August 12, 2021

A Guide to Unforgettable Daycations in New Brunswick

Looking for an unforgettable way to spend your day? Our New Brunswick daycation guide can help!

You’ve just disembarked Fundy Rose and arrived in New Brunswick. There’s only one question to ask: how are you going to spend your Daycation? There are so many things to do in this province, and you want to plan a day full of fun and excitement for everyone.

Well, fret no more! This guide will be helpful for any kind of adventurer – from city dwellers to nature lovers, as well as those of you who just love a road trip. So, get ready to make it a day to remember as you map out a stay full of unforgettable experiences in picturesque New Brunswick.

A City Day

If you are looking for adventure steps away from where Fundy Rose anchors, you are in luck! Saint John, New Brunswick, is the perfect place to spend the day exploring. Rich in cultural heritage and the easy-going spirit of a coastal city, there’s no shortage of boutiques, art galleries, acclaimed restaurants, and breweries to fill your day with.

Saint John City Market

If you want to explore the city like a local, or if being at sea has you feeling peckish, then this is the first place you should flock to the Saint John City Market is open year-round, Monday to Saturday. It features an array of local vendors, gift shops, and it is an ideal way to experience the spirit of Saint John, just as the locals do.

The Reversing Falls

Once you’re finished perusing the stalls at the Saint John City Market, check out the natural wonder of the city’s Reversing Falls. By virtue of being located in the Bay of Fundy, famous for its powerful tides, the falls are unique in that they also are the point of conversion between the Saint John River and the waters from the Bay of Fundy. Due to this, plus the unique underwater geography, the Reversing Falls create mesmerizing whirlpools and water dances at either low or high tide. The tides in the Bay of Fundy are semidiurnal, meaning that it takes about 12 hours for them to rise and fall. As a result, it takes a bit of planning to experience the Reversing Falls properly, but it is absolutely worth the effort.

Saint John Ale House

After experiencing the marvels mother nature has to offer, head over to Saint John Ale House for delicious microbrewed beers and elevated local pub fare. The beer at Saint John Ale House is so good and fresh that kegs last only four days!

Backstreet Records

If you’re a music lover, then this place is a must-visit in St. John! Known for being one of Canada’s best music shops, according to Stuart McLean, host of CBC’s beloved Vinyl café, Backstreet Records has been open for 40 years. During that time, it’s been providing vinyl lovers in Saint John and the Maritimes a great place to find rarities and new releases alike, not to mention a place to gather and find your next favourite band.

Imperial Theatre

The ultimate finishing touch to your Saint John Daycation is a visit to the Imperial Theatre. A thoughtfully restored theatre, it’s worth it as a stop during the day for a behind-the-scenes look or at night for one of Symphony New Brunswick’s concerts or Saint John Theatre Company’s performance. The Imperial Theatre has been in operation since 1913, and more than one million people have attended, it’s not to be missed! For upcoming performances information, visit the events calendar.

A Nature Day

If you’re the kind of person who’d prefer to immerse yourself in the endless nature that New Brunswick has to offer, we have a couple recommendations for your adventure log as well. It is still highly advisable to visit The Saint John City Market before you set off for the wilderness and stock up on delicious local snacks. After you’ve done this, get your hiking shoes ready because a wild New Brunswick is waiting to be discovered.

Fundy National Park

Calling all nature lovers! The world’s highest tides, a rugged coastline rising up to the Canadian Highlands, and more than 25 waterfalls await you at Fundy National Park. And it’s all just a little over an hour’s drive from Saint John. Fundy National Park features several camping options, including yurts and trailer accommodations. While you’re here, be sure to walk the ocean floor at low tide, return to the same spot a little later, and kayak at high tide! Fundy National Park is a true Maritime treasure that any nature enthusiast is sure to enjoy.

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park

This natural wonderland is a bit of a drive from Saint John — two hours by car — but it’s an absolute must-see destination for nature lovers. Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park might look familiar even if you’ve never been there. The affectionately known Flowerpot Rocks are featured in almost every New Brunswick travel brochure, and with good reason! The Hopewell Rocks are one of the most unique tidal rock formations in North America. You can visit the rocks during high tide on a kayak or from the shore, while during low tide, you can get up close and personal and get right at the base of the stones. Although camping is not permitted at the park, you can explore the network of trails and beaches during regular hours of operation, and the entrance rates are valid for two consecutive days.

Irving Nature Park

If you want to experience nature but still be close enough to Saint John to enjoy all of the amenities of the city, then this is the place for you. Irving Nature Park is just a 15-minute car ride from Uptown Saint John, and it features hiking trails and biking paths. Locals and tourists alike visit the park for its gorgeous views of the Fundy coastline, barbecue areas for day picnics, and life-size mazes that are sure to entertain children and adults alike.

A Road Trip Day

There is nothing better than a road trip! The independence and flexibility of spending a day or more on the road are second to none. If you’re planning on hitting the road right after getting off Fundy Rose to explore all the wonderful things New Brunswick has to offer, we have a couple more recommendations for you:

Kings Landing

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live and work in New Brunswick 200 years ago? Well, if you have, you are in luck! At Kings Landing, you are invited to step into the past and experience a 19th-century village in rural Canada. The story of the village is told through costumed interpreters that make sure you’re involved in its history. Don’t be surprised if any of them asks you to lend a helping hand in any of the day-to-day chores, such as rug braiding techniques or beehive making. You can also enjoy a meal at the King’s Head Inn Restaurant or travel around the property on free horse or wagon rides.

Kings Landing is just a 30-minute ride from Fredericton by car, making it a convenient stop in your road trip in New Brunswick.

Boyce Farmers Market

If you find yourself around Fredericton on a Saturday morning, then the Boyce Farmers Market is the place to be. This Fredericton favourite has been named one of the ten best Farmers Markets in all of Canada, and with more than 200 stalls of local goods, it’s easy to see why. The market is a lively, colourful spot, full of local and ethnic cuisine, as well as crafts, local flowers, and vegetables. It’s an ideal place to grab provisions for your road trip.

Odell Park and Odell Arboretum

Directly situated in the heart of Fredericton and an excellent place to stretch your legs, Odell Park is one of Canada’s best old-growth forests. The park features around 16km of trails that guide you through wonderful ancient trees — some of them over 400-years old. The park also has picnic areas, a waterfowl pond, children’s playgrounds, and an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter. In addition, the park is home to the Fredericton Botanic Gardens, Odell Arboretum, and New Brunswick Species Collection, which features examples of every tree native to New Brunswick.

Hartland Bridge

It might not be one of the seven wonders of the world, but we think it’s pretty close! This is a must-see landmark if you are road tripping your way through New Brunswick. Hartland Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the world, and perhaps the only covered bridge with its own brand of potato chips. If you have a bit more time to spend in New Brunswick after checking out the Hartland Bridge, you might want to stop at the Covered Bridge Chips factory and take a tour (and sample a few snacks!). However, if you’re short on time and long on ambition, you might just want to cross the bridge, make a wish, and hold your breath as you drive through. If you manage to make it to the other side without breathing, legend has it your wish will be granted.

Whether you want to experience New Brunswick’s cities, its sprawling national and provincial parks, or are just passing through on your road trip, we hope this guide helps you make unforgettable memories. Ready to kick off your New Brunswick getaway? Remember, Fundy Rose runs daily, so extending your trip and spending more time here is always an option — one that we certainly recommend!

Book your passage on the Fundy Rose today.