Discover Shediac This Summer: Nature Walks, Coastal Views, and Fresh Lobster Delights

Summers in Shediac mean sunsets and sunrises over the water, time at the beach, and fresh lobster around every corner. The Acadian coast city, also known as The Lobster Capital of the World, welcome visitors to town with the pride of the lobster and fishing industry on full display: right beside the visitor’s centre is Shediac’s famous giant lobster sculpture.

Summer fun in Shediac goes well beyond dining around town for the best lobster dishes. Shediac is home to a lively arts and culture scene that can be enjoyed many different ways like festivals and events, sightseeing, and local concerts of performance. While the coastal shores of the small city are generally rocky, grassy, or both, the neighbouring Parlee Beach Provincial Park has over a kilometre of sandy beach as well as shops, restaurants, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

Take this summer as an opportunity to try some of the world’s best lobster before or after exploring beaches, local wharfs, the views, the nature trails, and that vibrant local arts and culture scene.

Saltwater Beaches & More Fun on the Water

Shediac is a premiere beach destination in New Brunswick due in part to the city’s proximity to Parlee Beach Provincial Park. Here, day use visitors and campers have access to the gorgeous 1km stretch of sand and saltwater of Parlee Beach, as well as picnic sites, a large campground, and excellent coastal views.

• As a place to go for excellent seafood, one can only expect some excellent fishing opportunities around Shediac: head to places like the shores beside the Visitor Information Centre and Big Lobster, or the Pointe-du-Chêne wharf.
• Get out and truly see the waters around Shediac with a trip on Shediac Bay Cruises. The operators offer the options for Lobster Tours or Bay Tours.

Arts, History, Culture

Take in the local Shediac arts, culture, or history in numerous different ways this summer. All of these family-friendly attractions and events offer ways to embrace a wide array of Shediac’s rich history, while others will offer chances to catch local musicians and artists.

• Live music will pop up all over Shediac this summer to provide chances at enjoying local performers while also savouring in the local food and drink. Check local event calendars from Shediac Second Cup, Place Centre-Ville, Pump House, or Moque-Tortue for small local events and concerts.
• A shopping trip or walk around Main Street and downtown Shediac, as well as visits to the Markets, are great ways to get to know more of the local culture. Along Main Street are places with local eats and treats, artisan goods, bath and beauty products, clothing, or local art. Don’t forget to explore the riverbanks and estuary of the Scoudouc River as this is also where the Giant Lobster and Visitor Centre sit.
• A historic tour of Shediac will include a trip around the entire region to uncover sites, along with the Shediac Old Train Station Museum. Browse the museum before taking off to find the Pascal-Poirier Historic House and the heritage buildings of downtown.
• There are not many of these left in Canada as a whole, but Shediac is home to the authentic Neptune Drive-in Movie Theatre, now open for summer! The drive-in primarily plays new releases.

 

The Best Trails

One of the best parts about Shediac’s proximity to Parlee Beach is that there is direct trail access between the two destinations. It is about 4km one-way between downtown Shediac and the park’s sandy shores, with much of the trail passing through forest or freshwater marshes. This is also part of the trail which connects the Provincial Park campgrounds to the beach.

• Shediac sites at the estuary of the Scoudouc River, which enters the ocean on the west end of town. To the south of Shediac are a handful of simple, moderate, and difficult riverside trails which begin from Promenade Riverside and are maintained by the Shediac Outdoors Association.
• Get great riverside views from the moderate 0.8km Forest Glenn loop, or the easier but also 0.8km La Main trail.
• Head further south for the Association’s more challenging trails like the 1.3km Yeti trail, which connects to the 0.8km Yellow Bucket trail, as well as other trailheads.

Summer Seafood & More Dining in Shediac

New Brunswick’s Acadian coast and shores are well-known globally for the region’s seafood dining. And in Shediac, the plate of choice is lobster, so much so that the town is dubbed the official Lobster Capital of the World. Get lobster in all sorts of ways, plus other fresh seafood from local spots like The Sandbar, Captain Dan’s Bar & Grill, or Chez Linda.

• Find a variety of summertime sweets in Shediac with Hally’s Scoops and Brew, Adorable Chocolat, Ice Cream & Sub Delight, or Lost and Found Ice Cream
• A handful of restaurants line the Parlee Beach Provincial Park paths including Morse et Marteaux BBQ, Parlee Beach Restaurant, and Euston Park.
• Get patio time in during the warmer days with local restaurants like the Moque Tortue, Pump House, Le Petit Paris, La Gare Resto Bar, or La Coast.
• Get plenty of takeout, picnic, or international options with casual places around Shediac. Try out Greco Pizza, Jack’s Pizza, SARAP, House of Chau, Golden Era Restaurant, or Lenny’s Takeout.

Shediac’s Summer Celebrations

Summer events, festivals, and celebrations in Shediac cover an array of themes or interests. Surround yourself with Shediac’s dining, art, culture, and history this summer with the annual events, smaller local events, and the summer markets.

• Shediac Lobster Festival is the major annual summer festival to pop up in the Lobster Capital of the World. The week-long festival contains activities for all ages, all interests, and several events especially for seafood lovers.
• Get in on celebrating the local Latin culture in Shediac with the summer Latin Connection Market where there will be a variety of vendors for food, handcrafted products, art, clothing, and more.

• Celebrate local culture in Shediac with two different summer events, both to be held at Pacal-Poirier Park: New-Brunswick Day (August 4, 2025), and/or National Acadian Day (August 15, 2025).

• Close out the summer in Shediac with the last of the markets and the Hom’Art Festival (September 4-7, 2025), which will have tons of live art to take in and experience.

• Be part of one of the many Shediac Summer Vibe (July 15-August 20, 2025) events taking place over the summer. The events will take place across multiple venues, including Parlee Beach, Pascal-Poirier Park, and Rotary Park and include fitness, art, games, and other sorts of activities.

• The Shediac Market is a second event that graces the small city multiple times each summer. Catch the market in Pascal-Poirier Park every Sunday from June 15-September 7, 2025.

Where to Stay in Shediac this Summer

The answer to the question of where to stay in Shediac this summer will come down to your desired vacation vibe and style. Those after a more rustic retreat or outdoor getaway have several campground options from which to find a site near Shediac; these campsites include everything from basic tent or RV sites to rustic cabins or luxurious glamping. Plus, Shediac is also home to numerous inns, B&Bs, and hotels.

• There are a couple of adorable accommodations in downtown Shediac, and which are within historic buildings: choose among rooms from Hôtel du Vieux Port, Tait House by Bower Boutique Hotels, Le Griffin B&B, or Gabriele Hotel.

 

• Get a bit closer to the natural world around Shediac with a stay at one of the many local campgrounds, including Camp Parasol (RV, trailer, or tent), Ocean Surf (RV, trailer, or tent), South Cove Camping & Golf (RV, trailer, or tent), or Camping Oceanic (RVs/trailers).
• The camping available at Parlee Beach Provincial Park and at Camping Beausejour includes both regular campsites plus cabin rental options. Enhance your cabin camping stay with a night or more in the bubble glamping domes from Maplebrook Retreat.
• Shediac is home to numerous locally-owned inns and affordable hotels such as the Parlee Beach Motel, Auberge Shores Inn & Hotel, Hôtel Shediac, or the Seelys Motel.