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Your Guide to Exploring Fredericton, New Brunswick

Next up in our Staycation Summer Series: Fredericton, New Brunswick’s capital city.

This summer, we’re asking folks from around New Brunswick to share the hidden gems and must-see spots in their hometowns. In this podcast episode, Tourism Fredericton‘s Mary Ellen Hudson takes us on a virtual tour of Freddy Beach (as it’s often called around these parts) and all it has to offer families for staycation & day trip adventures.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for some great ideas on how to take advantage of the province’s tourism rebate (20% back on up to $1,000 spent on an overnight stay and attractions – full details on the government’s website), check out the awesome Stay & Play packages on Tourism Fredericton’s website.

Listen in for Mary Ellen’s recommendations & let us know in the comments any activities and attractions you’d add for family fun in Fredericton. Here are a few spots she mentions, just to get your wheels turning!

• King’s Landing, a living history museum that will give you a greater appreciation for both our past and our present, is just 20 minutes up river.
• There are more than 120 kilometres of amazing trails to explore in and around Fredericton, making it a perfect mix of urban eating and culture surrounded by nature.
• You can enjoy the city from the water, either on a canoe or kayak adventure, or by renting a houseboat for a fun vacation experience! (Our friend Jenna MacDonald, from our Bathurst episode, shared her houseboating experience on her blog; check it out for a great first-hand account.) Tosh & I were very intrigued by the ‘paddle & pint’ tour, and a certain Papa Pickle’s ears will perk up when he hears there’s a ‘gears & beers’ tour, too!
• Speaking of places to eat, be sure to check out the Shake Shed Freddy for unbelievable milkshake creations, Wolastoq Wharf for incredible seafood with an Indigenous twist (we can’t wait to visit and try the complimentary warm bannock with molasses!), and one of my personal favourite spots to dine, Claudine’s Eatery. For a great list of family-friendly spots to dine in the city, check out this Tourism Fredericton post from Nadia Barry, also known online as @Freddy.Foodie.
• The theatre troupe Calithumpians offer some fun tours of the city; our kids love their performances at school, so I’m sure a tour with them will be entertaining – I’m up for the haunted hike!
• If you’re looking for a great indoor entertainment option for the family, Kingswood Entertainment Centre offers arcade games, bowling, laser tag, and more. (Mary Ellen says they’re planning an indoor water park for the future – can’t wait!!) And if indoors and educational is on the table, a visit to Science East is a must!
• Don’t forget to plan a stop at the Purrfect Cup, the city’s cat cafe (and advertising sponsor of this podcast episode).
• Fredericton is known for its amazing Boyce Farmer’s Market, and Mary Ellen mentions two more markets you’ll want to visit – one focusing on food, the other on eco-options.
• One of the city’s gems is the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which is closed to the public for renovations this summer, but still offers some great art on the grounds and online. Did you know one of Salvador Dali’s largest paintings is part of the permanent collection here? It draws art fans from around the world (when travel is allowed). You can also enjoy lots of other great public art in the city, as well as some great galleries!

Mary Ellen shares many more recommendations in the podcast, so be sure to listen, but we had to share one more tidbit she drops about parking – it’s free! Pop into the Visitor Information Centre at City Hall and you can snag between one and three days of free parking downtown. How’s that for a friendly welcome! (She also says to watch for some more detailed itineraries on the Tourism Fredericton website; we can’t wait for more inspiration for exploring the city.)