Fredericton is an exciting city to visit and explore at any time of the year, especially in the late spring and summer. There is a lot of fun to be had for all ages in New Brunswick’s Capital city. Listed below are 24 ways you can discover Fredericton in just 24 hours.
**Arranged in no particular order**
1. Free Audio Tours
Discover some of the key buildings of Fredericton’s heritage and learn about the colorful history of the city with a free audio tour. There are four audio tours available, each one focuses on a different physical area of Fredericton, including the East End, West End, Devon and Marysville.
Price: Free
Address: Around Fredericton
Website
2. NB Sports Hall of Fame
The NB Sports Hall of Fame offers a fun and educational experience that lets you use the latest in interactive technology within the walls of splendid 19th-century architecture. It is a fun experience for all ages, which makes it a family destination where you can test your skills on the 5-in-1 interactive virtual sports system that is one of a kind in NB!
Price: Adults $3.00, Students: $2, Families: $8
Hours: Varies
Address: 503 Queen Street, Fredericton
Website
3. The Guard House and Soldiers’ Barracks
If you love military history, take a tour of The Guard House and Soldiers’ Barracks. You will be able to see what was required for private soldiers in an infantry regiment from 1828 to 1869, like uniforms, muskets, and other military equipment. You can also walk through a furnished room, where soldiers usually had to bunk with 19 men in a room with very little comfort or privacy.
Price: Free
Address: 463 Queen Street, Barracks Square
Website
4. Wolastoq’ Tour Boat & Charter
Spend a relaxing two hours cruising up and down the Saint John River enjoying spectacular views of the Christ Church Cathedral, the Legislative Building, and other iconic buildings along the shoreline. If you like, you can even enjoy a cold beverage under the sun because they are now a licensed tour.
Price: Adult: $21, Senior/Student: $19, Kids (5 & under): Free
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 2 pm to 10 pm, Monday – Closed
Address: 615 Queen Street, Regent Street Wharf
Website
5. Quartermain Earth Science Centre
Learn how the world was formed and what is happening under our feet at the Quartermain Earth Science Centre. The Science Centre is located at the University of New Brunswick’s Forestry & Geology building. There are a large variety of exhibits, displays, programs, and events for everyone to enjoy.
Price: Free
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Address: 2 Bailey Drive, Fredericton
Website
6. Haunted Hikes
Get ready for some scares when the moon rises over the Saint John River in Fredericton. Fredericton’s Haunted Hikes explore the darker part of the city’s history. This other-worldly tour will take you around downtown Fredericton with costumed guides leading the way by lantern light.
Price: Adults: $14, Children under 12: $9
Hours: July to September, Monday to Saturday at 9:00 pm
Address: 796 Queen Street, Fredericton
Website
7. Mama’s Brew Pub
Mama’s Pub has been a popular place for comfort food and pub dining since 1992. They had an upgrade in 2016, and started to brew their own beers to complement their food. Their beers are known for their creative flavours. Offering five main brews and three seasonal, there is something for everyone.
Price: A La Carte Pricing
Hours: Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 am to 11 pm, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 am to 12 am, Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm
Address: 500 Brookside Drive, Fredericton
Website
8. Hyla Park Nature Preserve
If you like amphibians, then a walk in the Hyla Park Nature Reserve in Fredericton will be a good activity for you. There are 9 frog and toad species in New Brunswick, of which 7 reside in the Preserve. The Hyla Park Nature Preserve is Canada’s First Amphibian Sanctuary and gets its name from the Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor).
Price: Free
Hours: Year round
Address: Hyla Park Nature Preserve, Fredericton
Website
9. NB Military History Museum
The NB Military History Museum located in Oromocto, almost 25km from Fredericton, has activities, programs, and exhibits to display, present and interpret the military history of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Canadian Army. The museum shows the history and heritage of the military forces of New Brunswickers at war, during peacetime, and on United Nations/NATO duty.
Price: Individuals: $2, Family/Group: $5, Veterans/Current service members: Free
Family members who come with veterans/current service members: $5
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday: By appointment only
Address: 1 Walnut Street, Building A-5, Base Gagetown, Oromocto
Website
10. Guided Heritage Walking Tours
Go on a walking tour of Fredericton that has a historically-costumed guide leading you through the Old Public Burial Ground, the Historic Garrison District, the Provincial Legislative Building, and former homes of some famous Frederictonians. During the tour, you will be entertained with local folklore and history of Fredericton’s historic sites.
Price: Free
Hours: June 1 to October 31 daily at various times
Address: 397 Queen Street, City Hall, Fredericton
Website
11. A Day in a Soldier’s Life
Kids can experience what a day in a soldier’s life was like and even get to dress up like the British soldiers did in the 1800’s. Kids from 6 to 12 years old can join in the fun and even learn how to march as they explore the Guardhouse.
Price: $10 per child.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:15 am (French) & 1:15 pm (English)
Address: Guard House, Barracks Square
Website
12. The Fredericton Geocaching Tour
Take the roads less traveled and see rare parts of Fredericton on this fun tour. All you need for a geocaching tour is a map, a GPS unit, and the sense of adventure. There are 24 special caches that you can find that are hidden all around the city.
