Best Things to Do in Fredericton New Brunswick
If you have never been to New Brunswick Canada, go! I took a New Brunswick road trip with kids and we had the most amazing time. One place we didn’t make it to is Fredericton, but thankfully Dr. Jessie Voigts from Wandering Educators is sharing her favorite things to do in Fredericton. I”m sure post will inspire you to hop on the next plane and explore Canada!
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What to do in Fredericton with kids
Fredericton, New Brunswick’s capital, is a fantastic place to visit – it’s one of my favorite cities in Canada. Your family will love the excellent food, outdoor adventure activities, art, history, culture, music, haunted stories, outdoor theatre, and more.
And while I hesitate to limit myself to only 5 recommendations for Fredericton, I know that once you get there, you’ll discover your own travel riches. Take a look…
Changing of the Guard Ceremony and Guided History Walks
Fredericton offers much in the way of exploring local and Canadian history, from twice-daily Changing of the Guard ceremonies on Officer Square, to guided history walks in the summer.
The Changing of the Guard is a musical ceremony (pipes and drums) in period-dressed, red-coated soldiers. There is an inspection of the Guard, some shooting (no bullets), and a retreat, also accompanied by music.
Period-dressed guides offer two different tours daily, departing from City Hall.
* Capital City Circuit (10am), leaves from City Hall
* Confederation Walk (2:30pm), leaves from City Hall
Check the Fredericton Tourism website for more information and exact times for the dates you’ll be there.
Lighthouse Ice Cream
We all scream for ice cream, especially at Fredericton’s tallest ice cream shop. And there is ice cream to be had, at Lighthouse on the Green – delicious!
There’s a seating area, so you can enjoy your ice cream al fresco, along with entrees from the bbq pit and craft beer and mead. Head up to the observation deck ($2 fee, donated to the local SPCA) to get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area from on high, as well as enjoy an interactive kids’ play area and small local history exhibit.
Haunted Hike with the Calithumpians
Admittedly, I am not the best person to take on a haunted hike, since I scare easily. However, this walk around town, led by the local theatre troupe the Calithumpians, is an interesting mix of spooky tales and funny jokes – and I loved it.
Led by costumed guides, and haunted by costumed actors, the tour includes plenty of interesting local history – is it all true? Only the ghosts know.
If you or your kids prefer non-spooky theatre, the Calithumpians also perform historical plays at Theatre in the Park, and daily heritage and theatre plays based on historical themes as the Fredericton Fencibles.
Kayaking with Second Nature Outdoors
The Saint John River winds its way throughout Fredericton, and the bridges that cross it (walking or traffic) offer views of this beautiful waterway. However, one of the best ways to experience the river is to get on it! With Second Nature Outdoors, you can kayak or stand up paddleboard on the river.
My husband, who kayaked the river with our daughter, noted, “It was interesting because it was such wide, open water – it felt that it was a wider space than what we’d normally kayak, on a lake.
One time, we paddled into a narrow tributary of the river – it was a beautiful, wooded, quiet scenic time that gave a different feel to the kayak experience. It was calm and relaxing at times, and at other times, offered wide open river kayaking with waves and currents. These totally separate experiences, in one kayak trip, kept us wanting more.”
Head to the treetops with TreeGo Mactaquac
Want to take an aerial adventure? Head to treetops with TreeGo Mactaquac, located just around the river bend from Fredericton in Mactaquac Provincial Park. You will climb, zip, and swing from tree to tree on this ropes skills course.
The courses get more difficult, if you’ve got the skill and the desire. There is also a children’s course for those aged 7-13; adult supervision is required.
For smaller kids (and their families), the park has plenty of family activities, including guided nature walks, a recreation center, beaches, golf, interpretive programs, frog catching, beaver spotting, and more.
About the author: Jessie Voigts has a PhD in International Education, and is constantly looking for ways to increase intercultural understanding, especially with kids (it’s never too young to start!). She has lived and worked in Japan and London, and traveled around the world. She is passionate about international education, study abroad, smart travel, intercultural awareness, and travel with disabilities.
