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The fall is jammed-packed with things to love and to do. There is something so special about getting outside to see the sunset-hued leaves wrapped up in the cozy weather. Along with the scenic views, New Brunswick is known for its U-picks, farmers’ markets and fall festivals. So, gather your family and friends and get ready for some fall fun and spooky fun, and check out our list of the 21 best things to do this fall in New Brunswick.
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1. Hunter Brother Fall Festival – Florenceville-Bristol
Celebrating the harvest season, the Hunter Brother Fall Festival is packed with family fun that will keep you entertained for hours. Have fun day with the family getting lost in the 6-acre corn maze, jumping onto the huge jumping pillow, or just relaxing on a wagon ride. From September 8 to October 28, 2018
2. Fall Colours Festival – Saint-Antoine
Bring the whole family to the Saint-Antoine Fall Colours Festival for a variety of activities, including sports tournaments, games, races, and much more. You should also makes sure to check out the exhibition grounds and the antique car parade. From September 16 to 29, 2018
3. Sackville Fall Fair – Sackville
Celebrate the start of fall at the annual Sackville Fall Fair. Saturday is the Agricultural Field Day, which is packed with live bluegrass and country music, along with a petting zoo, wagon rides, and much more. The rest of the weekend is filled with more family fun activities. From September 20 to 23, 2018
4. Bertrand Tradition Festival – Bertrand
Bertrand Tradition Festival is a weekend full of traditional Acadian events including dances, live music, and storytelling. You can enjoy lively performances by talented fiddlers and special guest artists, shop at the craft market and have fun taking part in the many other activities. From September 28 to 30, 2018
5. Festival Moisson d’ART – Tracadie
Festival Moisson D’Art celebrates the diversity of arts and culture, and highlights the less well-known parts of arts and culture. Guest artists travel from across the Maritimes, Canada, and North America to share their skills and experience. From September 29 to October 6, 2018
6. Kedgwick Fall Festival – Kedgwick
7. Fall Colours Day at Mont Farlagne – Edmundston
Head to the Mont Farlagne Outdoor Centre for a day of fall colours. At Fall Colours Day, you can get a great view of the forest by going up in the chairlift. At both the top and bottom of the mountain, there will be live entertainment and activities that everyone will enjoy. on September 30, 2018
8. Provincial Giant Pumpkin Festival – Neguac
Take the family out to see the largest pumpkins from New Brunswick at the Giant Pumpkin Provincial Festival in Neguac. This popular festival attracts competitors and spectators from all over the province. There will also be live musical entertainment that everyone will enjoy. on September 30, 2018
9. Poley Mountain’s Fall Festival – Waterford
You can ride to the top of Poley Mountain for the fall festival. The chairlift has great views of the forest and the sunset colored leaves. The scavenger hunt will take you down the mountain. There will also be wagon rides, games, BBQ and much more for the whole family to enjoy. on October 6, 2018
10. Halloween Haunted House Tour – Dorchester
Take the family to tour the Keillor House in a ‘spooky’ way. The Halloween Haunted House tour is guaranteed to make you laugh, as well as scare you along the way. From October 19 to 27, 2018
11. Art Across the Marsh – Sackville
Over 20 artists and artisans bring their work to the Tantramar Marshes for the Art Across the Marsh. Over the weekend, you can meet the artists, learn about their techniques, and see their works in progress. From October 20 to 21, 2018
12. Festival 506 – Caraquet
Festival 506 brings together the best musical talent in New Brunswick for shows, awards, conferences. This festival is not be missed, especially if you are a music lover. From October 25 to 28, 2018
14. World Wine & Food Expo – Moncton
You can sample over 350 different wines at the World Wine & Food Expo at the Moncton Coliseum-Agrena complex. There are seminars and tastings all weekend long that let you explore the newest and best wines and foods. From October 27 to November 3, 2018
15. FrancoFete en Acadie – Dieppe
The FrancoFete en Acadie is a major Acadian event showcasing performing arts and brings together broadcaster, artists, industry, and the public. The festival showcases some of the best seasoned and emerging artists. From November 7 to 11, 2018
16. Silver Wave Film Festival – Fredericton
The Silver Wave Film Festival is an important cultural event for the Atlantic region. The festival offers shows films from across the region in both English and French. It is jam packed with fun events and exciting programming. From November 8 to 11, 2018
17. Festival International Du Cinema Francophone en Acadie – Moncton
Festival International Du Cinema Francophone en Acadie is also known as FICFA and showcases French-language cinema from across the global. Many of the films have an emphasis on Acadian cinema. From November 15 to 23, 2018
18. Go on an Outdoor Adventure
- Carriage Road Trail, Rockwood Park: The Carriage Road Trail is one of the most popular trails in Saint John and it runs straight through the heart of Rockwell Park. The trail is surrounded by trees and will take you past Harrigan and Long Lakes making it a great option for leaf peeping.
