The Wonders Of New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a province in Canada that borders Québec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the US state of Maine. It is home to the world's highest tides, historic covered bridges, and amazing whale-watching excursions. The province has three large cities: Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton, the provincial capital.

New Brunswick offers a range of attractions, from natural wonders to historic sites and outdoor adventures. Visitors can explore the Bay of Fundy, home to the Hopewell Rocks and the world's highest tides, or walk through the streets of Fredericton's Garrison District, a former British garrison site that now hosts summer festivals and historical reenactments. Adventure seekers can rappel down cliffs or zipline at Cape Enrage, and nature lovers can discover the beauty of Fundy National Park, with its hiking trails and waterfalls.

The province also boasts the world's longest covered bridge in Hartland, and the famous Magnetic Hill in Moncton, where your vehicle will appear to roll uphill due to an optical illusion. For those interested in history, the Roosevelt Campobello International Park preserves the summer home of former US President Franklin Roosevelt on Campobello Island.

With its friendly locals, stunning scenery, and diverse attractions, New Brunswick is a must-visit destination on Canada's East Coast.

Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is a bay between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and has the highest tidal range in the world. The tidal range in the Bay of Fundy is about 16 metres (52 ft), with water levels rising and falling by as much as 48 feet every day when 100 billion tons of seawater crash into the shore. This has shaped the unique landscape of the coastline and the entire region.

The Bay of Fundy is home to many natural wonders, including the Hopewell Rocks, unique rock formations carved by tidal erosion over thousands of years. These formations are dubbed the 'Flowerpot Rocks' due to their rounded appearance and vegetation-covered tops. Visitors can walk the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks during low tide and then return a few hours later to kayak among the tops of those same rocks, now sitting above the waterline.

The Bay of Fundy is also a great place for whale watching, with as many as 12 species of whales and other marine animals gathering in the summer to feed on the abundant plankton and fish brought in by the Fundy tides. Minke and Finback whales arrive in the spring, followed by Humpback whales and White-sided dolphins in June.

The Bay of Fundy offers a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and swimming. Visitors can also explore the bay by boarding a boat for a whale-watching excursion or taking a ferry to three unique islands within the bay. The Fundy National Park, located along the bay, offers over 75 miles of walking and hiking trails through mountains, valleys, and forests, as well as opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.

The Bay of Fundy has a rich history, with the Miꞌkmaq fishing in its waters and living in communities around the bay for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. The first European settlement in the area was founded by the French at Saint Croix Island in Maine, followed by Port Royal, established by Pierre Dugua and Samuel de Champlain in 1605.

Whale watching

There are a variety of tour companies offering whale-watching excursions in the Bay of Fundy, each providing a unique experience. Here are some of the top-rated ones:

• Quoddy Link Marine Inc.: They offer cruises on a spacious modern power catamaran, providing a comfortable and environmentally conscious expedition. In addition to whales, you can also spot seals, porpoises, bald eagles, and various seabirds.
• Fundy Tide Runners Whale Watching: This company operates 24-foot rigid-hulled Zodiac Hurricane boats, offering a fast, fun, and exciting way to view marine life. Their tours typically last 2 hours and run daily from May to October.
• Jolly Breeze Whale Adventures: For a unique experience, Jolly Breeze offers tours on a replica 19th-century tall ship. In addition to whales, you can also spot harbour seals, grey seals, minke whales, porpoises, and dolphins.
• Island Quest Marine: This family-owned business provides educational whale-watching tours with marine biologists on board. They operate a 29' SeaFox boat, offering both high-speed whale-watching adventures and saltwater sport fishing excursions.
• Capt. Riddle's Whale Watch Cruises: With this company, you can expect to see minke whales, porpoises, seals, cormorants, and sea birds. They also offer mackerel fishing as part of the experience.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that the best time for whale watching in New Brunswick is generally from August to early September. Additionally, remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to spotting whales, but choosing a cruise that spends more time in whale feeding areas increases your chances.

Saint John

The Saint John area has a long history, dating back to the indigenous Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik peoples who called the river "Wolastoq". French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour in 1604 and named the river after St. John the Baptist. The city itself was established by uniting two communities, Parr-town and Carleton, following the arrival of refugees from the newly formed United States after the American Revolution.

The surrounding natural landscape is characterised by coastal mountain ranges, including the St. Croix Highlands and the Caledonia Highlands, resulting in a hilly topography. The Stonehammer UNESCO Geopark, centred around Saint John, showcases rock formations dating back to the Precambrian era. The Bay of Fundy, known for its dramatic tidal range, also contributes to the city's natural beauty and provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking and whale watching.

The city has a population of approximately 69,895 people and is the second-largest city in the province. It is known for its multiculturalism, with a diverse range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Fredericton

The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province, along the Saint John River (also known by its Indigenous name, Wolastoq). The river is the dominant natural feature of the area, and the city's post-war suburban development has occurred on the gently sloping hills on either side of the river. The downtown core of Fredericton is flat and lies low to the river.

Today, Fredericton is a vibrant and growing city, with a strong public sector and a developing IT and commercial sector. The city has the highest percentage of residents with post-secondary education in the province and the highest per capita income in New Brunswick. Fredericton is also a cultural hub, hosting festivals such as the annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival and the Silver Wave Film Festival.

The Fredericton Boyce Farmer's Market is one of the top community markets in Canada, with over 250 local suppliers offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and more. The market is a great place to grab a bite to eat and browse local art, pottery, jewellery, and other unique souvenirs.

Some notable attractions in Fredericton include the Fredericton Region Museum, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Fredericton Railway Bridge, which spans 0.6 km across the Saint John River. The city also has a network of over 25 trails, totalling more than 85 km, on both sides of the Saint John and Nashwaak Rivers. These trails are popular for walking and biking and are part of the larger Trans-Canada Trail network.

Magnetic Hill

Located at the northwestern edge of Moncton in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, Magnetic Hill is a gravity hill that has been puzzling visitors for decades. It is one of the country's most popular and unique tourist attractions, where an optical illusion created by rising and descending terrain makes it appear as though cars are rolling uphill in defiance of gravity.

The History of Magnetic Hill

Stories about Magnetic Hill have been around since the early 1800s, but it wasn't until the 1930s that it became a popular tourist destination. During this time, a young woman named Muriel Lutes (Sikorski), who lived nearby, named the site Magnetic Hill and began selling ice cream and souvenirs to visitors. By the 1950s, Magnetic Hill had become the third most popular tourist destination in Canada, after Niagara Falls and Banff National Park.

The Optical Illusion

The optical illusion at Magnetic Hill is created by a combination of factors, including the partial or full obscuration of the horizon, which makes the trees on either side of the road appear to bend, and the gradient of the slope. This confuses the brain's sense of perspective, making it seem as though objects are rolling uphill when they are actually rolling downhill.

Things to Do at Magnetic Hill

In addition to experiencing the optical illusion, there are several other attractions in the area. The Magnetic Hill Wharf Village offers treats and handmade souvenirs, while the Magic Mountain Amusement Park features rides, slides, and games. The Magnetic Hill Winery is an award-winning winery located on a 19th-century historic site that overlooks the city. Visitors can also explore the Lutz Mountain Heritage Museum, which provides information about the history of the hill and the region.

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