When planning any trip there are a few things we LOVE to make sure are included :
• Adventure
• Beer
• Coffee
• And picture-worthy spots
If you relate with us to even one or two of those listed must-haves above then add Fredericton, New Brunswick, to your must-visit list PRONTO!
#ExploreFredericton
Fredericton is the capital city of the province of New Brunswick and is situated along the picturesque Saint John / Wolastoq River. It has lots to offer for travelers that love an Atlantic Canada urban getaway. While this wasn’t our first time here, the last time we visited the city was in 2016 and we hardly explored anywhere… So this recent trip was redemption to all the cool spots we missed out on all those years ago and a chance to discover the new businesses that have developed since.
Wondering what we got up to? Here is a 3-day itinerary that you can hopefully use to base your Fredericton travels on as well!
DAY 1 …
Stay: Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook
This landmark hotel is located right on the waterfront and heart of the city. Checking in we first fell in love with the beautiful entryway and staircase, followed by our amazing room. We were in a King Junior Suite which was comfortable, had a jacuzzi tub in the room, and beautiful views over the waterfront. We have heard from friends that other rooms are also stunning!
Explore: The Fredericton Taproom Trail
Thirsty for beer? Fredericton has you covered! This vibrant town has been coined the craft brewing capital of Atlantic Canada! Out of 26 breweries, 10 taprooms make up an awesome #FredTapTrail where you can sip your way around town trying traditional style ales, inventive brews, and collecting stamps from each location to enter to win prizes. See a full map of locations here: Map
For our first taproom trail location, we chose to check out Graystone Brewing! This brewery operates on a 10-barrel brewhouse system and creates a wide variety of west coast style ales focused on quality brews paired with adventure. They have an amazing patio area with hammocks to sit back and relax, or cozy up with a pint inside by the fire in cooler months. Davids Favourite Graystone Brew: Patagonia IPA
Skylars Favourite Graystone Brew: Wild Child
You can grab a pint or flight at the 10 participating breweries to get a stamp for the #FredTapTrail passport!
Dine: RustiCo. / King West Brewing Company
Looking to keep sipping on more beer and catch a meal? Head to Rustico / King West Brewing! Brewed on-site and part of the #FredTapTrail, King West Brewing offers fantastic beer selections paired with a Rustico restaurant menu. Sit out on the patio as we did and savour their well known wood-fired Neapolitan style pizzas or other dishes that use local fresh ingredients. This would also make for a great evening location if you’re looking for a patio with twinkle lights!
Play: HaliMac Axe Throwing
Now, with full bellies, it’s time for a bit of fun! Heading across the water to Fredericton’s North Side, HaliMac Axe Throwing is a hip axe throwing lounge where you can learn how to throw an axe, have a few games against friends, and pair the evening with local craft beer and finger foods if you like. We had SO much fun doing this!! The staff here are also all “axeperts” (HA! Get it?!) so even if you’ve never held an axe before, they will help coach you to make sure everyone is landing points before you leave.
DAY 2 …
Explore: Saint John River at sunrise with Second Nature Outdoors
If you’re an early riser then you should definitely book a morning paddle with Second Nature Outdoors. We rented a canoe to self-guide and enjoy our morning coffee as the sun popped over the river, but they also offer tours too. Their Sunrise Paddle Tour includes fresh locally roasted coffee made for you on Hartt Island and a guided paddle around a few of the many islands of the Wolastoq / Saint John River. This lovely morning tour is around 1.5 hours and $33/person - all ages welcome! It’s the perfect way to start an adventure-filled day in the city.
Dine: Tipsy Muse Cafe for Breakfast
Refuel from the morning’s adventures with breakfast at one of Fredericton’s many cafes! Our cafe of choice was this creative and cozy spot - Tipsy Muse Cafe. Here, they have amazing coffee, tea, and other locally sourced beverages that will help start your day off right. We loved their breakfast menu that includes Montreal-style bagels and a selection of homemade whipped cream cheeses that will have you wanting to try them all! Paired with a creative and bright atmosphere, it’s a great spot to catch up with friends, read a book, send off work emails, or simply sit and look out the window while falling in love with the coffee in front of you.