- Mount Carleton Trail, Mount Carleton Provincial Park: Mount Carleton Trail is the most difficult trail in this provincial park, but it has the best views of the forest and the changing leaves. The trail is a looped trail and is a full day hike. The trails are clearly marked and will take you through the forest.
- Sugarloaf Bike Park: Sugarloaf Bike Park is a unique bike park as it is Atlantic Canada’s only bike park trail that is accessible by chairlift. There are trails that are great for beginners to veterans. Make sure to bring your mountain bike and be ready for an adventure.
- Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark: If you are curious about the Earth or looking for an outdoor, the Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark is waiting for you. You can hike, rock climb, zip, and kayak your way around the park. Along with the amazing forest, the landscape is breathtaking.
- Broadleaf Guest Ranch Outdoor Adventures – Hopewell Hill: Experience the fall colors on horseback or on a wagon ride at the Broadleaf Guest Ranch Outdoor Adventures. Along with day adventures, they also offer customized packages that include lodging and food until October.
- Kouchibouguac National Park: Kouchibouguac National Park stretches along the Acadian Coastal Drive and has some of the best views of fall. The park is open year around, so you can hike and even stay at the park during the fall to see all the amazing views and have an unforgettable camping adventure.
- Sheldon Point Trail – Irving Nature Park: Sheldon Point Trail takes you round the edge the Irving Nature Park and to the beach. The trail is lined with forest, so you have breathtaking views of the forest and the ocean. Even during the fall, you can relax on Sandy Cove beach before hiking back to the start of the trail.
- Dobson Trail – Moncton: Dobson Trail is one of the longest and most challenging hikes in New Brunswick, but the stunningly, breathtaking views are worth the pain. Most of the trail runs through the forest and there are birch, pine, and oak around the trails. It is a glorious hike.
- Laverty Falls – Fundy National Park: Laverty Falls is one of the most popular in Fundy National Park because it is so beautiful. There are a number of trails that will take you to Laverty Falls. The hike is short but will feel like a lifetime since there are so many amazing views.
19. Warm Up with Warm Local Food and Drinks
Café Lotus Bleu – Edmundston
Café Lotus Bleu is known for their great tea and coffee, and for being a healthy new-age organic café that has a unique international vibe. It is near both the Quebec and United States, so it takes inspiration for all three areas to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Port City Royal – Saint John
Port City Royal is known for its amazing menu and is the hottest place to dine and drink in New Brunswick. The mixologists and chefs are always working on something new and serving up fresh seasonal options.
Café Europa – Campbellton
Café Europa is only a short drive from Sugarloaf Provincial Park, and it is a morning favourite place of the locals. It is a great place to warm up after a hike, or to get your wake up, freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning.
Locavore Café – Saint John and Fredericton
If you are looking to eat local, you need to check out Locavore Café. Enjoy some of the best coffee and espressos, and freshly made meals and snacks. The café is connected to the pub next door and Picaroons Traditional Ales taprooms.
Grains de Folie – Caraquet
Grains de Folie is a charming French café that draws coffee lovers in with its great beverages and delicious menu items. It is a great place to relax and warm up on a cool autumn day.
Restaurant Le Nouvo Caveau – Paquetville
Restaurant Le Nouvo Caveau is the place to go if you love fresh seafood. The restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and its fishing industry. You will be treated with personalized beverages that best match your meal.
20. Get Fall Vegetables and the perfect pumpkin for the Jack-o’-lantern
- Charlotte’s Family Orchard U-Pick and Farm Market – Gagetown: The Charlotte’s Family Orchard is located in the lovely historic village of Gagetown. The orchard has been open for over 30 years. During the fall, you can pick your own apples, pears, and plums. Their farm market is an old Blacksmith’s Shop and has pre-picked apples, pears, plums, and fresh vegetables available for visitors to buy.
- Hazen Cameron and Son Farm – Gagetown: Pick up everything that you need for fall at the Hazen Cameron and Son Farm. They offer many varieties of apples in their u-pick, including Cortland, Spartan, and Honey Crisp. During a visit to the farm, you can pick up the perfect pumpkin for you because they have every size from super small to absolutely huge pumpkins for sale. They also have apple cider, apple pie, squash, corn and more.
- Everett Family Orchard –Island View: The Everett Family Orchard is one of the oldest farms in New Brunswick, opening in 1792. It is located just minutes from Fredericton, which makes it a popular u-pick. The farm is six acres and they grow 10 main apple varieties. There are amazing views of the River Valley and Keswick Islands. They offer wagon rides, and when the horses are on break, you can meet and pet them.
