers on Grand Manan!

Day 2: Farmers Market, Swallow Tail Lighthouse, and Grand Manan Art Gallery

In the morning, we check out Grand Manan’s Farmers Market (1021 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 4E5) at the old North Head Hall. This event has been around since 1984, and happens every Saturday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm from Canada Day until Labour Day weekend in September.

There’s a variety of awesome handmade goodies to find, like jewelry, beauty products, arts, crafts, books, and baked foods.

Our next stop is Swallow Tail Lighthouse (50 Lighthouse Road, Grand Manan, NB E5G 2A3), one of Grand Manan’s most popular tourist attractions. It was completed in 1860 on an isolated peninsula in North Head and is operated by the Swallow Tail Keepers Society, a non-profit organization.

It’s still an active lighthouse today, although there’s no light keeper, as it was automated in 1986. We need to walk a bunch of concrete stairs, then across a wooden bridge, before arriving at the lighthouse. But it was 100% worth it!

There’s also a walking path, but be careful, as the entire peninsula is framed by rocky cliffs, that are more than 30 meters (100 feet) high! A bunch of picnic tables and benches are available if you need a break. Besides, Swallow Tail Lighthouse is supposed to be perfect for watching the sun or moon rise, and lighthouse tours can be booked on request.

Swallowtail Lighthouse is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm during the summer months. The Gift Shop is also open, where you can find lots of unique items! Please find more details on their Facebook page.

The front of Swallow Tail Lighthouse, looking at the bay from the top, and items for sale at the Gift Shop. The latter is photo courtesy of Andrea Kelter.

After this exciting morning we have lunch at The Old Well House Café (56 Route 776, Grand Manan NB, E5G 1A1), a quirky local café. We stuff ourselves with Blueberry muffins, nachos with hummus, and a cuppa Joe, of course! Everything is very good!

You can sit inside or on their outside patio, and they often host live music and comedy nights!

Next, we want to soak up more local culture at the Grand Manan Art Gallery (21 Cedar Street, Grand Manan, NB E5G 2C3), that is operated by the Grand Manan Historical Society. It shows artwork by artists from Grand Manan Island, the Bay of Fundy region, or further away.

This tourist attraction is open from June to late September, every day of the week, and it’s also fully wheelchair accessible.

My favourites are Wendy Moore’s “Flowers” painting and Marie-Paule Paulin’s “Misty Morning” and “Sunset”, as I think it represents the laid-back lifestyle often found in the Maritimes.

Then we check in to Pa’s Place & Beach Front Cottages (70 Red Point Road, Grand Manan, NB E5G 4J2), our accommodation for the next two nights. It’s further down the island, in Seal Cove. This place was founded in 1912 and guests can either stay in the 2-floor main building or one of their private cabins.

Our cabin has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, living room, bathroom, and a porch with BBQ. Another bonus is the private Seal Cove sand beach, only a few foot steps away.

It’s quieter than last night’s accommodation, as it’s further away from the main road. So later, all we can hear while falling asleep is the soothing sound of the ocean.

The cabins from the outside, partial living room and kitchen at our cabin, and Seal Cove sand beach. The first two are photo courtesy of Pa’s Place & Beach Front Cottages.

Day 3: Grand Manan Museum, Southwest Head Cliffs, and Bill’s Beatles Collection

The next day, we tour the Grand Manan Museum (1141 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 4E9), another popular attraction. They intend to teach visitors about the 200-year old rich, maritime heritage of Grand Manan Island, especially the fishing industry.

The museum exhibit features various displays of natural and human history, e.g. Fisherman’s Shed Exhibit, Upper and Lower Marine Gallery, and Communications Exhibit, with an old telephone, typewriter, and post office desk.

My favourite is the wall painting of marine creatures though, as it must have taken a long time and talent to put it together! At the entrance of the museum, there’s a gift shop, too, with soap, jewelry, printed and painted artwork, and birthday cards for sale.

Wall painting of marine creatures and vessel replica used around Grand Manan Island in the late 19th century.

You can also check out their outside exhibits, e.g. “A Walk through time”, that shows photos of the early settlement and social and economic development of the island, or the Deep Cove School House. It ran from 1889 to 1947, which makes it Grand Manan’s longest operating one-room school house.

Lastly, don’t miss the nearby sign post, to learn how far away certain places are from the island!

The Grand Manan Museum is open seasonally (mid June to late September), Monday-Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Between October and May, the museum is open by appointment only.

Next, we go to Southwest Head Lighthouse one more time to enjoy the stunning view off its rock cliffs during the day. If you feel adventurous, several hiking trails can be accessed through here, but be careful, as the cliffs are 60 meters (200 feet) high!

As we continue driving back on the main road, we suddenly spot a white and yellow house, that has The Beatles painted on it! It turns out it’s Bill’s Beatles Collection (1844 Route 776, Grand Manan NB E5G 3H2), an impressive selection of Beatles memorabilia from the past 60 years!

Owner Bill Dickinson’s personal Beatles collection includes posters, instruments the band played, mugs, records, t-shirts, pins, movies, action figures, cassettes, guitar picks, toys, pillows, magazines, and more!

Bill’s Beatles Collection is open Thursday to Monday and admission is by donation. Bill will be happy to tell you tons of Beatles stories, including him seeing them live in concert in Montreal in 1964!

Other Things to See and Do on Grand Manan

Unfortunately, three days are not enough to see everything on Grand Manan Island.

