We spent a few days exploring Fredericton Capital Region in winter and have ot say it is one of the BEST places for winter fun in all of Atlantic Canada! We've been here many times in the summertime, but were so excited to be back for the winter, especially during FROSTival, Fredericton’s big winter celebration. In this blog we will be highlighting some exciting FROSTival activities to do while also showing you other fun things to experience around New Brunswick’s capital region during winter!
Lunch at The Cove & First Light Distillery
Opperated by Fredericton’s local First Light Distillery, this is a super cute and popular spot for drinks and sandwiches! Scout’s Sandwich Shop located inside has their Reuben sandwich which is talked about all over the city. Hot tip: If you want to experience their popular Rueben go early!! We were there for lunch and they had already sold out, saying they go through about 15lbs of pastrami a day! We ordered a ham and cheese with bacon - the thick smoked bacon and homemade bread were incredible. They also give you the option of chips or soup on the side. For drinks we tried their popular on-tap vodka soda and delightful non-alcoholic cocktail. Such a nice spot with fantastic prices too!
Next stop: the Beaverbrook Art Gallery!
Even though we've been to Fredericton many times, we somehow always missed checking out this place. Maybe because we’ve always had great weather? But this winter we knew we had to go. Housing some of the best artwork in New Brunswick, they have an impressive collection you could spend all day exploring. One highlight is the Salvador Dalí Santiago El Grande masterpiece, which we were encouraged to view while lying beneath it for a unique 3D perspective. We also checked out the Tom Thompson and Radical Stitch exhibits, both visiting exhibits that will be ending soon. It’s good to know that the gallery regularly features rotating exhibits, so be sure to check what’s in town when your’e there!
Walking Tour with Calithumpian Theatre Company
Bundle up for a Calithumpian Theatre Company walking tour! Their engaging storytelling brought Fredericton’s history to life, pointing out historic buildings and hidden details we might have otherwise missed. The talented Will Pacey sang us songs and created quite the captivating tour!
After a day of exploring, we checked into the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Fredericton. It’s just down the road from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and is a newer hotel that opened in 2018.Our room had an incredible view, overlooking the river and Officers’ Square, which turns into an outdoor ice rink during winter. They also have an onsite restaurant and Pickle Jar and popular cocktail bar Southside Shake. Even better is that this hotel is dog friendly for all you fellow dog owners out there!
Skating at Officers’ Square
Fredericton’s Officers’ Square skating rink is a must visit! When they redesigned the square, they added a cooling system underneath so the rink stays frozen even in milder winters. You can skate from December through March! And the best part? Skate rentals are free! Be sure to check out if there are is any local music or events happening at Officers’ Square while here. We happend to see skaters enjoying a disco skate party one of the nights!
Before our next adventure the next morning, we stopped at Boyce Farmers Market for a quick coffee. This market is incredible and open year-round, with 200+ vendors selling locally grown and crafted goods.
We grabbed breakfast from Dumfries Maples, a family-run business operating for over 25 years. Of course, we had pancakes with maple syrup, eggs, bacon, homemade hash browns, plus baked beans. Watching them make everything fresh in the back was such a cool experience! We also checked out the Sugar Shack, where they create maple syrup. Since we were here in the middle of winter the trees were still too cold to produce sap, but as soon as the temperature rises, they start collecting and boiling it down into delicious syrup. Everyone here was so friendly and we’d highly recommend a visit!
Wabanaki Tree Spirit Walk at Odell Park
Fredericton is also home to one of Canada’s best old growth forest - Odell Park. This beatiful 400 acre park is also the home of Wabanaki Tree Spirit Tours. This experience created by Cecelia Brooks and her son Anthony, gave us an incredible look at the history and traditions of the Wolastoqey people, offering a fresh perspective on the land. We wandered the park and learned about the plants and trees while also hearing stories that was nothing short of moving. The passion Cecelia has for her culture and teaching others about it is contagious. This tour is something we know us and the rest of the group will be holding on to.
Lunch on this tour was a home-cooked, featuring:
Sunchoke apple salad with orange vinaigrette
Skijinabon (a traditional Wabanaki survival bread)
Three Sisters chili (corn, beans, and squash - essential crops in Wabanaki culture)
They even gave us beans to take home, with instructions on how to plant them properly!
Sleigh Ride with Sandwith Sleigh Rides
The adventure continued that evening with a magical sleigh ride with Sandwith Sleigh Rides. The huge magestic percheron horses named Grace and Kelly pulled us through the snow-covered woods to a cozy cabin, where a home-cooked meal awaited. Owners Wendy and Winston Sandwith are absolute sweethearts that simply love sharing their love for the holidays and winter with visitors and locals. Wendy will keep you entertained with witty stories while also making sure you are stuffed to the brim with food, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider. Don’t be surprised if you find your pockets filled with cookies or gingerbread cake on the journey home! Fun fact: Santa stops here on Christmas Eve, leaving his socks behind for Wendy to wash!
Stargazing with Cliff Valley Astronomy
Next up: an awe-inspiring stargazing experience with Cliff Valley Astronomy. With no bugs and early winter nights, it was the perfect time to take in the stars. Our guide, Stephane Picard, pointed out constellations and shared tips for navigating the night sky - a humbling and unforgettable experience. What’s very cool about this stargazing company is that they are mobile and offer private star parties across New Brunswick. They love being able to add an astro theme to your travels!
Skiing at Crabbe Mountain
The next day, we hit the slopes at Crabbe Mountain, New Brunswick’s largest and highest vertical drop with some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain in Atlantic Canada. A fresh snowfall made for perfect conditions, and with tons of runs to choose from, it was an epic ski day. They also have over 30km of Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, as well as 20km+ of backcountry trails. We enjoyed their equipment rentals and having lunch at their onsite food facilities overlooking the ski hill.
Cozy Cabin Stay at Mangata Mactaquac Cabins
After an action packed day, we checked into Mangata Mactaquac, a dog-friendly A-frame retreat just 25 minutes from Fredericton. The cabins are tucked into the woods, offering privacy, wood fired hot tubs, and a beautifully designed interior. Board games, a full kitchen, and a cozy loft bedroom made it the perfect place to unwind. Waking up here while the snow was gently falling outside felt like a dream! Truly one of our favourite places we have ever stayed to date.
Exploring Mactaquac Provincial Park
We wrapped up the trip at Mactaquac Provincial Park, a summer hotspot that transforms into a winter wonderland! Chatting with one of the workers here they said they just love being able to offer an area where locals and visitors can experience winter activities and be active during the winter months. It’s totally free to visit the park and use their maintained and groomed trails/ice surfaces, though rentals do have a small fee and the magical forest skating has a small fee. Keep an eye on what events and trail conditions by checking out their website and following their social media pages!
There is SO much to do here including:
Snow tubing
Forest Skating
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoe trails
Fat biking
A skating pond for pond hockey
This trip through Fredericton’s capital region was unreal. From outdoor adventures to cozy cabin stays, winter here is packed with epic experiences.
If you’re looking for a winter getaway, put Fredericton Capital Region on your list!
Make sure to check out our YouTube video on the whole trip!