Price: Free
Hours: Year Round
Address: 11 Carleton Street, Fredericton
Website
13. Great Canadian Beaver Pond Voyage
Only a 30-minute drive from Fredericton is the Mactaquac Provincial Park’s Beaver Ponds. In June and August, the Great Canada Beaver Pond Voyage tour is available for all ages. The tour will take you around the park and includes a fun treasure hunt looking for animals and the effects of the critters who call the pond home.
Price: Free
Hours: June to Aug. By appointment, contact park for booking times.
Address: Route 105, Mactaquac Provincial Park
Website
14. Fredericton Playhouse
Take in a live performance at Fredericton’s premiere performance venue, the award-winning Fredericton Playhouse. The 709-soft-seat theatre is the perfect place to catch live performances by regional, national, and international theatre companies, dance companies and musicians.
Price: Varies depending on show and seating
Hours: Open Year Round, check their website for event dates
Address: 686 Queen Street, Fredericton
Website
15. Lighthouse on the Green
Get a breathtaking view of the Saint John River by climbing up to the observation deck at the top of the Lighthouse on the Green. You can learn more about the Saint John River at the Play and Learn Exhibit. If you get hungry, there is the BBQ Pit restaurant on site.
Price: Varies
Hours: Mid-June to August, contact for dates
Address: 615 Queen Street, Fredericton (506-455-3371)
Website
16. Nashwaaksis Stream Nature Park
Nashwaaksis Stream Nature Park is located along the Saint John River. The park is 25 hectares with 2.1km of walking trails to explore. From the trails, you can spot local waterfowl, wildlife and wetland plants. You can also learn about the Nature Park’s unique ecosystem by stopping and reading the interpretive kiosks along the trail.
Price: Free
Hours: Open Year Round
Address: Johnston Ave.
Website
17. Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Fredericton is home to one of Canada’s most vital art galleries. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery explores the magic of visual arts with an international collection featuring rising and renowned artists. The gallery hosts historical exhibitions that focus on the visual culture of the city and the Atlantic region.
Price: Adult: $10, Senior: $8 (60+), Student: $5 (with valid school ID),
Children: Free (6 and under), Family: $20
Hours: Year Round, Tuesday/Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm
Friday/Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Closed
Address: 703 Queen Street, Fredericton
Website
18. Connexion ARC
Run by an artist for artists, Connexion ARC promotes experimental visual art practices in Fredericton. The art gallery is always changing as new installations and work are placed on display from both local artists and international artists to inspire all ages.
Price: Free
Hours: Varies, check the website
Address: 732 Charlotte Street, Room 133, Fredericton
Website
19. The Purrfect Cup – A Cat Café
If you love felines and want to have a unique experience in Fredericton, The Purrfect Cup is a café that serves great locally roasted coffee and time relaxing with cats. The Cat Lounge is where you can meet cats from various local shelters. This fun café has become a popular spot of both locals and travelers.
Price: $6.00 for adults and $4 per child to enter the lounge
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm
Address: 580 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton
Website
20. Garrison Night Market
In the summer on Thursday evenings, Carleton Street in the Historic Garrison District comes alive as the Garrison Night Market opens. The market hosts vendors with locally made and imported products, arts, crafts, drinks, food, and it even has buskers. You can relax at the market or head to Officers’ Square to watch the changing of the guards or the outdoor summer concerts.
Price: Varies depending on items purchased
Hours: Every Thursday from during summer from 4:30 pm to 9 pm
Address: 11 Carleton Street, Fredericton
Website
21. Wilmot Park
Take the family to Wilmot Park to spend some time enjoying the fresh air. It has a basketball court, lawn bowling, lighted tennis courts, walking trails, a play park, and the Wilmot Park Splash Pad. It is the perfect place to have a picnic because it has immaculate lawns. It was originally the home of the Government House Gardens.
Price: Free
Hours: June to September, from 10 am to dusk
Address: 50 Woodstock Road, Fredericton
Website
22. Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market
Shop at over 200 stalls at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market. The market is open every Saturday morning and vendors bring a huge variety of fresh produce and artisan items to the market from Fredericton and the surrounding areas.
Price: Varies depending on items purchased
Hours: Every Saturday from 6 am to 1 pm
Address: 665 George Street, Fredericton
Website
23. Government House Gallery
If you are an art lover, a ‘must visit’ place is the Government House Gallery. You will experience first-hand the artistic culture of New Brunswick. It has rotating exhibits of crafts, painting, and art that are featured in the second-floor gallery.
Price: Free
Hours: June 2019 to September 2019, Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
Address: 51 Woodstock Road, Fredericton
Website
24. Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre
During the summer, every day the Officers’ Square hosts the Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre. The series has been taking place for over 30 years. Four shows are rotated during the summer season covering a variety of themes. You can bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy some family-friendly entertainment.
Price: Free
Hours: July to Labour Day at 12:15 pm on Weekdays, 2 pm on Weekends & Holidays
Address: 796 Queen Street, Fredericton
Website