So here are a few more attractions that sound really awesome:

Sea Watch Whale and Seabird Watching Tours (S C Breakwater Road, Grand Manan, NB E5G 4H4). This business was founded by Captain Peter Wilcox and his wife Kenda in 1969. Their tours are a great way to meet some marine animals living in this area.

Their 5 ½ hour Puffin – Machias Seal Island tour takes guests to a nearby sea bird sanctuary. Often sighted birds on the way and the island are puffins, razorbill auks, common murres, as well as eider ducks and black guillemots.

Their whale watching tour takes 4 to 5 ½ hours, depending on the whales’ location, and can be booked from early July to late September.

The coolest thing is whale sightings are guaranteed or your tour is free!

Adventure High Sea Kayak Tours (83 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1A2). This local business has been known for their guided eco-friendly adventure tours since 1989.

Their tours can be booked for a half, full, or multiple days. They include experiences like a Kayak Tour & Dinner on the beach, island hopping, and enjoying a bonfire by the beach. All tours include basic paddling and safety instructions, and kayak and safety equipment.

The multi-day tours also include accommodation and meals. Adventure High also offers Specialty tours (e.g. painting, photography, and yoga, in addition to sea kayaking, of course!), a paddling school, cabin/cottage accommodation, and bike rentals. These services can be booked from May-October.

You can also book Atlantic tours in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, Polar Kayaking Adventures in Antarctica, and Tropical Kayaking Adventures in Florida, Honduras, and the Bahamas!

The Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station (24 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1A1). This small natural history museum sounds perfect for people eager to know more about the marine conservation of the Bay of Fundy and the animals living in it.

Their displays include whales, seabirds, seals, sharks, and fish, and you can symbolically adopt a North Atlantic Right Whale! You’ll also learn why these amazing creatures are endangered and the efforts to protect them, as well as the Harbour Porpoise Release Program.

This museum is open daily from late spring to early fall from 9:30 to 5 pm. There’s no admission charge, but donations are always appreciated!

Numerous little islands. An example of an island close to Grand Manan Island is Whitehead Island, the only island with a year-round population. It’s accessible via a free ferry from Ingalls Head, or boat, and is known for its sandy beaches, salt marsh and the Longpoint Lighthouse.

Cheney Island is privately owned and apparently, is haunted by “Old Man Cheney”, the ghost of its first settler.

Ross Island is where the first settlers of the United Empire Loyalists landed in 1784, and the remains of Fish Fluke Point Lighthouse and their stone foundations can still be visited. During low tide, these islands are connected, and so you can enter it by foot!

More details about these and other islands can be found on the Grand Manan Tourism website.

Look for sea glass. Lots of beaches within the Bay of Fundy are fantastic spots to find sea glass, which includes Grand Manan Island. Most of these little treasures are formed by pieces of glass bottles that people threw into the ocean many years ago. Over time, their sharp edges become smooth.

The most common colours are white, brown, and green, but you can sometimes find blue, red, purple, turquoise ones as well. The best spot to find sea glass on Grand Manan Island is Pettes Cove in North Head, near the Ferry Terminal and Swallow Tail Lighthouse.

How to Get to Grand Manan Island

From the Canadian side (by car): Drive to Blacks Harbour (35 minutes outside of Saint John), then take the ferry to Grand Manan Island. Please find the most current ferry schedule here.

The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the cost per car is C$ 39.25 for non residents (excluding the driver). Passengers and other modes of transportation are welcome as well. There’s a cafeteria on board, which is famous for their seafood chowder! You can find more details on the ferry service here.

From the US side (by car): First, take I-95 to Bangor, Maine, then head East on Rte. 9 to Calais to enter Canada. Then go East on Highway 1 for about 35 minutes and take exit 60 to Blacks Harbour. From there, take the same ferry to Grand Manan Island.

Reservations are highly recommended in the summer months and passengers need to check in at Blacks Harbour maximum 45 minutes before the ferry departs.

As there’s no public transportation on Grand Manan Island, it’s recommended to have your own mode of transportation, like a (rental) car, motorcycle, or bicycle.

If you need to fly to New Brunswick first, the closest commercial airport is Saint John (YSJ), which is reachable via Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal International Airport.

Grand Manan Island is also accessible via private vessel, as long as you arrive at one of the commercial wharves (North Head, Ingalls Head, Seal Cove, and White Head).

Grand Manan Island also has a 1,000 meter (3,280 ft) long airstrip for private plane landings.

My Opinion on Grand Manan Island

As everyone knows, vacations always end too soon, but the memories stay with you for a long time. So we don’t know whether to be happy or sad when leaving Grand Manan Island the next day. What made this getaway special?

I especially liked learning about Swallow Tail Lighthouse, witnessing the spectacular sunset at Southwest Head, walking on Seal Cove sand beach, and the great shopping! The locals we met made us feel welcome by offering their help if needed.

Although Grand Manan Island is a popular destination, the roads weren’t crowded, and it’s obvious that authorities care about keeping the island clean.

Another reason to travel to this island is to appreciate its unspoiled nature, e.g. by looking at the water, collecting sea glass, hiking, cycling, kayaking, or whale watching. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a history and culture enthusiast, beach fan, outdoorsy traveler, or interested in wildlife.

In addition, Grand Manan Island offers a great variety of places to stay and eat. Also, it’s a perfect spot to relax and recharge from city life, but it’s got everything you need to have a great vacation.

Spending time in the Maritimes for a bit longer? Then check out these posts:

The 16 Best Things to Do in Fredericton, NB

Is Halifax, Nova Scotia Worth Visiting in 2024? (Guest Post for Veggies Abroad)

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