Fredericton's Must-See Attractions

Fredericton, New Brunswick, is a charming small city with a rich history and culture. It is known for its vibrant markets, arts scene, and outdoor activities. Here is an introduction to some of the best things to see and do in Fredericton:

- Officers' Square and the Historic Garrison District: This area was once a British garrison and features stately brick buildings, daily Changing of the Guard ceremonies, outdoor summer concerts, and theatre performances.

- Boyce Farmers Market: Named one of Canada's top community markets, this Saturday morning tradition offers local produce, crafts, and regional food products.

- Beaverbrook Art Gallery: A fine art museum with a collection of over 6,000 objects, including international and Canadian art.

- Odell Park and Fredericton Botanic Gardens: A 175-hectare park with old-growth forests, walking trails, botanical gardens, and a waterfowl pond.

- Christ Church Cathedral: An elegant 19th-century Anglican cathedral in the Neo-Gothic style, featuring stained glass windows and a marble effigy memorial.

- Legislative Assembly Building: The seat of New Brunswick's provincial government, featuring portraits by Joshua Reynolds and a spiral staircase.

- Kayaking on the Saint John River: Explore the river and its islands with kayak rentals and guided tours.

- Fredericton Trails: Over 120 km of scenic trails along the St. John River for walking, running, hiking, and biking.

- Fredericton Playhouse: A legacy of Lord Beaverbrook, this 700-seat playhouse offers theatre, dance, and music performances.

- Science East Science Centre: A former county jail turned science centre with hands-on exhibits, activities, and daily science shows.

Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market

The market is a must-visit for tourists, who come to shop for fine local crafts and regional food products, like wild berry jams, honey, maple candies, and dulse (a traditional local seaweed snack). It is also a great place for locals to shop, snack, and socialise. Visitors can expect to find ethnic delicacies, including Chinese buns, Lebanese stuffed grape leaves, and the city's famous samosas. There are also one-of-a-kind gifts, including colourful and quirky items such as lawn sculptures, pottery, textiles, and paintings.

The Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market is a vibrant space, with live music and a diverse mix of vendors. It is the perfect way to kick off your weekend, whether you're an early bird or a late riser.

Beaverbrook Art Gallery

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is a public art gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. It was established in 1959 by Lord Beaverbrook, bringing together art and community in a dynamic cultural environment. The permanent collection has grown to include over 6,000 objects, including several large-scale outdoor sculptures by national and international artists, placed in the gallery's courtyards. The gallery offers tours, a café, and a boutique with souvenirs from local vendors.

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery's collection began with a gift of 300 works of art from Lord Beaverbrook, an influential member of Winston Churchill's cabinet during World War II. The collection has since expanded to include a wider range of modern and contemporary Canadian and international art, with a focus on artists from the Atlantic Region. The gallery has four separate collection areas: the British Collection, the Canadian Collection, the International Collection, and the New Brunswick Collection.

The British Collection covers Elizabethan to 20th-century artists, including Gainsborough, Hogarth, Reynolds, and Turner. The Canadian Collection includes 18th- to 21st-century paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and sculptures, with an emphasis on Atlantic Region artists. The International Collection features Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, and American works from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The New Brunswick Collection showcases a comprehensive historical survey of New Brunswick art, including work by Acadian, Maliseet, and Mi'kmaq artists.

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has undergone several expansions, with the latest completed in 2017, making it the largest art gallery in the Atlantic region. The gallery is located on Queen Street in Fredericton and is open daily, with extended hours on Thursdays.

Fredericton Trails

Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, is a charming small city with a lot to offer. It is known for its craft beer, rich history, and culture, as well as its beautiful riverside location. The city has an extensive network of trails, with over 120 kilometres of year-round multi-use trails, offering stunning scenery and a variety of activities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. Here is a more detailed look at some of the popular trails in Fredericton:

Odell Park Circuit

This 3.3-mile loop trail takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. It takes you through the heart of Fredericton, showcasing ancient trees and winding trails. Odell Park is a 175-hectare green space with over 16 kilometres of shaded paths and walking trails. The park features old-growth forests, a waterfowl pond, playgrounds, and picnic areas. It also includes the Fredericton Botanic Gardens, which showcase a variety of plant species, woodland trails, and outdoor sculptures. In the winter, Odell Park is a popular spot for skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing on its groomed trails.

