7 Sweet Summer Spots in New Brunswick
Published March 13, 2025
Photography by Jay Kana
With the “Elbows Up” movement in full swing and Canadian tourism becoming increasingly popular, it’s an excellent time to discover, or rediscover, our captivating country.
So you’re looking at the east coast for a summer vacation and asking yourself “what’s there to do in New Brunswick in summer?” So, so, so much! I’ve been there and have been to various regions in my career. New Brunswickis fantastic for family road trips, a guys and or gals trip, a couples getaway or a solo adventure.
If one of your summer travel destinations is New Brunswick, I’ve got a stellar list for you to either follow or include in your exploration of Canada’s excellent east coast gem.
Miramichi
It’s a road less travelled and one that should be discovered. The Miramichi River Route is approximately 180 km long, so plan to spend at least a couple of days here.
What’s there to do along the The Miramichi River Route, you ask? Plenty! Here are some of the things I experienced and definitely recommend.
A fishing tour that launches from the Rodd Miramichi River hotel property. Not into fishing? That’s ok, you can still board the boat and experience the majestic Miramichi River, complete with unique views and all.
Middle Island Irish Historic Park is to learn about the history of where Irish settlers quarantined as they escaped the potato famine.
Make the hour-long part urban, part rural drive to Sheephouse Falls to see Little Sheephouse Falls, a 60-foot high waterfall that’s simply stunning. It’s an moderate-rated hike that’ll take about an hour-ish roundtrip. Stay awhile to admire the mesmerizing falls and scenery.
Wilson Point Historic Site is where Scottish settlers arrived as early as 1765; learn about their story here by walking the grounds and spending time in the interpretative centre.
French Fort Cove offers zip line experiences for stunning views of the cove. There are also plenty of hiking trails if you want to keep your feet on the ground.
Metepenagiag Heritage Park shares the story of the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, New Brunswick’s oldest continuously settled community. Archaeological digs have shown Mi’kmaq settlement here dates back over 3,000 years. This First Nation offers engaging and authentic ways to learn about Mi’kmaq culture through interactive programming.
The Metepenagiag Heritage Park visitor centre features an exhibit and short film detailing Mi’kmaq traditions and records the long history of the First Nation at this site.
The Priceville-McNamee Suspension Footbridge is the longest onein the province and bridges the villages of Priceville and McNamee. It’s an key connection between these two communities and visitors can also walk across and enjoy the serene river views.
Rewind time and land in New Brunswick’s logging camp days by seeing the equipment used and how loggers lived and worked. It’s fascinating how they did so much with equipment that’s different from today’s.
You’ve gotta put Central New Brunswick Woodman’s Museum on your itinerary!
Fredericton
New Brunswick’s capital city has plenty of outdoor attractions to enjoy in summer. Strap on a personal flotation device, rent a kayak from Second Nature Outdoors and paddle along the Saint John River.
Trade in the paddle for two wheels and take an e-scooter and along the Riverfront Trail and then scoot across the bridge to Picaroons Brewing for their excellent outdoor patio.
Indoors, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery houses original Salvador Dalí pieces and work from Canadian artists including Tom Thomson and Emily Carr.
Ministers Island
Ministers Island, which is interestingly, a part-time island. During high tide, it’s an island. At low tide, you can stand on the shore and watch as a sand bar emerges from beneath the water, then, amazingly, drive on and across it to experience the island, which is not an island at this point in the tides.
It’s about a five minute drive across, you’ll have to go slowly and stay to one side to keep in motion.
Interestingly, when the tide is high, the “road” is covered with at least 13 feet of water.
Take a tour, roam the grounds, and bring yourself back a century or so to imagine what life was like in this mega estate.
Don’t dawdle as the island is only accessible for a few hours a day due to the tide timing. Plus, the window of opportunity changes daily
St. Martins
This village on the Bay of Fundy is magical! Embark on a 2.5 hour Sea Caves Kayak Tour that takes you across the bay and then parallel to the Bay of Fundy coastline. You’ll paddle past two UNESCO sites: Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark, and UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Region.
Admire sea caves, cliffs and rock formations, and stop at a private beach near the end of the tour and watch as the tide begin to come in.
Fundy Trail Parkway
Spend a full day on this serene and scenic stretch of road that’s 30-kilometres long and follows the shoreline with 21 lookouts, five beaches, four waterfalls, and several hiking trails, including the mammoth 41-kilometre Fundy Footpath, connecting to Fundy National Park.
Attractions along the Fundy Trail Parkway include walking across the Big Salmon River suspension bridge, strolling through Long Beach, and taking the moderate and totally worth it hike to the Walton Glen Gorge lookout.
Hopewell Rocks
Your key choice is to arrive when the tide is either in or out. Showing up without planning results in a misuse of your time.
What’s the best way to experience Hopewell Rocks? Go at low tide!
I arrived early at low tide and walked down onto the ocean floor, where you’ll easily gain perspective on just how towering the cliffs and sea stacks are. As the tide comes in, water levels quickly change. Staff are close by to ensure everyone ascends the stairs before the ground is submerged.
In the afternoon, I kayaked over the very same spaces that created a unique vantage point and perspective. The two-ish hour tour blends kayaking through open waters, through rock formations and sea caves and the history of the area.
Saint John
Start with the very cool Waterfront Container Village that uses, well, shipping containers as satellite shops and is smartly set up beside the cruise ship port. It’s colourful, has food, drink and retail shops, and a stage for live entertainment.
The oldest market in Canada is here via the Saint John City Market, complete with all the wares you’d expect from fruit, meats, cheeses, drinks and more. Gaze up at the ceiling as it’s in the shape of an inverted ship’s hull.
To support local Canadian businesses here dining-wise, there are 80 independent bars and restaurants in a 10 block radius, so there’s likely something for every taste.