- Mackay Apple Orchard – Long Reach: Mackay Apple Orchard is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from mid-September until November. There are over 1200 apple trees growing 19 varieties. The orchard has great views of the Saint John River.
- Hall’s Apple Orchard – Fredericton: Just outside of Fredericton, Hall’s Apple Orchard is a great place to spend a day picking apples. The u-pick is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They make their own jellies and jams. If you stop by on cider making days, you may get the chance to throw apples into the chopper, see how apple cider is made, or taste fresh cider.
- Sandow Farm – Keswick Ridge: Sandow Farm is one of the few certified organic orchards in New Brunswick. They specialize in the Sandow apples, which has a unique flavour that is reminiscent of raspberries.
- River View Orchards – Keswick Ridge: Open daily, River View Orchards does not only offer U-pick fruits, it is packed with family fun. There is a farm, a duck pond, wagon rides, and a corn maze to explore and experience.
- Bostwick’s U-pick Apples – Kingston: Open until mid to late October, Bostwick’s U-Pick Apples allows you to pick your own Dudley, Cortland, and MacIntosh apples. They also grow and sell gourds, squash, and pumpkins.
- Dukeshire’s Apples – Orchard Shade Farms – Northampton: Dukeshire’s Apples Orchard Shade Farm is over 50 acres large and over 10,000 trees are waiting for you to pick their apples. They grow a variety of apples, so there is always apples available for picking.
- Gilbert’s Farm – Burton: Spend a day on the farm. Gilbert’s Farm grows a variety of apples and pumpkins that you can pick yourself or buy pre-picked. The resident cows are a huge hit, and there are great views of the river.
- Johnny Appleseed U-Pick Orchard – Keswick Ridge: Open since the 1950’s, Johnny Appleseed U-Pick Orchard is one of the oldest apple orchards near Fredericton. Drop on in and pick your own apples, or you can check out their farmstand to buy fresh apples, vegetables, pumpkins, cider, and jellies and jams.
- Uris Williams & Sons – Saint-Antoine: Uris Williams & Sons has over 20 acres of apples that are ready for you to pick, or you can explore the orchard on the orchard tour. They have a farm store that has a wide variety of homemade goods.
- Verger Belliveau Orchard – Memramcook: There is a lot of fun to be had at the Verger Belliveau Orchard. You can pick you own apples, take an orchard tour, enjoy a wagon ride, or explore the corn maze. If you get hungry or tired, make sure to stop at the Market Café.
- La Fleur du Pommier – Cocagne: Enjoy picking your own apples at La Fleur du Pommier, such as Dolgo Crab Apples, Paula Reds, Lobos, Jersey Macs and Yellow Transparents. You can also pick up great fresh apple products like apple juice, cider, apple jelly, and much more.
- Doucette’s U-pick Apple Orchard – Douglas: Gather up the kids or call up a friend and head out to Doucette’s Orchard for a fun day of apple picking. They have eight delicious varieties of apples to choose from, which include Cortland, Paula Reds, Empire, MacIntosh, Honey Gold and Lobos. They also have wagon rides on the weekend. The orchard also has a fantastic view of the Saint John River from Fredericton’s north side.
- Verger Haut Tilley Road – Haut Tilley Road: Verger Haut Tilley Road is home to 700 apple trees that grow 15 varieties, including Paula Red, MacIntosh, and white apples. They also grow with grapes and wild blueberries on this farm. There are tons of other activities that you can do, such as wagon and tractor rides, wine sampling, a corn maze, orchard tours and much more.
- McAllister Farm – Bryenton: McAllister Farm is a popular family spot in the Miramichi region, where you can pick Lobos, Melbas, Honey Crisp, MacIntosh, Cortlands and Paula Reds. They also have plums, grapes, and pumpkins available at their farm store. Their orchards have great views of the Miramichi River.
21. Get Lost in a Corn Maze
- Green Pig Country Market – Salisbury: The Green Pig Country Market is a popular location for families in the Moncton area. Their Corn Mazes, both the full size one and the mini one, are fun for all ages and they also have interactive activities for kids that enhance the experience. During their ‘Haunted Corn Maze’ evenings, there are ghosts who enter the maze. They also have Zombie Wars, which is Zombie paintball, during October.
- Fletcher’s Farm – Miramichi: When you head to Fletcher’s Farm, be ready to explore their five-acre corn maze. They offer an authentic outdoor learning experience and a fun scavenger hunt. If you want to do more maze solving, make sure to check out their hay bale maze.