Shediac's Top Attractions

Nestled along New Brunswick's eastern seashore, Shediac is known as the Lobster Capital of the World. The town is famous for its lobster fishing, processing plants, live-lobster tanks, and the Lobster Festival held every July. It is also home to The World's Largest Lobster, a 90-ton statue built in 1989, which has become one of Atlantic Canada's most photographed landmarks. Beyond its lobster-related attractions, Shediac boasts pristine saltwater beaches with water temperatures peaking at 24°C—some of the warmest in Canada. The town also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including boating, windsurfing, golf, and hiking. For those interested in history and culture, Shediac was the site of New Brunswick's first steam sawmill and the first passenger railroad in the Maritimes. The Pascal-Poirier Historic House Art Gallery and Museum, built in 1825, is another must-see attraction, preserving the rich Acadian heritage of the area.

Shediac's Giant Lobster

Shediac, New Brunswick, is known as the "Lobster Capital of the World" and is famous for its lobster fishing, processing plants, live lobster tanks, and the Lobster Festival held every July. It is also home to the World's Largest Lobster, a concrete and reinforced steel sculpture that attracts 500,000 visitors per year.

History

The sculpture was commissioned by the Shediac Rotary Club as a tribute to the town's lobster fishing industry. It was sculpted by Canadian artist Winston Bronnum and took three years to complete, at a cost of $170,000. The Giant Lobster was built in 1989 and weighs 90 tons, spanning 11 metres long and 5 metres wide and tall. Despite its name, it is not actually the largest lobster sculpture in the world. That title went to the Big Lobster sculpture in Kingston, South Australia, until 2015 when a 100-tonne lobster/crayfish was built in Qianjiang, Hubei, China.

Visitor Experience

The Giant Lobster is one of the most photographed attractions in New Brunswick and is described as a "must-see" and a "fun experience". Visitors can climb the steps to the top of the sculpture to take selfies and enjoy the realistic detail. There are also shops and food places nearby, including local artist shops where you can buy local crafts.

Parlee Beach Provincial Park

Location and Accessibility:

Beach and Water Activities:

Parlee Beach boasts the warmest saltwater beach in Canada, with water temperatures peaking at 24°C (75°F), making it the warmest north of Virginia. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag international eco-certification. You can enjoy swimming, sandcastle building, and various other summer beach activities. The beach is also flanked by grassy marshes, providing spots to explore and observe shorebirds and waterfowl.

Campground and Amenities:

The park's campground is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the beach and offers over 200 campsites. On-site amenities include a campers store, amphitheatre, change houses, showers, washrooms, a playground, and a picnic area. Nearby, you'll find boutiques, restaurants, cultural activities, and the World's Largest Lobster sculpture.

Rates and Fees:

Surrounding Attractions:

In addition to the park itself, the surrounding area offers a variety of attractions. You can explore downtown Pointe-du-Chêne, go boating or windsurfing, play golf, or go hiking. Shediac, known as "The Lobster Capital of the World," offers a range of seafood restaurants, outdoor cafés, shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Don't miss the Giant Lobster statue and the Lobster Festival if you're visiting during July.

Downtown Shediac

The Shediac Lobster Festival is a popular attraction, celebrating the town's status as the Lobster Capital of the World. The festival takes place every July and includes a week-long celebration of lobster with a grand-scale event. The town's seaside square is lined with giant lobster statues, and the famous Atlantic hard-shell lobsters are exported worldwide.

The Giant Lobster statue, built in 1989, is one of Atlantic Canada's best-known landmarks and most-photographed attractions. It weighs 90 tons and spans 11 metres in length and 5 metres in width. The site also includes an information centre, spots to get souvenirs, a playground, water access, and a kayak shop.

Other attractions in Downtown Shediac include the Pascal-Poirier Historic House Art Gallery and Museum, the Centre Homarus Centre, the Heron Bay Gallery, and the Shediac Craft Shop. The town also boasts a vibrant and rich Acadian heritage, with the first Congrès mondial acadien (Acadian World Congress) taking place in Shediac.

The town's art galleries and shops

Shediac, New Brunswick, is known for its lobster, but it also has a vibrant arts scene and many shops to explore.

The Pascal-Poirier Historic House Art Gallery and Museum is a must-see. Built in 1825, the house has been well-preserved and offers a glimpse into the past. The gallery features the work of local artists and is a great place to learn about the history of the area. The Centre Homarus Centre is another unique spot, offering an interactive experience focused on lobsters and marine life. Here, you can even touch and hold baby lobsters!

For art lovers, the Heron Bay Gallery and the Gallery Wenzl/Frozen Gecko Studio are excellent choices. Gallery Wenzl showcases the work of Canadian artist Rainer Wenzl, with a variety of original art created using different mediums, as well as prints and cards from other local artists. The Frozen Gecko Studio, part of the Gallery Wenzl, offers design services and can be contacted for special requests.

Shediac also has a variety of shops, including the Shediac Craft Shop, which features unique crafts made by local artisans. The Maritime Crafts shop is another great option, with a huge variety of handmade crafts, and the added bonus of being a great place to visit on a rainy day. For those looking to support a good cause, the Shediac Craft Shop also sells items made by the Atlantic Wildlife Institute, the only licensed facility in New Brunswick to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

The Lobster Festival

Shediac in New Brunswick is known as the Lobster Capital of the World, so it's no surprise that the town's Lobster Festival is a highlight of the local calendar. The festival takes place in July each year and is a week-long celebration of this delicious crustacean.

The festival offers close to 50 activities and experiences, including music concerts, dance parties, and sports. One of the most popular events is the outdoor lobster dinner on Main Street, where 600 guests get to enjoy a lobster feast. There are also lobster-eating contests, rides, and more.

The town's seaside square is lined with giant lobster statues, and the famous Atlantic hard-shell lobsters are exported worldwide. You can buy fresh lobster from the aquatic market opposite Lobster Square Bridge, or head to any seafood restaurant in town to sample the local delicacy.

Shediac is also home to The World's Largest Lobster, a 90-ton statue built in 1989, which spans 11 metres long and 5 metres wide. It's the perfect spot for a fun photo opportunity.

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