New Brunswick's Miramichi River Route Blends History, Adventure & Fun
Published June 26th, 2024
Photography by Jay Kana
Plunked in the middle of the province on the shores of the Gulf of the St.Lawrence is a partially hidden gem in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Known for it’s deep Mi’kmaq, fishing and Irish history, there’s a special allure to this special place.
At 180 km, the Miramichi River Route is full of attractions and excitement blended with history and heritage.
This Irish capital of Canada was explored by us landing in Moncton, picking up our car and then doing the 90 minute drive to Miramichi. You can also fly into Fredericton and do the route from south to north.
A 2024 Lexus NX 350 was the ideal chariot by balancing luxury, technology and performance..
With that, join us as we share how to maximize and make memorable moments along the Miramichi River Route.
Miramichi
We arrived in the evening and recharged at the Rodd Miramichi River, an outstanding hotel overlooking the river with spacious rooms, comfortable beds and enjoyable customer service. Enjoy a meal at the on-site 1809 restaurant, go for a waterside walk afterward and rest well before we diving in to adventure.
There’s plenty to see, do and experience, starting with spending time on the majestic Miramichi River that frames the city.
A fishing tour starting at Rodd Wharf, steps from the aforementioned Rodd, is offered through Matthew at Miramichi Bay Outfitters. It’s filled with information as you traverse this crucial waterway. If you’re into fishing, you’ll have the chance to cast a line or few in hopes of catching something. If not, it’s still a great way to be on the water and soak in the history of the area. Also, it attracts anglers from around the world to get in on the world-class bass fishing.
Once back on land, take in a meal at Namaste Bistro, a quaint bistro that they say offers “authentic and unauthentic Indian recipes with deep flavours.” The meal was delicious and I feel they’re close to losing their “hidden gem” status with their fantastic food.
Take the five minute drive to Middle Island Historic Park, which in 1847, was where Irish settlers quarantined as they escaped the potato famine. Also called “Hospital Island,” it would be a place where the sick from overseas would be housed and helped back to health to start a new life in Canada after being forced from their homes.
There’s a walking path that circles the island with information scattered throughout, plus the Interpretive Centre closes the loop on any additional information you’re seeking.
A 20-ish minute drive brings you to Wilson’s Point, a historic Scottish cemetery and church site. These settlers arrived as early as 1765 to create a new life and through the care of The Scottish Heritage Association of Miramichi, the history, heritage and stories are preserved and shared. Enjoy the walking trails and interpretive centre during your visit.
Even though you can see Beaubear’s Island from Wilson’s Point, it’s quick 10 minute drive to get there via retracing your steps. Once there, you’ll experience two national historic sites; historic shipbuilding yards and an Acadian refugee camp.
10 minutes north is where you’ll find stunning aerial views via French Fort Cove. How?Over the Cove Zip Line adventure, that blends picturesque with panoramic scenery as gravity keeps you in motion. There are hiking trails if you prefer planted feet opposed to dangling.
Grab dinner at either Riverside Pub or cross the river to O’Donaghue’s Irish Pub and if you time it right, there’s live music. It’s spacious at Riverside and comfortably close at the latter.
Skip the hotel and spend the night in a treehouse through Miramichi Treehouse and Camping, only 15 minutes from our dinner options. Everything’s pretty close here, for reference.
Our treehouse was quaint, well-built and cozy, not cramped. Campers are also welcome if that’s your thing. We’d absolutely spend a few nights there when we go back because the serenity of silence is splendid.
Start the day with a coffee/tea and a bite at Creative Grounds (it’s really good!) before making the hour-long part urban, part rural drive to Sheephouse Falls to see Little Sheephouse Falls, a 60-foot high waterfall that’ll keep the Instagram algorithm happy. It’s an moderate-ish hike that’ll take about an hour-ish roundtrip, longer if you admire the mesmerizing falls and scenery.
Hungry? Of course you are and Mill Cove Coffee has fresh sandwiches, gluten-free options and of course, hot and cold drinks.
For the balance of the afternoon, you can stroll the streets of the city and stumble upon whatever attracts you, enjoy Ritchie Wharf Park, or get back on the water via a Miramichi River Boat Tour.
Have dinner at Vera Kitchen and get a seat on their waterfront patio before you check in to the delightful Down East Comfort B&B. This spectacular Victorian and Scottish house has remarkable rooms, a wonderful breakfast and oh-so comfy beds.
Metepenagiag Heritage Park
If you do anything in Miramichi, invest time by visiting 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. Hands-on experiences are available, including Taste of Metepenagiag Ookdotaan, where you can make traditional flatbread by baking it in hot sand heated by bonfire. I was flattered to try this under careful and encouraging supervision and it was an experience I’ll always remember.
For lodging, you can sleep in a tipi—one of them is set up as a glamping experience—or stay at the First Nation’s nearby Red Bank Lodge. Opt for that and your reward is authentic log construction, hot tubs overlooking the river’s calming waters and the height of kindness through the staff.
Driving the Miramichi River Route
Now t’s time to drive the actual route toward Fredericton.
Here are four key places to experience as you make these stops along the way:
Atlantic Salmon Museum
Learn of the history of the famous salmon run, explore a plethora of different types of rods, lures, and fishing lodges that strengthened the local fishing trade
Nelson Hollow Covered Bridge
It’s not accessibly by car anymore and the five minute walk to see it is worth it.
It’s New Brunswick’s oldest covered bridge and one of only two crafted with a four-sided roof, otherwise referred to as a cottage-style roof.
The Priceville-McNamee Suspension Footbridge
This is the longest suspension footbridge in 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.
Central New Brunswick Woodman’s Museum
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.
Fredericton
The end of our route is fantastic Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick. We spent 24 hours here and loaded up on fun. Staying at the Delta, e-scooter rentals were close-by and the Riverfront Trail is at your disposal for adventure. Take a spin over the pedestrian-dedicated Fredericton Railway Bridge to soak up the sun at the nearby Picaroons patio, a local fave. If you want to sip your way through the city via craft beer and cider, there’s a cool Fredericton Taproom Trail with your name on it.
Paddle the Saint John River via kayak or canoe through Second Nature Outdoors, which is close to the Delta. It’ll give you cool content captures and let you see the cityscape from a different lens.
Indoors, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery houses original Salvador Dalí pieces and work from Canadian artists including Tom Thomson and Emily Carr.
Saturdays see the year-round Boyce Farmers Market, featuring two halls of vendors with fresh foods and unique local goods.
Since you’re near the Delta, may as well stay there; we did and had a terrific time.
Check out the on-site restaurant, STMR.36 for some good ol’ BBQ flavoured food.
To plan your visit: tourismnewbrunswick.ca