Play: Biking around town with Second Nature Outdoors
You simply can’t visit Fredericton without exploring some of its pristine network of over 120km of trails. These multi-use trails winding by the river, woodlands, and through the city are easily accessible and great for walking, biking, running, etc. Don’t have a bike with you? Second Nature Outdoors has you covered! We headed back to this awesome adventure hub to pick up two bike rentals ($15/2hr, $20/4hr, $30/day) and hit the trails. You can use bikes to explore the #FredTapTrail as well which is neat. A highlight of these trails is definitely the Bill Thrope Walking Bridge - a former railway bridge now accessible only to pedestrians that gives amazing views of the river and both sides of Fredericton.
If you’re interested in taking a guided bike tour that includes lots of food stops along the way Second Nature Outdoors offers that as well: Tastes and Trails Tour.
Snack: Ice Cream Break
On the way back to drop off our bike rentals, we obviously HAD to stop for some Teddy Two Scoops Ice cream at the 540 Kitchen Lighthouse. Yum!
Dine: Cultural Market for Lunch
Fredericton boasts so many delicious culinary places, but if you’re looking for something extra unique, add the Cultural Market to your must-stop list. Open all day, every day of the week, this is the city’s first and only cultural market and features local and international foods. A vibrant building paired with friendly vendors makes this spot feel like a wholesome Sunday market experience - any day of the week. On the particular day we visited there were four different vendors open.. So, of course, we had to try something from everyone!
Explore: Public Art Tour
Walk off lunch with a self-guided tour around Fredericton’s many public art installations and murals. There are lots of photo-worthy spots all around town and within a short walking distance of each other!
Check out this blog post for inspiration: BLOG
And a complete map to help guide you with information on installations here: MAP
Dine: Picaroons Beer and Food
Continue your walking tour across the Bill Thorpe Bridge to Picaroons Roundhouse (it’s literally a few steps from the bridge and trail). This newly renovated and restored historic brick building is a brewery, taproom, and a part of the #FredTapTrail. Their dog-friendly patio is an open space with lots of seating and onsite 540 North serves up pub-style food with a flare. This is a fun spot to catch up with friends, try new beers, and enjoy local eats!
Play: Bowling at The Drome
To add one last burst of fun to your day, make a reservation at The Drome! This retro 12 lane bowling alley was formerly known as Bowl-A-Drome was the oldest bowling facility in Canada under single ownership. Since its purchase in 2018, the new Trailway Brewing owners have given the building a major renovation but stayed true and honoured the history and traditions of the candlepin alley. They serve 8 taps of Trailway draft and have a restaurant too!
DAY 3 …
Dine: Breakfast at Claudine’s Eatery
If you love a comforting east coast brunch then you HAVE to visit Claudine’s. They offer a great selection of brunch items including a selection of eggs benedict dishes (we’ve heard the best in town), inventive caesars, and mimosa flights!! They are also open throughout the day and have fresh local food options for lunch, and Fri/Saturday dinners.
Explore: Odell Park
Before you head home with full bellies and fond memories, you have to explore Odell Park! Known as one of Canada’s best old-growth forests, this 333-acre park is in the heart of Fredericton, opened all year long, and the perfect place to stop and appreciate nature. With 400-year-old trees towering above, it is also a beautiful spot for photos. Pack a picnic (or take a cup of coffee to go from Claudine’s as we did) and wander the beautiful trails or visit their botanical gardens. A magical spot is sure not to be missed.
We Hope this mini itinerary helps you plan your next #ExploreFredericton travels!
There is so much to do, see, and enjoy here no matter what time of year - especially for the beer and adventure enthusiasts like us. One thing to note is if you are here on a Saturday you should 100% check out the Boyce Farmers Market! Operating for nearly 70 years, it is one of Canada’s top 10 community markets. Unfortunately, we weren’t here on a Saturday but that just means we have to return for more Fredericton fun soon!!
Here’s a little video recap from our trip as well:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Atlantic Canada travels.
* This post was done in collaboration with Tourism New Brunswick but all opinions expressed are our own. *