Moncton 
From the Quebec border to the Acadian Peninsula and to the Bay of Funday, New Brunswick offers a lot of adventures.
Credit: Tourism New Brunswick
A great way to start is with a small town. While New Brunswick is home to dozens of beautiful natural areas to explore, the towns make the exploration even easier with places to stay or dine. These towns also make excellent destinations themselves, with several things to do and see in town.
These could each be road trip destinations from New Brunswick’s major cities (like Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John) and vacation getaway ideas for the summer.
Saint Andrews
Also known as Saint Andrews by the Sea, this New Brunswick town is about as far southwest as you can go in the province before hitting the American border. The town is also on the far west side of the Bay of Fundy in the smaller Passamaquoddy Bay. The coastal location makes the townhome to local beaches. The town is easy to explore in the warmer months on foot and bike. These multi-use trails connect you to some of Saint Andrews’ main attractions. (Map)
- Saint Andrews is filled with well-preserved history to explore and learn about. Start with a walk or bike ride around town, and visit locations like St. Croix Island International Historic Site, Ross Memorial Museum, and Charlotte County Archives and Historic Jail.
- Visit Ministers Island National & Provincial Historic Site, accessible at low tide by foot or car — a one-kilometre walk or drive on the seafloor.
- Exploring the coastal scenery is easy with natural areas like Pagan Point Nature Reserve, Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve, or the town beaches.
- Find most of the dining of Saint Andrews around the north side of town and near the golf course, including at the clubhouse. Much of Saint Andrews’ dining and local shopping are near Harriett Street and Reed Avenue.
- The events in Saint Andrews take place from spring to fall, with the Paddlefest Music & Nature Festival in spring, Ministers Island Concert & Musical Comedy Series in summer, and the Indulge Food & Wine Festival in the fall.
Bathurst
Bathurst, the fourth-largest metro area in the province sits on the northern coast of Nepisiguit Bay where the river of the same name enters the Bay. An adventure in Bathurst can start at the Waterfront Promenade, where you’ll be at the heart of the city’s shopping and dining.
- There are several natural areas around Bathurst to enjoy for the beaches, the trails, or the quiet time. This includes snowmobile trails, hiking trails in the Daly Point Nature Reserve, and the sandy areas of Youghall Beach.
- The main summer event in Bathurst is the Hospitality Days which take place over 10 days with events for all ages including headlining concerts with major Canadian artists of all genres. 2024 marks only the second year for Acadian Day celebrations in Bathurst which take place at the Waterfront Promenade.
- And for those visiting around the cooler months, be sure to attend the annual Bathurst Santa Claus Parade that runs through downtown, or the Cranberry Festival in the neighbouring community of Pokeshaw.
- Anyone in search of a coastal vacation can find true Maritime culture, true relaxation, and great places to stay in Bathurst. The city has many adorable cottages, bed and breakfasts, and hotels near the water.
St. Martins
Next to Saint John, St. Martins is one of the ultimate destinations along New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy. Today, it is considered the Village of Fundy-St. Martins provides some of the province’s best natural scenery. And for those visiting overnight, Fundy-St. Martins provides several options for accommodations like cottages, inns, and campgrounds.
Credit: Jordan Gri/New Brunswick Tourism
- Make St. Martins your home base and set out to explore Fundy Trail Provincial Park, a 30-km scenic drive along the Bay of Fundy, featuring a rich ecosystem with Long Beach, three discovery beaches, over 35 km of trails, 20 lookouts, a waterfall, a suspension bridge, and ancient rock formations.
- Fundy Sea Shanty Festival is an annual late-summer event in St. Martins aimed at honouring the area’s cultural roots and Maritime traditions.
- For the natural beauty of St. Martins, explore the sea cave area as it connects to the rocky beach (during low tide!). And south of town is even more to explore at the Red Rocks and Browns Beach.
- The local dining in St. Martins includes something for all meals and preferences, including cafes, seafood restaurants, and spots for sweets.
- For a day out exploring, there are several nearby tour operators, including Go Fundy Tours, and Bay of Fundy Adventures.
Caraquet
Caraquet is located at the far northern end of eastern New Brunswick, slightly north of Bathurst. To the east of town is the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and to the west is Chaleur Bay. This tip of the Acadian Peninsula is dotted with several small towns and communities which were formed around the rivers of the area. The town follows the edge of the water with picturesque scenery from end to end.
