New Brunswick: A Kid-Friendly Haven

New Brunswick is a great place to take kids, with plenty of activities to keep them entertained. The province offers a mix of cultural and hands-on attractions, as well as beautiful nature and unique coastal areas to explore. From walking on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks to exploring the historic Algonquin Resort in seaside St. Andrews, there is something for everyone. The province's capital, Fredericton, offers further cultural attractions, such as the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market, while the city of Moncton boasts the Magnetic Hill Zoo, with over 400 animals.

Whale watching

One option is to take a boat tour, such as those offered by Quoddy Link Marine Inc., Fundy Tide Runners Whale Watching, or Jolly Breeze Whale Adventures. These tours typically last a few hours and provide the opportunity to see various whale species, such as humpback, minke, and finback whales, as well as other marine life like seals, porpoises, and seabirds. The crew of these tours often provide educational commentary and ensure that all passengers get a chance to see the whales.

For a more adventurous experience, you can try the Whales by Zodiac™ tour, where you can zip through the whale feeding grounds in a speedy, eight-metre Zodiac Hurricane. This tour offers an up-close and personal encounter with the whales and the thrill of being splashed by their massive spouts of water.

If you're looking for a more unique perspective, you can opt for a tall ship whale-watching tour on a replica 19th-century ship like the Jolly Breeze. This tour combines the excitement of whale watching with the charm of sailing on a historic vessel.

No matter which tour you choose, you're sure to be amazed by the beauty and size of these marine mammals. Whale watching in New Brunswick is an unforgettable experience that will create lasting memories for both children and adults alike. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat!

Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium

New Brunswick, Canada, is a great place to take kids, with its beaches, historic Fundy Trail, ocean floor walks, and ziplining across the Bay of Fundy. The province's capital, Fredericton, is full of history, and the city of Saint John has plenty of attractions for kids, including the New Brunswick Museum, Fallsview Park, and the Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

The Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium is located at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, which has the world's highest tides. The aquarium has been visited by over 1,200,000 people, making it the most visited non-government tourist attraction in New Brunswick. The Fundy Discovery Aquarium is the perfect place to learn about the marine animals that thrive in the Bay of Fundy. The tides shift every six hours, transforming the landscape and exposing intertidal life for exploration.

The Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium offers an engaging and interactive experience for all ages, with touch pools and various exhibits and tanks. The Anderson Gallery features a life-size model of Delilah, a North Atlantic right whale, that is sure to awe both children and adults. The Tide Tank showcases the magnitude of the Bay of Fundy's tides, and the Flemer Gallery allows visitors to interact with sea creatures under the guidance of knowledgeable interpreters. The Crabtree Seal Habitat entertains with harbour seal antics, and the Mais Viewing Deck offers panoramic views of the St. Croix River.

Downstairs galleries provide underwater viewing of Bay of Fundy fish and harbour seals within an array of tanks. The Dunn Theatre, a modern 218-seat lecture hall, often displays art as part of a silent auction or showcases Huntsman Marine research. The Huntsman Gift Shop offers marine-themed souvenirs and gifts, with a focus on sustainability and recycled materials.

In addition to exploring the aquarium, visitors can stroll the beautiful grounds and outdoor play area, access the beach at low tide, and catch daily animal feeding presentations. The Huntsman Marine Experiences offer single-day and multi-day immersive learning opportunities, such as behind-the-scenes tours and hands-on activities like the Tidal Trek Beach Crab Grab. The Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium provides an educational and inspirational experience for all ages, making it a must-visit destination in New Brunswick.

Kingsbrae Garden

New Brunswick, Canada, is a great place to visit with kids, offering fun and relaxation for families of all ages and travel styles. From beaches to historic sites, there's plenty to keep young ones entertained.

One of the top attractions in the province is Kingsbrae Garden, a multi-award-winning horticultural masterpiece located in the seaside town of St. Andrews, about an hour's drive from Saint John. This 27-acre garden is a celebration of St. Andrews' rich gardening heritage, featuring a mix of old and new gardening styles. With over 50,000 perennials in themed gardens, ponds, streams, and an old-growth Acadian forest, it offers a delightful experience for all ages.

• Themed Gardens and Interactive Activities
• Animals and Nature

The garden is home to a diverse range of animals, including resident alpacas, goats, and birds. Kids will delight in getting up close with these friendly creatures. Additionally, the old-growth Acadian forest provides a natural habitat for exploration, where families can discover the beauty of nature and learn about the local ecosystem.

Ladybug Releases and Scavenger Hunts

One unique feature of Kingsbrae Garden is its daily ladybug release. Every day, staff release over 1,000 ladybugs into the garden as a natural alternative to pesticides. Children can hold and observe these friendly insects, learning about their role in the garden ecosystem. The garden also offers scavenger hunts, providing an interactive way for kids to explore the grounds and discover hidden treasures.

Dining and Refreshments

With its stunning horticulture, interactive activities, and natural wonders, Kingsbrae Garden is a must-visit destination for families exploring New Brunswick. It offers a unique blend of beauty, fun, and education, creating lasting memories for both children and adults alike.

Saint John City Market

The Saint John City Market in Saint John, New Brunswick, is the oldest continuously operated farmer's market in Canada, with a charter dating back to 1785. The market is located at 47 Charlotte Street and is open year-round from Monday to Saturday. It offers a unique shopping experience, combining a traditional "farmers market" with a wide range of goods and services.

The market is alive with the sounds and aromas of busy clerks and shoppers, fresh food, and colourful displays of produce, meats, and seafood. Visitors can browse for Maritime crafts, imported items, and handmade goods by local artisans. The market houses a variety of vendors, including butchers, bakers, fruit peddlers, sausage makers, fishmongers, and delicatessens. Some of the businesses in the market have been operating continuously for over 100 years.

In addition to shopping, the market features pop-up exhibits, community events, art installations, children's activities, product tastings, and workshops. The market also has a unique interior roof structure that resembles an inverted ship's keel, built by unemployed ship carpenters using wooden trusses. The floor of the market slopes with the natural grade of the land.

The Saint John City Market is a great place to sample local delicacies, interact with artisans, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional farmer's market. It is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

New Brunswick Museum

The New Brunswick Museum, located in Saint John, is Canada's oldest continuing museum. It was incorporated as the "Provincial Museum" in 1929 and received its current name in 1930, but its history goes back to 1842 and the work of Dr. Abraham Gesner.

The museum offers a remarkable introduction to New Brunswick's rich cultural history and diverse natural environment. Visitors can explore three floors of creative exhibitions and fun events, including the Great Hall of Whales, where visitors can learn fascinating facts about whales and even touch the mouth of a baleen whale. The museum also offers guided tours catered to children, who can enjoy dressing up in lab coats and putting together the skeleton of a porpoise, as well as playing in the children's area and making whale crafts.

The second floor of the museum features fossils of large mammals that used to live in the region during the last ice age, as well as a collection of birds typically found in the Bay of Fundy. The ground floor exhibits cover the industrial development of the city and province from the 19th century, including exhibits on logging and shipbuilding, with original tools and samples of different wood types used in ship construction.

The New Brunswick Museum is located in Market Square in downtown Saint John and is easily accessible from the Saint John Hilton hotel. It is a great attraction for families and children of all ages, offering a fun and educational experience.

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