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New Brunswick’s top road trips

New Brunswick’s Top Road Trips

New Brunswick’s top road trips

Known for its abundant seafood, exhilarating whale watching, and vast white-sand beaches, New Brunswick is also home to the Bay of Fundy, which boasts the highest tides on the planet. Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean, it's a small province you can easily crisscross by car, meaning lots of sights with little stress. It's also a bilingual Maritime community deeply influenced by the sea with Acadian roots. Here are the best road trips -- from city tours to outdoor adventuring -- to get to know this friendly place of lighthouses, lobster, and lively festivals.

1. Fundy Wonders & Whales Route

Saint John
Historic Saint John, credit: Tourism New Brunswick

This well-rounded holiday in the southern part of the province covers both outdoor adventure and Acadian coastal culture. The tour delves into historyExternal Link Title -- visiting Canada's oldest city, charming Saint JohnExternal Link Title, with its Old World port architecture -- and marine biology, with time to explore the Bay of FundyExternal Link Title's fossil-filled tidal pools, red sandstone cliffs, and dramatic beaches. Then it's onto some laidback Atlantic isles External Link Titlevia ferryExternal Link Title for whale watching and relaxation, hiking, and biking. Hungry after all of those activities? Savour fresh-caught lobsterExternal Link Title, before concluding your trip with a taste of heritage, culture, and... chocolateExternal Link Title!

 

Starting point: Saint John

Distance: 300 kilometres

Time: 5-6 days

Essential stops: New River Beach, the Fundy Isles, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen. Discover more about these stopsExternal Link Title.

2. Fundy Treasures & Tides Ride

Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks, credit: Tourism New Brunswick

With tides rising and falling as much as 16 metres twice a day, the Bay of FundyExternal Link Title is mind boggling, so it's understandable if you want to make it the focus of your trip. If you're an outdoor adventurer, this eastern tour is for you. Surf the monster tides on kayaks and tuck into sea cavesExternal Link Title; look for creatures on the red-sand ocean floor along the towering sandstone Hopewell RocksExternal Link Title -- nicknamed the "Flowerpot Rocks" for their distinctive silhouette; checkout a cliffside lighthouseExternal Link Title; hike and camp at a national parkExternal Link Title; and sample local clam chowder, lobster, and pickerel in bilingual, museum- and gallery-filled MonctonExternal Link Title.

 

Starting point: Moncton

Distance: 225 kilometres

Time: 4-5 days

Essential stops: Hopewell Rocks, Cape Enrage, Fundy National Park, St. Martins. Discover more about these stops.External Link Title

3. The River Valley Ride

Fredericton concert
The Capital Complex, credit: Fredericton Tourism

Foodie? Culture-vulture? Try this gastronomic tour starting at the Quebec-Maine border and enjoy the arts and crafts, entertainment, nature, and cuisine of the Saint John River Valley. Spend a night in a forest "dream dome"External Link Title. Then satiate your taste buds as you dineExternal Link Title, go wine tasting, or stroll a farmers marketExternal Link Title. Take in a concert or festivalExternal Link Title, and throw in an excursion to see -- or zipline acrossExternal Link Title -- New Brunswick's largest waterfall and gorgeExternal Link Title. Finally, find a nice spot to paddle or go boatingExternal Link Title, all while enjoying the pretty farmland scenery along the way.

 

Starting point: Edmundston

Distance: 500 kilometres

Time: 3-4 days

Essential stops: Grand Falls, Florenceville-Bristol, Fredericton, Downriver. Discover more about these stops. External Link Title

4. The Sun & Sand Trail

Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Pointe du Chene, Parlee Beach Provincial Park, credit: Tourism New Brunswick

Looking for relaxation? Visit Canada's warmest salt-water beaches. You can stretch this journey out over a week or make it an easy-going two-day journey to BathurstExternal Link Title and the Acadian Peninsula BeachesExternal Link Title. This route skirts the Gulf of St. Lawrence in New Brunswick's north, and combines lounging in quaint seaside towns, golfing, and spa rejuvenation with beach recreation. Camp, hike or bike in a National ParkExternal Link Title, go wildlife viewing in and around white sand dunesExternal Link Title, tuck into fresh seafoodExternal Link Title like a local, and learn about Acadian cultureExternal Link Title.

 

Starting point: Bathurst

Distance: 530 kilometres

Time: 5-7 days (or 2-day option)

Essential stops: Acadian Peninsula Beaches, Kouchibouguac National Park, Shediac, Murray Beach Provincial Park. Discover more about these stops.External Link Title

5. The Acadian Joyride

Harbour View Market
Hopewell Rocks and the Bay of Fundy Coastal Tour, Alma (Harbour View Market)

AcadiansExternal Link Title know how to enjoy life. And you too will catch joie de vivre after rubbing elbows with the French-speaking locals on this leisurely east-to-northwest drive along the scenic coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Learn about history the fun way -- by strolling pretty, flower-filled towns, staying in cozy bed and breakfastsExternal Link Title, sampling local fare, and picnicking on the shore. Be sure to take in some theatreExternal Link Title, join a festivalExternal Link Title, and try some New Brunswick ciderExternal Link Title with fresh smeltExternal Link Title. Sant?!

 

Starting point: Memramcook

Distance: 500 kilometres

Time: 3-5 days

Essential stops: Dieppe and Moncton, Bouctouche and Shediac, Acadian Peninsula, Acadian Isles. Discover more about these stops.External Link Title

6. Mighty Miramichi River Run

Miramichi River Boat Tours
Miramichi River Boat Tours, credit: New Brunswick Department of Tourism and Parks

If you love fly-fishing, or want to learn how, the 250-kilometre-long Miramichi River has some of the best salmon angling in the worldExternal Link Title. Heading south to north, warm up your skills in lumberjack country, perhaps catching a timbersports competitionExternal Link Title. Move on to rustic-luxe lodge-basedExternal Link Title fly-casting, canoeing, and kayaking. Then hire a guideExternal Link Title to take you to the pools that make this river legendary and celebrate your catch of the day with a shore lunch. Wrap up with a taste of Aboriginal cultureExternal Link Title, look into the area's ship building historyExternal Link Title, and enjoy a city tourExternal Link Title.

 

Starting point: Boiestown & McNamee

Distance: 200 kilometres

Time: 3-5 days

Essential stops: Doaktown, Blackville, Sillikers & Red Bank, Miramichi. Discover more about these stops.External Link Title