- Festival acadien de Caraquet has taken place in the town for over 60 years now with live music over 10 days each August. Plus, the town is host to several other festivals during the year, like the Rien comedy festival, a March Break Festival, spring’s Acadia Youth Theatre Festival, the Visual Arts Festival, or Festivin, and their annual Pride festival.
- Make your way out and explore as far as you can go on the Acadian Peninsula. This incredible drive brings you through the town of Shippagan, over the water, and out to places like the Ecological Park of the Acadian Peninsula or Miscou Island.
- Visit Village Historique Acadien, an open-air historic village, which features a 2.2 km circuit of historical building which vividly brings to life Acadian family life from 1770 to 1949 through interactive portrayals and events, highlighting their customs and hospitality. You can enjoy seasonal experiences from June to September, including workshops, cultural activities, dining, and overnight stays at the Château Albert Hotel.
- Head down to the Marina for the restaurant, ocean views, and a possible place to stay with the campsite.
- There is no shortage of food in Caraquet, with nearly all restaurants and fast food locations located along St. Peter Boulevard. The town also has a great variety of cuisine.
Shediac
As the Lobster Capital of the World, it is fitting that Shediac be home to a massive annual lobster festival and the World’s Largest Lobster as a sculpture on Main Street. The east coast town, east of Moncton, offers visitors ways to explore and celebrate the big lobster industry of the town, as well as much more to see and do, totally unrelated to lobsters.
Credit: Emilie-Iggiotti/Tourism New Brunswick
- Town of Shediac celebrates local food, plus art, music, sport, and more, through the annual Shediac Lobster Festival. The festival is over a week-long with a midway, live performances, a parade, dining events, and kids’ activities.
- Choose between guided tours on or off the water around Shediac. Shediac Bay Cruises, and Seas the Day Charters bring you out on a boat tour, while Viva Shediac offers in-town food tours, ghost tours, and bar hopping tours.
- Head to Parlee Beach Provincial Park, which is celebrated as Canada’s warmest saltwater. The beach has Blue Flag eco-certification and prioritizes accessibility, providing a mobi-mat for easy beach access for those with mobility challenges.
- When touring on your own, consider Shediac’s biggest attractions, like the Centre for Speed Entertainment Park or Quai Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf.
- Plus, consider all the adorable shops and restaurants in downtown Shediac, as well as in neighbouring towns.
Edmundston
Edmundston, located near both the Quebec and United States border and at the confluence of the Saint John and Madawaska Rivers, boasts riverside trails that make the town easier to explore on foot or by bike.
Credit: Tourism Edmundston/New Brunswick
- All around northwestern New Brunswick is beautiful scenery and wilderness. This makes for many recreational opportunities around Edmundston. These include downhill skiing at Mont Farlagne, New Brunswick Botanical Garden, several trails for mountain biking or snowmobiling, golfing, and kayaking or canoeing on the Madawaska River.
- There is a lot of Acadian and local history to explore in and around Edmundston: there are multiple museums, preserved buildings, and the town’s historic downtown.
- Festival Royal is Edmundston’s newest event, slated to include live outdoor concerts from electronic DJs and rock artists.
- The Great Madawaska Hike taking place in the Fall offers a chance to explore the region’s best trails.
- Exploring the arts and culture of Edmundston could include a live show at the Edmundston Art Centre, a walk through the Madawaska Museum & Gallery, or a tour of the town’s local art galleries.
Grand Manan Island
A trip to Grand Manan Island will require the most planning out of any of New Brunswick’s top town trips. The island is only accessible by boat or air. The public vehicle ferry runs all year-round except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The island sits on the border between the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine.
Credit: Matt Hewitson/New Brunswick
- A visit to Grand Manan Island could simply be spent watching, viewing, and appreciating the spectacular nature on the island. This includes watching for whales, hundreds of seabirds at the Grand Manan Sanctuary, awe-inspiring sunsets and sunrises, and making the most of the beaches.
- There are several tour operators on the island who make whale or birdwatching even easier, with tours usually open from May to October.
- There are beaches all along the coasts of Grand Manan Island, and you’ll get the choice between sandy beaches or rocky cobble beaches. There are even more hiking trails on the island, most of which follow the coastlines. Some of the best hiking views are from Deep Cove on the south side of the island.
- Simply follow the island’s main highway to find the local dining in several different small communities. This includes many tasty seafood spots.