Killarney Lake Trail

The Killarney Lake Trail is a well-maintained 2.3-mile loop that takes approximately 55 minutes to complete. This trail takes you around the picturesque Killarney Lake, passing by its shore and a beach before leading into the park's woods. The park offers a complex trail system, providing plenty of options for extending your hike and exploring the natural surroundings.

Fredericton - Downtown Riverfront Loop

The Downtown Riverfront Loop is a 4-mile trail that offers wonderful views of the St. John River from both sides. It connects the South Riverfront Trail and Downtown to the North Riverfront Trail via the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, a former railway bridge that is now part of the Sentier NB Trail system and the Trans Canada Trail. This trail is perfect for walking or running and provides a great way to experience the river up close.

Bill Thorpe Bridge

The Bill Thorpe Bridge itself is a 0.7-mile trail that is part of the larger loop. It is a converted railway bridge that is now dedicated solely to pedestrians and bicycles, offering a unique perspective of the river and the city.

Nashwaak and Gibson Loop

The Nashwaak and Gibson Loop is a longer trail, measuring 6.4 miles, and is estimated to take about 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete. This trail takes you through different parts of the city and provides a mix of natural and urban landscapes.

UNB Woodlot Loop

The UNB Woodlot Loop is a 5.4-mile trail that takes you through the natural areas surrounding the University of New Brunswick. It offers a peaceful escape into nature, with an estimated completion time of 2 hours and 1 minute.

In addition to these trails, Fredericton also offers a variety of other outdoor activities, such as kayaking on the Saint John River, exploring the Fredericton Botanic Gardens, and visiting Odell Park. The city's extensive trail system and natural attractions provide ample opportunities for hiking, biking, running, and simply enjoying the beauty of the region.

Garrison Night Market

The Garrison Night Market is a weekly explosion of food, culture, and craft, located in the Historic Garrison District in Downtown Fredericton. The market takes place on Thursday evenings from June to September, from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

The Garrison Night Market showcases the diversity of Fredericton and the surrounding area. It features local and imported handmade products, goods from local artisans, culinary delights, and musical performances. Each week, there is something unique to discover, from different vendor pop-ups to on-street performances.

The market sets up in the old British military garrison and offers a wide range of items, including art, craft and design, clothing, locally-grown farm products, local microbrews, ciders, meads, and spirits. There are also youth entrepreneurs and buskers.

The Garrison Night Market is a great place to spend a summer evening, with a vibrant atmosphere and a beautiful location. It is a must-see for tourists and locals alike, offering a unique experience with something new to discover every week.

This year, the market is taking steps to reduce single-use plastics. Food vendors serving food or desserts in plastic containers will be prohibited, and vendors are encouraged to use paper alternatives.

Historic Garrison District

The Historic Garrison District is a National Historic Site and one of New Brunswick's top attractions. Located in downtown Fredericton, next to the Saint John River, the Garrison District is the city's cultural and historic heart. It was once a British and Canadian military post, with restored buildings including soldiers' barracks, a guardhouse, and a cellblock.

The Garrison is a centre for heritage, culture, craft, and entertainment. Local artisans operate studios in the casemates below the soldiers' barracks on Barracks Square. During July and August, free guided tours are available, and there are regular outdoor concerts on Officers' Square. A changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place daily at 11 am and 4 pm, with an additional ceremony at 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Children can even dress up as Redcoats, practice drilling, and take part in a "mission" for C$10 per child.

The Garrison District also hosts several festivals, including the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, and a summertime Garrison Night Market, which takes place on Thursdays and features arts, crafts, local produce, live music, and more.

The complex of stately brick buildings that line the river side of Queen Street was a British garrison manned from 1784 until 1869. At the centre of this district is Officers' Square, where you can watch the popular daily Changing of the Guard ceremonies, as well as frequent outdoor summer concerts and free theatre performances by the Calithumpians.

Also within the Garrison District is the Fredericton Region Museum, located in the former officers' quarters, and the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design is also in the district, and during the summer, local artists sell their wares at the Barracks Fine Craft Shops in a three-story stone and wooden structure built by the British Army in 1827.

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