Campbellton
Campbellton is part of the mountainous regions of New Brunswick’s Restigouche area. On top of this, the town also sits seaside on the Chaleur Bay.
Credit: New Brunswick Tourism
- Consider Campbellton as a basecamp for all the possible nearby adventures in Sugarloaf and Mount Carleton Provincial Parks, or the National Parks.
- All the nearby parks provide many opportunities for hikes ranging from easy to the more challenging trails.
- Each summer, the town hosts two major summer events: the Campbellton Salmon Festival and the Adrenaline Bike Festival. Their winter celebrations centre around the Campbellton Sno-Fest each February.
- See the area’s rich history through the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site, the local Salmon Sculpture, or the Restigouche River Experience Centre.
- Unwind at Water Street, the hub for Campbellton’s local restaurants.
Sackville
Find Sackville on the northeastern end of the Bay of Fundy near the Nova Scotia border.
- At the heart of Sackville is Waterfowl Park, a large green space and wetland area with 3.5km of trails, and over 160 species of birds. It is a large park for a small town, but offers a great way to start off explorations in Sackville.
- Spring to fall is busy in Sackville with events, concerts, and festivals, including the Border Town Art Fair, Art Across the Marsh, Sappyfest, the Tantramar Fall Fair or Winterfest, and the summer Farmers’ Market.
- Explore the artistic side of Sackville with a self-guided art walk through town, a show at the Performer’s Theatre, or a show at the Sackville Music Barn.
Miramichi
Miramichi is also known as one of the best fishing destinations in New Brunswick. The city is on the river of the same name before it meets with the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Miramichi is close to Newcastle, and between the two, there are numerous places to stay, including campgrounds, hotels, and cottages.
Credit: Emilie Iggiotti/New Brunswick
- The fishing industry and sport is celebrated in Miramichi with the annual Striper Cup bass fishing derby.
- History is easy to explore around Miramichi with museums and historic sites all along the river like Île Beaubears Island, the New Brunswick Aviation Museum, St. Michael’s Museum, or Middle Island Irish Historical Park.
- The river is a source of many other types of recreation, including canoeing, kayaking, and tubing/floating.
- Explore even more nature through the Kouchibouguac National Park, only 50km southeast of Miramichi.
Tom ,It’s called the Sugarloaf mountain in Campbellton. Unless they have changed the name since I have lived there.
There is more to Southwest NB than Saint Andrews. First it not the farthest southwest to US Border. That lies with the border town of St. Stephen. Aldso St. Croix Island is not part of St. Andrews NB. Most dinning in St. Andrews falls within a small block in the downtown. Beautiful coastline beside St. Andrews in Southwest NB. St. Stephen has the Chocolate Museum. Farmer markets downtown on Fridays. Yes easy to pop over to Calais ME whole visiting. Several local area to eat and current growing more ethnic foods such as Thai,Polish and Vietnamese to name a few. So yes visit St. Andrews but remember there more to explore near by.
Miramichi City is a storyed City home to Lord Beaverbrook. New Castle is spelled ‘”Newcastle” not a word about Chatham together these communities are the core of the City
Interesting story but author really needs to get geographically attuned! Bathurst is not the northern most City that honour falls to the City of Campbellton.
Although the author stated Campbellton was in mountain area author left out the powerful Fall season colors that rival anywhere plus picturesque Restigouche River. A hike up the 1,000 foot Sugarland Mtn is a must.
Florenceville Bristol!!! Excellent restaurants, walking trails, swimming and boating close by, beside the St John river . The town and river are really visually appealing !
You mentioned Grand Manan, What about Campobello Island, why are we not mentioned aren’t we on Charlotte County / New Brunswick map?
FYI, Newcastle is incorporated into Miramichi, not two separate places.
One part of note, Camplbellton is the northernmost city, not Bathurst. But a good write up otherwise
Miramichi is a city not a town.
Someone needs to do better homework ….This is very
Poor and uninformed writeup…
Our little Town of Dalhousie, or now as it is called
Heron Bay was completely left out….
Take out your maps, do a little Geography lesson and really Finally Get it Right….
Hey You Forgot To Mention and Moncton New-Brunswick Canada in The New-Brunswick City’s Tourism and Place to visit for the 24 th Year in Row .
Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton are not mentioned as they are New Brunswick’s largest cities.